Aluminium catamaran built in 2009 by Incat Tasmania Pty. Ltd, Hobart, Australia (Yard No. 066) for MCG Chartering Limited. Chartered to Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SAS (trading as LD Lines), Suresnes, France. Christened on December 24th 2008.
Technical Data
Yard No: 066
Builder: Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd.
Class Society: Det Norske Veritas
IMO: 9501590
MMSI: 311022100
Length overall: 112.60 m
Length waterline: 105.60 m
Beam moulded: 30.50 m
Beam of Hulls: 5.80 m
Draft: 3.93m
Speed: approx 39 knots at 600 DWT
Vehicle Capacity - 567 truck lane metres at 3.1m wide and 4.6m clear height plus 195 cars at 4.5m length x 2.3m wide or 417 cars only.
Main Engines - 4 x resiliently mounted MAN 28/33D marine diesel engines, each rated at 9000 kW at 100% MCR.
Water Jets - 4 x Wartsila LJX 1500SR water jet's configured for steering and reverse.
Transmission - 4 x ZF NR2H 60000 gearboxes, with reduction ratio suited for optimum jet shaft speed.
Ride Control - A ‘Maritime Dynamics’ active ride control system is fitted to maximise passenger comfort. This system combines active trim tabs aft and optional fold-down T-foil located at aft end of centre bow. The structural abutment, electrical and hydraulic services to receive the fwd T-foil will be fitted as standard to the vessel.
Call Sign: C6XU2 (until June 09), 2CFV5 (Present)
Registry: Nassau, Bahamas (until June 09), United Kingdom, Dover (Present)
April 2009: It's announced that the MGC 66 will be chartered to Louis Dreyfus Armateurs SAS (trading as LD Lines) for use on there Dover-Boulogne service. The vessel is renamed the `Norman Arrow'.
" The new fast ferry will be the first-ever freight carrying high speed vessel to operate across the Dover Straits and LD Lines becomes the first-ever French ferry company to operate high speed ferries on the short sea routes from Dover. The vessel is also the world’s largest diesel-powered catamaran and it is the first Incat 112 metre to operate in Europe."
2nd May 2009: Under the command of Captain Nick Dunn, the state-of-the-art ferry departed Hobart at 18.50hrs on Saturday 2nd May at the start of an 11,726 nautical mile voyage to the English Channel. The delivery voyage takes a course via Fremantle (South Western Australia), Port Victoria (The Seychelles), the Suez Canal and Valetta (Malta), the Norman Arrow is expected to arrive in Dover and Boulogne on or around the 25th May 2009.
11th June 2009: French unions attempt to block the port of Boulogne. The CFDT union was protesting at the terms of Portuguese crew working on the NORMAN ARROW.
24th June 2009: Owing to some minor technical problems a couple of sailings are missed.
17th September 2009: The Norman Arrow starts operating from the new `hub' port at Boulogne.
2nd October 2009: It is announced that after only 5 months of operation the Norman Arrow is to be replaced by the Norman Spirit from Portsmouth.
10th November 2009: Norman Arrow operates her last crossing from Dover to Boulogne.
15th November 2009: Proceeds to berth 13 at the Port of Boulogne for winter layup.
14th December 2009: Departs Boulogne and undertakes berthing trials at Newhaven and Portsmouth.
15th December 2009: Undertakes berthing trials at Le Havre and Dieppe before heading back to Boulogne.
8th March 2010: Departs Boulogne for a dry docking at ARNO's in Dunkerque.
14th March 2010: Departs Dunkerque and proceeds to Dover. Lays alongside Cruise Terminal 1 (CT1) to be fitted with a stern ramp in preparation for her move to the Portsmouth - Le Havre route.
21st March 2010: Departs Dover bound for Portsmouth.
22nd March 2010: Arrives in Portsmouth and undertakes berthing and ramp trials.
26th March 2010: Enters service between Portsmouth and Le Havre.
31st March 2010: Whilst manoeuvring in Portsmouth Harbour the Norman Arrow made heavy contact with a mooring dolphin damaging her starboard wave piercer. Owing to this incident all the `Arrows' sailings are cancelled pending repairs. The Norman Bridge is transferred to operate the Portsmouth - Le Havre service in her place.
2nd April 2010: Arrives at the port of Dunkerque for repairs at ARNO's. Owing to strong winds she is unable to enter the lock to Dunkerque East until early evening.
4th April 2010: Departs Dunkerque and proceeds to Boulogne.
5th April: Departs Boulogne for Le Havre to take up the 18:30 departure to Portsmouth.
We would like to thank: Justin Merrigan, Kim Clifford and David Roberts (Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd), Walter Pless, Bill `Tassie' Burton (Ships Nostalgia), Jean-Guy Hagelstein, Marconista and Nigel Thornton for there assistance in producing this feature. All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for errors and omissions.
HSC MGC 066, Norman Arrow
