Written by Harry Turnbull
The first new Mersey Ferry in over 60 years has launched sea trials long the Liverpool waterfront
Painted in Mersey Ferries’ historic red, white and black colours, the £26m Royal Daffodil left APCL Cammell Laird’s shipyard in Birkenhead on 16 April where she has spent two years under construction.
The start of sea trials is a landmark moment that comes just a fortnight after the much-loved Royal Iris was retired and the Dazzle Ferry ‘Snowdrop’ resumed services on the river.
Royal Iris was originally named Mountwood but retitled after a refurbishment in 2001. It crossed the river for 67 years from its launch in 1959. Mersey Ferries said it was considering how best to wave her goodbye “with further details to be confirmed in due course”.
A complex, carefully coordinated trials process will assess the new 750-tonne ferry’s operational performance, control systems, propulsion power and manoeuvrability.
Onboard engineers will put the ferry’s navigation and communication systems through their paces, test passenger safety features such as alarms and lifesaving equipment, plus carry out berthing operations at the Seacombe and Pier Head terminals, to ensure the vessel meets maritime industry standards.
It is estimated the , 50-metre-long ferry will reach around 12 knots during the two-day test period.
Gary Evans, Director of Customer and Operations: “This is the first ever Mersey Ferry commissioned and built with a leisure focus in mind and this key milestone of first operational sea trials brings us a step closer to welcoming a modern vessel that celebrates the river’s heritage while supporting services for generations to come.”
David McGinley Group Chief Executive Officer of APCL Group said: “Sea Trials are a critical and final part of the shipbuilding programme as they will allow our engineers and the ship’s crew to put the vessel through its paces on the River Mersey.
“APCL Cammell Laird has always been a global business with a local heart, and it is a point of pride that we have delivered the Royal Daffodil. This latest Mersey Ferry is a true celebration of shipbuilding in the region and demonstrates that the region remains at the forefront of the global shipbuilding industry.”
Looking ahead, more sea trials are planned, along with captain and crew training, as teams get the new ferry ready for passenger service later this year.
The purpose-built, fully accessible vessel has been designed for river cruises, commuting and events with large, open plan decks and smaller, more intimate spaces.
A virtual walkthrough – accessible on the Mersey Ferries website or at a ‘Future of the Ferries’ exhibition at Seacombe Terminal – allows passengers to experience the new high-spec ferry, while being able to immerse themselves in the surroundings.
About the author
Harry Turnbull is an experienced journalist based in the north who has held a variety of reporting and editing roles in the media. Harry also writes a reviews column for the UK’s biggest archive of BBC radio dramas.
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