This week onboard the Julia I got to have a chat with the Ships Master Fergus O’Driscoll. Fergus is a West Corkman.
Since I have stepped my foot into the Ferry business I seem to be coming across a lot of West Cork people in the shipping game.
Maybe this is not such a surprise as the whole Bring Back the Cork Swansea Ferry campaign has its roots very much in West Cork.
The Julia will begin service on the 01st March 2010. Is there much for the Ships Master to do now? Yes.
Fergus has had a few visits from the Cork Fire Brigade this week training on safety procedures. This is a very important part of getting the Julia prepared for business. The same will happen on the Swansea side.
Currently there is major work ongoing on Deck 3 moving flood barriers. This will make the Julia an even safer Ship. This work is been carried out by the company Safeline & Fergus & the Crew.
Fergus is looking forward to getting the Julia service started. He said it is great for the whole Cork region to have a link to the U.K again. Fergus mentions that the Julia is the best suited ship he has being on for overnight sailings.
Anyway a lot more work ahead for the Ships Master & crew before the Julia heads for Dry Dock for here annual survey in Jan 2010.
Other news
This week we signed a contract with a company who will provide our booking engine. Once all the specifications are setup we will be able to have our prices online. We expect this to be in the last week of November so not long to wait now.
We are also are building & designing a new website which should go live before the end of year.
People have asked if we will have an open day onboard the Julia. The answer is yes and we will have all info on this on www.fastnetline.com as soon as we can confirm a date.
4 Responses to “This is the Captain speaking”
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“Anyway a lot more work ahead for the Ships Master & crew before the Julia heads for Dry Dock for her annual survey in Jan 2010″
Does this mean the final crew pool has been decided and if so what nationality are the officers and ratings?
Hi Pat, good to bump into you down there by the quay this morning. Couldn’t pass by without a quick stop and a look at her majesty!
She’s certainly large up close and for some reason the bow reminded me of a blue nose dolphin – ah well all in the eyes of the beholder i guess!
Great to hear about all the activity behind the scenes, and definitely looking forward to the day she goes into service.
All the best,
Mick.