A chartered ferry to Stena Line,which is to enter on the Rosslare-Fishguard route next week, will have a very limited range of facilities compared to the routine ferry, which goes off-service for a planned dry-docking, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The chartered Ben-my-Chree (see on-board coverage) of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, a former flagship and reserve ferry, is to serve Stena Line for a period of five weeks between 3 November to 10 December, while the Ireland-Wales route’s ferry, Stena Nordica, is also to provide first relief cover on the Dublin-Holyhead route. This is to permit Irish Ferries vessels to also go for scheduled dry-docking this winter as part of a temporary space-charter agreement which will take effect from 20 November until 4 December.
Afloat examined the Stena website’s booking engine for the Rosslare-Fishguard route and noted the following ‘add-ons’ of the Ben-my-Chree stated there are ‘no cabins available.’ In addition, the company also outlined, ‘ We're sorry, there are no available restaurants, cabins, or lounges for this trip.’
In response to Afloat queries on the limited passenger facilities, the company commented, “To support essential maintenance and upgrades across our fleet, Stena Line has chartered the Ben-My-Chree on a short-term basis. While this vessel does not offer the full range of facilities typically found on a Stena Line ship, this temporary operational model ensures continuity of service for both our freight and travel customers."
Stena added, “The Ben-My-Chree will be fully crewed and will provide freshly prepared meals and snacks available for purchase onboard. Passengers can also enjoy access to a duty-free shop, a bar, and a dedicated pet lounge. Throughout this temporary arrangement, our crew remains committed to delivering our high standard of customer service.”
During the two months Stena Line is also to carry out maintenance at the Port of Fishguard. However, Irish Ferries will also enter their side of the space-sharing charter agreement, whereby Stena passengers can travel with the rival operator on the neighbouring Pembroke Dock-Rosslare route operated by last year’s newcomer, Isle of Innisfree, transferred from the company’s Dover-Calais link.
The extent of the limited range of passenger facilities on the Manx ferry echoes the charter of P&O Ferries' ropax, Norbay, by Irish Ferries initially on the Dublin-Cherbourg route, followed by Rosslare-Pembroke Dock from January to June last year.
Norbay proved to be controversial as customers criticised the ferry (albeit a ropax i.e. freight-oriented) vessel, which quickly became unpopular due to its limited and basic facilities and the lack of lifts. In addition the Bermuda-flagged ferry did not take ‘foot’ passengers nor cater to cyclists.
In terms of passenger capacity, the 2002-built Norbay had 114 passengers, whereas the 1998-built Ben-my-Chree (also a ropax) can handle 650 passengers, which was increased from the original 500 capacity following a refit earlier in its career. As for freight, the P&O ferry handled 125 freight trailer units, whereas the forthcoming Steam Packet ferry for Fishguard carries 275 cars and only 90 freight units.
