khitajrah Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 poor Sha must think he's picked the wrong place to come. It is best to be prepared but in reality the problems spoken about above are generally in the minority. My father is also coming over for a visit during Up Helly Aa (a 10,000 mile round trip) and has politely asked me to book a storm please. He wants to experience the boat on rough seas. Madman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoogler Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 If you decide to leave your car at the airport Long Stay car park there is a good bus service every half hour that takes you right into the bottom of Market Street, a short walk down to the ferry terminal. Doesn't cost much compared to a £20 taxi but then if theres a group sharing a taxi is not so bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Anyone else slightly perturbed at the announcements before you set sail from Aberdeen?Had this nice spiel about how the weather was fine on our journey up to kirkwall and we were due in at hatston at 11pm... Then came the safety announcement.If I hadn't done the journey many times before I may have been worried that I'd got on the wrong boat.It's like getting on a train going to London and only getting told what time you're due into Peterborough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 People got hurt (rumour has it 1 person went through a glass partition) and cars were damaged on last nights crossing.Tonights crossing has been cancelled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umph Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 According to the Shetland news site Malcolm.. It was a sofa that broke the pane off glass.. 4 people with minor injuries one who was sitting in the bar, one who was asleep in a bunk and a couple who were asleep on a sofa... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 ^^ ^^ Could be, It was a passenger that said someone was lying on the sofa when it went through the glass partition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastie Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 ^^ Yes, but we all know how accurate "passenger accounts" can be!! A glass partition? That sounds like a partition to the Restaurant then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 ^^ Yes, but we all know how accurate "passenger accounts" can be!! A glass partition? That sounds like a partition to the Restaurant then. In general (oops, do I need to whack in "allegedly"?), sometimes those involved or who witnessed events can be a tad more truthful than any old company wanting to maintain a squeaky clean, holier than thou portrayal ... ... how long before HSE/Marine Inspectors/whoever declare said ferry fit for sail (or should that be sale and get a replacement?). Given that we get weather/shipping forecasts, I bet the Marine Insurers will be questioning as to whom made the decision to sail. Mmm, can visualise the Loss Adjusters' Report now along the lines of:- 'We interviewed all stevedores and in particular those working on the car deck. All lorries had been secured but it appears that a 1978 Ford Escort's handbrake failed, was not left parked in gear and slid sideways into a 2008 registration motorhome ...' On a more serious note, I hope anyone injured makes a swift recovery and wish them well and that, weather permitting, smashed glass partition boarded up/replaced pronto, new sofa ordered and secured down, with boat fit for use again as soon as safely practicable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanofNess Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 ... how long before HSE/Marine Inspectors/whoever declare said ferry fit for sail (or should that be sale and get a replacement?). Why what's wrong with the boat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 unlink welcome to shetland. the seas up here do get a little rough. when there is iffy weather you get a choice if you want to travel. northlink will only travel if they think its safe. there has been lots of moaning about them being chicken in the past. this is very normal. but it can end up with you not having any fresh food for a couple of days when it gets really bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 ^^ to both. Where do you want to start with what's wrong with the boat? Design? Flat-bottomed? Fit-for-purpose? Or After an accident where members of the public have been injured albeit perhaps sustained minor injuries, surely there are procedures to be followed where the necessary body inspects a vessel? Regarding weather, yes of course I know that seas can get rough. Re food shortages - I understand that in absolutely dire weather, it has been known for some to be flow in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanofNess Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 ^^ to both. Where do you want to start with what's wrong with the boat? Design? Flat-bottomed? Fit-for-purpose? Are you stating these as being wrong with the boat because of a background in marine design and engineering?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 ^^ to both. Where do you want to start with what's wrong with the boat? Design? Flat-bottomed? Fit-for-purpose? Are you stating these as being wrong with the boat because of a background in marine design and engineering?. Why? Do you ask others who have posted anything about the design of the boat if they have a background in marine design and engineering? I have, however, amongst other jobs, worked in marine litigation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 Having lived on an island that was 1mile x half a mile and facing right onto the Atlantic. I am very aware of how treacherous the sea becomes and how easy it is to be cut of and have no fresh food deliveries. It was the done thing to keep a good store cupboard and well stocked freezer ..Plenty of flour and a breadmaker ( in case you did not want to make it by hand) I am sure we can survive a couple of days if not more as long as you are prepared... As to the boat we had this scenario last winter and the same excuse " the weather got worse than expected" Does this not rank alonside the famous remark that " It was the wrong kind os snow" on the tracks.. With satellite weather predictions surely the powers that be are able to mare safer decisions .... I hope those peeps who suffered whatever injuries they sustained will be on the mend soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanofNess Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 Why? Do you ask others who have posted anything about the design of the boat if they have a background in marine design and engineering? I have, however, amongst other jobs, worked in marine litigation. I would ask anyone that if they were stating the boat was in some way unsafe to be in operation. I've worked on umpteen marine contracts doesn't mean I can tell people whether a boat is safe or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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