5,720-TON DRAGON GOES INTO OPERATION AND . .
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Southern may provide roll-on Eire Continent ferry service
BY H. BRIAN COTTEE ADIRECT roll-on/roll-off ferry link next summer between Eire and the Continent, almost certainly through Le Havre, is being investigated by Southern Ferries. This was revealed by the chairman, Mr. D. L. J. Mortelman, last week during one of the pre-service runs of the new ferry m.v. Dragon which entered commercial operation yesterday between Southampton and Le Hare.
The Dragon, first of two 5,720-ton roll-on vessels to be used on this service under the name of Normandy Ferries, is the biggest ferry on cross-Channel service and carries up to 65 large trailers.
Her maximum accommodation for nonfreight work is 250 cars and 850 passengers. The ship will be joined next April by the French-crewed m.v. Leopard—the Normandy Ferries venture is a joint operation by the General Steam Navigation Co. and SAGA, of Paris.
Mr. Mortelman said the company recognized that freight was important round-theyear traffic, and allocation for trailers and containers was being made on all present sailings. He hinted also at expansion plans which might involve the parent P. and 0. and also the Overseas Containers Ltd. consortium.
Use of a 22f1.-wide road on the link-span and the availability of an open upper deck as well as the enclosed vehicle deck enables Dragon to carry very large lump loads (up to 2211. wide and 21ft. high) and also vehicles carrying some types of chemicals in bulk. Loads of up to 205 tons, but not exceeding 13 tons per axle, can be accepted.
The maximum ramp gradient is 1 in 9. It seemed likely that the ramp-bridge at the new Le Havre terminal might impose slightly greater limits on low, heavy loads than that at the new Southampton terminal, since in certain ship/shore conditions there might be an awkward hump.
Normandy Ferries has HighWay-built slave trailers for transhipment of containers or fiats, and lifts up to 29 tons can be made. Electric points for heated or refrigerated cargoes, and compressed air lines are available on Dragon. Ccumnercial vehicle drivers are carried free and provided with meals.
The vessel will sail daily, including Sundays, from Southampton at 22.30, disembarking at Le Havre at 07.00, returning from Le Havre at 11.30 for Southampton disembarkation at 18.30.
Accommodation is in twoand four-berth special-class cabins, four-berth standardclass cabins and reclining aircraft-style seats. There is a large restaurant, a 163-seat cafeteria and two saloons with bars. Food and drink served en route were of a very good standard and the ship's public rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished. The standard-class cabins look roomy but the four-berth special-class cabins seemed a little on the cramped side—though they are well-equipped and have their own washing facilities and extremely efficient ventilation.
The ship has stabilizers—which were not put to the test on our fiat-calm trip—and is a stern-loader with really ample access: it is Normandy Ferries' claim that she can carry any commercial vehicle allowed on British or European roads. The company's freight bookings can be taken through Southampton 27884/26185, Le Havre 42-11-90 or (in London) 623-3000.
Rates for commercial vehicles are: Accompanied rigids or artics, 25s. a foot loaded, 20s. empty; trailers and containers, 37s. loaded, 25s. empty. Minimum freight for containers is based on 10ft. length.