AISLING GABRIELLE
Profile of the Carlingford Lough ferry AISLING GABRIELLE, previously Foyle Venture. Includes an overview of her history, technical data, and photographs.
local ferry
Rathlin Express | Rathlin Island Ferry Co
Profile of the Rathlin Island passenger catamaran ferry RATHLIN EXPRESS. Includes an overview of her history, technical specifications, and photographs.
STRANGFORD II (Vessel Profile)
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 MV Strangford as well as the backup passenger ferry MV Rachlyn.
Vessel Profile: Spirit of Rathlin
Profile of the Rathlin Island passenger and vehicle ferry SPIRIT OF RATHLIN. Includes an overview of her history, technical specifications, and photographs.
Vessel Profile: MV CANNA
Canna Introduction CANNA was the 7th of 8 island class vehicle and passenger ferries built to operate lifeline services to the Hebrides for Caledonian MacBrayne. The island class design was by Burness Corlett, and based on that of a military landing craft. The vessels are notable for lowering their ramps whilst still approaching the slipway. This is to avoid grounding the shallow-draughted vessel and is possible due to the 2-stage folding action of the ramp itself. When the ramp is deployed only the rearmost section lowers until it contacts the slipway. The front section of the ramp then unfolds allowing vehicles and passengers to disembark. Prior to entering service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, CANNA had a varied career in Scottish waters. She replaced her sister ship BRUERNISH on the Rathlin Island route in April 1997. In 2017 CANNA was replaced by the purpose-built SPIRIT OF RATHLIN after almost 20 years of unbroken service … Read more
Portaferry II (Vessel Profile)
Overview Portaferry II was the main vessel used on the Strangford – Portaferry vehicle and passenger service across Strangford Lough in County Down until February 2017.  A more modern part-sister ship was ordered in 2015 to act as a replacement for Strangford Ferry and operate alongside Portaferry II.  The new vessel, Strangford II, was introduced into service on the 2nd of February 2017.  The two vessels will operate interchangeably with the option to run both on the service during peak times. In late 2015 to early 2016 Portaferry II had a dry dock and refit at a cost of around £374,000.  This involved the vessel crossing the Irish Sea to Cammell Laird Birkenhead, under her own power but shadowed by a tug for safety reasons.  While at Cammell Laird repairs were made to the hull and ramps, and the entire vessel was shot blasted and repainted.  To date this is the only … Read more
