Oban and the wind was pretty strong particularly in the squalls.
In Oban we have to turn 90 degrees on and slide sideways onto the
berth which today put the ship side on to the wind. Just as we turned
a squall came through and caught the bow sending the ship hurtling in
towards the quay wall. Despite dropping the anchor and using the full
bow thrusters off we came in with a real thump. The port bow caught
the edge of the gangway structure and the lower part of the visor, on
the bow, compressed the rubber fendering completely in so that the
ship's side came in contact with the concrete structure holding the
fender. You can see the bit in the photo.
Then we bounced off moved back a bit and came back in again to strike
the gangway a second time bending the actual brow itself that the
passengers walk on board on.
We cancelled all our other sailings for the afternoon and the
Hebridean Isles, another Calmac ferry is making her way down here
tonight from Stornoway to pick up our service in the morning.
A surveyor from Lloyds has been on board and we appear to be OK to
sail on the late night run. Tomorrow the MCA, Company men and repair
people are turning up to look at what needs to be done and ask
questions no doubt. Sometimes being a junior officer has its merits.
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