Not the best day of the week, with occasional rain. Mrs B is very busy changing beds for the next lot of guests, due off the lunchtime ferry - at 1.15.
Yesterday, a report was issued which was critical of the crew of the cargoship Harvest Caroline, an occasional visitor to this port. Last October, she ran aground at Tanera Mor, an island in Loch Broom, northwest of Ullapool. She had been at anchor, but the investigation found that length of anchor cable and the position of the anchor had been 'insufficient'. When the boat suffered engine failure, the anchor dragged, finally leaving the boat high and dry on Tanera Mor. The fact that the anchor was dragging was not spotted - as the watchman was in bed.
Several boats came to the rescue, and the wife of the manager of the boat was airlifted ashore. The incident was partly attributed to the inexperience of the crew, and procedures were revised on board.
Although the Harvest Caroline issued a distress call by VHF radio - many smaller craft do not appear to have such essential equipment on board. Another report on the Coastguard website mentions people using mobile phones in an emergency. Not a good idea: you very quickly lose signal out at sea. VHF radio also allows the emergency services to track your position.
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As we proved on our trip Guido...it doesn't matter if it rains in Scotland when you are on holiday. It is still a spectacular place to visit in the rain. Interesting insight into the Tanera Mor incident. Inexperienced crew? And they are taking to the high seas? That's a bit scary. No watchman on duty should go to bed.....!! For goodness sake! They need grounding until they are more exerienced. Hope Mrs B caught up with her chores in time. Jeanie
ReplyDeleteHard to believe there was no watchman on duty, the sea is so treacherous
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/