Berthing trials at Brodick’s new pier

The new pier at the Brodick ferry terminal is nearing completion and during June berthing trials were carried out by Caledonian Isles, Isle of Arran and Waverley. Both ferries did low tide and high tide trials at both sides, with Waverley only berthing at the east side.

The Isle of Arran was first, with high tide trials, the same day as she returned to service from having her bow thruster engine repaired. For the high tide trials, she only berthed stern in at both sides of the pier; but did berth bow in at the linkspan for her low tide trials. As the Caledonian Isles berths overnight in Ardrossan some services had to be cancelled for her trials. However the Isle of Arran continued running so the disruption was limited.

Waverley came to Arran on a special trip to test the berth and came in very smoothly and quickly. Unfortunately, when she reversed out again, a heaving line appeared to catch on the pier fendering and caused the bow rope to unravel completely. The Waverley’s lifeboat was launched in less than ideal conditions and returned to the pier to recover the lost rope.