I travelled on the Fleetwood-Larne Stena Line service on Tuesday night. Not with an HGV, but booked on as freight in a double decker promotional bus.
I watched some good reversing of artics down the ramp and in to the boat. Then it was my turn. With no ferry lift I had to take it slowly to try and avoid leaving half the bus on the ferry ramp.
I mentioned to the loaders that I needed space to be able to get down the side of the bus and switch off the electric master switch. They clearly didn’t understand English as when I had done that, they told me to reverse back another few feet
When parked up, so close that I had to squeeze out of the bus, it was difficult to get between the other vehicles and trailers to get to the stairs.
I had to share a 3 berth cabin, well maybe the ferry was busy eh? but no keys? The cabin couldn’t be locked.
I’ve since been contacted by Stena Line who said they would investigate etc etc but another person at the company also told us that it was normal not to give out keys as they don’t get returned.
This is an 8 hour ferry crossing.
I’m surprised that ANY driver would find this acceptable. I certainly don’t and told Stena exactly that.
I did have a long chat with the Stena Line Port Secretary but I would be interested in hearing any others views on this ferry service and especially the cabin locks business.
I’m not going back the same way, even it involves more cost. At home I always lock the door at night, why wouldn’t I do the same on a boat!!!
This is the UK not the Third world.
Call me a tart but I just would not sleep in a cabin with strangers and an unlocked door, you could wake up with your gear stolen and all sorts in your mouth… (and i’m not talking the liquorice variety).
Silver_Surfer:
Call me a tart but I just would not sleep in a cabin with strangers and an unlocked door, you could wake up with your gear stolen and all sorts in your mouth… (and i’m not talking the liquorice variety).
Yeah, thats what crossed my mind! I really don’t mind a rough crossing, but only if it’s weather related
It is certainly no disrespect to any of the “strangers”, as they probably thought the same of me!
I would have thought its nice to have someone to cuddle up to …and in all the years ive been using ferry crossings, ive never needed to lock the cabin door…and if you remember the free enterprisehow many more would have died if the door was locked.
Most drivers would only take their washing gear with them, so what else is there to steal, the wallets in the back pocket, and normally kept under the pillow for extra safety…so stop making a fuss, and get on with it like many truckers have to, both in the past, and in the future…
4 in a cabin was the norm years ago on Sally Line never found it a problem, just a case of somewhere to have a wash and change, then have kip if you wanted to or go and have meal.
As truckyboy said you only have your washing gear with you.
altitude:
4 in a cabin was the norm years ago on Sally Line never found it a problem, just a case of somewhere to have a wash and change, then have kip if you wanted to or go and have meal.
As truckyboy said you only have your washing gear with you.
Thats as maybe for a shorter crossing, but an 8 hours crossing? Well, I’ve gone for a different route for the return.
It would appear that some people are quite happy to put up with inferior conditions.
Can’t understand why people come on here and put me down with a dose of sarcasm for my views but hey ho.
I am sure that many drivers would be using that route to take a daily rest…and if they’re happy, so be it!
maybe coach drivers are more special than truck drivers i’m sure everyone would like a single cabin so maybe now a coach driver has complained its something to look forward to.
glenman:
maybe coach drivers are more special than truck drivers i’m sure everyone would like a single cabin so maybe now a coach driver has complained its something to look forward to.
altitude:
4 in a cabin was the norm years ago on Sally Line never found it a problem, just a case of somewhere to have a wash and change, then have kip if you wanted to or go and have meal.
As truckyboy said you only have your washing gear with you.
Thats as maybe for a shorter crossing, but an 8 hours crossing? Well, I’ve gone for a different route for the return.
It would appear that some people are quite happy to put up with inferior conditions.
Can’t understand why people come on here and put me down with a dose of sarcasm for my views but hey ho.
I am sure that many drivers would be using that route to take a daily rest…and if they’re happy, so be it!
I crossed from Caen to Portsmouth on Friday night (2200 hrs UK),no cabins,or seats were available.
This was due to the coach loads of kids that had taken the seats & cabins.
So I was forced to kip on seats in the bar area,watching 2 English coach drivers boozing 'til after 0200hrs.
We arrived in Portsmouth at 0630 & I was tempted to phone the Old Bill to report them,but I don’t like kids so I left it.
I crossed from Caen to Portsmouth on Friday night (2200 hrs UK),no cabins,or seats were available.
This was due to the coach loads of kids that had taken the seats & cabins.
So I was forced to kip on seats in the bar area,watching 2 English coach drivers boozing 'til after 0200hrs.
We arrived in Portsmouth at 0630 & I was tempted to phone the Old Bill to report them,but I don’t like kids so I left it.
If those drivers had been drinking alcohol, I really wished you had reported the drivers to the ferry purser, or police. Think what could have happened after they left the ferry. I do not consider this being a “grass” or “snitch” if you genuinly saw them boozing, then driving off.
It is one thing doing the Dover Calais, Belfast Stranraer short 2 hour type crossings, but the longer ones should have enough cabins for those that require them especially if drivers are using the crossings for LEGAL breaks. Surely, by taking the crossing without suitable rest provisions you have then possibly broken the law
(and i’m not talking the liquorice variety).