Ferry in spot of bother - picture.
- 22 March 2008 17:19628
Following on from Mareks story elsewhere on a seperate thread about trees falling etc the very strong gusts of wind also gave this ferry some problems. It was blown dangerously close to the control tower at the eastern arm and had extreme difficulty getting itself reversed. It then managed to get itself, more or less, right across the entrance to the harbour. Tugboat assistance was called in and eventually.. and it took some time...the ferry was restored to shape.
It is now moored against the easterm arm and looks to be out of action. Perhaps there was a failure in the steering mechanism.
Name of ferry..The European Endeavour.email: dover7@msn.com - 22 March 2008 18:42633PaulB
An old ex immigration colleague ,who now works on the Norfolk line was on duty when the above mentioned vessel radioed(sp?) and announced that it had broke free from its moorings and that its engines had failed. It was warning all vessels in the area (ie) my mates ship, which narrowly missed the European Endeavor but safely managed to berth.
It was by all accounts,what they would say in flying terms, a near miss.Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 22 March 2008 18:45635Many thanks for that information Marek. Well...very interesting indeed.
email: dover7@msn.com - 22 March 2008 21:01652all ferries have ground to a halt for the time being.
- 22 March 2008 23:24660I would just like to add when I worked on the Ferries years ago they were only about 7000tons to 10.000tons and we went over in all weathers sometimes we were out there for about 14hrs or more but we went. Now they are 25000tons to30000tons and stop as soon as the wind gets up.
- 23 March 2008 10:10662I expect you used to walk 15 miles to school in the pouring rain with holes in your shoes too!
These days we are more safety conscious in all things, that's called progress.
My dad used to be skipper of a Thames barge and was out in all weathers in a small boat earning a crust so don't tell me about hard times, you had it easy. I have a photo of one of the latter boats dad was on in the 70s next to the ro ro ferry Valentine at Dartford - you could fit at least a dozen of the smaller boat into the ferry hold and not even notice them, and Valentine isn't a large ferry by todays standards.If Paul wants to see it I will send it to him.
I'm glad things have improved for seamen, but at least you were warm and dry on a ferry, more than can be said for my dad and all the other bargees - and I never heard him moan.There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 23 March 2008 14:02669"Your dad 'ad a barge? The lucky man. I was thrown int' Thames wer' nowt but an old tin bath and ad to use my grandads wooden peg leg as an oar.Tie up next to ferries and tow them in with me nothing but my own bare 'ands.27 hours a day I worked with only bread and dripping (minus the bread during rationing) to sustain me.Now that wer 'ard....
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter) - 23 March 2008 15:23674Marek!!!!!!
What are you like, cheeky bugger
It's no wonder you turned out like you have - and that's all I'm saying, but you did make me laugh!There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok". - 23 March 2008 17:15678vic
the ferries are a lot taller/higher nowadays hence the safety problems.
similar you get traffic warnings during gales, stating that high sided vehicles are banned from the QE bridge/ - 23 March 2008 19:05682Loved that Marek - great stuff.
Roger - 24 March 2008 23:41704Ee bye gum Marek, you 'ad it easy, now wen I were a lad .....
