Displaying items by tag: NEW Rathlin ferry

22nd March 2017

Special Delivery: Voyage of Arklow Built New Carferry Arrives At Rathlin Island

Making a delivery voyage to Rathin Island this morning is Spirit of Rathlin. The £2.8m newbuild can take up to six vehicles and 140 passengers on the crossing to Ballycastle on the mainland.

#NewFerryArrives - Residents of Rathlin Island now have an exciting addition as a brand new car ferry arrived this morning which is to serve the North’s only inhabited island, writes Jehan Ashmore.

After a 20 hour delivery voyage from boatbuilders Arklow Marine Services, the Spirit of Rathlin sailed into Church Bay. The main harbour of the island which has a population of around 150.

Crew of existing fast-craft ferry, Rathlin Express sailed out of Church Bay to welcome Spirit of Rathlin off Rue Point. A sight that was breathtaking for the operator to see as both vessels approached Rathlin in unison. By coincidence Rathin Express (see artists sketch) with a capacity just shy of 100 passengers was also built by AMS back in 2009.

Spirit of Rathlin was commissioned by the Department for Infrastructure (Dfi) at a cost of £2.8m and through a tendering process a contract was awarded to Rathlin Ferry Co. The new vessel will enhance operations for both islanders and for tourists exploring the delights of the 'Causeway' coast.

The tender contract is for a duration of a decade that is to see the new six vehicle ferry ply the Sea of Moyle. This six mile stretch of water separates the island and Ballycastle. The harbour on the mainland is located on the equally stunning Antrim coast.

The presence of Spirit of Rathlin will not mean immediate service as sea trials at both harbours will firstly have to take place. In the meantime routine sailings are operating.

Vehicles using Spirit of Rathlin will involve the ferry's bow-loading ramp, however only islanders can take their cars on board.

As for the 140 passengers, they will be accommodated in a much larger superstructure compared to carferry Canna. This veteran vessel which has its origins in Scotland, having been built in 1976 for Caledanian MacBrayne (CalMac). They had operated the Rathlin service until 12 years ago and Canna will be replaced by the island's first custom-built carferry.

Last month Afloat reported on the unique arrival of Spirit of Rathlin into Greystones Harbour, as this enabled the 28m long newbuild to carry out the first ever trials of using the bow door. This took place at the boat slip that saw a car embark via the vessels ramp. The exercise was shortly followed by a van.

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Ferries In Art: Rathlin Island Pair Captured Underway On Sea of Moyle

FERRIES IN ART: In this colour sketch by John Baird are the Rathlin Island ferries Rathlin Express and Canna (soon to be replaced) by a new Arklow built car ferry to serve the six mile crossing on the Sea of Moyle.

#FerriesInArt – A beautiful art work depicting the current pair of Rathlin Island serving ferries will be a lovely keepsake for the operator as one of the vessels is soon to be replaced by a newbuild, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The colour sketched drawing show the ferries underway off Fair Head on the stunning Antrim coast and also on Rathlin. They are operated by Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd. On the left is the passenger-only fast-craft Rathlin Express and the vehicle-loading Canna which is to be sold as new car-ferry is to take over this Spring.

Canna, a veteran vessel dating to 1976 will be replaced by Arklow Marine Services built Spirit of Rathlin which notably made a hisitoric call to Greystones Harbour, Co. Wicklow. The call last month was to enable the 28m long newbuild carry out berthing-vehicle loading trials at a slipway that involved a car and a van. The east coast harbour was built in recent years to include a marina that replaced a much smaller harbour that was restricted to boats only using moorings.

On a related note, Spirit of Rathlin will use newly upgraded facilities in Ballycastle Harbour from where the service is operated on behalf of the Northern Ireland Government. The Department for Infrastructure commissioned the new ferry and in which the Dfi have on charter tendered to Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd.

Afloat adds that the Spirit of Rathlin will notably be the first custom built car ferry to serve Rathlin Island. Visitors however are not permitted to bring their vehicles onto the only inhabited island off Northern Ireland which has population of around 150 and is increasing. The passage times across the Sea of Moyle take 45 minutes by Canna while those undertaken by Rathlin Express are not surprisingly less by taking just 25 minutes.

The Spirit of Rathlin will have the same capacity of the Canna, which can handle six vehicles and 140 passengers, however the newbuild has slightly overall larger dimensions. In addition to a more spacious lounge for passengers housed in a bigger superstructure, likewise of Canna is located at the stern.

The origins of Canna given its namesake are a clue, as the ‘Island’ class was one of several commissioned for the Scottish Government state funded ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). They extensively serve the Inner and Outer Hebrides that form the Western Isles.

Incidentally, Canna when first introduced on the Rathlin Island service which was operated by CalMac. In 2008 Cork businessman Ciaran O’Driscoll took over the ferry service having already established one serving Cape Clear Island. A unique position to be in by operating to Ireland’s most southerly island while also to Rathlin, its most northerly.

The Cape Clear Island Ferry service links Baltimore as well Schull using a trio of passenger-only ferries.

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Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro.

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race.

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind.

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

It starts in June or July from a French port.
The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
Since 1990, all boats are of one design.