New ferry to Lanzarote

[TrickyFox]

Saw this posted on FB today.

"As Fuerteventura News had already announced last October, the vessel Alcantara 2 will replace the line of the Volcan de Tindaya vessel and will do so for Corralejo-Arrecife while the latter makes its obligatory stop.


The service will start on the 21st, and during the week of the 14th to the 20th, it will be suspended for works on the Corralejo beached ramp.

The catamaran, which is part of the high-speed fleet of Armas - Trasmediterránea, was making the route from the city of Malaga to Melilla and was previously covering the line between Mallorca and Menorca.

78.60 meters in length, capacity for 575 people and 120 vehicles are the arguments of this boat that reaches a speed of 30 knots.

The length of the ship, which was testing docking at the Port of Corralejo last October, leaves no room for maneuver at the dock of Playa Blanca so that already at that time it was suspected that the line would be another port of destination in Lanzarote. Arrecife would be the candidate and the route is covered in one hour.

The capacity of this vessel is limited, so it will not be possible to accept vehicles such as iron or bus, the duration of the journey will be approximately one hour, with the following schedules:

*From Monday to Friday

Corralejo-Arrecife: 09: 30 // 14: 15 // 18: 00

Arrecife-Corralejo: 07: 30 // 12: 30 // 16: 15

*Saturdays and Sundays

Corralejo-Arrecife: 10: 15 // 18: 15

Arrecife-Corralejo: 08: 30 // 16: 30 "

I'm not sure what month the dates refer to, but judging by the Armas site, it is this month.

[the_jg]

It came into in Corralejo today and moored up by the refurbished loading ramp, presumably to check the loading arrangements. I took a few pictures.

                        

[Archer]

We saw them 'testing' the route in October. I have a photo of it passing us on the old Armas ferry.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

I'm booked on it on 24th - day return to IKEA! Seemed like too good a chance to miss.

[the_jg]

The afternoon boat needed three tries to get in today with the high spring tide exposing so much windage that it the bow was blown out too far to get a rope on it.
In the end the skipper had to reverse past the mooring spot and then spin the boat to get the bow in at about 30 degrees before using power to get the stern in.
A superb bit of seamanship in very trying circumstances.

[Bertie]

As an aside, as an ex-seafarer.
Ships don't reverse, they go astern.
Apologies to landlubbers...

[Spitfire58]

As an aside, as an ex-seafarer.
Ships don't reverse, they go astern.
Apologies to landlubbers...

??????

[Bertie]

Cars etc. reverse.
Ships either go for 'ard or astern.
Ask any matelot.......

[the_jg]

As an aside, as an ex-seafarer.
Ships don't reverse, they go astern.
Apologies to landlubbers...

Apology not needed - I was a canal boat "ditchcrawler" for many years and remembered encountering the same problem in a near gale at Sharpness. I was impressed with the way the skipper handled a boat rather bigger than my 57 feet and 16 tons - especially as he apparently had no side-thrusters to help him..
As you probably know the terminology is somewhat different using left and right, etc. including such words as "steerer" for the person in charge of the boat.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Sorry for the delay in reporting back - its been a busy few days!

Arrived at Corralejo docks at 9am ready to check in for 9.30am sailing. Presented all the right paperwork in the office but Armas staff were unable to convert our booking into Boarding Cards until 9.25am!! Other customers checked in while we were kept waiting so I still don't understand what the problem was. Luckily they contacted the loading crew and got them to hold the boat for us! When we eventually drove on there were exactly 5 other cars and 2 vans, a couple of foot passengers - almost a private cruise. 52€ for 4 residents, 1 dog, 1 car, return - very good value.
An hours crossing, Weather a bit cloudy but fairly warm for the time of day. I thought the crossing was very smooth buy my friend availed herself of my emergency carrier bag!

To be continued, laptop problem ...