Celtic Link Ferries was an Irish ferry company which used to operate a passenger and freight roll-on/roll-off service between Rosslare and Cherbourg. Celtic Link Ferries ceased operating in February 2014 with Stena Line taking over their route.

Celtic Link Ferries
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryPassenger transportation
Freight transportation
Founded2005
Defunct31 March 2014
FateMerged into Stena's operations
SuccessorStena Line
HeadquartersRosslare, Ireland
Area served
Celtic Sea
Key people
Dennis O'Flaherty (Chairman)
ParentStena Line
Websitewww.celticlinkferries.com
Celtic Horizon
Norman Voyager at Rosslare

History

edit

Celtic Link Ferries began operations in 2005 following the withdrawal of P&O Irish Sea from the Rosslare–Cherbourg route.[1]

On 4 October 2009 Celtic Link Ferries chartered Norman Voyager from LD Lines.[2]

On 19 November 2009 the Norman Voyager was detained in Portsmouth by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency when the crew failed a basic test of emergency procedures.[3]

In December the same year the same vessel was involved in the rescue of three fishermen following the MV Alam Pintar and FV Etoile des Ondes collision. A report stated:

"Exemplary seamanship was demonstrated by the actions of the officers and crew of Norman Voyager in immediately reporting the flares to Jobourg MRCC and then proceeding, without question, to the assistance of the vessel in distress. The conduct of the rescue was safe, efficient and in the best traditions of the merchant navy."[4]

On 26 February 2014 it was announced that Stena Line would acquire the Celtic Link ferry service.[5]

Fleet

edit

Celtic Link Ferries last operated one vessel.

Name Built Tonnage Passengers Notes
Celtic Horizon 2006 27,522 GT 972

The ship was re-christened the Stena Horizon.

Former vessels

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Paul Sandle (8 February 2005). "Celtic Link Ferries launch commercial service between Rosslare and Cherbourg". International Freighting Weekly.
  2. ^ "CELTIC LINK FERRIES (IRELAND) NEW ROUTE ANNOUNCEMENT". 19 September 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  3. ^ "Ferry detained over safety fears". BBC News. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  4. ^ MAIB (September 2010). "Section 2.9". Report on the investigation of the collision between the bulk carrier Alam Pintar and the fishing vessel Etoile des Ondes (PDF). Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
  5. ^ "Stena Line buys Celtic Link ferry service". RTÉ News. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.