LD Lines...surely not AGAIN?!

[concentrik]

Our sailing with LD Lines to Spain this week has been changed three times in four days.

The original Tuesday Poole-Gijon was cancelled so we were put on Poole-Santander for Saturday 1st at 1600. Only an extra 2.5hr drive.

That got changed BACK to Poole-Gijon and brought forward to a 1200 departure.

Now it has been changed AGAIN to a 0800 departure on Saturday... due to 'adverse weather conditions'

Any Ro-Ro masters out there? Is it justified (I know they can decide anything they like on safety grounds)?

 

[Tranona]

Every time I see that ship in Poole on my way to the club I think I would not like to be crossing Biscay in the winter on it- particularly in the last few weeks. So not surprised about the uncertainty of sailings.

 

[Sandyman]

Would think they just want to get the passage completed before this lot arrives http://weather.findafishingboat.com/charts/?id=96

 

[hartcjhart]

Our sailing with LD Lines to Spain this week has been changed three times in four days.

The original Tuesday Poole-Gijon was cancelled so we were put on Poole-Santander for Saturday 1st at 1600. Only an extra 2.5hr drive.

That got changed BACK to Poole-Gijon and brought forward to a 1200 departure.

Now it has been changed AGAIN to a 0800 departure on Saturday... due to 'adverse weather conditions'

Any Ro-Ro masters out there? Is it justified (I know they can decide anything they like on safety grounds)?

spot on, they dont want to sit in port any longer than needed as it costs mucho wonga

 

[Plomong]

Today's weather here off Bilbao harbour: Wind: gusting to 78 knots early this morning, now about 30, gusting 40+ at times. Forecast: 50 to 60+ later this evening and through the night. Sea state: Horrible. Waves 7 m increasing.

Not surprised the professionals are giving it a miss -- I would.

Plomong

 

[concentrik]

I would if I could, too. It doesn't seem to bother Brittany Ferries though, no weather related re-scheduling for a fortnight... probably different ships?

 

[LDOfficial]

Good evening.

Just to explain exactly what has been going on.

We have had a technical issue with the usual Poole ship, the Norman Asturias. This caused the cancellation of last Sunday's sailing from Santander and Tuesday's Poole - Gijon sailing.

We managed to get our other ship, the Norman Atlantic to Poole to operate Saturday's sailing. However, due to her other commitments we needed to have a 1200 rather than the normal 1600 sailing. Then due to bad weather forecast we needed to bring sailing forward to 0800 to avoid the worst of it.

It's been a difficult week and whilst we realise passengers have been inconvenienced we are trying our best to minimise the problem.

 

[Plomong]

I would if I could, too. It doesn't seem to bother Brittany Ferries though, no weather related re-scheduling for a fortnight... probably different ships?

Probably bigger ships. Size does matter.

Plomong

 

[GrahamD]

During the 14 Feb storm , I watched the AIS track of the Norman Asturias as she approached Poole around 3pm. She had to stand off in the channel until around 4pm the following day before being able to enter the harbour. Perhaps with experiences like that in their recent past they are being suitably cautious? Also it has not exactly been a good time to launch a new ferry service, so if bookings are low it may make sense to consolidate sailings

 

[Sandy]

Our sailing with LD Lines to Spain this week has been changed three times in four days.

The shipping forecast has been interesting over the last few days, perhaps they have been looking at it.

While we might like a F9 I am sure that 84% of the passengers will not. Who has to clean up all those sick bags? Not my favorite job in the world.