August 8th 2008: P&O Ferries signed a €360m contract with Aker Yards (later
renamed STX Europe) for the two largest ferries ever to be constructed for the Dover-Calais service.
" The first of these ships will enter service in January 2011 and the second in September 2011, replacing the
Pride of Dover and the
Pride of Calais.
The new vessels are specifically designed for the Dover-Calais route and are built to Lloyd’s Register ‘Green Passport’ which provides a cradle to grave strategy for all materials used. The ferries will be as environmentally friendly as possible, offering significant advances in fuel efficiency through a hydro-dynamically efficient hull form that will optimise vessel performance with minimum fuel consumption.
The vessels will be the first passenger ferries in the world to comply with the new International Maritime Organisation "Safe Return to Port" requirements ahead of the international compliance date.
These rules require that, in the event of a ship becoming a casualty, basic services are provided to all persons on board and that certain systems remain operational for safe return to port. Performance standards are stipulated for a wide range of ship systems including fire-fighting, power supply, propulsion, steering and navigation. The requirements come into force for vessels built after 1 July 2010.
The ships will have the Lloyd's Register class notation of PSMR (Propulsion and Steering Machinery Redundancy) which will be assigned where the main propulsion and steering systems are configured to ensure that, in the event of equipment failure, the ship retains availability of propulsion power and manoeuvring capability to provide a safe return to port."
An artists impression of the Spirit of Britain © P&O Ferries
March 3rd 2009:
The first steel plate
was cut by P&O Ferries chief executive, Helen Deeble.
© STX Europe ASA
August 25th 2009:
The keel block was laid at the STX Europe Shipyard in Rauma, Finland. In keeping with maritime tradition coins were placed under the keel for good fortune.
 
Keel Laying 25/08/09 © STX Europe ASA
May 13th 2010: It was announced that P&O Ferries will be naming its two new ships the Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France when they come into service in 2011.
"Dame Kelly Holmes has graciously agreed to become Godmother to the Spirit of Britain which will commence service on the Dover-Calais route in January 2011."
Spirit of Britain Under Construction         
  
  
  
 
© P&O Ferries
June 8th 2010: The Spirit of Britain
is floated out of its construction dock in Rauma, Finland.
Spirit of Britain Float Out 8th June 2010   
  
  
© P&O Ferries and © STX Europe ASA
June 8th 2010: After being floated out of her building dock the Spirit of Britain is maneuvered to the fitting out quay by tugs.
 
© P&O Ferries
23rd November 2010: Departs the STX Europe shipyard in Rauma at 10:00 for her first sea trials in the Gulf of Bothnia.
  
Undergoing Sea Trials © P&O Ferries
December 2010:
Registered owner and ship manager; P&O Short Sea Ferries Ltd, Dover, United Kingdom.
Almost ready :) © P&O Ferries
5th January 2011:
Delivered to P&O Ferries at Rauma in Finland.
5th January 2011:
Departed STX Europe's Rauma shipyard on her delivery voyage to Dover. Owing to heavy ice
conditions in the Baltic she was escorted by the
ice breaker "Nordica" until she reached Stockholm, Sweden.
© Cruise Business
Review via
YouTube
9th January 2011: Arrived
at the Port of Dover shortly after 11am escorted by the Dover Harbour Board Tugs
DHB Dauntless and DHB Doughty.
Maiden Arrival in Dover
© Ray Goodfellow
9th January 2011:
After crossing the bay and turning she proceeded to berth one on the Eastern
Arm.
The arrival seen from the
Admiralty Pier, Dover © Andrew Wood
10th January 2011:
Moved to berth 6 in the Eastern docks to continue her preparations to take
up service on the 21st January 2011.
Special
Feature
All Photographs and Panorama VR Images ©
Gary Davies,
Maritime Photographic.
11th January 2011:
Marin Ark deployment carried out alongside in Dover's berth 6.
Dover 11/01/11 © "Ferry Boy"
14th January 2011:
Carried out berthing trials within the Port of Dover.
© Captain Steve Johnson, P&O
Ferries
15th January 2011:
Carried out berthing trials in the Port of Calais.
21st January 2011: Entered
commercial service between Dover and Calais under the command of senior master Captain David
Miller.
24th January 2011:
Proceeded to ARNO in Dunkerque for 48 hours of remedial work to ensure a better
port fit in the port of Calais. Her bow spade was extended by 300mm on deck 5
and by 150mm on deck 3.
Departing Calais on her first day
in commercial service © Paul Bilbrough
4th February 2011: Aborted
her 0920 sailing with technical problems. It was reported that she was suffering
shaft problems. She departed Dover at 12:30 with the assistance of two tugs and
proceeded to the Margate Roads.
5th February 2011:
Departed the Margate Roads bound for Zeebrugge arriving at 23:30.
Zeebrugge 6th February 2011 ©
Michael Moons
6th February 2011:
Departed Zeebrugge at 16:30. She duly arrived in Dover at 22:00 before
taking up the 23:15 sailing to Calais.
24th March 2011:
Officially named `Spirit of Britain' by Dame Kelly Holmes MBE at Dover's Eastern
Docks. She sailed from the Port at 13:30 for a special cruise before returning
to Dover at 14:30. She resumed service between Dover and Calais at 17:30.
Dover 24th March 2011 © Marconista
10th May 2011: Reported to be out
of service due to an electrical problem.
11th May 2011: Re-entered
service between Dover and Calais.
28th December 2011:
Departed Dover for a hull inspection in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Falmouth © Mark Willis
5th January 2012: Arrived
back in Dover and took up the 19:05 service to Calais.
Calais 29/01/12 ©
Ray Goodfellow
To book a crossing on the Spirit
of Britain please click
here.
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Technical Data
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