Sheepish Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Thanks David, if I get a chance I’ll post to let you know how we get on (or not perhaps). 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Altranter Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 The strike must be a sure sign that French life is getting "back to normal" . But I thought they usually waited until September rather than the summer holiday period to hold strikes. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
nodwad Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Can I ask? Why are they blockading the port for?so before we all go on about the French unions causing hassle yet again.it could be a very good reason why they are doing this action for.i know it disrupts many people's plans for travelling over to France for holidays etc.i hope some person out there give us the real reason why they are doing this action.remember there is always two sides in industrial disputes.stay safe Link to post Share on other sites
David Williams Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 5 minutes ago, nodwad said: Can I ask? Why are they blockading the port for?so before we all go on about the French unions causing hassle yet again.it could be a very good reason why they are doing this action for.i know it disrupts many people's plans for travelling over to France for holidays etc.i hope some person out there give us the real reason why they are doing this action.remember there is always two sides in industrial disputes.stay safe We know that their original employer went bust, it is unclear what happened next. Link to post Share on other sites
David Williams Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Portsmouth still says destination Cherbourg, AIS now says St Malo. Let’s see what the morning brings Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMWeaver Posted July 27, 2020 Share Posted July 27, 2020 Looks to be heading to St Malo, AIS also up to date. Link to post Share on other sites
Sheepish Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Currently sat in the queue at St Malo waiting for the Bretagne to dock. A delay this morning due to tides apparently. No further information from BF about yesterday. There has just been a couple of explosions and a Large fire started at the port entrance accompanied by a number a Jillet Jaune figures. Looks like an attempt to disrupt this mornings crossing 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Sheepish said: Currently sat in the queue at St Malo waiting for the Bretagne to dock. A delay this morning due to tides apparently. No further information from BF about yesterday. There has just been a couple of explosions and a Large fire started at the port entrance accompanied by a number a Jillet Jaune figures. Looks like an attempt to disrupt this mornings crossing Good luck! And remember if you happen to drive past any of them, wash your windscreen copiously. It has a pleasant stinging sensation when in contact with the eyes. Ed. Edited July 28, 2020 by Cabin-boy Link to post Share on other sites
Sheepish Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Thanks, I think we might be going to need it. Now raining but the fire is now really burning well, large clouds of black smoke. The Bretagne was supposed to dock about now but still about 2 miles off according to AIS. Link to post Share on other sites
Sheepish Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Bretagne just docking now, more explosions and flames and smoke from the demonstrators. interestingly no sign of any freight for the ferry and no trucks or trailers waiting to load either. Link to post Share on other sites
Fine Whine Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Bretagne not taking freight at the moment, presumably until the end of August. Chris Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 3 minutes ago, Fine Whine said: Bretagne not taking freight at the moment, presumably until the end of August. Chris On whose orders? Ed. Link to post Share on other sites
Sheepish Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Bretagne docked and crew change And cleaning crew ready on the quay but no sign that the doors are going To open and it looks like the passengers may not have even gone to their vehicles yet. Massive fire now, looks like we could be waiting a while yet. Link to post Share on other sites
Fine Whine Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 No idea Ed but one of the Connemara crew told me she is operating in « passenger only » mode for the holiday period, presumably to free up as much cabin space as possible. Reading the Ouest France report there were 549 passengers on board the non arrival yesterday morning, so not a bad load all things considered. There is plenty of freight space available on both the Cherbourg, Le Havre and Caen routes apparently. Chris 1 Link to post Share on other sites
David Williams Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 (edited) Pictures on twitter Edited July 28, 2020 by David Williams Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 If BF received assurances that today's docking and unloading etc would be allowed to go ahead as planned and that has now not happened, what are the potential consequences? Ed. Link to post Share on other sites
David Williams Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Does not look good, @Sheepish are you trapped in the port ? Link to post Share on other sites
The Ferry Man Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Well this combined with Covid and possibility of borders closing at the the drop of a hat, BF must really be feeling they are up the Biscay without an engine! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
colin Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 The strike is about saving 32 jobs and ensuring the moving rights of Dockers to carry out all horizontal movements. The strikers feel, with some justification, that their employer was allowed to fail, lacking support from the shareholders, Times (Roulier), BF, Morgan File (Condor) and two others. What the port handles has changed, so it was clear some changes had to come for the dockers, but I suspect that, for example, BY use less than half a dozen, for three or four hours a day, in high season. Why should they be paying for 32? It will get resolved, and law enforcement will probably succeed in avoiding blockage, but steam still needs to be let off. Link to post Share on other sites
cvabishop Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Quote but steam still needs to be let off. By setting off explosions, lighting fires and causing general mayhem in an already fraught travelling situation? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Cabin-boy Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 3 minutes ago, cvabishop said: By setting off explosions, lighting fires and causing general mayhem in an already fraught travelling situation? Remember, 'the holiday starts the moment you step on board'. Until then, anything goes. Ed. Link to post Share on other sites
cvabishop Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Quote Until then, anything goes. As of this moment it appears nothing is going - or coming either.... 2 Link to post Share on other sites
colin Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 Breathe has sailed, a bit late. Our correspondents on the spot have gone silent. Did she disembark and load? Link to post Share on other sites
David Williams Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 AIS not updated yet, still shows moored at 19.5 knots Link to post Share on other sites
colin Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 (edited) AIS is how I knew she had sailed .... Currently half way to SE Minquiers buoy. Edited July 28, 2020 by colin Link to post Share on other sites
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