Wightlink’s former flagship ‘St Clare’, which has operated to and from the Isle of Wight since the summer of 2001, is 20-years-old today (Monday).
The car ferry was built in Poland and launched into the water for the first time at Remontowa shipyard on 26th April 2001.
St Clare entered service on the Fishbourne-Portsmouth route on 20th July 2001 and became the flagship of the fleet – only recently losing that title to Wightlink’s Victoria of Wight.
Up until 2004, the 86-metre long vessel, which can carry 878 passengers and 186 cars, was the largest ferry operating across the Solent. That was until Red Funnel stretched their Red Osprey.
Wightlink’s St Clare is still very much in service and continues to operate to and from Fishbourne, transporting tens of thousands of passengers every year. She has a maximum speed of 13 knots – or 15mph.
So what!!!! did it blow out the candles on its cake
Yep looks and feels every one of its 20 years. And then some.
I always liked this Ferry, even in the early days when it was a bit like going on a roller coaster when the Solent was a bit rough. It was however a shame that the proud tradition of UK built ferries being used exclusively on the Wightlink/Sealink routes came to an end when St.Clare commenced duties. Happy Birthday anyway – the big one is next year though!