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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[mgpaulie]

I used Stena Line Belfast / Cairnryan return last week., so may be the same on other Stena routes.

Both times they insisted that they would secure the bike - actually as much as ordered us to get of the card deck whilst they got on with things.
My bike has no centre stand and they had the ratchet on the same side of the side stand - I thought it was better to have the ratchet on the opposite side such that when strapping the bike down it wasn't 100% strapped down onto side stand only but pulled bike a bit more upright and then bike would strap down partly on the side stand and also on the suspension.
I pointed this out but they to me to leave them to it !!

Bike was fine on both trips, but I'm not convinced on their methods

They did use a piece of rubber mat across the bike seat though and the straps they used were in good nic.
I did have the bike in gear and the front brake on a bit using a bungee on the brake lever

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Stena Line have always tied my bike down on any of the Irish crossings I've done. My view has always been that if they do it and something goes wrong it's their responsibility to sort it out.

Have you a method of keeping the front brake applied on the scooter for the duration of the crossing or is yours one with a handbrake?

 

[DJ123]

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…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've used that crossing a few times and its been fine. They strapped the Bike down over the seat with a foam pad over the top. Think i've used Irish Ferries & Stena before.

I put the Bike on the side stand and in gear.

Their Bike parking is right near the door (usually) and you are usually first on, or close to it. And you can disembark when you want as you're not in a queue. So if you get down early you can be first. Or if a little while after join the queue of traffic.

 

[Fireblade]

Stena Belfast - Liverpool last weekend. They strap the bike down with ratchet straps, and used a foam pad. On the outbound leg we weren’t in the usual spot, the strap anchor points were wider spaced than usual, but a couple of extra clicks on the ratchet and it was fine. Forecast for the return was frisky, so I took a hitch with the tail of the strap round the pillion footrest hanger.
I always carry something to protect the seat, in case they don’t have any foam pads. I also use a couple of turns of insulating tape to lock the front brake on, so the bike can’t roll forward. Remember to remove this before trying to ride off

With the stabilisers the ferries have now, I barely noticed the boat’s motion, though I could hear the feckin’ car alarms all going off!

 

[drimcong]

Stena Belfast - Liverpool last weekend. They strap the bike down with ratchet straps, and used a foam pad. On the outbound leg we weren’t in the usual spot, the strap anchor points were wider spaced than usual, but a couple of extra clicks on the ratchet and it was fine. Forecast for the return was frisky, so I took a hitch with the tail of the strap round the pillion footrest hanger.
I always carry something to protect the seat, in case they don’t have any foam pads. I also use a couple of turns of insulating tape to lock the front brake on, so the bike can’t roll forward. Remember to remove this before trying to ride off

With the stabilisers the ferries have now, I barely noticed the boat’s motion, though I could hear the feckin’ car alarms all going off!

they use any oul carpet bits which staff might have to keep the ratchet strap of the seat.
second the locking a brake with a strap.
yep; car alarms are a curse if you found a quiet spot for a rest.
the untying of the strap is left to the rider.