A series of photos taken on the occasion of the maiden arrival of Spirit of France in Dover Harbour.
The result of an unprecedented investment of over three hundred million pounds, Spirit of Britain and her twin sister, Spirit of France mark a new chapter in the story of P. & O. Ferries (and its predecessor, Townsend Thoresen) at Dover. Twenty four years had passed since the last major new buildings for the Calais service (Pride of Dover and Pride of Calais). Although Pride of Burgundy came along more recently, she did not embody the quantum leap that these giant ferries represent for P. & O. From a functional point of view, the 'Spirit 2' offer double the capacity of their predecessors, for the same amount of fuel per crossing. Quite a remarkable technological feat indeed.
The original 'Spirit Class' of 1980 revolutionised the Dover/Calais service with innovations such as twin level vehicle decks and 'free-flow' passenger accommodation. Three decades later, the 'Spirit 2' introduce a third vehicle deck, with total garage capacity for over a thousand cars. At well over two hundred metres in length they are the largest ferries that can fit the ports they serve.
It is possible to see certain similarities in external appearance to the also Finnish-built Seafrance Rodin of 2001. However, cosmetic appeal has come a definite second to operational demands. P. & O. have clearly not sought to win any beauty contests with their big new ships. Instead they hope to impress passengers with the creature comforts to be found inside. The vessels' interiors have been finished to a very high standard, with attractive features such as marble floors and free standing leather upholstered chairs. This represents a significant improvement on the fixed 'wipe-down' plastic seating and laminate flooring found in their older fleetmates. Whilst extremely impressive in terms of sheer size and quality of facilities, the greatest disappointment presented by these record-breaking vessels is the restricted outside deck space. Regrettably their vast promenade decks are normally out of bounds to the public.
Externally and internally Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France are almost identical. In a break from fleet tradition, their funnels are white, instead of 'P. & O. Blue'.
M. S. Spirit of Britain & Spirit of France
Builder: STX Europe, Rauma, Finland.
Yard numbers: 1,367 and 1,368.
Dimensions (length, breadth, depth): 210.0 x 30.8 x 8.5 metres.
Tonnages (gross, net, dead weight): 49,000.
Engines: Four MAN & B&W diesel.
Power: 30,400 kW.
Speed (knots): 22.
Passenger certificate: 1,750.
Car capacity: 1,079.
Lane metres (for vehicles): 2,700.
5.1.11: Spirit of Britain delivered by S. T. X. Europe Shipbuilders to P. & O. Ferries.
9.1.11: Spirit of Britain arrives at Dover for the first time.
21.1.11: Enters commercial service.
24.1.12: Spirit of France delivered by S. T. X. Europe Shipbuilders to P. & O. Ferries.
28.1.12: Spirit of France arrives at Dover for the first time.
9.2.12: Enters commercial service.
