The second of Wightlink’s new Lymington to Yarmouth ferries started to take shape this week with the laying of the keel at the Brodogradiliste Kraljevica in Croatia.

The two new ferries will be constructed side by side and building will take place over the next few months ready for a completion in the spring of 2008. The two ferries are scheduled to start services in time for the height of the summer season in 2008.

The new ferries are only 4 metres longer than the old ships they are replacing and 0.8 of a metre wider. They will be able to carry around 15 more cars than the ferries they will be replacing and have been specifically designed to be able to navigate the existing channel in the Lymington River.

No names have yet been chosen for the two new ferries, but Wightlink is organising a competition amongst passengers to choose names for the new ferries. Full details of how to enter can be found on the company’s website www.wightlink.co.uk and in advertisements placed in the Isle of Wight County Press and the Lymington Times this week.

The new ferries will incorporate around 700 tons of steel and carry up to 360 passengers and 65 cars when introduced to service. They are being built to Lloyd’s Register of Shipping standards and although only a fraction bigger than the existing ferries, the new ships will encompass the special charm that has become the tradition of the Lymington to Yarmouth route vessels.
Wightlink’s full time Project Manager in Brodogradiliste, Colin Stanton, is supervising the construction and will remain in Croatia until the ships are fully fitted out and ready to leave for their new home in the Solent.

Commenting on the second keel being laid for the new ships, Kerry Jackson, Wightlink’s Marketing Manager, said: -

“We are now well on the way to a new era in ferry travel between Lymington and Yarmouth and the laying of the second keel is a major step forward in this programme. These new ferries will be more fuel efficient, offer greater flexibility and will have attractive modern passenger facilities on board. We are confident our regular passengers will be delighted when they see the quality and design of these new ships once they come into service next year.”
 

ENDS

13thAugust 2007

For more information, please contact: -

Kerry Jackson, Marketing Manager, Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries
Tel. 023 9285 5427, e-mail kerryjackson@wightlink.co.uk
 

or

Christopher Clode at Christopher Clode Public Relations
Tel. 01243 431343, e-mail chris@chrisclodepr.com
 

Notes to Editors:

• Some facts about the new Wightlink Ferries

• Around 700 tons of steel will be used in the construction of each ship

• Each ship will have four main engines – Volvo D16MHs (6 cylinder, 552 kW)

• Propulsion for each ship will be provided by 2 x Voith Schneider 21 R5/135 propeller units

• Interior design will be by LAP Architects of Billericay, Essex

• During their expected lives, each ferry will undertake more than 200,000 trips and will cover more than 750,000 nautical miles.