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SEACAT ISLE OF
MAN departed early at 10:15 lightly loaded with only 138 passengers on board.
Captain Duggan
advising passengers that the 2.5 hour crossing would take place in
"perfect SeaCat weather.
This was my
first trip on SEACAT ISLE OF MAN this season. It was noted that spring loaded
"western saloon" style "flip-flap" doors had been
installed to separate the 1st Class area on the starboard side.
A more substantial pair of similar doors separated the Blue Riband Lounge
from 1st Class. Whilst the larger doors do provide a greater degree of privacy
particularly for Blue Riband Club members they do appear to present the cabin
crew with something of a hazard when passing between Blue Riband and First
Class with loaded trays.
One wonders if
the bigger doors would have been better separating First Class from the
remainder of the starboard side seating with the smaller doors separating
First Class from Blue Riband.
These doors
also provide something for unsupervised children to mess around with!
As SCIOM ran down river it was interesting to note that the former coaster
LOACH which is berthed at the old Sandon Dock entrance had been lifted
completely out of the water on to the quayside.
FUNCHAL was at
West Langton having brought in a short overnight cruise from Larne.
Tug CANADA was heading for Langton Lock whilst ROYAL IRIS OF THE MERSEY was
operating the Mersey Ferry service. Currently the only serviceable ferry.
SEACAT ISLE OF MAN Passed Rock at
10:30 where there appeared to be a yacht race getting under way.
There was no inbound traffic apart from the tanker SEAFORD which passed in
Crosby Channel.
Q1 was passed
at 10:50.
There followed
and immediate reduction in speed. Trinity House Tender PATRICIA was along side
the Liverpool Bar light float.
Though a couple
of miles away the wave of a fast ferry can still carry a considerable distance
and SEACAT ISLE OF MAN maintained a reduced speed until well clear of the
area.
Just visible in the mist at the Bar
Anchorage was BACOLINER 1 inbound for Seaforth Container Terminal.
At 11:12 Gulf Offshore's CLYWD SUPPORTER was passed on the starboard side
stationed south of the Offshore Installation.
A quiet run to Douglas followed with arrival, despite the speed reduction in
Liverpool Bay, still 15 minutes ahead of schedule at 12:45.
On Victoria
Pier berth #2 was the Hunt Class Minesweeper HMS COTTESMORE on a courtesy
visit.
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