A former Mersey ferry, the Royal Daffodil is to be transformed as plans reveal that the historic river-ferry is set to become an "iconic visitor attraction" with a food, drink and events space.
The Royal Daffodil which was originally named the Overchurch when completed in 1958 by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders, had began service for Birkenhead Corporation Ferries in 1962.
The 860 passenger ferry was in regular service on the Mersey bringing commuters between Liverpool and the Wirral Peninsula and is also where the shipbuilder is based.
In addition to routine commuter crossings, Royal Daffodil carried out Liverpool Bay cruises also from city's famous waterfront (Pier Head) and inland along the Manchester Ship Canal to the city's Salford Docks.
The ferry which was renamed Royal Daffodil in 1999, would continue in service for more than a decade serving Mersey Ferries until the 54 year old vessel was decommissioned in 2012. See, Mersey Ferries newbuild story.
Currently, the veteran vessel is being refurbished having fallen into a dilapidated state.
According to InsiderMedia, Liverpool City Ships is now looking to give the 46m long former ferry, which has four decks, a permanent home at the city's Canning Dock. This is situated close to the ferry's former Pier Head terminal.
The 468 gross tonnage vessel is to be given a revamp with the plan to make the ship into a heritage asset and be a mixed-use venue.
As part of the revamp, the promenade deck is to house a drinking establishment with outdoor drinking area space. More on the story here which mentions that the main deck is to be transformed into a restaurant.
Afloat adds a similar project involving a new restaurant was carried out for the Dublin static-based MV Cill Airne river-venue that also features two bars, one based with art-deco features.
Both vessels have a resemblance, as the Overchurch (Royal Daffodil) and the 1962 Liffey Dockyard built Cill Airne were designed by the same naval architects, Graham and Woolnough of Liverpool.
Cill Airne was built as a trans-Atlantic liner tender in Cobh before changing a role as a navigation/radar training ship in Cork Harbour.
The 501 gross tonnage vessel however was made obsolete in 2003 as a computer bridge simulator formed part of the then new National Maritime College of Ireland.
