And after months of negotiations, an epic journey half-way across the globe, an internal refit and a paint job, Condor’s new vessel is due to be transporting passengers between the Channel Islands and the UK from next month.
- From its original home in Australia, Condor Liberation docked in the Philippines for four months, where she was fitted out to the ferry operators precise specifications, including extending the bridge
- It then took four weeks for her to make the 10,500 nautical mile journey to Southampton, sailing across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal and via the Mediterranean, before travelling up the Bay of Biscay and into the English Channel
- The vessel was met in Dorset by crowds eager to see her come into Poole Harbour[/breakout]
Condor welcomed its newest addition to the fleet on Boxing Day after the 102-metre trimaran sailed more than 10,000 nautical miles over 22 days from Cebu in the Philippines to its base in Poole.
And the media were recently given a tour of the new ship – currently called Condor 102 but due to be formally renamed Liberation – as it underwent its fit-out.
The work is being carried out by Trimline, a company which also installs interiors for multi-million-pound super-yachts, as well as ships owned by the Ministry of Defence.
The 40-strong team – helped by a workforce from original boat builders Austal – have been working around the clock to make sure they meet the deadline.
Andrew Richards, chief executive of Trimline, said: ‘It has been six months in the planning and we have been meeting with the Condor team each week, and that’s why I think it has been going so smoothly.
‘We have been taking the thoughts of Condor on what they believe their customers want and their understanding of the market.
‘At the moment we are working shifts around the clock, we are on target with our plan and I’m very confident that we will deliver an excellent job for Condor.
‘I hope what we will create is a relaxed, calm oasis for people.’
So how do plans for such a large, intricate project become a reality? Mr Richards explained that they worked from detailed drawings and worked out how to manufacture each part before moving forward.
It means some parts, including the seats, are pre-assembled at Trimline’s base in Southampton and shipped to Poole.
‘Essentially it is like building a house. We start with the foundations, the floors, walls and the carpets, and then we fit everything else in.’
Mr Richards is certain that passengers will notice a huge difference in comparison with the ageing 86-metre catamarans – the Vitesse and Express – that were sold last month.
In the seating area for Ocean Plus – the middle class of Condor’s new three-tier seating options – there are both reclining seats and table seats, all of which have access to power outlets.
‘We expect this to be a really popular area,’ Mr Richards said. ‘With views that stretch right around, it really does create an oasis-like atmosphere.’
A total of 530 standard seats have also been set aside for the Ocean Traveller class.
Then there’s the premium option – Ocean Club. This is a secluded room where customers can expect leather seats, steward service and a galley serving fresh food and drinks.
There will be three bars and restaurants available to all passengers and they are being fitted out with the latest kitchen equipment and extractor fans that are not only better for the environment, but also for the staff.
Work is also progressing well on the new children’s area and information desk.
The ship will also feature a 100-square-metre duty-free shop.
Around £1 million has been spent installing bridge wings with master controls on either side to make the vessel easier to berth, especially in smaller harbours such as St Peter Port. A series of sea trials in Jersey and Guernsey early next month will also put this to the test.
Expanding the bridge is an important investment for Condor, according to Captain Fran Collins.
The executive director of operations said the trimaran’s design – a main, central hull with two subordinate ones alongside – would make sailings much more comfortable. Its lower roll speed will also mean lower acceleration experienced by passengers, which should significantly reduce seasickness.
On top of that it also has the ability to operate in higher wave heights and has a reduced wake and therefore less impact on the environment.
‘She is very manoeuvrable and much more stable, so once on board the ride will be a lot smoother,’ Capt Collins said.
‘She is a conventional ship, so she is much more capable of travelling in bad weather conditions compared to our other ferries.
‘I just can’t wait for that first sailing. It will be fantastic and I’m really excited to see passengers come on board and see the difference.
‘We were all really impressed when she was brought back from the Philippines – she was pretty special to start with, but with all the work going on inside, she will be even more special.’
As well as being able to carry 880 passengers, the Condor Liberation can accommodate up to 245 cars, including 12-tonne double-wheel-axle trucks, on main and mezzanine decks.
It has been 16 years since Condor Ferries last added to its fleet. In 1999 it bought the Commodore Clipper, which will still run services between Portsmouth and the Channel Islands. But this £50m investment is evidence of confidence in the Channel Islands as a tourist destination, as well as an all-important transport link for Islanders.
