The vision for a brand new Mersey Ferry is moving forward with Merseytravel – who own and operate the Mersey Ferries – commissioning a naval architect to help in its design.



An appointment is expected to be made in the autumn, with the architect set to work with Merseytravel and other interested groups to consider how the ferry may look, also giving a more detailed insight into the funding required, subject to formal approval of the scheme.

A new vessel, potentially by 2021, is one element of a 20 year vision for the Mersey Ferries that was endorsed by Merseytravel Committee Members in January 2016 with the aim of securing their future for generations to come.

The strategy is centred around bringing down the cost of the Mersey Ferries to the public purse – currently around £2.3m a year for operational costs alone– while building on their commercial and leisure potential, ensuring they are sustainable well into the future.

In recommending a move towards a new fleet of vessels, the strategy recognises that this would not only reduce the operational costs associated with maintaining Vessels currently over 50 years old, but would allow them to be designed in a way that would better cater for the leisure and event market, in contrast to the existing vessels that were built for ‘short-hop’, cross river journeys.

The preparation for the appointment of an architect is one element of a strategy delivery update for Merseytravel Committee Members at their meeting next Thursday (1st September).

Other updates include:

• Ongoing discussions with local organisations on options for the future of the Royal Daffodil which is currently out of service.

• A recommendation that the Snowdrop be the vessel retained until 2031 when a second new vessel is expected to be commissioned. This is based both on her having a newer engine and fewer nautical miles on the clock than the existing Royal Iris of the Mersey and also the layout and condition of the vessel. It is still hoped the names – The Royal Daffodil and The Royal Iris of the Mersey – can be retained for any new vessels.

• Options to retain the two landing stages in Wirral are being explored, working with officers at Wirral Council and stakeholder groups and in consideration of wider regeneration plans.

• Any changes to commuter service start times will now be considered on the introduction of a new vessel rather than in 2016/17 as originally planned. Further work has suggested that the ‘warm up’ times for the existing vessels and the complexities in entering and leaving the docking system are likely to mean that any operational savings originally envisaged from docking the vessels overnight rather than leaving them on the river may not be currently achievable.

• Two ferries operating in the river during peak times such as school holidays, moving from an hourly to a half hourly service, is being trialled this summer to see if it does have a positive impact on passenger numbers.

The Mersey Ferries were named ‘Ferry Operator of the Year’ at the National Transport Awards back in October – recognising the success of the Dazzle Ferry initiative and the work that has gone into making them a more efficient operation. Savings of around £1m have been made over the past four years through such measures as taking The Royal Daffodil out of service, and new initiatives to get customers on board.

Over a number of decades the Mersey Ferries market has changed from a buoyant cross-river one to one focussed on leisure sailings as people choose the Mersey Tunnels or rail to ‘short hop’ across the water.

It is intended that the strategy will be reviewed every two or three years to ensure that it remains current and takes into accounts developments and potential opportunities in the wider Liverpool City Region such as Wirral and Liverpool Waters.

Said Frank Rogers, Interim Chief Executive of Merseytravel:

“This update shows that we are keeping up momentum in working towards a Mersey Ferries operation that remains iconic but also moves with the times, matching the wider ambitions we all have for the City Region, while reducing their cost to the public purse.

“There will be a number of decisions related to the individual proposals and options that Merseytravel Committee Members will be taking over the coming months and years and we will ensure that in making recommendations to them that we will be reflecting changes and developments in the city region, so we can offer a ferry service that best meets demand.”

Originally Posted by roving-eye

.. to be designed in a way that would better cater for the leisure and event market, in contrast to the existing vessels that were built for ‘short-hop’, cross river journeys.

The clue is in the name "Ferry" (A boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods, especially over a relatively short distance and as a regular service.- OED).

If they want to change the mission statement to "Mersey sightseeing tours and mini cruises to Manchester" that's fine. Set up a new company without public cash or subsidies and run it on a commercial basis.

Originally Posted by r4dent

The clue is in the name "Ferry" (A boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods, especially over a relatively short distance and as a regular service.- OED).

If they want to change the mission statement to "Mersey sightseeing tours and mini cruises to Manchester" that's fine. Set up a new company without public cash or subsidies and run it on a commercial basis.

went to liverpool with my grandaughter for her first ride on a ferry, been twice so far on both occasions sorry sir the ferry has broken down today, what a joke.