New Mersey Ferry Takes To The Water For The First Time In Historic Moment
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Merseytravel.
These bullet points act as sub-headings.
- Painted in traditional colours, first sight of the new Mersey Ferry in over 60 years
- Royal Daffodil floated on the River Mersey’s incoming tide
- Vessel then towed into Cammell Laird’s basin for further work to progress
- Proud moment for Mayor Steve Rotheram and Wirral shipbuilders
These three paragraphs add more detail.
The new £26m Mersey Ferry took to the river for the first time today in an historic moment for the Liverpool City Region.
Painted in the fleet’s historic red, white and black colours and with windows fitted, the first new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years emerged from Cammell Laird’s giant construction hall on the banks of the Mersey early Thursday morning.
In a carefully managed 24-hour operation, the Royal Daffodil was moved to the river’s edge to allow the incoming tide to slowly lift her clear and float the vessel for the very first time. She will then be tugged to the shipyard’s test basin where engineers will carry out further work ahead of full sea trials early next
I would have thought that given Merseyside’s love of the spectacular, they would have launched the ferry in more dramatic fashion.
There is though, this YouTube video of the safe and steady launch.
I have a few thoughts.
The Ferry Was Built Quickly
According to the Wikipedia entry for the Royal Daffodil, the construction dates were as follows.
- Laid Down. 10th January 2025
- Launched. 6th January 2025
It is planned to be in service next year.
Perhaps, the Scottish Government should have asked Cammell Laird to build their recent ferries?
Cammell Laird To Study Market Opportunities For UK-Built SOVs
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, in partnership with the National Shipbuilding Office and The Crown Estate, has appointed Cammell Laird, part of APCL Group, to carry out a detailed analysis of the future market opportunity for UK-built service operation vessels (SOVs) for offshore wind.
These two paragraphs explain the plan.
According to an ORE Catapult analysis, hundreds of SOVs will likely be in operation worldwide in the coming years as global offshore wind capacity is expected to grow to over 850 GW by 2050. To support the capacity expansion, the global SOV fleet will need to grow as well, with an associated global market of nearly GBP 35 billion (approximately EUR 41.6 billion) expected between now and 2050.
The UK SOV Manufacturing Business Case Development study for which Cammell Laird has been commissioned will help to develop knowledge of how the UK can provide vessel manufacturing to support offshore wind, delivering jobs and economic investment to communities around the country, according to ORE Catapult.
These are my thoughts.
Cammell Laird Are Also To Build A New Mersey Ferry
I wrote about this in Sail Into The Future In Style With Super-Realistic Virtual Tour Of The New Mersey Ferry.
I wouldn’t put it past Liverpool, to use one of the City’s famous icons to sell UK-built service operation vessels (SOVs) for offshore wind.
Will Rolls-Royce Get Involved?
In Rolls-Royce Powers World’s Fastest Offshore Crew Transfer Vessels, I describe how Rolls-Royce mtu are providing powerful engines for Italian Crew Offshore Vessels.
Will Rolls-Royce mtu provide the power for Cammell Laird’s service operation vessels?
Sail Into The Future In Style With Super-Realistic Virtual Tour Of The New Mersey Ferry
The title of this post is the same as this page on the Liverpool Region web site.
These five bullet points act as sub-headings.
- Immersive, interactive VR tour offers stunning detail of new Mersey Ferry
- Vessel designed to reflect Mersey Ferries’ world-famous new vessel will feature event spaces, bars, bike storage and improved accessibility
- Offers world-class experience to passengers and unique, stylish venue for conferences and private events
- Built by Cammell Laird and part of £26m investment in modernising ferries
- Due to set sail in summer 2026
Good to see, that it will be a locally-built ferry.
The current ferries were there, when I first went to the city in the 1960s.
Click here to take a tour on the new vessel.
The Anonymous Widower 