mv Barfleur

The mv Barfleur was designed for the short crossing between Poole and Cherbourg and brought new standards to the route when introduced in 1992, the shortest crossing to France west of Dover. She is the smallest member of the Brittany Ferries fleet but still offers the facilities of her larger counterparts, whilst retaining an intimate feeling onboard, incorporating two dining options, shopping malls and a lively bar. mv Barfleur is also the largest passenger vessel to regularly operate out of the port of Poole (and was the largest until the mv Bretagne briefly operated out of the Poole in February 2007) and was also the flagship of Brittany Ferries former 'Truckline Ferries' subsidiary. 

Following the Brittany Ferries purchase of the mv Cap Finistere in December 2009, it was announced that Barfleur would retired, and that the Poole - Cherbourg route would offer a seasonal passenger service only. Her final commercial sailing for Brittany Ferries was the 2345 Poole - Cherbourg sailing on 31st January 2010. Following her arrival into Cherbourg the mv Barfleur headed to Caen where she was laid up pending sale or charter. Having spent the remainder of the year laid up speculation began to grow regarding her future, before it was announced on the 16th December that she was to return to service on the Poole - Cherbourg route in 2011 with a view to carry freight and a smaller number of passengers than previously. Her 'first' sailing will be from Cherbourg on 27th February 2011.

History

In the years following Brittany Ferries acquisition of Truckline Ferries, the passenger figures on the route surpassed all expectations, and it was deemed that the current fleet was no longer capable of meeting the demand. The decision was taken during 1990 to order a new vessel to operate on 'the insider's way to France' bringing a level of luxury not previously seen on the route. The Barfleur was constructed at the Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland and formed a joint order with the construction of the larger Normandie for Brittany Ferries Caen operations. The Barfleur was launched on the 26th July 1991. However during her construction due to the continued growth on the route, the decision was taken to lengthen her mid construction adding an extra 9m to her length and subsequently delaying construction by some weeks. Following sea trials she entered service between Cherbourg and Poole on the 4th April 1992.

She has remained on the route since her introduction, only during the winter months straying onto other routes to cover for fleet mate refits. During the winter of 1997 she carried out a number of sailings between Poole and Santander with a reduced capacity (for passenger comfort). 1999 saw a fresh image for the Barfleur being re-painted into Brittany Ferries colours allowing the route to be marketed as a traditional BF route thanks to her cruise ferry facilities on the shorter route.

A small fire broke out in an empty crew members' cabin on an overnight crossing between Poole and Cherbourg during August 2004. A total of 22 crew members were taken to hospital upon arrival in France following smoke inhalation.

In 2005 she operated a triangular pattern between Poole, Cherbourg & Portsmouth adding conventional capacity to the new Normandie Express. On the 2nd December 2005 Barfleur made her inaugural call into Cork, having been chartered by an Irish haulage company due an industrial dispute affecting Irish Ferries services.

During February 2007 the Barfleur visited Brest for dry dock in order to replace one of her four Wartsilla-Vasa engines. During this period the Bretagne covered her route, becoming the largest vessel to enter the port following a dredging programme conducted in 2006. The Barfleur made a number of Poole/Roscoff sailings during May 2008 when the port of Cherbourg was blockaded for over two weeks by protesting French fishermen.

In February 2009 the mv Barfleur became the last member of the Brittany Ferries fleet to receive the new corporate livery, during her refit in Gdansk, Poland. During her refit the a la carte restaurant 'les Dunes' was removed in favor of a new 'Games Planet' area. The self service restaurant 'Turquoise' was also refurbished into a new orange colour scheme, similar to that found onboard the mv Cotentin and mv Normandie.

On the 18th December 2009 a shock announcement was made by Brittany Ferries revealing that the Poole - Cherbourg route had been making losses for several years, and as a result the Barfleur was to be withdrawn from service and offered for charter. Following her final sailing between Poole - Cherbourg sailing at 234 5on 31st January 2010 the Barfleur was laid up in Caen (the city itself as opposed to the port of Ouistreham) for the majority of 2010, with no charter or sale taking place. It was then announced on the 16th December that the Barfleur would return to service between Poole and Cherbourg on the 27th February 2011. The new service will, however, be aimed at freight as much as passengers as it is on this basis that the company feels it can operate profitably. With up to 3 crossings a day, there will be plenty of choice for passengers and Brittany Ferries is seeking the support of the community in making this service a success.

For the 2011 season the Barfleur will carry a maximum of 450 passengers, and 'le Cafe' (Arc en Ciel) will remain closed.

The Name

Barfleur is a small fishing village located in Normandie, not too far away from the port of Cherbourg in which the vessel is based. The port attracts many painters, and has a large fishing fleet, historic monuments and a famous white church.