Month: July 2015
Stena Mersey, an onboard tour in photographs – July 2015
A walk through Stena Mersey recorded in photographs, starting upon entering the main vehicle deck and walking towards the bow end of the passenger accommodation on deck 5, finishing with a view of the bridge on deck 7. All pictures unless otherwise stated were taken onboard Stena Mersey during her Monday layover in Belfast during July 2015, and are © Copyright Steven Tarbox/NIFerrySite unless otherwise stated. This page is extremely image heavy and so may take a while to load on slower connections. There are plans to eventually replace this page as part of a wider rebuild of galleries across this site, which should improve loading times. 2014’s interior gallery is archived here for those who wish to compare. Since this onboard tour was photographed, the Stena Plus lounge on both STENA LAGAN and STENA MERSEY has been relocated. Photographs of the improved Stena Plus lounge and the area occupied by ... Read more
Calais update: Overview of the current situation with DFDS and MyFerryLink.
Still no DFDS Calais sailings, MyFerryLink ships laid up. The strike by MyFerryLink workers following the sale of the ferries Rodin and Berlioz to DFDS, and the decision by Eurotunnel not to renew their employment contract, entered its third successive week today.  MyFerryLink workers continue to occupy the two vessels, in protest at the sale of the vessels by Eurotunnel to the Danish company.  Both Groupe Eurotunnel and DFDS have rejected talks in Paris about the situation, due to the ships still being occupied.  However, it is believed that the French government are renewing efforts to establish round table talks. There have been conflicting reports that the ships themselves may have been sabotaged by the crews.  What is known for certain however, is that the MES (Marine Evacuation System) has been deployed – it is believed that the crews are being supplied through these chutes.  P&O sailings are operating to Calais ... Read more
Calais situtation update: Limited sailings to Calais restored
The blockade at the Port of Calais by aggrieved MyFerryLink workers has been partially lifted today.  Today sees the 4th consecutive day of strike action, which until today has resulted in the Port of Calais being totally blocked.  P&O have been operating limited freight only services to Boulogne, with no return service due to the lack of immigration controls at the French port, which no-longer has a permanent ferry operation. However, only one ship is permitted in Calais port at a time, meaning P&O are offering a departure from Dover just once every two hours.  DFDS have diverted one of their Calais ferries to Dunkerque, with the other (Malo Seaways, ex Stena Nordica) laid up at Dover.  Rodin and Berlioz, the MyFerryLink ships, transferred to DFDS at midnight last night, however NIFS cannot determine wether they are still occupied by ex MFL employees.  The striking workers are believed to now be in ... Read more