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Skills of Scottish Ferry Master Praised as Vessel Docks in High Winds and Rough Seas

Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries said Storm Dennis caused “major disruption” to its services over the weekend, but the company took time to praise the “skill of our Masters and crew” as they used windows in the rough weather to get customers from A to B.

Stuart Bell witnessed such skill firsthand while waiting for the Isle of Arran ferry at the port of Ardrossan on February 14. His video shows the approaching ferry swaying and rocking in the rough swell as it neared the dock.

“The captain showed great skill in managing to dock in this adverse weather conditions,” Bell told Storyful. Bell admitted he boarded “very nervously”, but that he had “confidence in the captain to get us there safely as I’m sure he would not of sailed if he thought it was too dangerous.”

Robbie Drummond, managing director of the ferry company, said on Twitter, the video was “one to consider for those pressing CalMac to take more risk. Safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority.” Credit: Stuart Bell via Storyful