Image courtesy of B. Beek DRAFT ITINERARY 2012 THV Patricia is the Trinity House flagship carrying passengers as she completes her vital work. This popular holiday experience allows guests to view her normal duties which involve the maintenance of navigational buoys, the attendance and refuelling of offshore lighthouses and dealing with emergencies. With just six double bedded, ensuite cabins, few guests are able to experience a voyage and this, coupled with the type of work the ship undertakes, makes a voyage aboard THV Patricia a truly unique experience. Although our guests have their own dedicated Chef and Steward(s) and are looked after to a high standard, the work of Patricia takes priority, and as such, if she is required to divert to deal with a casualty at sea, her statutory obligations come first. Part of the appeal of a voyage on Patricia is the adventure of a moveable itinerary. Intrepid travellers have an idea of coastline that they may be seeing during their voyage, but unlike a cruise ship with specific destinations, Patricia's itinerary can change at very short notice. The itinerary is intended for guidance only. All our guests need to be flexible in their travel arrangements and anticipate potential late notice of changes to the itinerary. For example, the draft itinerary may suggest that joining is in Southampton and disembarkation is on the West Coast, port to be advised during your voyage. The reality may be that due to an emergency or change of programme, joining may be in Whitby with disembarkation in Southampton! Whilst Trinity House cannot guarantee the exact nature of the work Patricia will undertake whilst onboard, it can guarantee a most fascinating, relaxing and comfortable voyage. The Thames Estuary has some of the biggest ships that dock at UK ports, transiting the area. The North Sea is an important trading area for the UK with fishing, wind farm, offshore oil and gas exploration as well as general trade. Maintaining the shipping lanes remains paramount. This means that channels have to be closely scrutinised, depths surveyed and the positions of buoys verified regularly to ensure the maximum channel width and depth. With busy ports along the South Coast and traffic passing along and crossing the busiest shipping lane in the world, the focus on safety of navigation is critical. The West Coast offers a different perspective with dramatic cliff tops, tempestuous seas and strong tides. Nethertheless the hazards to shipping remain the same. The deeper water around the Bristol Channel means there is a lower population of buoys and a greater dependence on lighthouses to mark dangerous off-shore rocks, Eddystone, Wolf Rock, Bishop Rock echo the sounds of the dangers that lurk beneath. CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF PATRICIA VOYAGES
Image courtesy of S. Ellwood DRAFT ITINERARY 2012 DATE WATCH COAST ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 4 th - 11 th April Starboard West Coast 11 th - 18 th April Starboard West Coast 18 th - 25 th April Port West Coast 18 th April is crew changeover day 25 th April - 2 nd May Port West Coast 2 nd - 9 th May Port West Coast 9 th - 16 th May Starboard West Coast 9 th May is crew changeover day 16 th - 23 rd May Starboard West Coast 23 rd - 30 th May Starboard West Coast 30 th May - 6 th June Port West Coast 30 th May is crew changeover day 6 th - 13 th June Port West Coast 13 th - 20 th June Port West Coast 20 th - 27 th June Starboard West / South Coast 20 th June is crew changeover day 27 th June - 4 th July 4 th - 11 th July Starboard SHIP NOT AVAILABLE East Coast 11 th - 18 th July Port East Coast 11 th July is crew changeover day 18 th - 25 th July Port South Coast 25 th - 1 st August Port South Coast 1 st - 8 th August 8 th - 15 th August Starboard SHIP NOT AVAILABLE East Coast 15 th - 22 nd August Starboard East Coast 22 nd - 29 th August Port West Coast 22nd Aug is crew changeover day 29 th August - 5 th September Port West Coast 5 th - 12 th September Port West Coast 12 th - 19 th September Starboard West Coast 12 th Sept is crew changeover day 19 th - 26 th September Starboard West Coast 26 th September - 3 rd October Starboard West Coast IMPORTANT INFORMATION 1. This draft itinerary is published for general guidance only, as allocations and dates are subject to alteration at short notice due to operational reasons; 2. Patricia may enter a port on the day prior to a crew changeover day; 3. Joining or departure may be made by workboat; 4. It is possible that joining and departure will be at different ports; 5. Patricia's itinerary may be amended to include a change of coastline, for example, from the West Coast to the East Coast; 6. Joining Instructions will be sent out approximately one week prior to commencement of the voyage; 7. As part of our Ship Security Policy, all guests must carry valid photographic identification e.g. current photo driving licence or passport; 8. Starboard / Port Watch refers to the Captain / Officers / Crew on duty; 9. All voyages are for a 7 night period unless otherwise stated; 10. Trinity House does not have an upper age restriction. You should, however be able to satisfy yourself that should the need arise, you are capable of stepping down into a workboat or climbing any potential vertical ladder at joining/departure. 11. Terms and Conditions apply and are available on request.
TARIFF CABIN LEVEL OF 7 14 TYPE OCCUPANCY NIGHTS NIGHTS Stateroom Luxury Executive Single 2,560 5,040 Double 3,410 6,660 Single 2,140 4,180 Double 3,200 6,220 Single 1,700 3,340 Double 2,990 5,790 Notes: All prices are inclusive of full board but exclude alcoholic beverages and travel to / from the vessel Passengers are required to carry their own insurance Prices are per cabin PASSENGER COMMENTS A voyage aboard THV Patricia is a holiday experience unlike any other and many of our guests return year on year. Image courtesy of C. Laycock First time passengers said: A wonderful week. Sumptuous surroundings and unfailing kindness from all personnel. Always relaxing, never boring, often fun. A unique insight into a very unusual and highly specified organisation as it goes about its vital work. Dr Dewar, September 2011 I am grateful for the treat this voyage has been. Being welcomed on the bridge and having the operations explained with friendliness has been a real bonus. I have been well cared for by the catering staff and made to feel really at home. The food has been enjoyable and interestingly varied and balanced. My thanks to the Captain, Officers and Crew for a great week; being allowed to see a light vessel towed and installed on the Seven Stones and later to see buoys serviced by the Scilly Islands has been a fascination. Ms F Bankes-Jones, June 2011 Returning customers reasons for repeating the experience: Perhaps the atmosphere of the Shop was epitomised by the comment of a member of the Ship s Company I just love my job. That commitment and enthusiasm for the work the Patricia undertakes sets the very positive tone that pervades the ship and the very responsible tasks that are carried out. Ms Du Lieu, April 2011 The sea must be in my blood and this is the best way to enjoy it; relaxed, free to roam and excellent crew. Mr Dadson, June 2011 What prompted you to make a booking? Wanted a week s holiday with a difference; Patricia was perfect. Mr & Mrs Rogers, September 2011 The idea of being a passenger in a working ship as opposed to being with thousands in a cruise ship. Q P M Paterson June 2011
VOYAGE INFORMATION Useful Information Age / Mobility We regret that no one under the age of 16 years can travel on board Patricia. There is no upper age limit. However, regrettably Patricia Voyages is unsuitable for passengers with limited mobility due to a number of health & safety implications, not only in respect of themselves, but also to fellow guests and ship s company. In addition to this, due to the nature of Patricia s work there is no guarantee regarding embarkation/disembarkation and as a result, for some ports it is necessary to convey passengers ashore/on board by workboat and access to landing stages can be awkward and difficult to negotiate. Bridge Access Passengers have unlimited access to the bridge, however, occasionally there may be operational requirements preventing this right of entry. Communications Mobile phone reception is likely to be variable in quality owing to the nature of the ship s movements around the coast. All cabins have telephones, which can be used for making external calls. Please note that these calls are chargeable and bills must be settled on departure. A fax machine, satellite phone and limited internet access are available on the bridge should this be required. The use of these services on board may be chargeable. Your Steward will be able to arrange for any mail to be posted on your behalf. Postage stamps can be purchased on board. Currency The currency used on board is pounds sterling and it is necessary to pay for on board purchases with cash or a personal cheque. We regret that credit and debit cards cannot be used on the vessel. Dietary Requirements Dietary requirements (e.g. gluten-free, diabetic etc.) will be catered for, as long as they are notified to Trinity House in advance of your voyage, preferably at the time of booking. Dining Passengers have a dedicated dining room, Chef and Steward(s). All meals are served at set times.
Dress Code Daywear Casual shirts, shorts and trousers are ideal. For walking on deck, flat comfortable shoes are a must. You will also need a lightweight jacket or coat for cool evenings and possible showers. Don t forget sun protection cream, a sun hat and sunglasses as the sun is much stronger at sea. Packing a spare pair of glasses and an ample supply of any medicines you are taking is also a good idea. Foul weather gear is not necessary. Evening Wear Smart separates or dresses for ladies and open-neck shirts and trousers (not shorts or jeans) for men. Jacket and ties are not compulsory but are encouraged. Drinks A selection of alcoholic and soft drinks are available on board. A fridge with mini bar can be found in all cabins. Electricity Sockets For UK passengers, adapters are not required as all sockets on board are the same as can be found in the UK and the current on board is 220 volts AC. International visitors may need to bring adapters. There is a two-pin razor socket in the bathrooms. Entertainment All cabins are equipped with satellite television and DVD player. A variety of games and books are also available for passenger enjoyment. Gratuities Tipping is left entirely at the discretion of our guests. Any tips left should be based on your level of satisfaction with the service provided. Identity All passengers must carry valid photographic identification, in the form of either a passport or driving licence, to satisfy the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Laundry and Ironing Facilities A trouser press is supplied in each cabin and an iron and ironing board are available on request. There is no laundry or dry-cleaning facility available on board. Lift The Patricia does not have a passenger lift. Newspapers Newspapers will be available on a daily basis whenever possible; this is subject to being able to land. Smoking Smoking is not permitted inside the vessel, however, guests may smoke outside (for example on the heli-deck) but it is asked that consideration is given to fellow guests.