Irish Ferries' EPSILON to visit Harland and Wolff next week

As revealed earlier on the NI NI Ferry (and shipping) Enthusiasts Facebook group (and the sister Ferries! Facebook group), Irish Ferries Visentini RoPax EPSILON is due to dry dock at Harland and Wolff, Belfast with arrival on ~~Monday evening, 5th Feb~~ Update 6/02/18: Now scheduled to arrive ~~Tuesday evening 6th Feb,~~Wednesday morning possibly related to technical issues with Ulysses at the end of last week and the disruption that resulted and OSCAR WILDE leaving dry dock later than expected. We understand the period of docking is approximately 10 days. She will join fellow Irish Ferries vessel WESTPAC EXPRESS at Harland & Wolff, which is currently undergoing refurbishment and conversion at the yard. EPSILON‘s sailings will be covered by OSCAR WILDE.

Screenshot of the Belfast Harbour booking system taken on 02/02/18 showing the planned arrival of Irish Ferries EPSILON.

EPSILON is a part-sister to STENA MERSEY and STENA LAGAN, but has increased vehicle capacity at the expense of passenger space. Prior to joining the Irish Ferries fleet in January 2014 she operated for Caronte & Tourist as CARTOUR EPSILON. OSCAR WILDE and the current Holyhead fast craft JONATHAN SWIFT are currently in dry dock at Cammel-Laird, Birkenhead.

The NI Ferry Site profile for EPSILON can be found here.

Technical Data

	EPSILON
IMO Number	9539054
Design	NAOS Ship and Boat Design S.R.L, Trieste, Italy
Building Yard	Cantiere Navale di Visentini Francesco & C., Donada, Italy
Hull Number	228
Keel Laid	05/06/2008
Year Completed	11/04/2011
Classification	RINA C ro-ro Passenger ship Unrestricted Navigation; AUT-UMS Ice Class -1C-
Owner	Cartour S.r.L.
Operator	Irish Ferries
Route	Dublin – Holyhead Dublin – Cherbourg (on weekends)
In service (original)	03/05/11 (Caronte & Tourist)
In service (Irish Ferries)	18/01/14
Call sign	ICRB
Previous names and operators (oldest first)	Cartour Epsilon (Caronte & Tourist)
Length overall (Between Perpendiculars)	186.5m (177.4m)
Breadth molded	25.6m
Draught	6.85m
Gross Tonnage	26,375
Machinery	2 x MAN B&W 9L 48/60B – 10,800 kW each @ 500 rpm 3 x Diesel generators, plus 2 shaft generators 2 x KaMeWa 4.8m diameter CPP type propellers 2 x 1300kW bow thrusters 2 x Fin stabilisers
Power(Max/Pme @ 75%)	21,600/16,200kW
Operational speed (Max)	20kts (24kts)
Capacity (max)	500 passengers 70 cabins with a total of 276 berths including 2 disabled cabins 50 reclining seats
Vehicle decks	2,860 total lane metres with a max clearance of 4.87m 100 reefer points Access is via a stern door opening onto deck 3. A series of ramps allows access to the other decks.
Onboard Facilities in use	Boylan’s Brasserie Cafe Lafayette Onboard shop Reclining seat lounge Selection of 2 and 4 berth cabins (Chargeable extra)
Flag	Italy (Bari)
Notes	In common with other Visentini RoPax vessels, deck 5 is the only passenger deck accessible by lift. The main passenger facilities such as the restaurant and cafe are housed on this deck, as are the disabled cabins.

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Irish Ferries’ EPSILON to visit Harland and Wolff next week

Technical Data