Tag: travel

3 Comments

Six month disruption for Vancouver travellers as propeller drops off 60-year old Canadian ferry.

johnrobertson834

60 year-old BC Ferries Queen of New Westminster, with those doors or lack of doors, which can give drivers a bit of added fun in high seas judging by this shot from a similar neighbouring Washington State ferry: From Marine Log today: BC Ferries says that its 60-year old Queen of New Westminster ferry will be out of service for six months after an incident that occurred September 3 near the Tawwassen Terminal. It was discovered that the vessel’s starboard propeller had sheared off from the propeller shaft, with some 800 liters of light hydraulic oil spilling into surrounding waters. The Queen of … Continue reading Six month disruption for Vancouver travellers as propeller drops off 60-year old Canadian ferry.

7 Comments

Why should Scottish Government pay for new disabled-friendly ferries after long neglect by a separatist island authority holding ‘large’ reserves?

johnrobertson834

From BBC Scotland, today: For some Orcadians, taking a ferry can be more like tackling an assault course. That was certainly my experience as a blind person travelling between the islands. Last year, the Scottish government agreed with Orkney Islands Council’s request to look at the financial case to start replacing the inter-island ferries, which are vital lifelines for communities. There’s no doubt that these ferries are outdated and unsuitable for the 21st Century. The big question remains: where will the money come from to replace them, and how long will it take? Orkney Islands Council, the smallest local authority … Continue reading Why should Scottish Government pay for new disabled-friendly ferries after long neglect by a separatist island authority holding ‘large’ reserves?

12 Comments

English islanders shocked to find SNP Government-subsidised and even longer ferry crossing costs a fraction – one seventh – of their regular to the Isle of Wight. Thousands plan to move.

johnrobertson834

In the Daily Mail today: Furious Isle of Wight locals have accused ferry companies of holding them to ransom and say they can’t wait to move after being charged £440 for a return ticket to the mainland.  Islanders say they cannot afford to cross the Channel due to soaring costs and unreliable services. ‘Ridiculous’ ferry prices, cancellations, and delays are blighting their lives with some now wishing they had never moved to the island who say it is making them feel ‘completely cut off from society’.   https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13722747/I-wish-never-moved-Furious-Isle-Wight-locals-held-ransom-ferry-companies-say-wait-charged-440-return-ticket-mainland.html The longest Isle of Wight crossing is 10 miles. Ardrossan to Arran is 17.3 … Continue reading English islanders shocked to find SNP Government-subsidised and even longer ferry crossing costs a fraction – one seventh – of their regular to the Isle of Wight. Thousands plan to move.

14 Comments

English County lines gangs far outnumber and totally out-gun far-right in Scotland

johnrobertson834

The Ferret ‘fact-checker’ is punting another scare story to try to convince Scots that right-wing terror groups are active here and might trigger the same kind of riots seen in England and Northern Ireland. Reading through their report, I see evidence of around 20 individuals, a few knives and no guns. None of these individuals or wee groups has ever actually done anything. Police Scotland estimate at least 55 County Lines drug gangs from English cities operating in Scotland, with typically 4 enforcers each and an array of weapons including guns. So, English County Lines gangs – 200 plus enforcers, … Continue reading English County lines gangs far outnumber and totally out-gun far-right in Scotland

2 Comments

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are experiencing the benefits, the security of privately-owned and commercially-operated ferries…..not

johnrobertson834

By stewartb It looks as if Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are experiencing the benefits, the security of privately-owned and commercially-operated ferries. From Business Cornwall online (July 18, 2024): ‘The new fast ferry which is set to link the Isles of Scilly with Cornwall arrived in Newlyn Harbour yesterday evening (July 17). Following sea trials, the Atlantic Wolff is set to begin service next week. (my emphasis) ‘John Wood, the CEO of Harland & Wolff and Scilly Ferries, said: “We are delighted that Scilly Ferries enters into service tomorrow giving day trippers and Scilly residents alike a fast, friendly and flexible service. … Continue reading Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are experiencing the benefits, the security of privately-owned and commercially-operated ferries…..not

6 Comments

Is Police Scotland’s only armoured car which has LAIN in storage, like the one in tiny Guernsey, there because all the senior staff are from places where they get riots?

johnrobertson834

The Daily Record today, challenged from grammar to politics. Police Scotland (5.4 million population who might riot) bought that one armoured car 2 years ago while the Island of Guernsey (64 thousand population!)12 years ago: Guernsey Police’s purchase of an armoured Land Rover had the full backing of the Home Department, its minister has revealed. Deputy Geoff Mahy, who is standing down from the States in April, said it had been agreed 15 months ago as part of upgrades to the force’s firearms unit. He said: “The police do not shape the undesirable changes of society. “However, it is important … Continue reading Is Police Scotland’s only armoured car which has LAIN in storage, like the one in tiny Guernsey, there because all the senior staff are from places where they get riots?

4 Comments

A decrepit newspaper that has frequently left readers ill-informed and is now high and dry

johnrobertson834

The Herald today has: Decrepit? From a September 2022, Ernst and Young LLP survey for the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland department, CalMac ferries were, on average, newer (22) than those in affluent Norway (26), Australia (24) and Canada/Vancouver (35!). You can add two years to all of those ages but CalMac, funded by the Scottish Government, has still kept its fleet younger than all comparable advanced economy large archipelago fleets. For further example, Washington State Ferries serving affluent Seattle, don’t publish these data but a quick check of their wikipedia page reveals that 12 of their 21 ferries are over 40 years … Continue reading A decrepit newspaper that has frequently left readers ill-informed and is now high and dry

16 Comments

NHS England at risk of ‘collapse’ but after 17 years of not-underfunding by SNP, NHS Scotland will not ‘keel over’ according to Lisa Summers

johnrobertson834

By Professor John Robertson In the Guardian today: NHS finances so dire that whole service may collapse, says spending watchdog. National Audit Office says NHS in England too cash-strapped to treat patients quickly enough. Years of underfunding have left the NHS in England so cash-strapped that it cannot treat patients quickly enough, and the rising tide of ill-health will make matters worse, the National Audit Office (NAO) said. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/23/nhs-finances-so-dire-that-whole-service-may-collapse-says-spending-watchdog On February 22 2024, Audit Scotland reported: “Without change, there is a risk Scotland’s NHS will take up an ever-growing chunk of the Scottish budget. And that means less money for other vital … Continue reading NHS England at risk of ‘collapse’ but after 17 years of not-underfunding by SNP, NHS Scotland will not ‘keel over’ according to Lisa Summers

2 Comments

Massively over-priced, more than THREE times the CalMac equivalent, and unreliable, Isle of Wight ferries strangle local economy

johnrobertson834

From the Island Echo, yesterday: Last week we reported on how visitor numbers at some of the Island’s top attractions have failed to bounce back after the COVID pandemic, with the likes of Osborne House seeing a 23% fall in visitor numbers between 2019 and 2023. As I wrote the story I couldn’t help but feel that this is just the tip of the iceberg, with more commercial entities keeping their cards very close to their chests. It seems every time we are hit with another attraction or hotel closing (we’ve just lost Jack Up), or increased costs to day-to-day living, Island Echo readers … Continue reading Massively over-priced, more than THREE times the CalMac equivalent, and unreliable, Isle of Wight ferries strangle local economy

2 Comments

Passengers queue out onto the street for Toronto’s unsurprisingly unreliable 89, 85 and 83 year-old ferries

johnrobertson834

From Head Topics Canada in affluent Toronto today: There are renewed calls for the city to work toward building a bridge to the Toronto Islands following a weekend which saw lengthy line-ups to access Toronto’s aging ferry fleet. A long ferry line-up stretches out of the ferry terminal and onto the sidewalk on Queen’s Quay West as people wait to get to the Toronto Islands Saturday July 20, 2024. There are renewed calls for the city to work toward building a bridge to the Toronto Islands following a weekend which saw lengthy line-ups to access Toronto’s aging ferry fleet. Toronto … Continue reading Passengers queue out onto the street for Toronto’s unsurprisingly unreliable 89, 85 and 83 year-old ferries