the vessel:
The 23-knot Cotentin was constructed at Aker Finnyards in Helsinki
and was part of a 2
ship order, with her near sister ship Armorique which will operate
to Roscoff. Construction started on the 14th June 2006 when the
first sheet of steel was cut. Rapid construction followed before she
was launched 10 months later on the 12th April 2007.
Whilst the final phase of construction and fitting out continued a
bidding war erupted between Poole and Portsmouth over which port was
to become her UK homeport. On the 20th July 2007 it was revealed
that Poole would be the Cotentin's UK port from which she would sail
to Cherbourg and Santander, offering up to 3 sailings a day. Poole's
success in winning the Cotentin's business would not have been
possible had it not been for its substantial dredging programme
which allowing deeper draughted vessels to use the port, which
culminated in the Bretagne visiting the port in early 2007.
Cotentin commenced her sea trials on the 26th September, lasting 4
days. Following there successful completion she was officially handed
over to Brittany Ferries on the 9th November in Helsinki. She set
sail for Portsmouth, where she arrived on the 14th November for
berthing trials before heading to Poole and Cherbourg respectively
for further berthing trials. She then remained in Cherbourg where
crew training and familiarisation took place before her naming
ceremony on Monday 26th November. Cotentin was blessed by the bishop
of Coutances, Mgr Stanislas Lalanne, in the presence of the ships
god mother Marine Tanfin, granddaughter of the late Alexis
Gourvennec.
She commenced commercial operations later the same day with the
2345 Cherbourg to Poole sailing. Her maiden voyage to Santander took
place on Friday 30th November during a weekend where gale force 10
winds were experienced in the Bay of Biscay. |
