just sailed from ramsgate to oostend on one of their ferries the gardenia 
went for a shower but no hot water 
. went to the steward who said there was 48 drivers aboard and to wait 15 mins as many drivers were in the shower 
i told him to look around the mess and it was full of drivers getting a weeks rations in them at one sitting 
anyway said i wanted to complain 
and was told to sign the complaints book then he shut the shutters. found another english driver who said ferry never has hot water …well if thats the case how do the crew shower 
. well done as the steward said and ran the water but not for 15 mins 
hope someone turns it off 
Your boss made a bad business decision sending you through Ramsgate, he would have saved £30 on the Dover crossing but you lose so much time it’s just not worth it. Unless you are called “Vladik” or “Marek” or somesuch.
Mind you, the multi-million pound road tunnel that Thanet District Council finished building at the precise moment that the Sally Line pulled out is impressive. It must be used by at least 150 vehicles a day…
Harry Monk:
Your boss made a bad business decision sending you through Ramsgate, he would have saved £30 on the Dover crossing but you lose so much time it’s just not worth it. Unless you are called “Vladik” or “Marek” or somesuch.Mind you, the multi-million pound road tunnel that Thanet District Council finished building at the precise moment that the Sally Line pulled out is impressive. It must be used by at least 150 vehicles a day…
Maybe they should extend it to the other side of the channel 
when Sally freight , was going the ship was
all ways well booked, I used to be on it 6
times every week, never had any complaints
grub was good and so was the bar,great bunch of lads
and the little scottish captain was excellent at his job as well.
brit pete:
when Sally freight , was going the ship was
all ways well booked, I used to be on it 6
times every week, never had any complaints
grub was good and so was the bar,great bunch of lads
and the little scottish captain was excellent at his job as well.
I used to be on a Sally Line ferry, Sky, Sun or Star four times a week in the late 1980s but it’s not the same now, Ramsgate ferryboats are just end-of-life tubs providing a cheap service to cheapskates.
Hoi! I resemble that remark! (Though last time I sailed to the UK it was P&O Zeebrugge to Tilbury…)
TEF is an ok service, but I always eat before trying to get a shower. It’s a 4 hour or so crossing, so plenty of time.
Gardenia is ok if cramped, Primrose and Oleander are quite nice, but whatever you do, try not to get an upper deck ■■■■■■■■■■■■ on the [zb]spur…
Hot water can be a rarity sometimes, but come back later in the trip, and try again.
Besides, Dover ■■■■■ big time, and the Frenchies haven’t yet closed a Belgian port.
when i worked for Brits i was given the ‘oppurtunity’
of using Trans Europa
well i did
so i dont have to do it again
If it’s an opportunity on TEF you’re after… it’s usually to use up some of your immodium stock before it goes out of date
When iworked for Brit we used to sail out of Ramsgate i know that lots of drivers used to just stay in there cab rather the going up to eat and get a cabin!!!
Griff82:
When iworked for Brit we used to sail out of Ramsgate i know that lots of drivers used to just stay in there cab rather the going up to eat and get a cabin!!!
Must have been some 50yrs ago, when there were no regulations on access to vehicle deck while at sea
HomoFaber:
Griff82:
When iworked for Brit we used to sail out of Ramsgate i know that lots of drivers used to just stay in there cab rather the going up to eat and get a cabin!!!Must have been some 50yrs ago, when there were no regulations on access to vehicle deck while at sea
Think 50 years is a bit high, used to stay in the cab between Dov and Cal or visa-versa, just 4 years ago 
Due to the Fact that the Trans Europa ferry is not the best hence the nickname the black pearl!!!
And no not 50 years ago try about 6 months ago!!!
pierrot 14:
HomoFaber:
Griff82:
When iworked for Brit we used to sail out of Ramsgate i know that lots of drivers used to just stay in there cab rather the going up to eat and get a cabin!!!Must have been some 50yrs ago, when there were no regulations on access to vehicle deck while at sea
Think 50 years is a bit high, used to stay in the cab between Dov and Cal or visa-versa, just 4 years ago
Still do occasionally if I don’t want a meal or shower.
Griff82:
When iworked for Brit we used to sail out of Ramsgate i know that lots of drivers used to just stay in there cab rather the going up to eat and get a cabin!!!
i have done for ages, and will continue to if i want a decent kip i will stay in the motor…, nearly everytime on Sea Chance, Anek Lines from Ancona to Patras and vice versa (at least the last 4 hrs to try to finish a very addictive game on my Playstation2 when i used to drive there twice a month, around2002, ((Manhunt if youre interested)) Sally Lines in the 90’s, Zeebe to Dover, now and again on P&O, now and again on Norfolk Line, Puttgarten to Rodbyhavn, as usually in the early hrs of the morning etc.
I nearly always sleep in the truck on Dover - Calais and all Irish Ferries. I have always wondered, they say it’s illegal to stay on the car decks but what is the punishment?
switchlogic:
I nearly always sleep in the truck on Dover - Calais and all Irish Ferries. I have always wondered, they say it’s illegal to stay on the car decks but what is the punishment?
I know on the ferry from Stranraer there is a notice up of banned drivers, a couple of eastern european drivers were banned, or the last time i was on it there was, maybe to discourage the people who do it.
Travelling on the Dover/Calais boats it seems it is quite commonplace among our eastern european colleagues.
switchlogic:
I nearly always sleep in the truck on Dover - Calais and all Irish Ferries. I have always wondered, they say it’s illegal to stay on the car decks but what is the punishment?
Death, in the unlikely event of an incident.
Otherwise, being banned off that lines ferries, for a period, if they catch you and decide to make an example.
Not a great incentive to comply if you use Sea Chance.
If you use P&O though they may ban you from ALL their ferries, including North and Irish Sea crossings. That might cause you a bit more of a problem.
I reckon I’d be more likely to die sleeping in a layby.
I guessed they may ban anyone caught but I was asking what the punishment would be from a legal point since they tell us it illegal.
Oh, and when I said all Irish Ferries I meant the company. Thankfully we hardly ever use them.