MV Strangford II

MV Strangford II is a passenger and car ferry operated by Transport NI. This ferry serves the Portaferry–Strangford ferry route across the mouth of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, a service which has been in operation since the 12th century.^[1]

MV Strangford II dressed overall for her official naming
History
Name	MV Strangford II
Owner	NI Department for Infrastructure
Operator	Transport NI
Builder	Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, United Kingdom
Yard number	1389
Launched	2016
In service	2 February 2017 - Present
Homeport	Belfast
Identification	IMO number: 9771561
Status	In service
General characteristics
Tonnage	405 GT
Length	40.5 m (133 ft)
Beam	14.6 m (48 ft)
Draught	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Capacity	260 passengers, 27 cars

History

The Strangford II was built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead, England. She was delivered in 2016, but it was initially found that vessel was unable to discharge cars at high tide due to a specification error, which delayed entry into service. The vessel finally entered service in February 2017, and was formally named in July of that year by the Duke of Kent.^[2][3]

In August 2021, the MV Strangford II was criticised by crew members about the exhaust fumes from the vessels, saying that it was a risk to both crews and passengers health after crew members reported feeling Dizzy, headaches and chest conditions. There have been calls to install an exhaust stack on the vessel similar to that on the MV Portaferry II, which releases fumes high up. However the department for Infrastructure says that emissions are within "exceptable limits". No firm solution to the problem has been decided.

In March 2022, the vessel was removed from service for a period of 15 months for upgrades. It returned to service in May 2023.

Details

The Strangford II has a gross tonnage of 405 tons, a hull length of 40.5 metres (133 ft), a beam of 14.6 metres (48 ft), a draught of 1.95 metres (6 ft 5 in) and a capacity of 260 passengers and 27 cars. She is propelled by a pair of Voith Schneider propellers, driven by diesel engines, and is registered in Belfast.^[4]