What would typically cause tendering issues?

[RCIfan1912]

What would typically cause tendering issues or a port that tenders to be called off? This is more curious as we are gonna be in Bar Harbor next Monday and the outlook was worse with higher winds but now I see it's just 10-20 MPH winds. That shouldn't cause problems should it? Thanks for any help. 

[steverk]

The biggest reason is large waves making tender operations unsafe. How often this happens depends on the port-how windy it typically gets, how sheltered is the port and wind direction. 

[BrianB]

I think Bar Harbor is a well protected area where ocean swells do not get in…so that shouldn’t be an issue.

Last week on the Liberty, we had an issue which caused lots of delays and annoyance.

When we tender at Bar Harbor…floating portable piers are towed out to the ship and tied onto the sides by the gangway doors. On the Liberty we had one fore and one aft. They have hydraulic levels that can raise or lower the ramps. The ship uses large tenders from shore that can accommodate lots of passengers…much larger than the typical lifeboat/tenders on the ship itself. They are usually sightseeing boats that typically go on whale watching tours that are hired by the cruise line. They go back and forth all day. Because they are so large, if you’re one of the first to board it can seem like a very long time before you start moving as the try to fill the boat before casting off.

This trip there was a problem with the hydraulics on one of the floating piers and we lost half of the tendering capacity. So it took a lot of time with lots of standing in lines. Plus, they tried to accommodate those with excursions who needed to meet ashore at a certain time.

This time we anchored in a bay away from Bar Harbor. Usually we are just offshore from the tender dock. So it took longer to get to and from the ship.

Many people were annoyed…but it is what it is. Anything can happen. I just try to go with the flow.

[RCIfan1912]

3 minutes ago, BrianB said:

I think Bar Harbor is a well protected area where ocean swells do not get in…so that shouldn’t be an issue.

Last week on the Liberty, we had an issue which caused lots of delays and annoyance.

When we tender at Bar Harbor…floating portable piers are towed out to the ship and tied onto the sides by the gangway doors. On the Liberty we had one fore and one aft. They have hydraulic levels that can raise or lower the ramps. The ship uses large tenders from shore that can accommodate lots of passengers…much larger than the typical lifeboat/tenders on the ship itself. They are usually sightseeing boats that typically go on whale watching tours that are hired by the cruise line. They go back and forth all day. Because they are so large, if you’re one of the first to board it can seem like a very long time before you start moving as the try to fill the boat before casting off.

This trip there was a problem with the hydraulics on one of the floating piers and we lost half of the tendering capacity. So it took a lot of time with lots of standing in lines. Plus, they tried to accommodate those with excursions who needed to meet ashore at a certain time.

This time we anchored in a bay away from Bar Harbor. Usually we are just offshore from the tender dock. So it took longer to get to and from the ship.

Many people were annoyed…but it is what it is. Anything can happen. I just try to go with the flow.

Oh wow, we are Liberty this Thursday and in Bar Harbor Monday. Hopefully it's fixed but like you said, oh well. We have an excursion at 9:45 so we'll account for more time just in case. Thanks for the heads up. 

[BrianB]

@RCIfan1912 If it’s a ship’s excursion…don’t worry. You’ll meet at a designated time onboard…usually in the theater…and then they’ll escort you to the tender when it’s time. When things are running normally, they will use the forward gangway for excursions. So a tender will be ready. If there is a delay, they will coordinate with the tour company ashore.

If you’re going on a private excursion, it’s best to leave early…even if you end up waiting for awhile onshore for your tour provider.

Either way…hope you have a great time!

[Traveling Mike]

In September a year ago one of our ports in Greenland was cancelled because of weather.  Then in the one port we stopped at in Greenland the tenders were very slow and delayed because of fog.  The tenders had to keep using horns to get Barings of each other, the ship and shore.

[Cactus527]

Years ago, when they still tendered into Cozumel, we couldn't visit the port due to intense waves. it's the only time I've experienced tender problems and thus couldn't visit.

[BrianB]

Prior to having the pier at CocoCay…there were many times when tendering was deemed too dangerous and we had to cancel the visit to the island.

It was sad to have beautiful, calm, sunny weather with clear skies…but due to a far off storm, the sea swells were too much for the safe transfer of passengers into tenders.

This happens very frequently to that other cruise line with the dock-less island next to CocoCay.

Now, with the pier…it’s only very few and far between where a ship can’t dock at CocoCay. Usually it’s due to high winds…significant swells…or a combination.

However, one time last year we were on the Anthem and an older, smaller ship was due to dock at CocoCay before us…but couldn’t due to the wind. Instead of cancelling the visit…they waited for us to attempt docking. Apparently the Anthem had better control and more power. Capt Sreko Ban got us docked! The other ship then used the Anthem as a wind break and was able to dock. Hey, what are friends for? Mi pier es su pier!