Ferry in near miss situation

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Ferry in near-miss situation 26/10/14

A Cal Mac ferry was in a near-miss situation when other vessels failed to give it enough sea-room in a Western Isles port, according to harbour authority Caledonian Maritime Assets.

The ferry - carrying passengers and vehicles - was sailing down the sea loch to the pier at Lochboisdale in South Uist when the “close-quarters” incident occurred recently, highlights a notice issued by the pier owner.

Boats departing the harbour came too close to the ferry in the narrow channel on the northern side of the sealoch.

The harbour’s notice to mariners points out there is not much water underneath the ferry - and similar sized ships - in the area.

Ferry timetables are often changed to avoid grounding at low tide at Lochboisdale.

The notice reports a “recent incident where vessels departing Loch Boisdale, South Uist, via the channel to the north of Gasay Island, did not allow sufficient sea-room to avoid a close-quarters situation with the inbound passage of the scheduled RoRo ferry which was on approach to Lochboisdale Ferry Terminal.”

It stresses that the “narrow channel” rule of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea applies in Loch Boisdale so other boats should not impede the ferry on her approach.

Neither should they cross ahead of the ferry in the channel.

In turn, the ferries are requested to display the three all-round red lights in a vertical line by night and a cylinder in daytime - the international sign showing they are constrained by their draught while navigating along the shallow route.

The signals are not compulsory but the harbour board clearly believes they would reduce risk of collision.