Isle of Inishmore

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

M/F Isle of Inishmore


Career
Built: 1995-1996
Launched: 4 October 1996
Retired: In service
General characteristics
Displacement: 34,031 tonnes
Length: 182.5 metres
Draft: 5.8 metres
Height: N/A
Power: Total output 24,000 kW
Propulsion: 4 Sulzer 8ZAL40S main engines
Speed: 21.5 knots
Complement: 2,200 passengers, 186 total berth
Cost: €80 million (£55,500,000)

The M/F Isle of Inishmore is a roll-on roll-off passenger cruise ferry currently owned and operated by Irish Ferries and is currently used on the Pembroke, Wales — Rosslare, County Wexford, Ireland route. It entered service on 4 October 1996 and was then one of Europe's largest car ferries.

Contents

[edit] Construction

Construction of the Isle of Inishmore began in 1995 at the now-closed Van der Giessen de Noord shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, near Rotterdam. The ship is named after the island of Inis Mór on the Irish west coast.

[edit] Statistics and complement

Being 182.5 metres long and having a gross tonnage of 34,031 tons (96,365 m³), the Isle of Inishmore is capable of carrying 2,200 passengers and has space for 802 cars on the lower decks. The crew can number up to approximately 100, although it is not usual for such a large number to be needed. The bulk of the crew at peak times is made up of the catering staff who attend to the needs of the passengers. The balance of the crew is made up of Deck and Engine departments who are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vessel. The ship has proved to be popular with lorry drivers and tourists alike.

Propulsion is provided by four Sulzer 8 cylinder ZA40S medium speed 4stroke diesel engines, developing 6000kW each. Each Engine burns 2.5 tons/hour of heavy fuel oil at service speed. The main engines are geared onto two shafts which drive controlled pitch propellors. This eliminates the need for reversing gear. Electrical power is delivered either by the 3 sulzer 8 cylinder S20 diesel driven alternators providing 1160kW each, or by the shaft-driven alternators (2800kW) which are used at sea. Each of the two rudders is controlled by a rotary vane steering gear system, which is extremely compact and reliable. Two bow thrusters (2400kW each) aid manoeuvring in port. Two retractable fin stabilisers are fitted to reduce the effect of rolling in open sea.

[edit] Onboard Facilities (As built)

[edit] Deck 7

  • Kilronan Motorists Club
  • Business Club
  • Info & Bank
  • O'Flaherty's Pub
  • Turlock Teabar
  • Ice-Cream Bar

[edit] Deck 8

  • Burren Buttery - Self Service
  • Currach Restaurant - Waiter Service
  • Freight Drivers Club
  • The Shop - Tax & Duty Free
  • Frankilns of Boston - Snack Bar
  • Little Tykes - Children's Play Area
  • Cyber Zone

[edit] Deck 9

  • Conference Rooms
  • De-lux Cabins
  • Standard Cabins

[edit] Deck 11

  • Dun Aengus Sky Lounge
  • On board Facilities (Present)

[edit] External links

Languages