STRANGFORD II (Vessel Profile)

By: Steven Tarbox
Date:
Last updated:
Strangford II, with near-sister Portaferry II in the background. Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure.
STRANGFORD II, with running mate PORTAFERRY II in the background. Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure.

Overview

Construction

STRANGFORD II was built in 2016 by Merseyside’s Cammell Laird to a design by BCTQ for the Northern Ireland Department of Regional Development (Now Department of Infrastructure).  She replaces the elderly car and passenger ferry STRANGFORD FERRY as well as the backup passenger ferry MV RACHLYN.

A promotional image from Cammell-Laird Birkenhead of STRANGFORD II in the process of floating off the slipway at the Birkenhead yard. © Cammell-Laird Birkekenhead.
A promotional image from Cammell-Laird Birkenhead of STRANGFORD II in the process of floating off the slipway at the Birkenhead yard. © Cammell-Laird Birkekenhead.

STRANGFORD II is an updated version of PORTAFERRY II II, a vessel that was also specifically built for the 0.6 nautical mile crossing between Strangford and Portaferry in County Down. STRANGFORD II is the 3rd car ferry built specifically for the service, with the ship she replaces, STRANGFORD FERRY, the first.

YouTube video

Timelapse video of Strangford II under construction.  Cammell Laird.

Improvements

The design of STRANGFORD II incorporates improvements to access for those with impaired mobility, reduced noise levels both in operation and when lowering the ramps, and reduced emissions levels compliant with existing and future emissions regulations under MARPOL Annex VI for the control of NOx and SOx.  Unlike PORTAFERRY II the new vessel does not have a traditional funnel.  Instead, she uses a wet exhaust system at the waterline in order to reduce airborne particulate emissions. This also has the effect of reducing noise transmission from the exhausts when compared to a traditional funnel. Additionally, the engines are all equipped with dry exhaust gas silencers to reduce airborne noise, and resilient engine mountings to reduce the transmission of engine vibrations through the structure.

One of the Cummins diesel engines onboard Strangford II. Copyright © Scott Mackey.

The Cummins diesel engines use SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction ) which further reduces emissions by injecting a controlled level of urea solution into the exhaust output, effectively converting NOx (nitrogen oxide) into harmless nitrogen and water.  SCR is a popular method of reducing emissions in industrial applications and heavy road vehicles, and is becoming increasingly common in marine applications.  A number of changes have also been made to the accommodation and wheelhouse onboard the vessel compared to her part-sister in response to feedback, particularly from crew.  Other changes include relocating the rescue boat carried onboard, and changing the vehicle deck barriers to manually operated side swinging gates from the vertically swinging barriers on PORTAFERRY II.

Strangford II awaits her floating out at Cammell Laird Birkenhead on 9/6/2016. Copyright © Das Boot 160. Flickr

Entry into service

It had originally been intended that STRANGFORD II would enter service towards the end of 2016, but problems with loading and unloading vehicles at high tide (the tidal range in Strangford Lough is some 3m) were identified during trials.  As a result her entry into service was delayed, until February 2017, so that modifications could be made to rectify these problems.   In anticipation of the entry into service of the new ferry, a £750,000 upgrade to the slipway and moorings at Strangford had already been undertaken.

Strangford II is dwarfed by the Belfast - Birkenhead ferry Stena Mersey, whilst on sea trials in the River Mersey. Copyright © Das Boot 160. Flickr.
Strangford II is dwarfed by the Belfast – Birkenhead ferry Stena Mersey, whilst on sea trials in the River Mersey. Copyright © Das Boot 160. Flickr.

Like PORTAFERRY II and STRANGFORD FERRY, the new vessel is powered by a Voith Schneider propulsion system rather than conventional screw propellers.  The two Voith Schneider propellers are each driven by one of the latest generation of Cummins QSK diesel engines.  The use of a special keg design at both ends of the hull allows the vessel to approach the slip to lower it ramp without grounding, and also protects the propulsion units.

Strangford II with the ship she replaced, MV Strangford, moored in the background. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Strangford II with the ship she replaced, MV Strangford, moored in the background during October ’16. Copyright © Scott Mackey.

The introduction of STRANGFORD II means that for the first time the service will be able to carry HGV’s over 7.5 tons year round, as MV STRANGFORD had a 7.5 ton weight restriction.  Both STRANGFORD II and PORTAFERRY II operate the crossing throughout the year, with the ship not operating acting as a backup vessel or undergoing maintenance as is customary on the service.  Between them the vessels will continue to operate in excess of 22,000 crossings per year, 16 hours a day, 364 days a year.

Strangford II builders plate. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Strangford II builders plate. Copyright © Scott Mackey.

Layout

The DFI have made a general arrangement plan of Strangford II available for download here

Technical Data

 Name

STRANGFORD II

IMO Number

9771561

Building Yard

Cammell Laird logo Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, United Kingdom

Naval Architect

A G Salmon & Co
(Now trading as ‘Argyll Maritime Design Services’)

Marine Consultant

 Burness Corlett Three Quays (BCTQ)

Hull Number

1389

Launched

June 8th 2016

Completed

 October 7th 2016

Construction cost

£6.2m

Classification

Lloyds Register of Shipping

Owner

NI Department for Infrastructure (UK Government)

Operator (current)

 Strangford Lough Ferry Service

In service 

 2nd February 2017

Call sign (Present)

MACG7

Length overall (incl ramps extended)

63.5m

Length (hull)

40.5m

Beam (moulded)

14.6m

Draught

1.95m

Gross Tonnage

405

Machinery
  • Cummins Logo (black) 2 x Cummins QSK19-M diesel engines
  • Voith logo 2 x Voith Schneider 16R5 EC/120-1 propellers
  • Cummins Logo (black)
  • 2 x Cummins generator sets
  • Hasmworthy sewage treatment plant
  • Desmi pump set
Service speed 

8kts (max speed 10.75kts)

Capacity
  • 260 passengers
  • Design capacity 27 cars (2 x 40.5m long 1.8m wide lanes and 1x 40.5m 2.5m wide lane)
Crew

6

Vehicle deck configuration

Single deck accessed by a ramp at either end.  Double-ended ferry.

Onboard Facilities in use
  • Passenger lounge. (Due to the short duration of the crossing (8-10 minutes), toilet and refreshment facilities are not provided on either vessel.  However, toilets are available for use by the public at both ports throughout the ferry operating hours.)
Flag (Current)

UK flag - red ensign United Kingdom (Belfast)

Additional media

The vehicle deck onboard Strangford II. Copyright © Tim Tew.
The vehicle deck onboard Strangford II. Copyright © Tim Tew.
Northern Ireland's new ferry STRANGFORD II Registered Belfast built at Cammel Lairds was today launched (floated off) Lairds slip at 13:50 moving round to the wet basin dead tow, assisted by Smit Waterloo & Smit Sandon at 14:15. Once built is complete, she will undergo river trials before the official handover later this year. Copyright © Das Boot 160. Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/das_boot_160/
Northern Ireland’s new ferry STRANGFORD II Registered Belfast built at Cammel Lairds was today launched (floated off) Lairds slip at 13:50 moving round to the wet basin dead tow, assisted by Smit Waterloo & Smit Sandon at 14:15. . Copyright © Das Boot 160. Flickr.
Strangford II laid over at Strangford during October 2016, before her introduction into service. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Strangford II laid over at Strangford during October 2016, soon after delivery and before her introduction into service. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Strangford II shortly after completion. Copyright © Tim Tew.
Strangford II at Cammell Laird sometime after her “launch”. Copyright © Tim Tew.

Article Copyright © Steven Tarbox 2016-2017.  With thanks to Michael Murray and Tim Tew at the DRD/DFI, Scott Mackey, and Andy at Das Boot photography for their help in compiling this page.


Polite notice: While we welcome our articles being shared, we request that links to this website are provided rather than other approaches. Thank you (NI Ferry Site team).