According to the Ordnance Survey’s OS NET web site, the light house has moved in recent years, shifting gradually south in the autumn of 2000. The extensive rainfall in the autumn and winter of 2000 was raised as a factor contributing to the perceived movement, potentially having affected the soil properties at the base of the lighthouse. The station at St. Catherine’s Point has experienced over 9 centimetres of shift southwards since October 2000.
St Catherine's Point and lighthouse
To celebrate being not yet 60, I had a day out on the Isle of Wight.
![MV \"Wight Sky\"](http://www.alanrolfe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/img_9273-2-copy_large.jpg "MV \\"Wight Sky\\"")
This is one of three new W class ferries now operating on the Lymington – Yarmouth route to the Isle of Wight. They were built in Croatia and replace the 35 year C class ferries built in Dundee. Two entered service in February this year and the third, “Wight Sun” is now ready as well. They have received mixed press and have caused a lot of concern to the Lymington Harbour Commision because of their potential impact on the salt marshes at the mouth of the river. They are still on a reduced service at the moment until tomorrow as the crews get to know their funny little ways and learn the best way to load and unload them quickly. As you can see from the stern, she’s already had some damage and her sister ship, the Wight Light, had already been taken out of service to repair her. Both dockings yesterday seemed rather heavy to me as we seemingly hit the docking facilities quite heavily.
She can take 65 cars (the old C class could take 58) and 360 passengers (the C class took 512 which I don’t believe (I can’t verify this information)). There are two separate lifting decks – the narrower one shown here in use and a wider but shorter three lane deck (which goes right up into the superstructure – effectively inside the passenger lounge!) still leaving room for coaches or high lorries below it. Oddly, foot passengers at Lymington have to embark and disembark through the car desk which holds up car unloading and loading considerably. Tomorrow, they go from an hourly service to one every 20 mins at peak times and I foresee chaos.
My ship coming back from Yarmouth at 8pm left at 8.05pm.. it turns out it was the 7pm departure! Mind you, on the crossing, the Captain said he was doing 30.6 knots to try to make up time (their usual speed is 11 knots) I have to admit, though, that the passenger comfort is much improved both on desk and in the lounge. I just hope that can resolve their teething troubles.
