Mull ferry row rumbles on
THE CHAIRMAN of Tobermory Harbour Association (THA) has investigated wind speeds following claims by ferry operator CalMac, in last week’s
Oban Times, that the weather is getting worse.
Brian Swinbanks has collated information of wind speeds between 1973 and 2015 and noted ‘ very similar patterns with higher sustained wind speeds, higher gusts and higher daily mean wind speeds in the 1970s than in 2015’.
In a letter to the Mull and Iona Ferry User’s Group (FUG), which had claimed the number of cancelled sailings to Mull had increased significantly this winter, chief executive Martin Dorchester had said there was no mystery as weather patterns had been scientifically proven to be changing for the worse, not just on the west coast of Scotland but throughout the UK, where gale force winds, torrential rain and flooding had fast become the norm in the winter.
He added that critics seemed not to make the connection between TV coverage of extreme weather conditions - now a standard feature of winter news bulletins - and the conditions in their local area which prevented ferries from sailing.
In response, and without bias, Mr Swinbanks decided to collate the information on wind speeds.
Mr Swinbanks, a respected authority in the marine world, said: ‘To help all those speculating about the wind speeds and the ferry problems, I now have wind data for Tiree for every month from 1973 to 2015.
‘The following are samples from 1973, 1976, and 2015. All show very similar patterns, with higher sustained wind speeds, higher gusts and higher daily mean wind speeds in the 1970s than in 2015. Other years are also higher. Please draw your own conclusions.’
Mr Swinbanks has used the modern scale of wind (metres per second) measurement.
Mr Swinbanks said: ‘In 2015 the highest sustained wind speed was 25 m/s, occurring on January 8. The highest daily mean wind speed was 17 m/s on January 10, and the highest wind gust speed was 34 m/s, on January 8.
‘The windiest month was January, with an average wind speed of 11 m/s. The least windy month was July, with an average wind speed of 2 m/s.
‘In 1973 the highest sustained wind speed was 29 m/s, occurring on October 11, the highest daily mean wind speed was 22 m/s on January 19, and the highest wind gust speed was 36 m/s on February 13. The windiest month was January, with an average wind speed of 9 m/s. The least windy month was July, with an average wind speed of 5 m/s.
‘In 1976 the highest sustained wind speed was 29 m/s, occurring on January 20; the highest daily mean wind speed was 21 m/s also on January 20; and the highest wind gust speed was 25 m/s on October 6.
‘The windiest month was January, with an average wind speed of 12 m/s. The least windy month was August, with an average wind speed of 4 m/s.’
Oban Times columnist Iain Thornber, from Morvern, added his support for a more reliable ferry service.
He said: ‘Although Morvern is in the Highland area, it depends on the Oban-Mull link for its mail, newspapers and other essentials via the Fishnish-Lochaline ferry.
‘I understand many people on Mull are now reluctant to travel to Oban for the day in case the ferry goes off and they are left stranded.
‘Of course, the vessels used by CalMac are far too large-sided for winter use. These liners should be replaced at the end of the season by smaller boats offering a shuttle service.’
A CalMac spokesman said the Scottish government- owned firm welcomed Mr Swinbank’s input, adding: ‘ Wind speed can be important but is only one criteria to be taken into account when deciding whether to sail in adverse weather conditions.
‘Masters consider a wide range of conditions such as sea state, swell, fetch, tides and currents, the direction of wind and nature of specific gales and storms – many of which might not be immediately apparent to onlookers or even passengers on board. The decision to cancel is never taken lightly, but solely for the safety of passengers, crew and the vessel.’