Northern Ireland Report
by Willie Coates
Sunday 1st June
After landing the passengers from Peel back at Bangor, Balmoral sailed
light to Warrenpoint for the following day's operation.
Monday 2nd June
I did not travel on this sailing. About 120 persons sailed from Warrenpoint
to Peel. They were predictably poor sailors, and so Jim McFadzean proposed
that the return voyage should be to Bangor instead of Warrenpoint. This gave
them a smoother voyage and less time at sea. They were then transferred by bus
to Warrenpoint. This operation also saved Balmoral the light voyage from
Warrenpoint to Bangor, which they would otherwise have had to do in any case.
Tuesday 3rd June
Off service day at Bangor. Shared the North Pier with the sailing vessel
Grand Turk.
Wednesday 4th June
Bangor - Red Bay - Campbeltown and return
A lovely day for a sail. It was just a pity that a few more people did not
come to find this out. I would guess that we had about 100 passengers total.
Thursday 5th June
Belfast - Bangor - Donaghadee - cruise Copeland Islands and Islandmagee and
return
Several very shrill parties from primary schools boosted the numbers for
this voyage. Nice weather and good visibility.
An evening charter by the Belfast Master Mariners' Club. It also sailed out
by the Copelands.
Friday 6th June
Bangor - Red Bay - Ballycastle - Londonderry with return by coach
We had a total of about 160 persons for this trip. Visibility improved
during the day, giving us a good view of the Giant's Causeway Coast. We also
met the Currach "Colmcille" with 12 persons on board. It was making a
pilgrimage voyage to Iona.
Evening showboat cruise cancelled due to lack of advance bookings.
Saturday 7th June
Londonderry - Moville - Coleraine - cruise Giant's Causeway and return
Our first ever call at Moville. Because Moville is in the Irish Republic,
this was also an international voyage. Our numbers were again disappointing,
totalling about 100.
Sunday 8th June
Londonderry - Moville - Port Ellen (Islay)
A brilliant day! With about 380 passengers total, we sailed the calm North
Atlantic to this magical island, the home of seven malt distilleries. During
time ashore, a coach was provided to take our passengers to visit some of the
nearby distilleries. Because the new engines are still knocking spots off the
published timetable, Capt. Lee decided to make the return voyage via the
Giant's Causeway. It looked magnificent in the evening sunshine.
Monday 9th June
Londonderry - Coleraine - Ballycastle
Cancelled due to lack of advance bookings and a poor weather forecast.
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