Bute report

[JumbleDuck]

In case anyone is thinking of a trip to Bute ...

The Wemyss Bay - Rothesay ferry is running normally, in the two-years-ago sense of normally - hourly, more or less, without the long and short gaps they introduced to meet trains better. Drivers must stay with their vehicle for the crossing but they may ask passengers to board on foot because they are only allowed fifty people in total on the car deck. On quiet crossings everyone stays in their cars. They will not take any vehicle using or carrying inflammable gas; while I was waiting a van was turned away because he had a blowtorch in the back. They sent him to cross via Western Ferries and Rhubodach. Another MCA rule, apparently, and I find it very hard to understand why gas is safe on the Rhubodach ferry but not the Wemyss Bay one.

On the island things seem pretty normal. Port Bannatyne marina toilets and showers are only open 9 - 5.30, we had a fair carryout curry last night and I only had to queue for a minute at the Coop while waiting for the curry to cook. Generally a warm welcome, but cautiously so. Bring and use a mask. The marina is very busy, I think because few people are cruising (only two free spaces on the "resident" pontoons) so worth checking availability in advance.

We're holed up here for an extra day because one rowlock pulled clean out of the Bobbin we have been restoring on the first stroke. Split GRP underneath it. Fortunately John at the yard came up with a Sikaflex gun, so after that's cured for 24hours we'll try again

 

[Railbob]

In regards to the gas situation I believe it’s to do Wemyss Bay - Rothesay ferry having a partiality enclosed car deck whilst Colintraive- Rhubadoch is fully open to the elements. Recently found out that is the reason why there’s a ferry from Clonaig to Lochranza running during the summer and Lochranza to Tarbert once a day in the winter to allow fuel trucks to get onto Arran as they can’t use the Ardrossan ferry.

 

[JumbleDuck]

In regards to the gas situation I believe it’s to do Wemyss Bay - Rothesay ferry having a partiality enclosed car deck whilst Colintraive- Rhubadoch is fully open to the elements.

That certainly sounds like the reasoning, but since the Argyll and Bute car decks are open at both ends and only have superstructure over the middle it seems rather strange. Do you know what the rules are on the Coruisk and the Loch Shira?

Recently found out that is the reason why there’s a ferry from Clonaig to Lochranza running during the summer and Lochranza to Tarbert once a day in the winter to allow fuel trucks to get onto Arran as they can’t use the Ardrossan ferry.

That's interesting. I think I have seen petrol tankers on the Wemyss Bay ferries, but perhaps I'm dreaming and they go the back way too.

 

[Railbob]

That certainly sounds like the reasoning, but since the Argyll and Bute car decks are open at both ends and only have superstructure over the middle it seems rather strange. Do you know what the rules are on the Coruisk and the Loch Shira?



That's interesting. I think I have seen petrol tankers on the Wemyss Bay ferries, but perhaps I'm dreaming and they go the back way too.

Hi, I’m not sure about Coruisk and Shira carrying flammable materials,I can only relay what I was told by some locals at Portavadie.

 

[ProDave]

Is this a general thing about gas now? When did that start? so no camper vans or caravans?

Is this only Bute? What about the other islands, e.g outer Hebredes?

 

[Railbob]

Is this a general thing about gas now? When did that start? so no camper vans or caravans?

Is this only Bute? What about the other islands, e.g outer Hebredes?

I’ll have a look at Calmac’s website and see how the regs are working ? I think the regulations are being enforced a bit more strictly and I think the reason is to deter campervans, caravans etc i.e. “ Tourism “ to the “relatively “ Covid free islands. Of course this is just my opinion and may not be the case.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Is this a general thing about gas now? When did that start? so no camper vans or caravans?

Is this only Bute? What about the other islands, e.g outer Hebredes?

No, it applies to Commercial vehicles. A commercial vehicle carrying dangerous goods needs to declare it before the voyage to legally comply with regulations. The same doesn't apply to leisure vehicles.

 

[Railbob]

Just read the Calmac regulations, apparently you can only carry 3 bottles of gas maximum, could it be that the vehicle in question had more than 3 ?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Is this a general thing about gas now? When did that start? so no camper vans or caravans?

It's a temporary restriction because drivers and some passengers are now staying in their vehicle on the car deck.

No, it applies to Commercial vehicles. A commercial vehicle carrying dangerous goods needs to declare it before the voyage to legally comply with regulations. The same doesn't apply to leisure vehicles.

It applied to leisure vehicles at the moment. To quote the current version of the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay page:

Dangerous Goods vehicles will not be carried on this route until further notice and will need to travel via Colintraive. Motorhomes and Caravans carrying compressed gas will not be permitted to travel on the Wemyss Bay – Rothesay route and all vehicles will be searched if they arrive for shipment.​

Just read the Calmac regulations, apparently you can only carry 3 bottles of gas maximum, could it be that the vehicle in question had more than 3 ?

That's the normal situation. The previous iteration of the website made clear than no LPG of any sort could be carried, and that seems to be the case now, although it's still sloppily written - what is a "Dangerous Goods vehicle"? As far as I could tell, the chap in the van two lanes across from me was indeed sent back for a single cylinder of gas.

 

[ProDave]

It's a temporary restriction because drivers and some passengers are now staying in their vehicle on the car deck.

It applied to leisure vehicles at the moment. To quote the current version of the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay page:

Dangerous Goods vehicles will not be carried on this route until further notice and will need to travel via Colintraive. Motorhomes and Caravans carrying compressed gas will not be permitted to travel on the Wemyss Bay – Rothesay route and all vehicles will be searched if they arrive for shipment.​

That's the normal situation. The previous iteration of the website made clear than no LPG of any sort could be carried, and that seems to be the case now, although it's still sloppily written - what is a "Dangerous Goods vehicle"? As far as I could tell, the chap in the van two lanes across from me was indeed sent back for a single cylinder of gas.

So what about other islands where there is no alternative carrier? Are vehicles with gas simply not allowed?

Why is a gas bottle more risk when people are on the car deck than normal? Are they afraid caravanners will be stupid enough to put the kettle on?

 

[JumbleDuck]

So what about other islands where there is no alternative carrier? Are vehicles with gas simply not allowed?

I only know the Bute rules, but it seems likely that the same will apply elsewhere: no gas if humans are also present on an enclosed or semi-enclosed car deck. Mind you, I think the Gigha ferry does occasional runs for fuel lorries only, and that's an open one.

Why is a gas bottle more risk when people are on the car deck than normal? Are they afraid caravanners will be stupid enough to put the kettle on?

I understand that the rules do not come from Calmac, LPG vehicles are not allowed on the Channel Tunnel Shuttle service because people stay with their cars, but are allowed on (for example) the Newcastle - Amsterdam ferry, where they don't. My best guess is that They are worried about a slow leak and a smoker.

 

[dunedin]

So what about other islands where there is no alternative carrier? Are vehicles with gas simply not allowed?

Yes I am struggling to see how that works with the entire Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Yes I am struggling to see how that works with the entire Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.

Drivers and passengers do not stay on the car deck on these routes, so the issue does not arise.

 

[Spyro]

I just read about this in a motorhome group and there was an explanation from a crew member on that route. The MCA have granted a temporary dispensation to allow passengers to stay in vehicles thus increasing the capacity which has been limited due to social distancing but this also restricts them from carrying gas.

 

[boomerangben]

I travel on the Loch Seaforth regularly between Lewis and Ullapool. They are certainly taking camper vans, as someone states above, passengers are not permitted on the car deck during the crossing. It is mighty busy though so I would suggest booking is essential. Especially as social distancing is maintained in passenger areas meaning many of the seats are cordoned off.