The Spirit of Britain will be the largest ferry operating in the English Channel. The 47,600-gt vessel is 213 meters long and has a capacity of 3,746 lane meters (lm) for trailers, cars and other cargo. In addition to space for approx. 180 freight trucks and 195 passenger cars, the vessel can accommodate 2,000 passengers.

STX Rauma shipyard specialises in designing and building state-of-the-art car-passenger ferries. The hull of the Spirit of Britain has been optimised for the vessel’s specific route to ensure maximum performance and good manoeuvring characteristics. The latest and most advanced technology was applied in the design and construction of this vessel. Special attention was paid to environmentally friendly and energy-efficient solutions and safety. The vessel delivered from STX Rauma shipyard is the first car-passenger ferry in the world to meet IMO’s Safe Return to Port requirements and comply with the requirements of the Green Passport of classifying society Lloyd’s Register.

“We are very proud of the ship that has now been completed. The Spirit of Britain is clear proof of the superior expertise of STX Rauma shipyard in the building of modern and technically demanding car-passenger ferries. I want to extend a warm thank you to the owner and all those involved in the project – STX’s own personnel and the numerous cooperating partners and subcontractors”, states the Director of STX Rauma shipyard, Timo Suistio. “P&O Ferries now has a very efficient and powerful vessel for its Dover – Calais route. The ship will receive plenty of positive attention worldwide and it is an exceptional reference of the expertise and reliability of STX Rauma shipyard”, Suistio concludes.

Source: STX Europe

Last night the timber ship M/V Ice Prince became unstable and was abandoned in the English Channel. The Press Association tells us:

Attempts are to be made to take in tow a storm-hit cargo ship from which 20 crew were dramatically rescued in the Channel on Sunday night.

The Greek-registered Ice Prince is still listing heavily and drifting around 33 miles off the south Devon coast.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Fred Caygill said salvors were on the way to the abandoned vessel, and it was hoped they would try to take it in tow around mid-morning.

It has not been decided where the stricken ship will be taken, said Mr Caygill, adding: “It depends where we can get her in.”

He said the French tug Abeille Liberte was standing by the vessel, which still had a 40-degree list and was drifting east. Read More…

The BBC has video of the difficult rescue HERE.

It was a bad day for mariners world-wide as tradewinds reports of two more incidents:

• Bulker sinks off Taiwan, 12 missing
  
• Car Carrier aground off Norfolk