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23/10/2001
Strangford ferry completes sea trials
The new £2.7 million Strangford Lough ferry – the MV Portaferry II – was formally handed over to the Department for Regional Development’s Roads Service on Tuesday October 23 by shipbuilders McTay Marine of Merseyside.
The purpose-built craft successfully completed final trials in Strangford Lough and will come into service on the Portaferry to Strangford route once staff training and familiarisation has been completed during the next six weeks.
Grahame Fraser, acting chief executive of DRD Roads Service, said: “We are delighted to take delivery of this new ferry which we hope will provide passengers with an improved and more comfortable journey on Strangford Lough.
“The significant investment in this new vessel reflects Roads Service’s continued commitment to ensuring this area has a safe and reliable ferry service which is vitally important to the social and commercial development of this area.”
Ferry Manager, Derek Pedlow, who also welcomed the vessel’s arrival said: “The ferry service has always had a good reliability record, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the MV Portaferry which is now about 40 years old.”
The new vessel will replace the smaller MV Strangford as the main vessel on the busy crossing and can carry 28 cars compared to the present 20.
The MV Strangford will assume a standby and support role when the new vessel is being serviced, and will also operate during the peak traffic periods in the summer months.
An official naming ceremony will take place later this year. (AMcE)
The purpose-built craft successfully completed final trials in Strangford Lough and will come into service on the Portaferry to Strangford route once staff training and familiarisation has been completed during the next six weeks.
Grahame Fraser, acting chief executive of DRD Roads Service, said: “We are delighted to take delivery of this new ferry which we hope will provide passengers with an improved and more comfortable journey on Strangford Lough.
“The significant investment in this new vessel reflects Roads Service’s continued commitment to ensuring this area has a safe and reliable ferry service which is vitally important to the social and commercial development of this area.”
Ferry Manager, Derek Pedlow, who also welcomed the vessel’s arrival said: “The ferry service has always had a good reliability record, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the MV Portaferry which is now about 40 years old.”
The new vessel will replace the smaller MV Strangford as the main vessel on the busy crossing and can carry 28 cars compared to the present 20.
The MV Strangford will assume a standby and support role when the new vessel is being serviced, and will also operate during the peak traffic periods in the summer months.
An official naming ceremony will take place later this year. (AMcE)
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06 February 2015
£5.7m Ferry Announced For Strangford
A new £5.7m ferry has been announced for the seaside town of Strangford in County Down. Cammell Laird from Merseyside won the contract to supply the ferry, which runs regular crossings between Strangford and Portaferry, following open procurement.
£5.7m Ferry Announced For Strangford
A new £5.7m ferry has been announced for the seaside town of Strangford in County Down. Cammell Laird from Merseyside won the contract to supply the ferry, which runs regular crossings between Strangford and Portaferry, following open procurement.
08 January 2002
Minister launches new Strangford ferry
The new £2.7 million Strangford Lough ferry was officially named and launched by Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson on Tuesday January 8. Replacing the MV Strangford, the larger vehicle and passenger MV Portaferry II can hold up to 28 vehicles, eight more than its predecessor.
Minister launches new Strangford ferry
The new £2.7 million Strangford Lough ferry was officially named and launched by Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson on Tuesday January 8. Replacing the MV Strangford, the larger vehicle and passenger MV Portaferry II can hold up to 28 vehicles, eight more than its predecessor.
24 April 2009
SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
30 March 2006
Rathlin Ferry to begin early tourist season sailings
Visitors to Rathlin will be welcomed early this year as the new summer timetable for the island's ferry service will commence a month earlier than usual.
Rathlin Ferry to begin early tourist season sailings
Visitors to Rathlin will be welcomed early this year as the new summer timetable for the island's ferry service will commence a month earlier than usual.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
