Ben-my-Chree, the chartered Manx ferry that Stena Line had for its Rosslare-Fishguard route, has left the southern Irish Sea more than a day earlier than scheduled, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet’s relief ferry, which was covering for Stena Nordica, made a last sailing on the Ireland-Wales route on Tuesday morning (18 Nov.) to the South Wales port. According to Stena Line, yesterday's and all of Wednesday (19 Nov.) sailings have been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Originally, the 630-passenger Steam Packet ferry was scheduled to remain on the Fishguard route with the 1930 sailing from Rosslare on Wednesday. In the meantime, Stena Line passengers were transferred to another route.
Also reported is that the Manx ferry has very limited facilities, all located on the same deck, comprising a main lounge with catering, an adjoining but small duty-free shop, a recliner seat lounge, and another lounge area but without the bar open. There is no Wi-Fi available, nor are there cabins, while pets are allowed in cars or the pet lounge, but that must be pre-booked.
During recent crossings, Afloat had noted each sailing with just over 100 passengers, which is not surprising given this quite low season time of the year. The replacement ferry, though, has spacious open deck space, with the uppermost above the bridge affording great views, though only the more curious ventured to this area.
Now that the Steam Packet's ferry on the run has finished, Fishguard Port is effectively closed and, as planned, on a temporary basis until 4 December, as Afloat previously reported, for maintenance. As such, Stena Line passengers are transferred to travel with Irish Ferries on the Rosslare-Pembroke Dock route operated by Isle of Innisfree (see photo), whose 4-hour crossing is 30 minutes longer than those of the Fishguard route's daytime sailings.
The arrangement forms as part of the shared capacity charter agreement between the two ferry operators. The agreement also enables the Stena Nordica itself to go off service for annual dry-docking, noting Stena Estrid is set to return on Wednesday, with the 20:30 sailing from Holyhead. The corresponding crossing departing the Irish capital is the next day in the early hours with the 0245 sailing.
Ben-my-Chree remained berthed in Fishguard last night, but as of Wednesday morning, it had set off on a repositioning passage off the west Wales coast to Holyhead. The ropax, which made its St. George’s Channel debut, is likewise to make another first on the Dublin-Holyhead route, where it takes over the roster of Irish Ferries James Joyce.
James Joyce is the second ship of the Irish Ferries Dublin-Holyhead route, which will head for Rosslare-Pembroke duties by replacing Isle of Innisfree for dry-docking. The cruise ferry is to serve on Thursday with the 0845 sailing from Rosslare and up to 3 December with the 2045 sailing from the Co. Wexford port.
The Ben-My-Chree is scheduled to resume its relief role on the southern Irish Sea with the first sailing after the replacement service on 4 December, with the 0130 hours sailing from Fishguard. When the 'Ben' returns, however, this will be brief, as it is just to serve until 7 December.
