Brittany Ferries ban lifejackets on "safety" grounds

[DownWest]

Couple of mates used a commercial shuttle flight to collect a biplane. Not wanting to carry much baggage, they travelled in their flight suits and were chucking their parachutes in the overhead, when a very concerned attendant came up and said they couldn't do that, as it would freak out the other passengers. Finally the chutes were stored in the galley out of sight.

 

[[70521]]

Then you can wear your manual-inflation LJ on the crossing, making the other pax wonder if you know something they don't

We have had a lot of fun with that in the past. Full wet weather gear and LJs in the bar is a hoot.

 

[Tintin]

We have had a lot of fun with that in the past. Full wet weather gear and LJs in the bar is a hoot.

Offshore drysuit?

 

[sighmoon]

The funniest development is that while the Port Ops Manager has had the sense to go to his French boss and chat to the MCA, the UK Head of Communications is still insisting that "it is entirely prudent at this time of heightened security - and consistent with the guidance in MGM 545 - to disallow knives and propellant canisters."

Is a CO2 canister a propellant? To be a propellant the CO2 would have to be used for propelling something, like deodorant.

A CO2 cylinder makes a good charge for a high power gas driven gun

A wine glass from the ferry bar also makes an effective weapon. Have they stopped selling those?

Remember Comrade, that a State of Emergency exists here in France. everyone is being a little more careful.

Today I was asked to open my bags on going in to the supermarket. A tiny hassle, but re-assuring.

Re-assuring? Really? I find it all slightly farcical, almost like a religious observance. Anybody determinedly up to no good can work round it all pretty easily (i.e. by driving their car / truck on to the ferry in this case)

The State of Emergency is much more of a concern to me than the small (by population) likelihood of a terror attack. My wife's allergic to suncream. She therefore chooses to cover up on the beach. She can't do that in France. She'd probably get away with it if she was white, but she's not. What liberties are next to go? Frightening times.

 

[sarabande]

CO2 fire extinguishers also banned ?

 

[EdWingfield]

Mr Sigh, as far as I know the state of emergency is being used to detain suspects with less evidence than needed before. Also, suspects can be put under house arrest. There may be other powers that I'm unaware of.

There is no need for you to be frightened.

I am in Cherbourg right now and the place is heaving with Brit yotties - business as usual.

 

[Poignard]

It would never have occurred to me to ask. A few months ago I bought two new lifejackets with cylinders in Portsmouth and then went on the next Brittany ferry to Cherbourg.

No doubt there is something in the T&Cs, or a notice pinned up somewhere, but twelve years in the Royal Navy has turned me into an inveterate non-reader of notices and other such manifestations of officialdom and jobsworthery.

 

[Bob Stay]

CO2 fire extinguishers also banned ?

I took some 6kg foam ones on the Bretagne, (in the car), and phoned up for permission. She said no, I persisted and a more senior person said yes.
Default answer is 'no to everything' these days..

 

[Sandyman]

It would never have occurred to me to ask. A few months ago I bought two new lifejackets with cylinders in Portsmouth and then went on the next Brittany ferry to Cherbourg.

No doubt there is something in the T&Cs, or a notice pinned up somewhere, but twelve years in the Royal Navy has turned me into an inveterate non-reader of notices and other such manifestations of officialdom and jobsworthery.

No excuse. You should read Daily Orders. Take 7 days No 9's

 

[Poignard]

No excuse. You should read Daily Orders. Take 7 days No 9's

Yes Sir. No Sir. Three bags full. :encouragement:

 

[Sandyman]

Yes Sir. No Sir. Three bags full. :encouragement:

 

[Poignard]

No excuse. You should read Daily Orders. Take 7 days No 9's

I hope I'm not in breach of The Official Secrets Act by revealing it but the powers-that-be in HMS Collingwood churned out such a mass of notices, orders and other bumf that a sizeable brick hut had to be built at a corner of the parade ground in which to display them to their best advantage.

It was always a good place in which to "skulk" with a cigarette. When asked by a senior rating or office what you were doing you would reply "Keeping up to date with the latest notices, Sir/Petty Officer."

A young and inexperienced officer would respond to this statement by saying "Good man!" and clearing off.

A Petty Officer would respond "Bollocks" and find you a job.

An experienced Chief PO wouldn't ask in the first place, experience having taught him the benefit of "letting sleeping dogs lie"

 

[Sandyman]

I hope I'm not in breach of The Official Secrets Act by revealing it but the powers-that-be in HMS Collingwood churned out such a mass of notices, orders and other bumf that a sizeable brick hut had to be built at a corner of the parade ground in which to display them to their best advantage.

It was always a good place in which to "skulk" with a cigarette. When asked by a senior rating or office what you were doing you would reply "Keeping up to date with the latest notices, Sir/Petty Officer."

A young and inexperienced officer would respond to this statement by saying "Good man!" and clearing off.

A Petty Officer would respond "Bollocks" and find you a job.

An experienced Chief PO wouldn't ask in the first place, experience having taught him the benefit of "letting sleeping dogs lie"

In the Collingwood I knew over 40 yrs ago the Chiefy wouldn't ask such a question should it delay him getting
to his mess for a pint and that was just for stand-easy

 

[[163233]]

Do they really strip all the caravans, campers and truckers of their gas cylinders on boarding?

 

[Woodlouse]

This is what you get for asking. Last time I got on the ferry to Roscoff two of us had leathermans in our bags. They accepted without question that we were off to join a boat and let us keep them.

 

[Poignard]

Do they really strip all the caravans, campers and truckers of their gas cylinders on boarding?

They do not and they cannot. They ( the crew) are busy people with a timetable to keep to. They aren't going to meet trouble halfway.

 

[SimonFa]

Do they really strip all the caravans, campers and truckers of their gas cylinders on boarding?

No, they're too busy laughing at idiots wearing oilies and LJs in the bar.

 

[nauticalnomad]

What gets me is you could drive on with a van full of life jackets... Or as for knives just order a steak in the restaraunt...

 

[Poignard]

What gets me is you could drive on with a van full of life jackets... Or as for knives just order a steak in the restaraunt...

You certainly need a sharp knife to cut a Brittany Ferries steak

 

[Pete7]

In the Collingwood I knew over 40 yrs ago the Chiefy wouldn't ask such a question should it delay him getting
to his mess for a pint and that was just for stand-easy

I work their today and as you might have guessed its all changed with healthy eating, sport and fitness tests. However, they still do Divisions (full parade) when you can still see the work shy slinking off to some quiet corner.