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After a delay
of ten days due to the completion of final safety inspections, the
welcome return of the Swansea to Cork ferry finally took place on
Wednesday 11th March 2010. The MV Julia ferry left Swansea just
before 8pm for the ten hour crossing to Ringaskiddy harbour in Cork.
The return leg from Cork to Swansea will take place on Thursday
evening. There will be eight crossings per week.
Fastnet Line,
the ferry operators, were hoping to start the new service on St
Davids Day, March 1st, but delays to final certification and safety
checks resulted in the service being put back. All passengers
affected were offered refunds or amended dates of travel, plus a
voucher for 50% off a future booking.
The Cork to
Swansea ferry last operated in 2006. The service was sadly missed by
many in Wales and the Republic of Ireland who have since had to make
a near 400 mile road trip to cross the Irish Sea at another port.
After carfeul consideration as to whether the Cork to Swansea route
could be viable, a co-operative of small and medium investors spent
nearly £7 million last year buying the ex-Baltic Sea ferry, the
MV Julia. The ferry has since undergone significant refurbishment and
is now capable of carrying more than 400 cars and 1800 passengers.
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