Fastnet Line’s MV Julia sets sail for Cork
Fastnet Line’s MV Julia sets sail for Cork amidst great expectations of increased tourism traffic to and from Ireland and Wales, and pre-bookings topping €1m.
10th March 2010
Fastnet Line’s MV Julia sets sail on its inaugural trip from Swansea to Cork at 21.50 tonight (10th March 2010), commencing its car/passenger and freight service across the Irish Sea. The ship will arrive at 07.50 tomorrow and sail back to Swansea tomorrow night.
Having completed its dry-docking process successfully and achieved relevant certification and testing of safety systems, the ship has met the strict requirements demanded by the International Safety Management Code (ISM).
Commenting on the preparations for sea and bookings to date, Tom Barrett, CEO at Fastnet Line told us: ‘With bookings topping the €1m mark, people are obviously very aware of the savings on time and the road trip savings of 600km over alternative sea crossings, not to mention the direct access to the M4 corridor when they arrive in Swansea. The ship is now fully certified to deliver a safe and enjoyable trip for passengers and we are looking forward to putting to sea and demonstrating the benefits of travelling with Fastnet Line. We are immensely proud of the effort put in by our crew to get the ship ready and look forward to rewarding our shareholders who have put so much faith in us to bring this initiative to fruition. In particular we would like to thank the Port of Cork and ABP Ports in Swansea for their outstanding assistance from the outset.’
Prior to his resignation yesterday on health grounds, Ireland’s Minister for Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, said: ‘I welcome this significant local initiative and congratulate all those involved in setting up the new Cork to Swansea route. This is a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Irish tourism sector and demonstrates their commitment and willingness to rise to the challenge and be proactive in the current economic climate. Tourism Ireland looks forward to working closely with Fastnet Line through its cooperative marketing campaigns, to support demand for this service in our all-important British tourism market and in particular, to grow tourism business into the Cork, Kerry and southern region.’
The Welsh Assembly’s Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: ‘The Welsh Assembly Government fully supports the initiative and recognises the benefits to tourism on both sides of the Irish Sea. Our tourism arm, Visit Wales, continually promotes Wales in the Irish marketplace and we look forward to the flow of tourists into the country.’
Mr Jones, who is also the Minister for the Economy and Transport added: ‘We are fostering strong relationships with the Irish government, and with tourism and civic authorities to ensure that this route is a success. There is an undoubted connection between the people of Wales and the people of Ireland and this new service will strengthen these ties.’
Dubbed ‘The People’s Ship’, the 1,860-passenger MV Julia is the realisation of the dreams of several small business owners and interested individuals from Ireland and the UK who formed The West Cork Tourism Co-Operative, acknowledging the wisdom of a sea link with the UK, and Wales in particular. Having set about purchasing a ship to help revive the dwindling in-coming tourist numbers on both sides of the Irish Sea and with the help and goodwill of several private investors, small companies and organisations (including some investors from outside Ireland) the consortium overcame several obstacles and the ship and its shipping line – Fastnet Line – became a reality.
Now open for bookings on http://www.fastnetline.com, this year-round service on the 154metre long MV Julia will carry passengers, cars and commercial freight and run 6 nights a week, with additional sailings in high-season, i.e. July and August. Sailing will be overnight departing at 21.00 hours and arriving 07.00 a.m. next day. With a capacity of 1860 passengers, 440 cars, 40 trucks/trailers, and 300 cabins (including 14 deluxe cabins), the MV Julia is well suited to the route and to the enjoyment of a mini-cruise en route to Swansea. With a number of bars and restaurants, an on-board cinema and retail space, a new children’s area, on-board retail area, casino, kennels and extensive deck areas to enhance the experience, there is no doubt but that this route adds an exciting new option for consumers and businesses alike.
For further information or to arrange an interview with Fastnet Line personnel please call:
Irish Media Contact – Mary Hopkins/Kathleen Harrington
UK media contact: Judy Hopkins
Hopkins Communications, Cork, Ireland
00 353 21 4272200; 00 353 86 3120752 (mobile).
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)