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]
,_August_2009.JPG) MV Portaferry II coming to dock in Strangford
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | MV Portaferry II |
| Owner | NI Department for Infrastructure |
| Operator | Transport NI |
| Builder | McTay Marine, Merseyside, United Kingdom |
| Yard number | 127 |
| Launched | 2001 |
| In service | 18 December 2001 - Present |
| Homeport | Belfast |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 312 GT |
| Length | 38.2 m (125 ft) |
| Beam | 14.56 m (47.8 ft) |
| Draught | 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Capacity | 260 passengers, 20 cars |
History edit
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 edit
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.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ "Irish Secrets, Welcome to County Down History Secrets, Strangford Lough". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "About the Ferry". Northern Ireland Roads Department. Archived from the original on 29 August 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
- ^ "MV Portaferry II - IMO 9237436". Shipspotting.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ^ "Portaferry II (McTay Marine #127)". niferry.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
External links edit
Media related to MV Portaferry II at Wikimedia Commons