MS Spirit of Britain

Maiden arrival in Dover 9 January 2011
History
Name: Spirit of Britain
Owner: 2010-present : P&O Ferries
Operator: P&O Ferries
Port of registry: Dover,  United Kingdom
Route: Dover-Calais
Ordered: 2008
Builder: STX Europe, Rauma shipyard, Finland
Yard number: 1367
Laid down: 25 August 2009
Launched: 8 June 2010
In service: 21 January 2011
Identification:
Status: In service
General characteristics
Tonnage: 47,592 gross [1]
Length: 210 m (689.0 ft)
Beam: 31.4 m (103.0 ft)
Draft: 6.5 m (21.3 ft)
Installed power: 4 x MAN 7L 48/60 Diesels
Propulsion:
Speed: 22 kn (41 km/h)
Capacity:
  • 2,000 passengers
  • 180 lorries or 1,059 cars[2]
Notes: 2,700 Lane Meters

MS Spirit of Britain is a cross-channel ferry operated by P&O Ferries on the Dover-Calais route. She is the first of two 'Spirit' class ships built for P&O Ferries, the other being Spirit of France. The vessels are the largest ferries constructed for the cross-channel route.

History

P&O Ferries signed a €360m contract with Aker Yards (later renamed STX Europe) on 8 August 2008, for the two largest ferries ever to be constructed for the Dover-Calais service. The first of these ships was to enter service in January 2011, and the second in September 2011, replacing Pride of Dover and Pride of Calais.

The new vessels were specifically designed for the Dover-Calais route and are built to Lloyd’s Register ‘Green Passport’ which provides a comprehensive strategy for all materials used. The ferries are environmentally friendly, offering significant advances in fuel efficiency through a hydro-dynamically efficient hull form that optimises vessel performance with minimum fuel consumption. They are the first passenger ferries in the world to comply with the new International Maritime Organization "Safe Return to Port" requirements, ahead of the international compliance date. These rules require that, in the event of a ship becoming a casualty, basic services are provided to all persons on board and that certain systems remain operational for safe return to port. Performance standards are stipulated for a wide range of ship systems including fire-fighting, power supply, propulsion, steering and navigation. The requirements come into force for vessels built after 1 July 2010.

The ships have the Lloyd's Register class notation of PSMR (propulsion and steering machinery redundancy) which will be assigned where the main propulsion and steering systems are configured to ensure that, in the event of equipment failure, the ship retains availability of propulsion power and manoeuvring capability to provide a safe return to port.

Sea trials and delivery

Spirit of Britain arrived in Dover on Sunday, 9 January, 2011[4] shortly after 11:00, after successful sea trials. After berthing trials at Dover on 14 January 2011, and in Calais the following day, Spirit of Britain began service on 21 January 2011,[5] under the command of senior master, Captain David Miller. Since then, Spirit of Britain has been to Dunkerque, Margate Roads, Zeebrugge and Falmouth for maintenance, and also returned to her builders in March and April 2012, to resolve a vibration problem, at STX Europe's expense.

On 23 January 2016 western anarchists encouraged some 350 refugees from the Calais Jungle to storm the port of Calais. Around 50 people got onboard the MS Spirit of Britain and were later arrested by police.[6]

Sister ships

References

  1. "Equasis". Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  2. "MV Spirit of Britain". Dover Ferry Photos. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  3. "Change of names for new ferries to avoid Olympics clash". BBC News. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  4. "Spirit of Britain Maiden Arrival in Dover". BBC News. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  5. "Spirit of Britain Maiden Voyage". BBC News. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  6. "Anarchists face immediate trial alongside migrants after protesters stormed Port of Calais". Daily Telegraph. 24 January 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
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