cpedw
Well-known member
The report on the consultation on harbour limits is now published. There's also a new newsletter from OCHDA (Oban Community Harbour Development Association).
Oban proposed Trust Port
- Thread starter cpedw
- Start date
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
Looks OK. But will the new authority have the powers and courage to do something about CalMacs captains?
awol
Well-known member
A trifle unfair? Slaloming a ferry in and out of the north channel with mafis (they don't seem to use sails) trying to commit suicide under their bows must be difficult. Their ability to pick their way through the WHYW fleet is a joy to see with full stops on occasion and they have been known to wait while the SIPR fleet clears the bay.
ctva
Well-known member
Mafis? New acronym or spell check gone wrong?
AngusMcDoon
Well-known member
Motor assisted flippin' idiot, the mobo version of wafi.
Minchsailor
Well-known member
That seems a reasonable outcome; I did wonder why the southern entrance needed to be so big. At least CalMac are not taking over the port, and for that we must be grateful.
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
Of course, but their bland indifference the existing rules doesn't help. We played a game two years ago called "Let's spot the CalMac ferry using the agreed routes to the north entrance". And then their is their determination to avoid making agreed calls on the right channels.
Their ship handling skills are fine but their social consciences are sadly lacking.
awol
Well-known member
I don't understand your beef. 2 years ago the route from the Station Pier was 'tween the Scrat north cardinal and the Corran Ledge east cardinal with a dog-leg out past the Barber's Pole. I can't see that there was much latitude for variation.
claymore
Well-known member
I was wondering whether there may be an opportunity for vessels who just happen to be passing - say something like a 30ft Motorsailor, to act as water taxis if they were passing an anchored cruise ship and nip people into Oban fer a spot of shopping for a small consideration - just as a variation frae the normal routine, d'ye see?
wully1
Well-known member
Like causing damage to moored boats by speeding in Oban Bay?
Pumping out diesel poluted bilge water down the Sound of Mull?
Ramping up complaints about leisure sailors prior to the consultation?
They’d surely never do such things?
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
The guide I had is on the boat, but it was west of the north entrance that the issues arose.
awol
Well-known member
You could always dive for coins thrown by tourists or perhaps sell tins of shortbread and kilty piper dolls.
oldharry
Well-known member
Having travelled CalMac from Oban a fair bit, I thought they were using a very liberal version of the 'vessel constrained...' Colregs. (I omit 'by draught' deliberately, as I suspect they do...!) We have a similar situation with the Frightlink Ferries here in the Solent, who can have a VERY liberal interpretation of 'stand on vessel' rights over anything smaller! I speak from personal experience.
JumbleDuck
Well-known member
I believe they have tried to wriggle out of incidents by claiming that the Sound of Mull is a "narrow channel".
bikedaft
Well-known member
only had one (bad) run in with Calmac, we were heading E out of Snd of Mull, lady Rock to stbd. Calmac came from Craignure, overtaking, around our starboard side. we were about 150m from Lady Rock. he overtook us, just before Lady Rock, turned sharply to port, heeling a good bit, missing Lady Rock by not much. we gybed to get to port... never bothered doing anything, but there was no other traffic at that time. we had been holding close to Lady Rock to stay close to the edge of the gap to let them past on our port... i would have liked to have seen their plotter recording of proximity to Lady Rock
awol
Well-known member
Calmac run 34 (or thereabouts) ferries on the west coast, all running to a timetable. I make that at least 102 masters and on the basis that 5% of the population are twats (in the Scottish sense), though with Brexit that seems a gross underestimate, that gives a 1:20ish chance of a "memorable" encounter. Just as bus drivers and taxi drivers get a bad rep based on the actions of a few so it seems Calmac masters get the tar brush too. However, consider if each ferry voyage encounters just a couple of leisure sailors and the 5% rule holds true, how jaundiced must be their view of MAFIs and WAFIs? Personally, I remember the acts of civility and consideration shown which far out-weigh any negative encounters ..... except for those bloody Dunoon/Gourock jumped up lorry drivers!
Meanwhile back in Oban, we should be relieved CMAL lost out and there is an opportunity for all of us to contribute and influence the outcome. Ask not what Oban Harbour Board can do for you, but you for it.
Meanwhile back in Oban, we should be relieved CMAL lost out and there is an opportunity for all of us to contribute and influence the outcome. Ask not what Oban Harbour Board can do for you, but you for it.
bikedaft
Well-known member
great answer
i have never had any other issues with Calmac.cpedw
Well-known member
Indeed! They are looking for funding to get the Trust established. Send an email to info@ochda.scot if you've got any loose change you need to get rid of.
wully1
Well-known member
great answer
The only issues I’ve had with them is as a passenger - they are becoming bigger pussies as years go by.... they turn back on a wee breeze of wind and a bit of swell nowadays.... must be getting paid by the mile.
seafox67
Active member
I've noticed the same when crossing to Mull! lol... I also use Western ferries to Dunoon and it always amazes me their willingness to keep the service running in all weathers! For some reason when the weather gets very bad they go across in reverse!!
