ROUTES
OPERATED |
 Main
Crossings
Ardrossan - Douglas |
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Ardrossan - Douglas |
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Crossing Time: 8 hours |
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Last Ship:
Claymore |
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ROUTE TIMELINE: |
Ships To Serve:
1994 - 1996:
Claymore
Additional Ships:
1993:
Pioneer
(Charter) |
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Terminal Facilities: |
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Ardrossan: Single linkspan set into
the former entrance to a now filled-in dock, large vehicle waiting area
and modern terminal building located close to the ferry berth. Large car
park located next to queuing area, developed out along the breakwater.
Direct passenger walkway from the ferry terminal building to the railway
station platform a few yards away.
Douglas: The Claymore used the Edward Pier more than the
linkspan on the Victoria Pier so in 1994 and 1995 she would have used the
Navire linkspan on the south side of the pier and in 1996 the new
government one on the north side. It was also about this time that the
facilities in the sea terminal were upgraded to what they are like now. |
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Route History: |
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In a move that saw the companies first scheduled route outside the
boundary of Scotland, Claymore,
the spare vessel at the time was to by employed on a unique route
that would only last for a few years. She was to provide a annual summer
service for 7 weeks a year to the most southerly island that the company
has ever served on a regular sailing. However it wasn't the first time a
company vessel had visited the Isle of Mann. Pioneer
had sailed from Gourock to the Isle of Mann in 1993, a year before the
Claymore's
first crossing. On
charter to the Isle of Mann Steam Packet Company, she sailed with groups of
passengers and TT motorcyclists in assistance to the companies other
vessels in what was the companies first sailing with passengers out of
Scotland. |
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In the summer of 1994
Claymore was fully advertised for 15 weekends to sail to the Manx isle
leaving Ardrossan on Saturdays at 0830 and returning from Douglas on
Sundays at 1130. She duly commenced her first passenger and vehicle
sailing departing Ardrossan on Saturday the 28th of May on time with a
passage time of about 8 hours. The sailing, under the command of Captain
Robert Sneedon, went without a hitch and the first passengers to sail from
Ardrossan to the Isle of Mann since 25/08/1985 were treated to a flat calm
crossing each way. The new service was run in partnership with the Isle of
Mann Steam Packet Company, allowing trips to be made onto Ireland or
England from the Isle of Mann. It was also the first crossing operated by
the company under the 'Short International Voyage Passenger Certificate'. |
Pioneer at Douglas 04/06/93
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To inaugurate the new service a reception was held aboard Claymore
once she arrived at Douglas. Guests included representatives from the Isle
of Mann Steam Packet Company and the Isle of Mann tourist board.
Caledonian MacBrayne was represented onboard by the Captain (Capt. Robert
Sneedon) his officers, Area Manager Andrew Horne and Marketing Officer
Walter Bowie. |
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Bunks were made available onboard for the longest crossing the company
operated (Claymore
only), even thought it was a daylight crossing. They were used
overnight at Douglas in conjunction with accommodation ashore to offer cheap weekend getaways from Ayrshire. It
gave the visitor an opportunity to go and visit such events like the annual TT
Week, Manx Grand Prix and various fixed attractions or as mentioned above,
travel further a field. Goods vehicles were permitted onboard but no
caravans were allowed onto the Island. Due to new International Passenger
Certificate and SOLAS regulations brought in after the fatal sinking of the
Estonia in the Baltic, coupled with the increased subsidy and sale of
other fleet members, the route was
closed at the end of the 1996 season - the sailings only lasting 3
seasons. There are no plans by CalMac to open the route again soon due to
a lack of spare tonnage and funding. |
Claymore in rough seas near Mull of Kintyre |
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SoC Links |
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For more detail on services and history of Douglas visit
Ships of Mann. |
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To see a more detailed description of the islands and photos, visit
Undiscovered Scotland and click on a place. |
