The first of Wightlink’s new fleet of ships for its Lymington to Yarmouth car ferry route has been launched on schedule at the Kraljevica shipyard in Croatia.  Wight Light was launched in a ceremony at Brodogradiliste Kraljevica on Saturday 26th January, watched by Andrew Willson, Wightlink’s Chief Executive and Colin Stanton, Wightlink’s full time Project Manager at the shipyard with a visiting team of 23 Wightlink staff and guests.  These included Naval Architects Hart Fenton, who designed the new craft, and Wightlink staff from the Lymington-Yarmouth route, who be working on the new ships when they enter service this summer.

A seven year old Croatian schoolgirl, Nevia Pravdica, launched the ship to loud applause from a large crowd of Kraljevica workers and their families.  To mark the occasion Nevia was presented with a wooden jewellery box, complete with a pink pendant, handmade by Isle of Wight jeweller Nina Bulley from Ryde.

Wightlink Marketing Manager Kerry Jackson, who was part of the Wightlink team present at the launch, said that the launch went smoothly and to plan.  “We were delighted to see the large numbers of local people who came out to cheer on the launch ceremony and we are now looking forward to getting the ship ready for its sail back to the UK.”

The second of Wightlink’s new fleet, Wight Sky, has been constructed alongside Wight Light and is scheduled for a launch at the end of March.  Both ships will then undergo sea trials in Croatia before Wightlink accepts them.  If all goes to plan, the two ferries will be sailed back to the UK late May by Wightlink crews in a journey expected to take three weeks – with stops at Palermo, Gibraltar and La Coruna en route.

The ships are expected to arrive in the UK in June for further sea trials and crew operational training.  Harbour authorities at Lymington and Yarmouth will monitor their performance before procedures are finalised.  On completion of the final review, the two new ships should be able to enter service in July in time for the height of the 2008 summer season.

Meanwhile, progress has been made in the construction of the third new ship, Wight Sun, with the laying of the keel at Brodogradiliste Kraljevica after the launch of Wight Light.  Wight Sun is expected to go into service early in 2009.

The three Wight Class ships were commissioned to take over from the existing C-Class ferries, which are being replaced because they do not now comply with the most recently introduced international ferry regulations.  They are only fractionally bigger than those currently operating on the route – four metres longer and less than one metre wider - but will have be able to carry 15 extra cars, a reflection of the changing ferry trends and greater demand for travel by car.

Incorporating around 700 tons of steel, the new ferries will each be able to carry up to 360 passengers and 65 cars and are said by Wightlink to offer greater loading flexibility as well as more attractive on board facilities. 

Designed by naval architects Hart Fenton specifically to be able to navigate the existing channel in the Lymington River, Kerry Jackson said that the new ships would help to ensure the long-term future of the Lymington-Yarmouth route.  She said that the ships would also have significant environmental benefits.  “Each ferry will hold a Green Passport, compiled by the shipyard and verified by Lloyd’s Register. This means that they will be more environmentally friendly with low fuel consumption and with engines that meet all EU emission standards.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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 is 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

For more information, please contact:

Kerry Jackson

Marketing Manager, Isle of Wight Ferries

Tel: 023 9285 5427

kerryjackson@wightlink.co.uk

Christine Ball

CBPR

Tel: 01798 874177

cball@cballpr.co.uk