Lagan Viking

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Career
Norse Merchant promotional picture of the Lagan Viking with her sister ship, Mersey Viking
Name:	Lagan Viking
Owner:	Levantina Trasporti Srl
Operator:	Levantina Trasporti Srl
Port of Registry:	Bari, Italy
Builder:	Cantiere Navale 'Visentini' S.A.S. di Visentini Francesco & C., Italy
Maiden voyage:	2005
Status:	in service
General characteristics
Tonnage:	27700gt
Length:	186m
Beam:	26 m
Draft:	6 m
Speed:	max 27 knots (operational 23 kts)
Capacity:	970 passengers
Notes:	IMO number 9136034

The Lagan Viking is a ferry that is operated by Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferry Services. The Lagan Viking name has been in the company since 1997 (formerly Norse Merchant Ferries), although the name was given to the new vessel in 2005. The original Lagan Viking was re-named Liverpool Viking and placed on the Dublin–Birkenhead run last year.

The new Lagan Viking entered service in July 2005. She was built by Cantiere Navale di Visentini Francesco & Co. of Italy. She is 27'000gts and can carry up to 700 passengers in her 2 lounges (passenger certificate in 970), and can sleep up to 480 passengers in berths which many passengers make use of due to lack of attractions and facilities for the 8 hour journey time. She has 4 vehicle decks and room for around 200 lorries. Her maximum speed is 27 knots, but usually sails at 23 knots maximum. She sails on the Belfast–Birkenhead route on charter with her marginally newer sister ship the Mersey Viking. Her charter to Norfolk Line is to expire in 2008, although when the ship was first chartered it was charted with the possible intention of being bought outright by Norse Merchant, or as they are now known, Norfolk Line. She and her sister ship, Mersey Viking, appear in Norfolk Line's advertising as having a blue hull when in fact it is red.

The Belfast–Birkenhead route is invaluable to drivers, as it saves them driving through Scotland on poor single-carriageway roads and behind a great number of freight vehicles. In all, the total journey time on board the ship is similar to that taken to travel by Stena HSS and then drive south towards Liverpool. However the facilities on board are somewhat lacking: To use any electrical items, a European adaptor is required, and no internet is available. In addition, only credit cards may be taken on board for sales over £5, there are no chip and pin facilities nor a cash machine. This is contrast to the Stena Line vessels, which have UK power sockets, electronic payments on board, cash machine (for a fee) and WiFi.

[edit] Incidents

During a night sailing on 28 January 2006 from Belfast to Liverpool, a 32-year-old man went overboard. A search operation was carried out but no one was found.^[1]