Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Charter Not Renewed

#P&OexpressCharter – P&O Ferries have confirmed with Afloat.ie that the operator is not renewing the charter of the fastcraft Express for the 2016 season, writes Jehan Ashmore.

For the last decade the 868 passenger /195 car fastcraft P&O Express has been in service on the Larne-Troon route. The seasonal-only (March-October) route operates to a schedule of two sailings departing each port.

Below is a statement issued by P&O Ferries.

We have given notice to the owners that we will not extend the existing charter arrangements of the craft after completion of the present season's service. As a business, P&O Ferries continually monitors and reviews its fleet to ensure it provides the best vessel for a given route.

Since chartering the Express in 2000, the economics of operating this fastcraft have changed and we are now looking for the best vessel to service the route. P&O Ferries is in the process of evaluating alternative tonnage for the Larne-Troon route for 2016 and we will update our staff and in turn our customers when we are in a position to do so.

Afloat.ie adds that prior to the introduction of P&O Express on the 2 hour 15 minute North Channel route, the 1998 built InCat 91m series craft was launched onto the English Channel in 2000.

In April 2005 she was transferred to the North Channel where she also operated on the Larne-Cairnryan. This shorter 2 hour route is currently served by pair of conventional ro-pax ferries.

As previously reported, the decision not to hire the 5,902 tons Express next year has impacted Isle of Man Steam Packet sailings for the 2016 TT Races. The 22.5 knot craft will not be available to the Manx operator on the Larne-Douglas route which is only operated during the annual prestigious motorcycle event.  

Published in Ferry

SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France