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Wightlink launches new ferry
THE first of Wightlink's new fleet of ships for its Lymington to Yarmouth car ferry route has been launched at a Croatian shipyard.
Called Wight Light, it was launched in a ceremony at Brodogradiliste Kraljevica in front of a 23-strong group from Wightlink by seven-year old Croatian schoolgirl Nevia Pravdica.
Set to be a familiar sight in the waters around Lymington, it will enter service on the route to Yarmouth in the summer and will eventually be joined by two others, also under construction at the shipyard.
Four metres longer and less than one metre wider, the larger ferries have provoked protests from other Lymington harbour users.
Incorporating around 700 tons of steel, the new ferries will each be able to carry up to 360 passengers and 65 cars and are said by Wightlink to offer greater loading flexibility as well as more attractive on-board facilities. They have been introduced because they do not comply with new ferry regulations.
Wightlink marketing manager Kerry Jackson said: "We were delighted to see the large numbers of local people who came out to cheer on the launch ceremony and we are now looking forward to getting the ship ready for its sail back to the UK."
The second of Wightlink's new fleet, Wight Sky, has been constructed alongside Wight Light and is scheduled for a launch at the end of March. Both ships will then undergo sea trials in Croatia before Wightlink accepts them. If all goes to plan, the two ferries will be sailed back to the UK late May by Wightlink crews.
Meanwhile, progress has been made in the construction of the third new ship, Wight Sun, with the laying of the keel at Brodogradiliste Kraljevica after the launch of Wight Light.
8:28am Tuesday 29th January 2008
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CommentPosted by: An angry soton resident on 9:23am Tue 29 Jan 08
Another foreign built boat in our waters. How about supporting british industry.
Another foreign built boat in our waters. How about supporting british industry.
Posted by: Manimal, Southampton on 8:15pm Tue 29 Jan 08
Sadly a British yard like Vospers could never compete for price for a single ferry against the Croatians. It's economies of scale sadly.
Sadly a British yard like Vospers could never compete for price for a single ferry against the Croatians. It's economies of scale sadly.
Posted by: Flintstone, Lymo on 9:46am Wed 30 Jan 08
"They have been introduced because they do not comply with new ferry regulations."
Eh?
"They have been introduced because they do not comply with new ferry regulations."
Eh?
Posted by: Vinny Powell, Southmapton on 3:07pm Wed 30 Jan 08
In response to Flintstone, i think the editor meant the new ships were introduced because the old ships no longer meet safety regulations. Its not written the best i know.
In response to Flintstone, i think the editor meant the new ships were introduced because the old ships no longer meet safety regulations. Its not written the best i know.
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