BLUEMOMENT

For some years now we've got to know by heart the "Vessels in and around the Oban Bay area are advised that the car ferry Isle of Mull is entering by the North channel and proceeding to No. 1 roro berth" broadcasts. Last weekend I noticed a new variant. When a ferry approached the gap between Lismore Light and Lady Rock there was a broadcast announcing that the ferry would be going through the gap. So far, fair enough. But the announcement continued with a warning along the lines of "sailing vessels and small craft should keep clear of the ferry in the interests of safety and good seamanship".

Is it just me being over sensitive, or does this last bit cross the line between giving useful advice as to the ferry's intentions and issuing instructions (by what authority?). I suppose the key question is should the passage between Lismore and Lady Rock be regarded as a narrow channel? The Oban bay broadcasts only started after adoption of a voluntary traffic scheme which is noted on the charts and was promulgated by a Notice to Mariners. I've not seen anything similar for Lady Rock, but perhaps I've missed it? Anyone know?

You have just enlightened me On approaching Oban last Thursday I heard a broadcast from Cal Mac such as you describe. On looking for the boat leaving the Oban berth no such thing happened. I did not realise or have no knowledge of intimation of this latest developement between Lismore and Lady Rock. Cal Mac transmissions are also no longer understandable being rapid fire speech in some strange language that could be anything.

I've not yet herad this new one. Must be pretty recent. I was in the area only this last weekend (Fri-Mon) and didn't hear that one.
I have heard a new ending to the Oban bay one. "Any vessel requiring further information should contact us on Ch16".
I wonder what I might ask them for... Their speed? POB? Bunker oil stock? Mind boggles.

But I do remember hearing once, in the dead of night, two ships passing in Sound of Mull.
A rock carrier (from the quarry on Morven) calling a cruise liner travelling in opposite direction (I assume he identified the other by AIS), asking the liner to reduce speed as they would pass each other.

The cruise liner was rude. Said something like "You reduce speed if you wish, I'll do wat I want".
The carrier replied.. " my draft is 13m, I'm 60,000 tonnes, I think it safer to pass each other slowly". (I'm not certain of the actual numbers but remember they were impressive).

Sometimes a warning on 16 is a good idea. But a standard ferry through Lady Rock? Perhaps I should announce my departure.
"This is sailing vessel Contender about to leave Berth C3 from Dunstaffnage Marina and intending to depart Dunstaffnage Bay by the ony practical channel. Any further information on Ch 16. Contender out".

[quote="mm5aho"
Sometimes a warning on 16 is a good idea. But a standard ferry through Lady Rock? Perhaps I should announce my departure.
"This is sailing vessel Contender about to leave Berth C3 from Dunstaffnage Marina and intending to depart Dunstaffnage Bay by the ony practical channel. Any further information on Ch 16. Contender out".[/quote]

I did once hear a very posh voice give the coast guard detailed passage plans for an arduous voyage he was about to make ... Ardinamir to Craobh. Which from memory is line of sight. It was a warm, sunny day with a gentle breeze blowing.

Slight thread drift - why does the Brodick - Ardrossan ferry always call Ardrossan Harbour Control on 16 just to be told "Go channel 12" by the guy with the most dreary voice in the world. Why doesn't she just call in on 12? Maybe it's to wind up the guy with the dreary voice.

Ash

Good question. Perhaps Cal Mac have to follow an operating procedure. I find the Ardrossan harbour radio which can often be heard at a distance is an excellent update on wind speed and direction often more useful than the forecasts.

ubergeekian wrote: I did once hear a very posh voice give the coast guard detailed passage plans for an arduous voyage he was about to make ... Ardinamir to Craobh. Which from memory is line of sight. It was a warm, sunny day with a gentle breeze blowing.

Must be the same person we heard announcing departure "from Tayvallich to Eilean Mor, McCormack Islands, for a picnic, returning to Tayvallich for tea" He did include number on board, including dog, and 2 ETAs. The coastguard is very patient!

Derek

ash wrote:Slight thread drift - why does the Brodick - Ardrossan ferry always call Ardrossan Harbour Control on 16 just to be told "Go channel 12" by the guy with the most dreary voice in the world. Why doesn't she just call in on 12? Maybe it's to wind up the guy with the dreary voice.

Ash

Does seem a bit strange.

All vessels, including pleasure vessels, entering/leaving Peterhead just call on 14. I'm sure those going into Aberdeen must use 12 as I've never heard anything of that nature on 16.

Talking about the use of CH16 in general and in particular patient Coastguards. On returning to the Clyde from the west coast last week on the Saturday morning I was quite taken by the number of radio checks requested from the coastguard. The coastguard answered every one very proffesionally. During a period of 20 minutes there were 8 requests and within the hour and between 11am and 12am too numerous to be sensible as Ch16 is an emergency channel. I got to thinking . Will Belfast coastguard who will be covering a larger sea area have the time and remit to deal with this type of demand on their services?

Re Ardrossan harbour control -The operator seems to be very selective in who he responds to.
Last week we heard Isle of Arran (the 'extra' Calmac ferry) calling many times before getting a reply, and we have never had a reply nor heard one to other leisure boats - UNLESS he calls the "yacht approaching Ardrossan harbour" in which case he expects us to respond to him immediately.
Perhaps he has other duties which take him away from the radio.
Why call on 16? My guess is that chan 12 traffic could be over-called by the powerful and sometimes prolific Estuary Control. so chan 16 avoids the possible conflict and lowers the chance of a missed call.

sahona wrote: Why call on 16? My guess is that chan 12 traffic could be over-called by the powerful and sometimes prolific Estuary Control. so chan 16 avoids the possible conflict and lowers the chance of a missed call.

Could be something in that. I've taken to setting the H/H to DW 12 / 16 when it's in the cockpit, and 12 is certainly very busy.

It was interesting to hear one of the Western Ferries explaining her intentions to a tanker travelling up channel and receiving a reply - "the Captain is happy with that".

The same tanker called a ferry a little later to explain that her sound signal was directed at a yacht and not the ferry. The yacht was probably caught on the hop because the tanker was going up river rather than Finnart.

I don't know why she went up river (to Rothesay Dock) on Friday. She's 13,000 tonnes DW, so not very big. Looking at her AIS history she came back down again this morning and she's now berthed at Finnart.

Ash

[quote="ash
I don't know why she went up river (to Rothesay Dock) on Friday. She's 13,000 tonnes DW, so not very big. Looking at her AIS history she came back down again this morning and she's now berthed at Finnart.

Ash[/quote]


Two puddin' suppers with pickled eggs and a bottle o' Bukkie?

Friday night after all.

" I don't know why she went up river (to Rothesay Dock) on Friday."

there is an oil terminal on the north side of rothesay dock.

DaveS wrote:For some years now we've got to know by heart the "Vessels in and around the Oban Bay area are advised that the car ferry Isle of Mull is entering by the North channel and proceeding to No. 1 roro berth" broadcasts. Last weekend I noticed a new variant. When a ferry approached the gap between Lismore Light and Lady Rock there was a broadcast announcing that the ferry would be going through the gap. So far, fair enough. But the announcement continued with a warning along the lines of "sailing vessels and small craft should keep clear of the ferry in the interests of safety and good seamanship".

Is it just me being over sensitive, or does this last bit cross the line between giving useful advice as to the ferry's intentions and issuing instructions (by what authority?). I suppose the key question is should the passage between Lismore and Lady Rock be regarded as a narrow channel? The Oban bay broadcasts only started after adoption of a voluntary traffic scheme which is noted on the charts and was promulgated by a Notice to Mariners. I've not seen anything similar for Lady Rock, but perhaps I've missed it? Anyone know?

Perhaps there has been a recent "too close for comfort" incident - possibly with a WHYW racy type - you know what nutters they all are.

Silkie wrote: Perhaps there has been a recent "too close for comfort" incident - possibly with a WHYW racy type - you know what nutters they all are.

I resemble that remark!