MV Barfleur
 MV Barfleur | |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | MV Barfleur |
| Owner: | SENAMANCHE |
| Operator: | Brittany Ferries |
| Port of registry: | Cherbourg, 22x20px France |
| Route: | Poole-Cherbourg |
| Ordered: | 1990 |
| Builder: | Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Turku, Finland |
| Launched: | 26 July 1991 |
| Completed: | 1992 |
| Identification: | IMO number: 9007130 |
| Status: | Awaiting Future In Centeral Caen |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 20,133 tonnes |
| Length: | 158.7 m (520.7 ft) |
| Beam: | 23.3 m (76.4 ft) |
| Installed power: | 4x Wartsilla-Vasa Type 8R32 medium speed four stroke diesel engine |
| Speed: | 19.5 kn (36.1 km/h) |
| Capacity: |
1,212 passengers 600 vehicles |
| Crew: | 185 |
The M/V Barfleur is a ferry operated by Brittany Ferries. It was built at Masa Yards in Finland for Brittany Ferries subsidiary Truckline and entered service in 1992. In 1999 she was repainted in Brittany Ferries standard livery. She sails under the French flag and is registered in Cherbourg. Barfleur was the last ship to carry the 1983-2002 version of the Brittany Ferries logo and livery which was replaced by the post-2002 version in March 2009.
In December 2009 [1] it was announced that Brittany Ferries have decided to withdraw the Barfleur from service on the Poole-Cherbourg route in Spring 2010. A statement made by Brittany Ferries reveals that the company have been losing money on the route, and as a result will completely remove the ship from service. Barfleur's last scheduled sailing in passenger service was the 23:45 Poole-Cherbourg on 31 January 2010.
Contents
Regular routes
- Due to a massive increase in passenger numbers on the Poole-Cherbourg route in 1991 Barfleur was lengthened by 19 metres shortly after she was launched. This increased passenger and freight capacity as well as adding a number of additional cabins.
- Until 27 February 2007 Barfleur was the largest ship ever to use Poole Harbour. MV Bretagne held this title until the arrival of the Cotentin after covering for Barfleur's unscheduled 2007 refit.
- Portsmouth-Cherbourg March - November 2005
- Barfleur operated one round trip Tuesday to Sunday in 2005 in place a Poole round trip. This regular Portsmouth conventional service was unsuccessful and has not been repeated.
Other routes served
Barfleur has also served on Portsmouth-Caen (Ouistreham) where she acted as refit cover for MV Normandie and MV Val de Loire. During the winter seasons of 1997 and 1998 Barfleur operated between Poole and Santander at weekends and made the crossing in 28 hours.
As a result of major engine problems with the Val de Loire in September 2000 Barfleur operated between Plymouth and Roscoff for two round trips before moving to Portsmouth-Caen (Ouistreham) in place of the MV Duc de Normandie. Barfleur's place at Poole was taken by the Purbeck.
On rare occasions Barfleur has also operated routes not usually undertaken by Brittany Ferries. :-
Barfleur has sailed on this route as a positioning move to provide refit cover but also as a result of strike action by French dockworkers in October 2002.
As a result of the previously mentioned strike a round trip to Roscoff was undertaken in October 2002 to facilitate a crew change. This route was repeated between 23 and 26 May 2008 due to a blockade of Cherbourg by French fishermen.
In December 2005 Barfleur was chartered by Victor Treacy International for a one off freight-only crossing to help clear a build up of freight caused by a strike at Irish Ferries.
Statistics
- Gross tonnage: 20,133
- Length: 158.7m
- Beam: 23.3m
- Crew: up to 104
- Vehicle capacity: 590 cars or 304 cars and 66 freight vehicles.
- Passengers: 1,200
- Service speed: 19.5 knots
- Engines: 4x Wärtsilä-Vasa Type 8R32 medium speed four stroke diesel engines
Onboard facilities
Bars and Restaurants
- Self Service Restaurant 'Turquoise' - Deck 7.
- Le Cafe 'Arc en ciel'- Deck 7.
- Les Alizés Bar - Deck 7.
Barfleur was previously fitted with an a la Carte Restaurant known as 'Les Dunes', this was removed during her 2009 refit and replaced with a 'Games Planet' area and additional seating for Le Cafe. The self service restaurant was refurbished and expanded during the 2009 refit, it retains its name, 'Turquoise', though the fittings and neon lights in a matching colour were replaced by orange coloured fittings making the name somewhat inappropriate.
Shops
- La Boutique - Deck 7.
- Le Kiosque - Deck 7.
Other Facilities
- Children's Playroom - Deck 7.
- Games Planet - Deck 7.
- 72 Four Berth Cabins - Decks 5, 6 and 8.
- 295 Reclining Seats - Decks 5 and 6.
External links
- Brittany Ferries official site
- Official Onboard Guide PDF
- Brittany Ferries Enthusiasts - Unofficial Guide to the Western Channel ferry company.
