HSC Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift (operated commercially as Dublin Swift) is the only high speed craft operated by Irish Ferries. Jonathan Swift serves the Dublin – Holyhead route. Her names comes from an Irish writer born in 1667 and dead in 1745, which is known for having written Gulliver's Travels.
| HSC Jonathan Swift (1999 onwards) | |
|---|---|
| The Ship | |
| Launch | February 1999 |
| Maiden Voyage | July 1999 |
| Shipyard | Austal Shipyard, Australia |
| Cost | IR£29 millions |
| Owner | Irish Ferries |
| Operator | Irish Ferries |
| Routes | Dublin (IRL) - Holyhead (UK) |
| IMO | 9188881 |
| MMSI | 209122000 |
| Call Sign | C4H2R |
| Port of Registry | Limassol (CY) |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Length | 86.60 m |
| Breadth | 24.40 m |
| Draught | 03.20 m |
| Tonnage | |
|
Gross Tonnage |
5,992 GT |
|
Deadweight |
400 DWT |
| Engines specifications | |
| Engines | 4 engines Caterpillars 3618 - 12 cylinders |
| Power | 28,800 kW |
| Maximum Speed | 50.00 knots - 40.00 knots (service) |
| Fuel Consumption | 5.3 tons of Gazoil per hour |
| Passengers & Cargo | |
| Passengers | 800 passengers |
| Seats | 800 seats |
| Car Deck | 200 cars /or/ 125 cars + 10 coaches |
Service History
In the late 90s, Irish Ferries wanted to replenish its fleet, and therefore decided to introduce a High Speed catamaran between Dublin et Holyhead, to propose an alternative service to the conventional ferries.
The ship was commissioned to Austal for a cost of IR£29 millions. Launched in 1999, she was introduced in July 1999 as Jonathan Swift. However, her introduction have been delayed due to a strike set up by Irish Ferries' officers, that were demonstrating against the operation of this ship with a limited crew compared to the company’s other ships. Irish Ferries hence threat to sell the ship if a solution to the conflict was not found.
Jonathan Swift has spent most of her career on the Dublin – Holyhead service, on which she is still operated today. With a commercial speed of 40 knots, she completes the crossing in 1h49.
Aboard Accommodations
Aboard Dining and Bar
- Temple Bar - Snack ;
- Trinity Bar - Snack ;
- Boylan's Brasserie - Self-Service Restaurant ;
- Café Lafayette - Café/Bar-Lounge.
Aboard Shopping
- Aelia - Duty Free shop.
Passengers Accommodations
- 800 allocated seats.
Entertainment
- Free Wifi aboard
- Sun deck
- Arcade Games
- TV Lounge
See Also
References
- "Fast Ferry to Ireland | Jonathan Swift". In Irish Ferries, , 2015. [retrieved on 04th April 2016]. Available at www.irishferries.com ;
- "HSC Jonathan Swift". In Wikipedia, , 2015. [retrieved the 04th April 2016]. Available at en.wikipedia.org.