Topics

Stena Line is currently in talks with unions about reducing staff numbers aboard the Stena Europe as part of a cost cutting measure on the Rosslare - Fishguard service.
There are currently 61 staff aboard the Stena Europe not including deck officers and ship managment , and some staff already claim that this is the bare minimum the ship can operate with.

A planning decision is due imminently on weather to grant planning permission for jetties for the proposed new Cork Harbour ferry service.

Irish Ferries has said in light of falling fuel prices it will reinstste the Dublin - Holyhead Swift service on the 27th febuary using the Jonathan Swift.

Stena line has anounced that when it relocates its operations from Stranrear to Old House Point , it will replace both the Stena Voyager and Stena Caledonia with two newbuild ro-pax ferries.

The loss making Cross border ferry service between Greencastle Co. Donegal and Magilligan Co. Derry is facing closure following the Irish Governments decission to withdraw the operating subsidy , unless this money can be replaced the service operated by the Foyle Venture will close in the comming weeks.

Some good news at last...........http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/new-ferry-service-afloat-despite.4844542.jp
Although this has more detail http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalnews/seamus-boyle-launches-his-third.4802368.jp

Stena Line have submitted a planning application for the first phase of a new port at Cairnryan , the company says the location of the new passenger terminal would significantly cut journey times to Belfast.
Planning permission is expected to be granted imminently , the cost of the new port is £70stg Million .
There is a major waterfront development planned for the existing Stranrear terminal site.

All companies reporting disruption to or cancellation of all services on the Irish Sea , looks like a rough one out there today.

This will operate again this year on October 25th , such has been the success of this mini-cruise that this year it was only available by phone to the Cork office and once again sold out within hours

Stena Line has reduced its sailings on the Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead HSS service from two round sailings per day to one , the 1500 sailing from Holyhead and the return from Dun Laoghaire at 1745 has been cancelled
The reduced service commences 10th November 2008 until further notice , a new timetable will be drawn up during 2009.
There has been some concern expressed about the future viability of Dun Laoghaire port with only one departure per day if this were to be a long term measure

The following pictures are recent from www.shipspotting.com a site well worth a look , picture acreditation to come as they did'nt download with them and I'll have to re dig them out.
First up is the former Irish Ferries St Patrick II and one time Swansea Cork Ferries City Of Cork , in Canada.

While trawling www.shipspotting.com 's vast photo database I frequently come across interesting photo's of Irish ferries past and present that dont fit with any particular thread but are facinating none the less.
So to get the ball rolling , here are Irish Ferries Isle of Innismore at Milford Haven in 2011 , The former B&I Isle of Innisfree laid up in Dunkirk in 1995 , Brittany Ferries Pont Aven in Cork 2011 , Stena Lagan in Birkenhead 2011 , And the one time Cork - Fishguard ship Irish Coast , date and location not known

The Finnforest appears to be laid up in Waterford , anyone know why she's there?
Pic below from www.shipspotting.com

Anyone know which operator conveyed Ms Heuston across the Irish Sea?

From www.shipspotting.com , a few shots by John Byrne of the Bretagne in use as a spectators stand during the 1991 Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race.