Displaying items by tag: Stena EFlexer RoRo

25th June 2018

New Belfast-Bound Stena Line E-Flexer Ferry Taking Shape in China

#FerryNews - One of the two new Stena Line E-Flexer RoPax ferries bound for the Belfast–Liverpool route in 2020 has recently marked an important production milestone by celebrating its official keel-laying at the AVIC shipyard in Weihai, China.

The new RoPax vessels will have capacity for 1,000 passengers, 120 cars as well as 3,100 freight lane meters.

The newbuild pair be among the most energy efficient in the world with significantly lower CO2 emissions per freight unit against comparable RoPax tonnage. Paul Grant, Stena Line’s Trade Director (Irish Sea North) commented: “Everyone on the route is looking forward to welcoming the new generation of ferries to Belfast. We are delighted that two of the new fleet of E-Flexer ships will be entering service on our expanding Belfast – Liverpool route. It’s a real vote of confidence in the future development of our operations in the region.”

Paul Grant added: “The two new ships will be the biggest ships ever to operate on the Belfast – Liverpool service and will increase capacity for freight and travel customers as well as raising the service standards. Our onboard cabin concept will be enhanced to offer comfortable and relaxing day and overnight crossing options. The ships will be ‘drive-through’ making the loading and disembarkation processes faster and smoother for vehicles.”

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.