For ALL posts on getting onto and off a ferry and securing the bike for the passage

[Pip5ter]

I have a trip planned to the Rep of Ireland in May. I’m booked on the Stena Line ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare. It’s been a while since I took the bike on ferry so wondered if anybody has travelled on this one & could advise on the bike securing (I’m actually taking the scooter) process & any other general do n donts please?
Ta…


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[steadysteve]

I’m not happy about relying on a strap over the seat as I reckon the bike could still fall sideways, away from the sidestand, because there’s nothing to stop the bike sliding from side to side under the strap.
Admittedly it would need a very rough sea to cause this much movement but it could happen. A small check strap attached to the bike frame on the same side as the sidestand obviously , (in addition to the big strap over the seat) , down to the deck is all it needs to be secure.

 

[Wapping]

I’m not happy about relying on a strap over the seat as I reckon the bike could still fall sideways, away from the sidestand, because there’s nothing to stop the bike sliding from side to side under the strap.
Admittedly it would need a very rough sea to cause this much movement but it could happen. A small check strap attached to the bike frame on the same side as the sidestand obviously , (in addition to the big strap over the seat) , down to the deck is all it needs to be secure.

They don’t call you Steadysteve for nothing

 

[Doc]

One either side of bike. I usually fasten to the crash bars and always take my own ratchet straps.

 

[MrC99]

I've never had the pleasure of travelling by Stena so not sure about their processes. I have travelled many many times on BF tho' and never had a problem with a normal bike (mine or anyone else's) going over when just secured by BF's deckhands. I do take the precaution of leaving the bike in gear so less likely to roll. You know it's going to be a rough crossing when the deckhands are standing ready with two straps for each bike

This is for a 'normal' bike tho. Other PTWs like scooters or step-thrus etc may need more thought.

 

[Wapping]

I do take the precaution of leaving the bike in gear so less likely to roll.

When the Chunnel used to demand that bikes were on their centre stand, the rear wheel off the ground…. That was a reason they gave. I can only assume it made sense to someone.

There again, from the very first months of the Chunnel’s operation, we have just about had every combination or alternative method known to man and a few more besides.

 

[Pip5ter]

Thanks for all your advice. I’ve heard that it might also be benificial to tie wrap the brakes at the lever. Any thoughts on that?


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[Wapping]

Thanks for all your advice. I’ve heard that it might also be benificial to tie wrap the brakes at the lever. Any thoughts on that?

Thoughts… um…. er…… Don’t forget to remove it before riding off.

 

[Pip5ter]

Thoughts… um…. er…… Don’t forget to remove it before riding off.

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[Santa-2512]

When i went with Brittany ferry, i cant remember if it was centre or side stand

But it was a big pad over the seat, and a feck off big tie down

@ steadySteve, I t would take a lot to get the bike to slide out as you suggest

 

[Wapping]

@ steadySteve, I t would take a lot to get the bike to slide out as you suggest

More likely to slip on the metal flooring riding on or off. Or be punted off by some over enthusiastic bikermate, keen to unleash the awesome beast that has been restrained for the duration.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I have a trip planned to the Rep of Ireland in May. I’m booked on the Stena Line ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare. It’s been a while since I took the bike on ferry so wondered if anybody has travelled on this one & could advise on the bike securing (I’m actually taking the scooter) process & any other general do n donts please?
Ta…


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Centre stand, always …!!
Chock in front/behind wheels
Bike in 1st gear
2 Ratchet straps, from each pillion footrest hanger frames to deck cleats, to triangulate the bike at both sides
Job done
Never lost a bike going over, in 20-30 years….even across Biscay in a F10, when other bikes were on their sides
Stena are pretty good to Ireland and let you strap your bike as you see fit, as are BF to France and Spain
I never use a side stand, as I have seen plenty of fully loaded bikes with bent/broken side stands over the years, due to harsh strapping by deckhands

 

[EVskiy]

Centre stand, always …!!
Chock in front/behind wheels
Bike in 1st gear
2 Ratchet straps, from each pillion footrest hanger frames to deck cleats, to triangulate the bike at both sides
Job done
Never lost a bike going over, in 20-30 years….even across Biscay in a F10, when other bikes were on their sides
Stena are pretty good to Ireland and let you strap your bike as you see fit, as are BF to France and Spain
I never use a side stand, as I have seen plenty of fully loaded bikes with bent/broken side stands over the years, due to harsh strapping by deckhands

All very well, but what is the point of the highlighted point 3, if the rear wheel is up in the air? Do deckhands provide you with chocks or do you carry your own along with a kitchen sink?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

All very well, but what is the point of the highlighted point 3, if the rear wheel is up in the air? Do deckhands provide you with chocks or do you carry your own along with a kitchen sink?

Think about it ….d’oh
By pulling it down on the rear footrest hangers on both sides, to the deck cleats…the rear wheel is firmly on the deck floor
All I carry is two small 4’ ratchet straps - coiled up in a pannier or rack bag
Wheel chocks are abundant on the deck floor, if you use your eyeballs
Grab a couple and wedge in front of each wheel
Been doing it that way since late 1980’s, on ferries
Don’t be so quick to judge others
Works for me, whilst others are floundering wondering how to strap their awesome steeds down, I’m up to the cabin and ready for a shower

 

[autogs]

Ca and I ask the last time you did that and on which ferry? All the ferries I've been on have deck hands only doing it their way.

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[wessie]

Think about it ….d’oh
By pulling it down on the rear footrest hangers on both sides, to the deck cleats…the rear wheel is firmly on the deck floor
All I carry is two small 4’ ratchet straps - coiled up in a pannier or rack bag
Wheel chocks are abundant on the deck floor, if you use your eyeballs
Grab a couple and wedge in front of each wheel
Been doing it that way since late 1980’s, on ferries

ever the contrarian

Don’t be so quick to judge others
Works for me, whilst others are floundering wondering how to strap their awesome steeds down, I’m up to the cabin and ready for a shower

Now who's judging?

I just get off the bike, take my bag out of the topbox, stash my helmet and look for the nearest stairwell. I only use the tunnel or Brittany Ferries not a mickey mouse company that expects you to take responsibility for a bike on their ship. BF like the bike on the side stand and it has always been secured properly, using 2 straps if there was rough weather.

 

[Doc]

Thanks for all your advice. I’ve heard that it might also be benificial to tie wrap the brakes at the lever. Any thoughts on that?


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Elastic band although wunderlich make something for that purpose.

 

[cookie]

I never use a side stand, as I have seen plenty of fully loaded bikes with bent/broken side stands over the years, due to harsh strapping by deckhands

I find the answer to such issues is after the deck hand has tightened the strap across the bike, just give it a push away from the side stand. This takes 90% of the load off the stand and I've never had any trouble.

 

[Doc]

Brake lever lock

The brake holder makes sure that the front wheel stays put and prevents the bike from moving forwards.

www.wunderlich.de

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

I have a trip planned to the Rep of Ireland in May. I’m booked on the Stena Line ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare. It’s been a while since I took the bike on ferry so wondered if anybody has travelled on this one & could advise on the bike securing (I’m actually taking the scooter) process & any other general do n donts please?
Ta…


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I’ve not used the Stena crossing from Fishguard but they’re very good on the Harwich - Hook crossing whether you go on the British or Dutch boat. Bikes are always the first non freight vehicles loaded and you ratchet strap the bike using tensioned steel cables running fore to aft on the deck. They always have plenty of ratchet straps but I’d suggest that if you want to use more than one (I never bother) you take the extra ones yourself rather than deprive a late boarder of the use of a Ferry supplied one.

In my experience they’re far better than P&O who I refuse to use anyway