Behind the scenes on the superfast ferry, we meet truck driver Christina Hughes, who is on a regular run to deliver fruit across the Irish Sea. She gets the night ferry over to Cairnryan and takes advantage of the spa facilities onboard, before driving the 230 miles to Widnes and parking up for a mandatory rest break!
Meanwhile, pilot Dougie helps steer the vessel Hav Pike into the harbour, which involves some tricky manoeuvring, but ‘another miracle’ helps Dougie get her safely docked.
Port controller Sarah Newell helps navigate the ferry into the harbour. Stephen Millar is the captain, while onboard services manager Dave Keery coordinates a quick turnaround during the 90 minutes the ferry is in the port.
Below deck, tugmaster Ricky Hamilton is the ultimate multi-tasker, and in the same time window needs to both unload and load the unaccompanied trucks, as well as ensuring the passengers’ luggage gets onboard too. He’s also the one to disengage the gangway from the ferry.
We head to the scrapyard and meet Paul Toner who takes us through the process of crushing and shredding the old cars and other scrap metal that has come into the yard.
On Dave’s second return from Scotland in his 13-hour shift, he meets another Dave and his wife Teresa, who are on their way to Belfast to pick up a puppy – little Rocky the Bernese Mountain pup, and we get to meet him on their return journey!
Chris Sturgeon is the RSPB warden at Belfast Window on Wildlife and leads a group on a walk around the reserve, with a few witty stories to tell!
When trucker Christina goes back for the Belfast-bound load, she has to take a detour to the ferry to pick up an unexpected additional batch. Time is tight and she makes the ferry by the skin of her teeth! Show less