Biscay in a Storm

[landmarkjohn]

I quite like a bit of a swell on a ferry crossing, it minimises the queue for food.

Crossed the Irish sea many times on the older boats in bad weather, crying children and vomit everywhere

 

[RedRick Esq.]

That is not entirely true, of course.

Tidal power generation, tames (harnesses) the natural rise-and-fall of Mother Nature’s tides in sea and rivers. Wind farms, ‘farm’ the wind and dams / sluices control water flow. Quake resistive structures help to preserve life. At the extreme end, nuclear power, tames and harnesses the natural world at its most dangerous.



PS The nutters will be out shortly, spouting on about vapour trails and man’s tinkering with ‘things beyond our ken’.

Cloud seeding ?

 

[luke scott]

Any of you heading off on a ferry might do well to reduce fat in your diet to a minimum for 24 hours before you sail. Then take "Stugeron" and keep a packet of digestif biscuits handy to act as soakage if you get hungry.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

More like I haven’t the sea legs. Otherwise haven’t touched a drop. We got soaked waiting to get in the boat, once there, it was a shower, fresh set of clothes and hit the bar, ordered a cider, sat at the table, left said cider to one of the boys and made my excuses to go up on top deck, it helped whilst up there, came back down to the bar area and bid everyone a good evening. Into the cabin I went, remained horizontal until 06:30am the following day.

Calm it was too…

View attachment 429414

That’s nowt
Slight swell

 

[Ectopic]

In 2017 we were told it was a 5 metre swell and force 9.

Just as it got dark on Sunday I would estimate the distance from the bottom of the wave to the top of the next wave as at least 12 ft. But that wouldn't accont for the lurching of the boat so there must have been quite a swell as well.

 

[Ectopic]

In all the times I have done that crossing which must be about 10 now it has always been as flat as a millpond

I consider myself lucky as I recall Ectopic in 2017 saying for the first hour or so he thought he was going to die and then the next 12 hours wishing he would

That was truly awful, made worse by the fact that I'd convinced myself that (a) the boat was about to roll over at any moment and (b) all the bikes would be one big heap of broken plastic and metal in one corner of the deck. Neither happened, of course, which at least gave me less to worry about this year.

I seem to have regained my land legs after 48 hours.

I should add that some of the crossings have been very smooth and we have watched the dolphins splashing about on many occasions. We also saw a whale on one crossing - rather underwhelming as you don't actually see the whale, just a little spout in the distance.

https://photos.smugmug.com/2023-June-July-Spain-Car-Trip/2023-June-Spain/i-nbVVTbS/0/L5W5j8ctWP7p9kwMGJBSrpfCT7n3Dw9VZLncg4hwr/1920/IMG_9260-1920.mp4

 

[wessie]

In 2017 we were told it was a 5 metre swell and force 9.

which boat were you on then? I recall one year taking the MV Baie de Seine as an Economie service in a storm and that did not handle the rough seas like the MV Pont Aven or the missed MV Cap Finistere can. They ditched the Economie service after C19. Not tried the new e-flexers yet to Spain but I imagine they are quite stable.

 

[gerarddwatts]

Are you fellows deliberately trying to put fear in Docs heart for his impending trip?
Bastards.

 

[EVskiy]

Are you fellows deliberately trying to put fear in Docs heart for his impending trip?
Bastards.

t’Jayne will want to get off it at half way to Spain

 

[Wapping]

We also saw a whale on one crossing - rather underwhelming as you don't actually see the whale, just a little spout in the distance.

Captain Ahab, you are not

 

[FatAl]

That's nothing to a seasoned old cruiser like yourself, you salty old sea dog.

 

[oblertone]

A friend of mine was on the ferry to Spain in 2006 when the lounge windows were shattered by a huge wave

 

[Robbi]

Don't fall in ...

 

[Ectopic]

which boat were you on then? I recall one year taking the MV Baie de Seine as an Economie service in a storm and that did not handle the rough seas like the MV Pont Aven or the missed MV Cap Finistere can. They ditched the Economie service after C19. Not tried the new e-flexers yet to Spain but I imagine they are quite stable.

Cap Finistere in 2017.

On the Santona this year.

 

[Wapping]

Where’s Jack Hawkins, when he’s needed?

 

[MikeO]

Remember the hurricane in 1987? I went through that in HMS York in the South West Approaches - spent the whole night doing involuntary sit-ups as the ship rolled and pitched. I was the fifth man in the Midshipman's "Grot".

My claim to fame is that both Midshipmen and both Sub-Lieutenants got up and spewed, but I managed to keep my dinner down. As a "Crab", this gave me no small amount of satisfaction...

 

[wessie]

Where’s Jack Hawkins, when he’s needed?

not quite the same in the open-air water-tank at Denham Studios

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

In 2017 we were told it was a 5 metre swell and force 9.

Just as it got dark on Sunday I would estimate the distance from the bottom of the wave to the top of the next wave as at least 12 ft. But that wouldn't accont for the lurching of the boat so there must have been quite a swell as well.

I have only had 2 return crossings like that
One in 1997 and one in 2008
A F9 & F10-11
It was truly horrendous with waves crashing over the bow and the forward cabins
Noise was terrifying
Pitching and rolling side to side
People were emptying from their cabins and just lying in the alleyways & corridors, face down & puking

 

[Robbi]

I have only had 2 return crossings like that
One in 1997 and one in 2008
A F9 & F10-11
It was truly horrendous with waves crashing over the bow and the forward cabins
Noise was terrifying
Pitching and rolling side to side
People were emptying from their cabins and just lying in the alleyways & corridors, face down & puking

Sounds like the Liverpool to IOM vomit comet of old.

 

[brut33]

That's nothing to a seasoned old cruiser like yourself, you salty old sea dog.

The trick is, plenty beers and you don't notice the rocking and rolling of the boat.