Ferry Transfer at Sea

Back-Blipped on 17th February - along with my blips since 12th Feb - please have a look if you get a chance
This is how we landed on the island. We've done these transfers quite a few times now, but it's not for the faint-hearted or if you're not keen on boats!
The ferry arrives every day, both from the north or the south, but the water offshore here is not deep enough for the ferries to deliver their passengers to the pier in the village. The ferry therefore stops around half a mile out to sea, and several long-tailed boats  go out to it, transporting any people that want to leave the island. Those people then have to climb from the long-tailed boats onto the ferry, and when they are cleared, the passengers wishing to land on this island then climb down onto the long-tailed boats - along with their luggage (but the boat lads always help with the bags). 
I've never seen anyone fall in yet, although it is pretty precarious. None of the boats are roped together, it's all reliant on their skilful boat handling. Someone arrived here the other day from the north-bound ferry with the wrong bag, but his bag was delivered back to him when the ferry returned in the southerly direction the following day. This is quite unusual here for bags to be mixed up. 
The passengers not disembarking are always fascinated and charge up on deck to watch, as it looks as if pirates are trying to board ship when the long-tails give chase.
My extra is the same photo but shows just how far out to sea the changeovers take place. There are about 8 long-tails surrounding the ferry.