Larne
June 5, 2023
5 June 2023. HM 223. Larne - birthplace of "Ro-Ro" and where a P&O ferry was trumped by "The Good Dog"
Stuart Wilson, my third HM of the day was keen I visited him, despite his port not normally accepting yachts. "Just tie up at the first ferry quay, and we will have a quick chat".
Well the first quay was occupied with a large P&O ferry, and over the radio I heard port control say "Ferry Captain, how long will you be? I have "The Good Dog" standing off and she has important business with the Harbour Master". I did laugh!
Once the quay was free, Good Dog and I took one look at the massive concrete pier (photo 4) and decided to find a slightly smaller quay for our chat.
After a varied career at sea with BP Shipping, stevedoring, ferry operations, ship management, bunkering and ship repair, Stuart has ended up as HM of NI's busiest ferry port. He is delightfully relaxed and you feel the operations are run very smoothly here. I tend to avoid talking Brexit, but if one person knows the fine detail of the "Northern Ireland Protocol".... it is him!
Stuart explained that Larne had been the birthplace of Roll-on Roll-off ferry operations in 1948 when an entrepreneurial Colonel Frank Bustard converted a Naval Tank Landing Ship (LST) to take freight. The RoRo was born - see photo 8.
In 2020 Stuart had to "make up the rules" when the wind farm construction ship, MPI Resolution needed to "Lock Down" in his harbour. Being able to "jack up" on its own legs, it became a temporary island in his port - problem sorted!
Thank you Stuart and your port control team for giving me special dispensation to visit you! Come on P&O - move over!!
Stuart Wilson, my third HM of the day was keen I visited him, despite his port not normally accepting yachts. "Just tie up at the first ferry quay, and we will have a quick chat".
Well the first quay was occupied with a large P&O ferry, and over the radio I heard port control say "Ferry Captain, how long will you be? I have "The Good Dog" standing off and she has important business with the Harbour Master". I did laugh!
Once the quay was free, Good Dog and I took one look at the massive concrete pier (photo 4) and decided to find a slightly smaller quay for our chat.
After a varied career at sea with BP Shipping, stevedoring, ferry operations, ship management, bunkering and ship repair, Stuart has ended up as HM of NI's busiest ferry port. He is delightfully relaxed and you feel the operations are run very smoothly here. I tend to avoid talking Brexit, but if one person knows the fine detail of the "Northern Ireland Protocol".... it is him!
Stuart explained that Larne had been the birthplace of Roll-on Roll-off ferry operations in 1948 when an entrepreneurial Colonel Frank Bustard converted a Naval Tank Landing Ship (LST) to take freight. The RoRo was born - see photo 8.
In 2020 Stuart had to "make up the rules" when the wind farm construction ship, MPI Resolution needed to "Lock Down" in his harbour. Being able to "jack up" on its own legs, it became a temporary island in his port - problem sorted!
Thank you Stuart and your port control team for giving me special dispensation to visit you! Come on P&O - move over!!