MV Portaferry II

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]

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
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

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 propellors, 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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