....SOME OLDER NEWS STORIES....
Drama in the Bay
The helicopter lowers the winchman
During the recent gales in the Bristol Channel there were a couple of rescues carried out by the RNLI. One of these involved a fishing vessel drifting in gale force winds and high seas near Newport. An RAF helicopter was called in when the Penarth Lifeboat suffered engine failure as well as the loss of one of her radio's in the appalling conditions. The helicopter flew into Cardiff Bay to pick up an anchor from a Cardiff Harbour Authority patrol boat, to assist in stopping the fishing vessel drifting further.
Cygnet was in amongst the action as the helicopter lowered a winchman to receive the spare anchor. Giving the passengers an even more interesting trip than usual.
The helicopter lowers the winchman
During the recent gales in the Bristol Channel there were a couple of rescues carried out by the RNLI. One of these involved a fishing vessel drifting in gale force winds and high seas near Newport. An RAF helicopter was called in when the Penarth Lifeboat suffered engine failure as well as the loss of one of her radio's in the appalling conditions. The helicopter flew into Cardiff Bay to pick up an anchor from a Cardiff Harbour Authority patrol boat, to assist in stopping the fishing vessel drifting further.
Cygnet was in amongst the action as the helicopter lowered a winchman to receive the spare anchor. Giving the passengers an even more interesting trip than usual.
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All at Cardiff Cats congratulate crew member Davina (Nina) on obtaining her Boat masters Licence. Although the weather was bad and Nina was suffering with a bad cold, the weeks of training aboard Cygnet and Sapphire paid off , and Nina is now one of the very few lady boat masters able to operate in and around Cardiff Bay.
All at Cardiff Cats congratulate crew member Davina (Nina) on obtaining her Boat masters Licence. Although the weather was bad and Nina was suffering with a bad cold, the weeks of training aboard Cygnet and Sapphire paid off , and Nina is now one of the very few lady boat masters able to operate in and around Cardiff Bay.
Waterbus crews on three day courses
All crews of the waterbuses recently underwent extra training to familiarise themselves more with both the needs of the visitor to Cardiff Bay and Wales. This involved a day course run in conjunction with the Wales Tourist Board & Welcome Host, all staff are now pleased to have earned their "Welcome Host" badges. Another day was spent visiting Cardiff attractions such as Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium to give a better background knowledge of what Cardiff has to offer. The last day involved reviewing operational procedures including enhancing the already high safety awareness aspects of the Waterbus operation.
All crews of the waterbuses recently underwent extra training to familiarise themselves more with both the needs of the visitor to Cardiff Bay and Wales. This involved a day course run in conjunction with the Wales Tourist Board & Welcome Host, all staff are now pleased to have earned their "Welcome Host" badges. Another day was spent visiting Cardiff attractions such as Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium to give a better background knowledge of what Cardiff has to offer. The last day involved reviewing operational procedures including enhancing the already high safety awareness aspects of the Waterbus operation.
High Winds but Cygnet keeps on sailing
Recent storms have meant that there have been some very strong winds around Cardiff Bay, and unusually the Bay has been getting quite rough. However this hasn't deterred visitors to Cardiff from taking a trip on the waterbus! Both Cygnet and Sapphire were designed as 'sea' boats and are quite used to a little rough water. Unlike other operators in the Bay, we are able to sail whatever the weather and cygnet is pictured here with groups of visitors during the school half term, enjoying a trip round the Bay even though it was little 'lumpy!'
Recent storms have meant that there have been some very strong winds around Cardiff Bay, and unusually the Bay has been getting quite rough. However this hasn't deterred visitors to Cardiff from taking a trip on the waterbus! Both Cygnet and Sapphire were designed as 'sea' boats and are quite used to a little rough water. Unlike other operators in the Bay, we are able to sail whatever the weather and cygnet is pictured here with groups of visitors during the school half term, enjoying a trip round the Bay even though it was little 'lumpy!'
Cygnet now offering full commentaries
around the Bay
The waterbus
Cygnet has now been fitted out with a new loudspeaker
system. A total of 11 loudspeakers now enable all passengers
to hear clearly the commentary given by the crew of the boat.
This system will shortly be upgraded again to enable background
music to be played if so desired. On it's first weekend in use,
many passengers were commenting on the improvement that the new
speakers have made.
South Wales Echo, Cardiff Bay Tours
and Cardiff Cats link up!
During the school half term the South
Wales Echo in association with Cardiff Bay tours were able
to offer a 'Kids Go Free' offer. Some 30 children and 20
adults took advantage of this offer and were treated to a tour of
the Bay, led by Carol Townsend and Bryan Osbourne of Cardiff Bay
Tours.
Part of the tour involved a trip across the Bay to visit the Barrage. Pictured here are some of the happy faces arriving at the Barrage.
Part of the tour involved a trip across the Bay to visit the Barrage. Pictured here are some of the happy faces arriving at the Barrage.
Heavy Rain causes flooding
in Cardiff Bay
Cygnet floats above the boardwalk. Note the watermarks on the steps and posts showing the height of the flood.
Photo by ALEX COLLARD
Cygnet floats above the boardwalk. Note the watermarks on the steps and posts showing the height of the flood.
Photo by ALEX COLLARD
With recent high tides
and heavy rain, Cardiff bay rose by a metre over
it's usual level of 4.5 metres. This meant that Mermaid Quay's
lower boardwalk became submerged for a while, preventing
passengers from boarding Cygnets morning sailing.
However, coffee was lowered to intrepid crew members from Cadwaladers jetty, and it wasn't long before the falling tide outside the barrage enabled the Bay levels to return to normal.
However, coffee was lowered to intrepid crew members from Cadwaladers jetty, and it wasn't long before the falling tide outside the barrage enabled the Bay levels to return to normal.
'SAPPHIRE'
IN SERVICE AT LAST!
The long awaited start in service for Sapphire began on May 26th. Although berthed in Penarth Marina for several months, 'Sapphire' has until now been unable to operate, as she has had to under go several modifications to bring her up to the required standard to operate in Cardiff Bay. However after a lot of work put in by members of the crews, she finally received her license to operate, and is now sailing alongside 'Cygnet'.
'Sapphire' will initially operate trips from Mermaid Quay only, and deputise for 'Cygnet' when she is unavailable due to charter commitments.
The long awaited start in service for Sapphire began on May 26th. Although berthed in Penarth Marina for several months, 'Sapphire' has until now been unable to operate, as she has had to under go several modifications to bring her up to the required standard to operate in Cardiff Bay. However after a lot of work put in by members of the crews, she finally received her license to operate, and is now sailing alongside 'Cygnet'.
'Sapphire' will initially operate trips from Mermaid Quay only, and deputise for 'Cygnet' when she is unavailable due to charter commitments.
of champagne from AM Lorraine Barrett watched by Steve Critchley
On Thursday 25th January an important milestone was reached
when 'Cygnet' celebrated carrying her 25,000th passenger on a trip
from Penarth Marina to Mermaid Quay.
Alan & Lydia Jenkins were visiting Penarth from
Swansea, and decided to take a trip across the Bay with
'Cygnet' little knowing what was in store for them.
At Mermaid Quay they were met by a "media frenzy", with
TV station HTV turning up as well as the local radio
station 'Red Dragon Radio' and the South Wales Echo and
Penarth Times, all there to welcome the 25,000th passenger.
Also present was Welsh Assembly member for Penarth & South
Cardiff, 'Lorraine Barrett'. There was bright sunshine and
a bubbly atmosphere, as interviews were given and photographs
taken. The lucky passengers received a bottle of champagne and
a bouquet of flowers from Owner/Operator of Cardiff Cats, Steve
Critchley.
All concerned are now looking forward to carrying the
next 25,000 passengers!!
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