#Condor102 – The latest addition to the Condor Ferries fleet, Condor 102 as previously reported arrived into the UK waters yesterday following her 10,500 nautical mile delivery voyage.
The Condor 102 sailed into Poole, Dorset, which is to be her UK base when she enters Channel Islands service in late March 2015. The ship will be the first of her kind in Northern Europe.
Watched by keen on-lookers and escorted by a tug, Condor 102 sailed past the Sandbanks peninsula and alongside Brownsea Island, before berthing at Poole Port.
The arrival concludes her long journey from Cebu in the Philippines, from where she departed on 4th December. During her delivery voyager she has sailed across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal and via the Mediterranean before travelling up the Bay of Biscay and into the English Channel.
The new ship represents £50m of investment in the Channel Islands, securing the future of high speed ferry travel to the Islands.
Condor 102 will now go through a period of customisation in Poole with a full internal fit out completed by interior refurbishment specialists Trimline. She will also complete a series of sea trials in the UK and the Channel Islands before she officially comes into service in late March, sailing from Poole to Guernsey and Jersey.
Captain Fran Collins, Executive Director – Operations at Condor Ferries commented: "We're delighted our new ship – Condor 102 – has completed her long journey here to the UK and is now safely docked at Poole Port."
She continued: "It was exciting to see her sail into the port early this morning - the crew were in great spirits. They have done a fantastic job of bringing her home on schedule - everyone at Condor is very thankful for all their hard work and commitment over the last 24 days, and we hope they get home to their families soon to enjoy the rest of the festive period and to see in the New Year."
Jim Stewart, Chief Executive Poole Harbour Commissioners welcomed the sleek new state-of-the-art 102m trimaran saying: "We are delighted to welcome this superb new ship to Poole port which will be her operational base. Poole is a highly successful south coast port set in the beautiful location of Poole Harbour and we look forward to continuing our long and successful working partnership with Condor Ferries.
"From the end of March, all journeys to the Channel Islands will be on the new Condor 102 from Poole, offering improved reliability, increased capacity, and a greater level of comfort with smoother journeys. Condor 102 will also feature three seat classes, with two upgrade areas available for passengers.