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Last Fast Ferry Using Holyhead Will Become Summer Only Service

3rd November 2017
The introduction of the newbuild cruiseferry W. B. Yeats in 2018 will see fastferry Jonathan Swift (marketed as the Dublin 'Swift') reduced to operating a summer-only service. Above the Australian custom-built High-Speed Craft (HSC) entered service for Irish Ferries almost two decades ago is seen at close quarters after nearing completion of a crossing from Holyhead while in the fairway of Dublin Port. The introduction of the newbuild cruiseferry W. B. Yeats in 2018 will see fastferry Jonathan Swift (marketed as the Dublin 'Swift') reduced to operating a summer-only service. Above the Australian custom-built High-Speed Craft (HSC) entered service for Irish Ferries almost two decades ago is seen at close quarters after nearing completion of a crossing from Holyhead while in the fairway of Dublin Port. Photo: JEHAN ASHMORE

#fastferry - The introduction next year of a new cruise ferry between Holyhead and Dublin reports Daily Post will see the last fast ferry on the route cut to a summer only service.

Irish Ferries' new vessel W. B. Yeats - currently under construction at Flensburg, Germany - will start up on the Anglesey to Ireland route next September.

It will see the Jonathan Swift docked for winter - with the boat returning in April 2019. This happened to the Stena Line fast boat - the Explorer - until it was phased out completely in 2015.

The W. B. Yeats - sailing alongside the Ulysses - will increase capacity over the winter but passengers will lose the option of the quick crossing.

Fast ferry sailings take around 1hr 50 mins, compared to more than 3 hrs on the other vessels.

One issue of concern for Holyhead is a step up in summer sailings by Irish Ferries between Ireland and France - with the W. B. Yeats switching to these routes between April and September. It doubles the number of summer sailings between Ireland and France.

To read more click here and as reported on Afloat, concerns from Holyhead after Brexit as increased freight and passenger capacity is to operate from Ireland direct to mainland Europe.

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