Arran Relief Ferries 2020

Описание: With the usual overhaul for Caledonian Isles starting at the beginning of January it always is good to have a New Year's sailing on the vessels that cover her on the Arran run. This year like the last few years it has fallen to both Hebridean Isles running as the main vessel with support from the Isle of Arran during busier times.

The plan was like every year I do this trip, take the Hebridean Isles over to Brodick on the 1230 sailing and return on the 1355 sailing to Ardrossan having jumped off at Brodick quickly to get some photos. However, on this day (04/01/2020) Calmac had announced on the morning of the trip due to bad weather forecast the over the next few days the Isle of Arran was operating two additional out of timetable sailings, one leaving Ardrossan at 1100 and the return leaving Brodick at 1515, operating as a first come first served basis.

The plan quickly changed I decided to take the Hebridean Isles over to Brodick like originally planned on the 1230 sailing but then wait for her departure at 1355 and then return on the Isle of Arran's 1515 sailing.

With the rain pouring down as I arrived at Ardrossan I was contemplating even sailing at all, but once tickets were bought there was no going back! The weather cleared as we departed Ardrossan on Hebridean Isles and as we approached Brodick the MV Isle of Arran was seen berthed on the opposite side of the Brodick linkspan which allowed for some great photo opportunities as we went alongside to berth. It was off Hebridean Isles to watch her departure for Ardrossan at the old Brodick linkspan which has since been turned into a picnic area, Hebridean Isles left and then it was to the Brodick passenger lounge until it was time for Isle of Arran to berth, sure enough she departed off the adjacent berth and backed her way onto the linkspan and soon enough it was boarding time. The passage back on the Isle of Arran was slightly breezier, with a little bit of a swell mid-crossing allowing for some gentle rocking. As we passed the Hebridean Isles who was once again Brodick bound Ardrossan soon after hove into view. Soon after it was berthing time with the stabilisers in there was some more rocking action before the master skillfully used the pier at Ardrossan to counteract the wind which all off a sudden had picked up, and soon enough we were alongside and disembarking.

Music-
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The Black Watch
78th Fraser Highlanders

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