Irish Ferries chartered-in Blue Star 1 this morning completed a maiden Dublin-Cherbourg round trip, as the main Ireland-France route cruiseferry, W.B. Yeats is off service while at H&W Belfast, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As reported only in mid-March, W.B.Yeats was previously in H&W Belfast when the cruiseferry had repairs to the upper car-deck following damage in heavy seas. On this occasion, quayside-based works are according to the Western Telegraph to see a new upper bow door to be fitted.

Blue Star 1 which just over a year ago was introduced on the Rosslare-Pembroke Dock route sees sailings on the Ireland-Wales link placed under suspension.

This has enabled the temporary transfer of the Greek-flagged Blue Star 1 to maintain services on the direct Ireland-mainland continental link up to 7 May. According to Agriland, however the W.B. Yeats is expected to remain in dry dock until Monday, May 9.

In the meantime, Irish Ferries second Dublin-Holyhead conventional route ferry Epsilon is according to their website sailing update, is to also enter service on the Ireland-France link, tomorrow, 6 May. As regards fast-craft crossings by Dublin Swift, they are running as normal as is the cruiseferry Ulysses on the Ireland-Wales service.

Irish Ferries use of a two-ship service on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route will assist traffic demand as rivals Stena Line and their ropax Stena Horizon remains at H&W, Belfast's shipyard dry-dock. The ferry company website sailing update stated" Stena Line regret to advise due to operational reasons there is no sailing of the Stena Horizon, the next scheduled departure is Tuesday May 10th, subject to change".

Freight-ferries operating for Stena continue to maintain services on the Wexford-Normandy connection in competition with Brittany Ferries passenger/freight service.  

As for Irish Ferries Dover-Calais service, Afloat in late April tracked the Isle of Inisheer make its debut on the UK-France link, however not immediately as the route's third-ferry service. This was due to the newcomer relieving Isle of Inishmore, which went for a scheduled dry-docking in nearby Dunkerque East.

This meant the Isle of Inisheer, acquired from a Spanish operator, join Isle of Innisfree to maintain just a two-ship service on the busy short-sea service launched in June of last year by the Isle of Inishmore.