This post is a tribute to a beautiful BF car ferry, the "DUC DE NORMANDIE", the ship was built by VEROLME SHIPYARD in HOLLAND in 1978 for the Hook Van Holland / Harwich service as the PRINSES BEATRIX, she was operated by STOOMVART ZEELAND. In 1986 the ship was bought by BF to be used on the Ouistreham / Portsmouth and Plymouth / Roscoff services, she served the company well until 2004 when she was sold to TRANSEUROPA FERRIES and renamed WISTERIA, she is still sailing today. I have fond memories of this ship, sailed many times, visited the bridge and even the engine room, she was really attractive, when built she was 9367 GRT and had a top speed of 23 knots. Photos above, top image at sea from the VAL DE LOIRE, leaving Plymouth on the next two, departing Portsmouth, all 2002 and a BF postcard
An attractive ship indeed! I particularly like the second photo, the fields in the background really make for an impressive image.
ReplyDeleteEstou encantado com o blog e com os ferrys muito bonitos. Vou seguir atentamente os ferrys por aqui.
ReplyDeleteUm Abraço,
Manuel
Thank you Kalle, she is a beautiful ship, you know the good feeling we experience when on board a special vessel, it was there in abundance, miss my voyages on DUC DE NORMANDIE
ReplyDeleteAll the best
Ola Manuel, Obrigado pelo comentario uma vez mais
ReplyDeleteUm abraco
I believe I know exactly what you mean, some ships just have that special something that other ships lack. I very much miss the fabulous Finnjet, another one of those ships with that special thing,
ReplyDeleteI sailed on the Duc many times when I was young and still remember how special a ship she was, very small by today's standards, but very confortable and excellent in rough seas. I can recall a couple of very rough crossings, which she coped with well. I always loved the spacious lounge areas and the restaurant. And the pyrmid shaped glass roof lights on the sun deck for the lounge below.
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