There seems to be something about Thursdays at present. Once again on a Thursday the ferry failed to berth at Tiree. The vessel came alongside the pier, the bow ropes were thrown and caught. However, before the stern ropes were even thrown the bow ropes were released and the ferry headed back out to sea.
For those on board they were tantalisingly close. They were not just within sight of Tiree and the pier, the ferry was actually alongside the pier before the decision was made by the skipper to cancel the attempt to berth and head back to the Mainland port of Oban.
The status update issued by CalMac at 05:30am warned that due to adverse weather, there would only be one stop at Coll with the vessel operating to an amended timetable. In the event the vessel failed to berth at Coll.
Before leaving home to observe the ferry a further update had been issued stating that the vessel was unable to berth at Coll at 09:55 due to heavy swell.
With the MV Clansman replacing the MV Hebrides, which is down in Birkenhead for her annual overhaul and certification, the ferry relieving on the Oban, Coll and Tiree route is the MV Lord of the Isles {LOTI}. Whether or not the MV Clansman would have successfully berthed is an unknown.
It was through breaking swell that the MV Lord of the Isles could be observed entering Gott Bay from the Passage of Tiree. She progressed towards the pier and prepared to berth with her stern to the linkspan.
For a brief moment the atmosphere was tense as it appeared that LOTI was not even going to attempt to berth. However, she then slowly proceeded to come in stern first.
Although successfully coming alongside and the bow ropes being caught, the stern was never secured. The whole operation took around 10 tense minutes. For those on board there was nothing else but a return to Oban.
There is no sailing to Coll or Tiree under the Winter Timetable. The next crossing is 6:15am on Saturday. The big question is will there be room on either sailing on Saturday?
The MV Lord of Isles makes two crossings to Tiree due to limits placed on her. This was made even worse today. Those planning to travel to Tiree by ferry had been advised – Due to shipment of lifeline supplies, passenger space will be very limited so any passengers looking to travel are highly advised to book in advance. No doubt heavy goods vehicles are already booked on Saturday’ sailing(s) so it may prove difficult for those unable to land today to be accommodated on Saturday.
Whether your destination was Coll or Tiree those making the journey today will have spent almost 8 hours on board by the time the vessel berths in Oban. There is the prospect of spending another 2 nights in Oban, that is providing they can be accommodated on either of Saturday’s sailings.
Those unable to board at either or Coll or Tiree today have faced similar prospects, but al least they did not have to spend almost 8 hours on the ferry. It looks like the CO-OP will be busy on Saturday afternoon.
Life is uncertain whether you live on the Mainland or an island. Here on the Isle of Tiree we are simply reminded of this fact in dramatic fashion.
The is ’Life on Tiree’.
