Fastnet Line
Encyclopedia
Fastnet Line operate a passenger & freight ferry service (MS Julia) from Ringaskiddy
, Cork
, Ireland
to Swansea, Wales
.
, an Irish-based company. The service ceased operating after the 2006 season. After disposing of their most recent vessel (the MV Superferry) and failing to find a suitable replacement, Swansea Cork Ferries Limited announced that they would not be operating the service during the 2007 summer season. In fact, there was no service during the whole of 2008 or 2009.
A two-year campaign, started in April 2008 by concerned local businesses and individuals in the south-west of Ireland and South Wales, resulted in the forming of a co-operative which raised funds to enable the purchase of the Julia and set up Fastnet Line.
The Company suddenly cancelled sailings on 1 November 2011, and entered into Examinership
, a process akin to the American Chapter 11 Bankrupcy protection. The latest business plan is for it to become a seasonal ferry service, restarting in April 2012.
. MS Julia left Finland en-route for Cork on 17 September 2009, calling at the Port of Swansea for berthing trials along the way. She wintered in the Port of Cork
before leaving in January 2010, for dry-docking, safety certification, and for some minor modifications in compliance with safety regulations at both Cork and Swansea.
The service carries cars, freight and passengers.
Ringaskiddy
Ringaskiddy is a village south of Cork city, in County Cork, Ireland. Located across Cork harbour south from Cóbh, and connected to Cork city by the N28 road the village is now a major ferry port Port of Cork with passenger ferry services to France & the United Kingdom.Ringaskiddy has seen huge...
, Cork
Port of Cork
Port of Cork is the main port serving the South of Ireland, County Cork and Cork City. It is a major ferry port and is one of two free ports in Ireland, the other being in the Shannon area...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
to Swansea, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
History
From 1987 to 2006, the Swansea Cork ferry was operated by Swansea Cork Ferries LimitedSwansea Cork Ferries
Swansea Cork Ferries was a company that operated a RoRo service between Swansea and Cork from 1987 till 2006. The service is now operated by Fastnet Line.-History:...
, an Irish-based company. The service ceased operating after the 2006 season. After disposing of their most recent vessel (the MV Superferry) and failing to find a suitable replacement, Swansea Cork Ferries Limited announced that they would not be operating the service during the 2007 summer season. In fact, there was no service during the whole of 2008 or 2009.
A two-year campaign, started in April 2008 by concerned local businesses and individuals in the south-west of Ireland and South Wales, resulted in the forming of a co-operative which raised funds to enable the purchase of the Julia and set up Fastnet Line.
The Company suddenly cancelled sailings on 1 November 2011, and entered into Examinership
Examinership
Examinership is a process in Irish law whereby the protection of the Court is obtained to assist the survival of a company. It allows a company to restructure with the approval of the High Court....
, a process akin to the American Chapter 11 Bankrupcy protection. The latest business plan is for it to become a seasonal ferry service, restarting in April 2012.
New ferry
After a long process of negotiation, including approval by the Finnish courts, it was announced in mid-September 2009 that the ship to run the new service, MS Julia, had been purchased for Fastnet Line. She was built in 1982 and had previously served routes in ScandinaviaScandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
. MS Julia left Finland en-route for Cork on 17 September 2009, calling at the Port of Swansea for berthing trials along the way. She wintered in the Port of Cork
Port of Cork
Port of Cork is the main port serving the South of Ireland, County Cork and Cork City. It is a major ferry port and is one of two free ports in Ireland, the other being in the Shannon area...
before leaving in January 2010, for dry-docking, safety certification, and for some minor modifications in compliance with safety regulations at both Cork and Swansea.
Service
Services started from Swansea on 10 March 2010, and from Cork on 11 March 2010. The service operates year-round. From September to June there are three weekly services in each direction, while between July and August the frequency increases to four weekly services in each direction.The service carries cars, freight and passengers.