The Condor Liberation, which was named by an Islander in Guernsey following a competition last month, is currently undergoing a major fit-out in Poole.
In recent days, workmen have been fitting the kitchen area, the Ocean Plus executive lounge seats and the duty free shop, among other areas.
As well as undergoing an interior re-fit, the outside of the vessel is due to be painted in Condor’s new branding, which was revealed last week.
Painting is to begin next week and scaffolding has now been put up on the outside of the ship to allow an artist to paint the new design by hand while suspended above the water.
Staff also took the time this week to try out the safety measures on board, with the new life raft being given a test run.
The new ship will be replacing the two existing cross-Channel ferries, the Condor Vitesse and the Condor Express, and will be sailing between the Channel Islands and Poole when it comes into service next month.
Condor Liberation, which is faster than the two other vessels and can operate in rougher conditions, was bought by the operator late last year.
It can carry 880 passengers and 235 vehicles.
- Condor was founded in 1964 by Channel Island businessmen Peter Dorey and Jack Norman.
- Its first ship was the Italian-built Condor 1 hydrofoil, a much quicker vessel than the conventional ferries that operated on the France route.
- At sea, the Condor 1 rose out of the water on struts attached to its hull. It could travel at 33 knots.
- Passengers were impressed by the speed of the new service aboard the 28-metre boat, which could carry 136 people.
- As word of the new companys offering grew, passenger numbers increased from 10,000 in 1964 to 60,000 just two years later.
- Condor 1 served until 1976. The ultimate fate of ship is not known.
CONDOR’S new multi-million-pound ferry has been named Liberation, to mark 70 years since the end of the Occupation of the Channel Islands.
The name for the Condor 102 was selected by a panel after more than 7,000 suggestions were submitted as part of a competition organised in conjunction with the Jersey Evening Post and Guernsey Press.
After the judges had whittled down the entries and Liberation – which was suggested by a number of entrants – was chosen, Guernseyman Clive Davies (49) had his name picked from a hat to take the winning prize, which is a year’s free travel with Condor Ferries.
He will also have the opportunity to visit Condor Liberation to see the name being painted on the 102-metre trimaran.
‘It is a great honour to have my suggestion chosen for the name of the new ship,’ the father of two said. ‘I chose the name because it is something that is relevant for the Channel Islands and for France – the Liberation was such a special occasion.
The name also ties in with the vessel being a lifeline service to getting away and spending time away from the islands.’
Mr Davies added that the free travel would mean a lot to his family, especially since his eldest son had plans to join the Army and they would want to visit him as much as possible.
Condor Ferries’ commercial executive director, Alicia Andrews, said it was fantastic to see islanders getting behind the naming of the new ship.
‘We felt the new name was particularly apt in this, the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Channel Islands, and we are very pleased that Liberation is a name that will be as significant to our French passengers as it is to our Channel Island passengers.’
The state-of-the-art ferry is currently being customised in Poole and will operate the UK to Channel Islands routes from the end of March.
Runners-up who suggested the name will each receive a free inter-island day trip for two on Condor Liberation.
- The new ship, the Condor Liberation, is currently having its interior finalised by specialists in Poole, where it is expected to launch its Channel Islands service by the end of March.
- The £50 million vessel is 102 metres long and was built by Australian company Austal, which specialises in building aluminium boats.
- The Liberation can travel up to 39 knots and will carry 880 passengers as well as 235 vehicles.
- It has a trimaran design of three hulls a main central hull and two subordinate ones alongside.
- At present the finishing touches are being put on the boat in Poole by specialist outfitter Trimline, a company that also installs interiors for multi-million-pound superyachts as well as the bigger ships owned by the Ministry of Defence.
- Trimline are being aided by a team from original boat builders Austal. On board the Liberation, Trimline will fit a new duty-free shop, a childrens play area,an information desk and a number of food outlets.
- According to Condor, the duty-free shop alone needed 1,000 square metres of lightweight honeycomb board, 72 square metres of solid surface board, 1,656 pieces of stainless steel and 180 metres of strip lighting.
- The vessel will have a panoramic view from the Horizon Lounge, which is open to Ocean Traveller Plus customers, who have access to a luxury lounge.
- Progress on the new ship, which will operate between the Channel Islands and Poole, has been described by Condor as excellent and the new service is scheduled to start in the run-up to Easter as passenger numbers begin to increase.
