MV Portaferry II

MV Portaferry II coming to dock in Strangford
History
Name: MV Portaferry II
Owner: Roads Service Northern Ireland
Builder: McTay Marine, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Yard number: 127
Launched: 2001
In service: 18 December 2001
Homeport: Liverpool [1]
Identification: IMO 9237436
Status: In service
General characteristics
Tonnage: 312 GT
Capacity: 260 passengers, 20 cars [2]

MV Portaferry II is a passenger ferry operated by Roads Service Northern Ireland. This ferry serves on a route which has been in operation since the 12th century.[3]

Route

The ship traverses the 0.6 nautical mile (1.1 km) journey between Portaferry and Strangford in about 8 minutes daily with a regular timetable.

History

After years of service, MV Strangford, which was launched on 6 September 1969, began to show signs of age. A second, smaller ship, MV Portaferry, also operating on the Portaferry - Strangford route, had insufficient capacity to take over full service for route, so a new ship was needed. In 2001 the MV Portaferry II replaced the aging MV Portaferry and relegated the earlier vessel, MV Strangford, to a support role.[1] A 2011 opinion piece, "Ards Peninsula Facing Hardship During Ferry Refit," suggests that there is local interest in maintaining a backup transportation option for MV Portaferry II

Crossing times

The ferry takes around 8 minutes to cross the mouth of the lough. The ferry can take up to 25 minutes during busy times or storms. Due the shape of the lough, the tidal speed can cancel sailings.

Onboard

Like her predecessors, due to the short travel time the only onboard facilities are a passenger waiting area and a gangway at each side of the ship with benches and placards to inform readers of the area's wildlife.

References

  1. 1 2 "About the Ferry". Northern Ireland Roads Department. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  2. ↑ "MV Portaferry II - IMO 9237436, Shipspotting.com". Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Irish Secrets, Welcome to County Down History Secrets, Strangford Lough". Retrieved May 21, 2011.
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