Rathlin Express Overview
RATHLIN EXPRESS is a passenger only catamaran which was built specifically for the Ballycastle to Rathlin Island ferry service to a design by Marine Design International (MDI). She was assembled from a flat-pack kit supplied by MDI in just 9 months by Arklow Marine, and entered service on 18th July 2009 having cost around £1 million to build. Although capable of 20 knot sprints, she operates at a maximum of 17 knots, resulting in a possible crossing time of just 20 minutes (compared to the 45 minute crossing time by the car carrying ferry CANNA she was built to supplement. RATHLIN EXPRESS is powered by two Scania marine diesel engines which drive 5 bladed propellers, rather than the water jets which are common on larger car carrying catamarans such as MANANNAN. Like those larger catamarans she is constructed from aluminium alloy.
RATHLIN EXPRESS can accommodate 98 passengers and replaced the ST. SORNEY which had a passenger capacity of just 38. She was the first aluminium “class B” vessel to be constructed for use in UK waters, and the first purpose-built vessel for the Rathlin Island ferry service. From 2017 RATHLIN EXPRESS operated the service alongside another vessel purpose-built for the service by Arklow Marine Services, SPIRIT OF RATHLIN, which replaced CANNA.
Trivia
- RATHLIN EXPRESS has a near-sister vessel, LADY IONA, which is used to transport workers to the Glensanda Quarry in the Firth of Lorne following a conversion to make her more suitable for that role at Mooney Boats, Donegal. LADY IONA was built with more powerful engines giving her a continuous service speed of 20kts.
- A similar (smaller) vessel was constructed in during 2015 at the Mevagh boatyard in Donegal. It previously operated the year-round ‘Brixham Express’ across Tor Bay between Brixham and Torquay in Devon. The Brixham Express company shares directors with the Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd, and following the closure of the service the vessel was moved to Ballycastle.
Technical data
| Name | RATHLIN EXPRESS |
|---|---|
| MMSI number | 235073501 |
| Naval Architect | Marine Design International (MDI), Glasgow, Scotland |
| Assembly Yard | Arklow Marine Services (AMS), Arklow, Co. Wicklow (assembly from kit) |
| Hull Number | |
| Keel Laid | |
| Year Completed | 2009 |
| Delivery date | |
| In service | 18th July 2009 |
| Interior design | |
| Call sign | 2CKE9 |
| Classification | Bureau Veritas
EC Class B passenger ship |
| Length overall | 17.72 m |
| Beam | 6.5m |
| Depth | 2.22m |
| Draft | 1.4m |
| Tonnage | < 30 (light ship) |
| Machinery |
|
| Max Power | 740kW |
| Operational speed | 17kts |
| Capacity (as built) | 98 foot passengers |
| Crew (as built) | 2 |
| Flag | United Kingdom (Belfast) |
Gallery
[foogallery id=”9821″]
