mv Armorique

The mv Armorique, the second Brittany Ferries vessel to bear the name, joined the fleet in February 2009. She is the first ship to be specifically designed for the Plymouth to Roscoff route since the mv Cornouailles in 1977. Her modern decor is based upon the region of Brittany and its maritime heritage. Breton culture, its traditions, spirit and innovations are all reflected in the design through the use of specially commissioned paintings, sculptures and photography. The mv Armorique operates alongside her larger fleet mate mv Pont-Aven which also operates selected Roscoff sailings.

History

On the 2nd August 2005 Brittany Ferries placed an order with Aker Finnyards for an €80 million freight vessel. This order included an option for a second vessel, which was exercised in the 3rd January 2006, following the sale of the Val de Loire.  This vessel was to be a 1500 passenger ro-pax vessel which would be identical to the mv Cotentin from the keel to deck 5, the project name being 'Bretagne II'. This would be the first time the company had built near sister ships using the same design.

Speaking about the order David Longden, Managing Director, said "Bretagne II, which incidentally is only a project name, is being specifically designed for the Plymouth-Roscoff route and will provide new levels of comfort for our passengers. The recent sale of Val de Loire and the charter of Pont l'Abbé were both elements in the larger plan to upgrade our fleet to become the most modern and certainly the most comfortable on the channel."

It was revealed on the 4th December 2006 that the new vessel would be named Armorique after the national park of outstanding beauty in western Brittany. This is not the first ferry in the Brittany Ferries fleet to bear this name, the previous Armorique operated from 1975 to 1992. This is the first Brittany Ferries vessel to re-use the name of a former member of the fleet.

The first sheet of steel was cut on the 30th July 2007, before her keel was laid on the 14th March 2008 in Helsinki, Finland. She was launched on the 7th August in the covered shipyard, and floated out of the yard on the 13th September 2007. The ship, originally priced at £81 million but eventually ending at £100 million, had been planned for arrival during the autumn of 2008.

The Armorique underwent sea trials on the 17th January 2009, achieving a maximum speed of 26.2kts and meeting all of the design criteria. She was handed over to Brittany Ferries on the 26th January - almost three years to the day since the order was initially placed. On the 28th January Armorique departed the STX Europe shipyard bound for Brest via Plymouth where berthing trials were carried out on the 31st January. Her first arrival into Roscoff was on the 8th February ahead of her planned maiden voyage on the 10th February at 1500 from Roscoff to Plymouth.

The Armorique entered service on the 10th February 2009 with the 2200 Plymouth to Roscoff departure. Severe weather had resulted in the original maiden sailing being cancelled.

Speaking on the introduction of the Armorique David Longden, Managing Director said "Unlike aircraft, each ship has its own character and Armorique is no exception. We take great care with the design and décor to provide our passengers with an environment which is both comfortable and stylish, and our designers have followed a theme that reflects the 'colours and space of Brittany' to give this ship a very modern feel. One of the great luxuries when travelling nowadays is space and, whilst this commands a huge premium when travelling by air, it is something that all passengers on Armorique will be able to benefit from. We are confident that passengers will enjoy travelling on her."

Relief Vessel

The Armoriques maiden season was cut short, her final sailing being from Plymouth to Roscoff on the 6th November 2009. She then sailed to Le Havre with a group of dignitaries onboard, having been chartered for the start of the 9th Transat Jacques Vabre yacht race on the 8th November. Following the start of the race she sailed to Caen (Ouistreham) to unload her guests, arriving at 1900. This was her maiden arrival at the port, which permitted berthing trials to take place prior to her planned operation on the route in the new year. Armorique then sailed for Dunkerque where she underwent a short dry dock as part of her builders guarantee.

After her brief spell in Dunkerque the Armorique was chartered again on the 30th November, this time by the French Navy, for use in a maritime security exercise. On completion of this exercise, on the 3rd December, the Armorique laid up in Le Havre, where she arrived on the 4th December.

The Armorique was brought back into service earlier than planned in 2010 following the announcement that the mv Barfleur was to be withdrawn from service. Armorique departed Le Havre bound for Cherbourg on the 31st January. She sailed betwen Cherbourg and Poole for the first time on the 1st February, and became the largest ship to visit the Dorset port. Plans further changed when the mv Pont-Aven was delayed in dry dock, requiring the Armorique to cover for her on the Portsmouth - St Malo route for one week. This involved a one off Poole - St Malo crossing on the 11th February.

The Name

Armorique is the ancient name for coastal north-western France (or Gaul) meaning "the country which faces the sea" as well as the name of a national park in Brittany. The Armorique is the second Brittany Ferries vessel to bear the name, the first operating between 1976 and 1994.