#RudderRepairs – Half of the Rosslare ferry fleet that operate routes to the UK and France were brought together, one for a routine call, the other requiring an emergency port of call this week to a Cornish dockyard, writes Jehan Ashmore.

According to the Falmouth based The Packet, Oscar Wilde, Irish Ferries seasonal-only French routes ferry made an unscheduled dry-docking to A&P Falmouth to repair a damaged rudder.

After completion of repairs, Oscar Wilde returned from Cornwall to Ireland.

Afloat, adds that Oscar Wilde last night departed again to France on a scheduled Rosslare-Cherbourg sailing. At time of writing the ferry was nearing the French coast and due to arrive at the port this afternoon, Saturday, 12th March at 16.30 (local time).

Also at the Cornish dockyard was Stena Europe, which is on a routine overhaul, away from Rosslare-Fishguard duties, however according to Stena the dry-docking has been delayed to next Tuesday, 15th March.

All passengers and cars will continue to be transferred to a replacement service, Irish Ferries Rosslare-Pembroke sailings served by Isle of Inishmore.

It was during a crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg when Oscar Wilde had incurred the defective rudder. The incident followed a routine dry-docking at the Belfast yard of Harland & Wolff.

Originally, Oscar Wilde was to head to A&P Falmouth, but the No. 2 dry-dock was unavailable. Irish Ferries sent the ferry instead to the Belfast engineering facility which is to shed 60 jobs.

So what of the fourth Rosslare ferry? this is the Stena Flavia which normally serves in the Baltic but is on relief duties covering Stena Horizon’s sailing roster on the Cherbourg route. The ferry had too been drydocked at Belfast, becoming the first of seven ferries in a £4.4m refit contract.

Currently, Stena Horizon is assisting on Irish Sea fleetmate winter overhaul duties on the Dublin-Holyhead route. The ship is standing in for Stena Adventurer and is making a debut on the cental corridor. The 'Horizon' is supporting Stena Superfast X which is now just a year in service.