Hi All,

Spent a very enjoyable couple of hours today with the Newry Branch on their trip to Dublin Port to have a root around the bilges of Seatruck Power, one of Seatrucks [www.seatruckferries.com] new Ro-Ro ferries opperating between Dublin and Liverpool. I was supposed to be giving them a guided tour of some of Dublins canal infrastructure in return but overslept and did'nt catch up with them till their arrival at the port. Fortunately Tommy Mc Loughlin was on hand to take up the slack and brought them to behold the wonder that is Effin Bridge and Spencer's various other non-lifting lift bridges. I hope Tommy or some of the Newry boys and girls might put up a few pics as most of mine are pretty unusable. Many thanks for letting me tag along. Geraldine, but that boats never going to fit up the Newry...!!

Mick Farrell
PRO
Dublin Branch.

Look at all them gadgets, Les...!!



Thats JUST a generator...!!



One of the main engines.



All that info just to tell me I'm tied up....LOL

Yaahhhh, cool Mick....now where can I get me a wheelhouse like that...maybe Joe's new one since I haven't seen it yet.

Les 41M

Les,

a sneak pre-view just for you, but certainly wont get the above fit-out,

Joe.

Interesting pics Mick. Thanks for posting.

OceanFroggie

Thanks Joe, looks fantastic, well done on the work...

Les 41M

Here are some pics of the Newry & Portadown visit to Seatruck yesterday. 'Seatruck Power' is the second of 4 new ships; 2 of which will eventually run on the Warrenpoint - Heysham route. The branch was invited to visit the ship by Seatruck who are big supporters of our work and our aim to re-open the navigation. Modern ships are too big to visit Newry so we have to visit modern ships. Captain Simon Townsend made us very welcome and patiently answered all our questions including the stupid ones and watched benevolently as we gaped at the enormity of the engines, anchor chain etc and at the complexity of the instrumentation and the comfort of the captain's chair. We presented him with an IWAI burgee and we were delighted to learn that he has holidayed on canals in England and knew more than many of those present about operating locks and the importance of having a system when transiting lock flights - no ring the lock-keeper for him. The 'Seatruck Power' carries 150 trailers on 3 - or is it 4 - decks with accommodation for 12 passengers. Seatruck is primarily a freight operation running between Dublin, Belfast, Warrenpoint and Heysham or Liverpool. They also carry private vehicles when there's room and can be booked online. I can recommend it as an economical and relaxed way to get across the Irish Sea. It was great fun to visit a completely new ship and see the cargo carrier from a new angle. We also visited other bits of Dublin's canal infrastructure but I best put that on a different thread.






Geraldine Foley
Newry & Portadown branch
'There's life in the old canal yet!'

and a few more Seatruck Power photos.






Geraldine Foley
Newry & Portadown branch
'There's life in the old canal yet!'

Thanks for the pics Geraldine. Apart from the bad quality of the few pics I posted, they really did'nt do any justice to the scale of the boat.

Mick Farrell
PRO
Dublin Branch.

should really have said
note how we're all wearing IWAI hi-viz vests complete with branch name emblazoned on front and back. you too can have such haute couture accessories for your workparty or rally. just contact colin in the IWAI shop with your specifications. mention that the product was recommended by newry & portadown when ordering and you'll probably be charged full price.

Geraldine Foley
Newry & Portadown branch
'There's life in the old canal yet!'

Careful now Geraldine.....that could be construed as being disrespectful
towards Colin, or the shop, or hi-viz vests, or the Assoc's pricing
policy's, or haute couture. We're a very serious bunch on here 'ya
know...!!

M(W&W)F