With winds forecast to gust in excess of the upper 40s, the prospect of a ferry on Saturday the 6th of April looked extremely doubtful. Yet, an attempt was to be made, leaving Oban at 5:30am. I had in mind only a few skippers who would make such an attempt.
Before leaving home I was aware that berthing at Coll had not been attempted, it being deemed not to be safe. So the vessel had proceeded to Tiree.
Just walking the short distance from home to the pier you felt as if you were being propelled. When the attempt to berth was being made the wind was gusting over 50mph from the South East – far from ideal conditions for berthing at Tiree.
As the MV Clansman swung round in order to berth stern first to linkspan the anchor could be seen ready for deployment. It was an anxious time for those on board and those waiting to board. Would berthing be successful?
Sure enough the anchor was lowered. The bow and midship lines were thrown and caught and these ropes secured. Then the stern was brought round against the wind with the MV Clansman’s powerful thrusters.
It was no morning to be standing on the pier and its roundhead. But thanks to Captain Michael MacNeil, his crew and the pier team the ferry successfully berthed. Experience counts!
With the ropes secured the linkspan was lowered and the vehicles proceeded to roll off. Their was no gangway so foot-passengers had to cross the linkspan.
In such conditions there is always the anxious thought, “Will the ropes hold?” Thankfully, the ropes held throughout the ferry’s time alongside the pier.
Throughout the proceedings a watchful eye was kept from the bridge.
As soon as the last vehicle was on board, the ramp was raised and the vessel secured. The stern ropes were cast and the thrusters pushed the stern away from the pier.
With her stern pushed out from the pier the anchor was raised before the ferry could head out to sea.
FALLING and RISING
There was to be no second attempt at berthing in Coll with the ferry sailing direct to Oban. With the forecast for Storm Katherine to intensify in the coming hours an alert has been issued with Sunday’s sailing being cancelled.
Today was a great example of when ‘Experience Counts.’ Thank you Captain MAcNeil and to all involved in the successful berthing at Tiree.
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Life On Tiree 