cupradave

Nick the Manx test is more like an SVA than an MOT, Oh and I am told it is a bit stricter than an SVA

Changed [Y] Just heard about this this morning, what are they playing at? I know planes are generally over booked to allow for late comers and non travelers but this is a boat bringing people to the TT, does the Steam Packet honestly think that people wont turn up for thier crossing? I heard Martin Bullock's guys turned up at Heysham to be told they could not get on and had to go to Liverpool for the 1pm crossing Steam Packet issues TT apology THE Steam Packet has issued an apology to 5,000 passengers affected by last minute TT timetable changes. The changes meant sailings and departure/arrival ports were altered and many unhappy iomtoday readers have contacted us to complain.Operations director Mark Woodward said: 'We apologise to those passengers affected by the TT timetable changes. 'This year due to the demand for travel we have scheduled to operate more than 360 sailings over the Centenary TT period. 'We don't have unlimited resources, and we strive to maintain fares as low as possible through year-round special offers. 'Our core fleet is geared to meet normal demand levels while providing spare capacity for growth. Centenary TT demand means we must charter additional vessels and use additional port slots. 'The reality is that the company has been actively and exhaustively seeking charter vessels for the Centenary TT for the last two years. 'The company has been successful in forging longer term relationships with other shipping companies to provide some guaranteed additional TT capacity. 'However, the TT period comes at a time when other companies too are also looking to increase their capacity to meet summer demand. As such they are reluctant to release vessels to third parties such as the Steam Packet. 'Physical limits on our port facilities, the suitability of vessels in the international marketplace and differing national safety regulations mean that ships cannot easily be transplanted from one area of operation to another. 'Where vessels are available, operators typically prefer to secure longer term charters. As such they will not commit to the shorter TT period charter, often until just before the event. 'Without these firm guarantees we can only offer provisional vessels and timings for the following year's TT to some of our customers. This is made absolutely clear to customers when we take provisional bookings and deposits. It is explained once again when final payment is due. For precisely these reasons, we have had to alter some of those provisionally booked sailings this year. 'We are aware that the situation is not ideal and would of course prefer to offer a higher degree of certainty to our customers. 'We will continue to investigate all viable options that would allow us to improve the situation in the future. 'In the meantime, our staff are committed to making the Centenary TT a huge success and I would appeal for support from the Island community in ensuring that the event is a success for us all.' The Steam Packet's fleet for the fortnight will include Ben-my-Chree, Superseacat Two, Emeraude France, P&O Express (for 22 trips), Stena Caledonia for June 2, 3, 4 and June 9, 10, 11 and freight vessels Hoburgen and Moon Dance/River Dance. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Send us your views. YOUR COMMENTS By their own admission, the Steampacket has had 2 years to prepare for this event and to put adequate arrangements in place. This is an eleventh hour shambles which reflects badly on the Island and which will bring us much adverse publicity. This is what happens when bean counters and asset strippers take over established companies, JOHN The Isle of Man Steam Packet is a laughing stock in the shipping world and something needs to be done by Government to sort them out. Loss of engines, crashing in fog, over pricing, timetable changes. What next? Crashing into an ice berg!! Get rid of the Steam Packet quickly before they bring the Island to it's knees!!! EDDIE

Heard on the news last night that there are quite a few people having thier crossing to the Island resheduled do to yet more Seacat problems. I think I may have found the solution http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...ADME:B:EF:UK:11

Donna, John's car is a UK model so it will already be mapped for UK fuel so he should not need to worry about booster anyway

Thats still no excuse to put the prices up though mate

V Power was 105p this morning at the station on Peel Road, will have a look on the way home to see if its gone up again too. What is going on? is there another oil crisis that has not been reported or something? or, and possibly more likely are the petrol stations putting prices up for TT and breaking us locals in slowly? if so will we see them come back down again after TT is over?

Yeah whats an MOT?? We dont have them here Ahhh!! full decat and no emission worries [H]

I am not going across but what weight is it? and where is it being collected from? I will have a word with my work and see if i can get it couriered a bit cheaper for ya

LMAO [] []

Not a problem mate, anytime. You have my number if you need anything.

Not a problem Richard, will send you a text with place and time []

You wont regret it mate, I have been here a little over 4 years now and love it It is a much slower pace of life here (except when in the Scoob LOL) which is great if you have a quite laid back personality. I can understand why some people say they feel trapped here with the island being so small but for me the compactness is half the attraction, not to mention the fantastic people and the amazing driving roads we have here [] So do you have work lined up already for when you get here? what is it you do?

LOL he did alright last weekend with the concrete Donna Just sent him a PM by the way

John you are welcome at my house anytime mate, I am sure I can find more jobs for you I have some retaining walls to build soon []

Safe trip mate Speak to you when you get here

Hi Nick I live in Crosby, but anywhere on this Island is not far from anywhere else LOL [] As far as I am aware there is nothing major after Scoobyfest but we can always organise a meet, when you get here we can have a look at the motorsports calendar and get something sorted. So whats bringing you over here mate?

Morning dudes You were up late Jon, at least you will get a kip on the boat this afternoon. Welcome back Richard, glad you had a good trip. Sorry about the bag situation though, hope it gets sorted out soon. Heard from Dave K yesterday, the map failed cause of the turbo or something. Totally gutted for him after all the work he has put in, he is gonna have to go back over after putting things right. As for this evening, how about meeting at the Grandstand or if its easier for you Jon, the Sea Terminal? it will be 6 by the time you get off the boat and then you will have to go find your digs so how about meeting about 19:30-20:00?

I bet, what is it? 4 weeks now? Think yourself lucky its not August, when I worked at the car accessory shop in Edinburgh we could not get hold of OZ or MOMO stuff cause the factories close for the whole month, then when they get back to work if they do not have the items in stock then its a further wait for them to produce them and ship it out. My suggestion still stands with your current wheels []

oh yeah [:$] thats twice Graeme, I'm sorry mate [] although it is nearly as expensive as V Power []

yeah you could make it out, still cant believe you have not had a tug for it though just uploading my rally pics to photobucket so should have them online in a bit [Y]

mine hasn't been washed yet either mate but then mine isn't covered in cow poo [+o(] LOL wouldn't worry about it mate if the weather is like it is this evening, we will go for a blast and only get it covered in bugs anyway

dont believe that for a minute John

Jon, have PM'd you my mobile number

Yeah why not, we could go for a lap if you want too where and when mate? the crosby is just up from my house []

Yeah got some pretty good shots cheers mate, will post them up once I have had a chance to resize some of them here is one of the ones I took before we went to the Grandstand