s.jpg)
Full Steam Ahead For TSS Earnslaw's First Female Skipper
Its full steam ahead for the first female skipper of the 98 year old TSS Earnslaw.
Lisa McIlroy has been given the greenlight to skipper the TSS Earnslaw by Real Journeys, marking a new milestone in the historic vessel’s history.
Lisa has been working with vessels for over 23 years including the Walter Peak Catamaran and the Fiordlander and holds both Local and Commercial Launchmaster tickets.
But being able to skipper such a unique vessel as the TSS Earnslaw is a real privilege, she said.
After working as a deckhand on the TSS Earnslaw for 3 years, Lisa built up her experience at the helm over the past 12 months under the watchful eye of Senior Launchmaster Graham Moore-Carter.
Mr Moore-Carter assessed her handling of the grand old “Lady of the Lake” in all weather conditions. Real Journeys Chief Launchmaster and Safe Ship Manager Peter Bloxham gave Lisa the final approval last week.
Lisa said the TSS Earnslaw was definitely different from other vessels she had worked on and skippered.
“She is not like other boats. She is heavy and her size means at slow speeds her handling can be affected by the wind. You have to have confidence in how she handles and what she’s capable of.”
One of the most important aspects of skippering the TSS Earnslaw was working closely with the team of stokers and engineers in the boiler room.
“It takes 6 seconds for an order from the bridge to take effect by the time it is relayed to the boiler room and implemented. You don’t have the immediate control you have on other vessels where you take action and the vessel reacts immediately.
“You have to learn to use the weight and pre-empt what you are going to do especially when coming into Queenstown Bay and at Walter Peak.
“Other users of the Bay can sometimes underestimate how long it takes to slow the TSS Earnslaw down or change her direction.”
In her spare time Lisa takes the helm of her own boat, Little Song, a 16 foot trailer sailer and often heads to the Catlins for her other favourite hobbies - diving, surfing and swimming.
“Anything to do with the water really!”
Real Journeys Queenstown General Manager Tracey Maclaren said Lisa’s appointment was the latest development in the TSS Earnslaw’s long history.
“As an equal employment opportunities employer Real Journey’s is delighted to see Lisa achieve this milestone for the TSS Earnslaw.”
For more information contact
Gabby Lake
Marketing Communications Co-ordinator
Real Journeys
03 442 4830
0274 250 258
