MV Portaferry II coming to dock in Strangford
History
NameMV Portaferry II
OwnerNI Department for Infrastructure
OperatorTransport NI
BuilderMcTay Marine, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Yard number127
Launched2001
In service18 December 2001 - Present
HomeportBelfast
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Tonnage312 GT
Length38.2 m (125 ft)
Beam14.56 m (47.8 ft)
Draught1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Capacity260 passengers, 20 cars

MV Portaferry II is a passenger and car ferry operated by Transport NI. This ferry serves the Portaferry–Strangford ferry route across the mouth of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, a service which has been in operation since the 12th century.[1]

History

After years of service, MV Strangford Ferry, which was launched on 6 September 1969, began to show signs of age. A second, smaller ship, MV Portaferry Ferry, also operating on the Portaferry - Strangford route, had insufficient capacity to take over full service for route, so a new ship was needed. This new vessel was the Portaferry II, built by McTay Marine of Merseyside, at a cost of a £2.7 million. She entered service on 18 December 2001, replacing the aging MV Portaferry Ferry and relegated the MV Strangford Ferry, to a support role.[2]

Details

The Portaferry II has a gross tonnage of 312 tons, a hull length of 38.2 metres (125 ft), a beam of 14.56 metres (47.8 ft), a draught of 1.9 metres (6 ft 3 in) and a capacity of 260 passengers and 20 cars. She is propelled by a pair of Voith Schneider propellers, driven by diesel engines, and is registered in Belfast.[3][4]

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

References

  1. ↑ "Irish Secrets, Welcome to County Down History Secrets, Strangford Lough". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  2. ↑ "About the Ferry". Northern Ireland Roads Department. Archived from the original on 29 August 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  3. ↑ "MV Portaferry II - IMO 9237436". Shipspotting.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "Portaferry II (McTay Marine #127)". niferry.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

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