COASTER: Different cargo for Barrow Haven

An unusual ship arrived at the small quay at Barrow Haven, under the Humber Bridge, in June. Normally this quay only caters for packaged timber traffic, but on 30 June the 1,205dwt coaster Ala arrived with large blocks of wrapped timber. The Sietas-built coaster is still in immaculate condition, which belies her age, as she was built in 1968 as Gala. She had a spell as Tor Normandia before reverting to Gala and became Ala in 1995. Since then she has traded mainly between the Baltic and European ports and is a regular visitor to Seaham on the north-east coast of the UK.