unlinkedstudent 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 Where specifically did I STATE the boat was in some way unsafe to be in operation? I didn't. What I implied was that it would perhaps be inspected and it would be that authority who deemed it safe to sail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanofNess Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 It was the comment about "sale and replacement" I took it you were inferring the boat wasn't suitable or possibly unsafe, then you said there may be something wrong with the boats design that it was flat bottomed and possibly not fit for purpose. One could be forgiven for thinking your suggestion was that the Northlink Ferries are in some way not suitable or unsafe for sailing the passage that they sail after all of the above. Apologies if you were offended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unlinkedstudent Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 It was the comment about "sale and replacement" I took it you were inferring the boat wasn't suitable or possibly unsafe, then you said there may be something wrong with the boats design that it was flat bottomed and possibly not fit for purpose. One could be forgiven for thinking your suggestion was that the Northlink Ferries are in some way not suitable or unsafe for sailing the passage that they sail after all of the above. Apologies if you were offended. Apology accepted but for the sake of clarity, I also didn't state that there was something wrong with the design - I said where do you want to start (see above) and put "Design?". Anyway, I've been up since 6am, coffee still kicking in, run out of ciggies, work to do and need a bath! Hope I haven't caused you any offence either but me can't help but think that perhaps (and I said perhaps), you either speed-reading the posts or not fully awake either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjeunson Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 The boat is a perfectly safe design. Not the best sea boat by any means but the design would have been more driven by cost and the ability to meet the applicable design rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 I spent a good couple of years working on ships in the Caribbean, been hit by a few hurricanes etc. I can tell you that the Northlink ships are fit for purpose as if the were not they wouldn't be permitted to sail. The ships are UK flagged, which is a great thing as the UK has some of the toughest marine regulation in the world. The ships (as they stand) are also of SOLAS standard. I am sure they are also a dar sight safer than the OLD P&O boats. Personally, I like the ships. Staff are generally quite friendly, there are things to do, the food is all right and the cabins are comfy. I have never felt scared or in danger on the boats, but that may be because of my experience. Yes, I would like it if it was a bit cheaper.... but they get you where they say they will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjeunson Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 The ships (as they stand) are also of SOLAS standard. I am sure they are also a dar sight safer than the OLD P&O boats. ^^ This, she'll float even with a dirty great big hole in her side. Just because the boat rolls a bit now and then doesn't mean she's not safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogman Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 Having been a passenger and and a car driver on the boats for holidays and trips for over 30 years now (I have travelled on the last 3 St Clairs and the St Sunniva, MV Dorset, Smyril stand-in boat, etc.), I feel that the current boats are the most comfy and safest feeling we have had. I am not in any way qualified in anything marine etc. but they have the nicest beds of all the last 30 years worth of boats, and seem to handle the bad weather pretty well. They are certainly not pretty boats - looking as they do more like container ships, and there is not enough cabin space, but...on calm or even moderate nights they are very pleasant to sail on, the car deck is less infested with animal smells, the staff are great and the food is much better than before (even if it is a little too pricey...) It would be nice if the cost of going to Aberdeen and back was less (especially with a car) but overall I have nothing negative to say about the service. When I first came to Shetland it was 2 boats a week, the shops regularly ran out, and the journey itself was not on a stabilised boat so rolly-polly even in calmer weather. I reckon we are blooming lucky with what we have!!! 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. 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 .... One or two of the "passenger quotes" when I was on her when she rolled on the 4th of March stated that I had fallen down the stairs to the car deck! If I had, I think my injuries would have been far worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest partan Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 the boats just are too much like cruise liners and not enough like the north sea ferries they should be. it just takes to look at them to know they arent fit for service in rough weather i am a ships engineer and i have been all my life which is a long time. they should be taken out of service and replaced with ships something like the ould st clair and st sunniva which could handle all the rough weather that got thrown at them. thats the definitive truth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb 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 .... One or two of the "passenger quotes" when I was on her when she rolled on the 4th of March stated that I had fallen down the stairs to the car deck! If I had, I think my injuries would have been far worse. i thought you had smashed your ribs in. are you entitled to money if your hurt on the northlink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 the boats just are too much like cruise liners and not enough like the north sea ferries they should be. it just takes to look at them to know they arent fit for service in rough weather i am a ships engineer and i have been all my life which is a long time. they should be taken out of service and replaced with ships something like the ould st clair and st sunniva which could handle all the rough weather that got thrown at them. thats the definitive truth I disagree with you. The ships can quite clearly deal with what is thrown at them... the always arrive safely. The reason the sailings are canceled are for passenger safety... Im sure the boats would be able to make the trip, the problem is passengers would get injured and cars/ cargo damaged. The old P&O ships would not pass the new SOLAS requirements, the Northlink ships do... I think that says a lot. Why cant a ferry be a bit like a cruise liner? Saying that though, I worked on cruise ships for a few years... the Northlink Ships are most defiantly not like cruise ships... comfy yes, but no cruise ships! One or two of the "passenger quotes" when I was on her when she rolled on the 4th of March stated that I had fallen down the stairs to the car deck! If I had, I think my injuries would have been far worse. Im pretty sure they tell you not to go down the stairs when the ship is moving... Im pretty sure that's why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted October 23, 2009 Report Share Posted October 23, 2009 I was on about the begining of March, you do need to use a bit of common sense.I remember the Clair had straps on the bunks and If I remember the new vessels do too.Always one hand on a rail and so on. The front bar moves the most, where as the best place is on the top deck, but no go when rough. They do warn about stairs and generaly close all but centre staircase. The Clair certainly had a bit mor excirement about her, the new vessels dont seem to roll as much.. I think we are yearning for the cosyness of the P&O vessels, we all knew someone who worked on one. Wat I miss is the bar filling up and folk playing jams on the stage, good fun nights... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuckleJoannie Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 st sunniva which could handle all the rough weather that got thrown at them. thats the definitive truth My dad was on the inaurgural trip of the Sunniva that was cut short by a wave stoving the bridge windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlady Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 ^^ And I was on the Clair the night that the captain "thought he'd lost her" at 3 in the morning. when she went so far over that the props came out of the water and the power went out.. Its the same old story ... Something has to happen to scare the "powers that be" into realising that they're not invincible and for a little while they will keep a wadder eye. then complacency will slip in again. On Wed night it was more good luck than good management that the person on the couch that went through the plate glass window wasn't more seriously injured! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david Posted October 24, 2009 Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 Found on Youtube, from the other day... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms4wzXuKpNA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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