HYBRID HOP 6th September 2019 (Part 4)

After arriving at Sandefjord on the lovely COLOR HYBRID it was time to get on the road again and drive north up to the little Norwegian ferry port of Horten.

Map

Horten and Moss

Basto II at Horten, Norway

Basto V and Vederoy



The Basto-Fosen Passenger Terminal was quite a contrast with the last port we used

Basto-Fosen Passenger Terminal

About to drive on board Basto V

On the car deck



but we were soon on board BASTO V (built in 2017 in Turkey) and climbing the car deck stairs to the passenger accommodation. We could look down at the little VEDEROY (built in 1991 at 147 gross tons) beside us,

The little Vederoy at Horten



and then admire the Sefine Shipyard model of our ship.

Sefine Shipyard model of our Basto V



We are sailing across the Nordic Skagerrak to the Norwegian ferry port of Moss which will take about half an hour. These Basto-Fosen vessels are diesel powered but the Norwegian Government specifies ever cleaner ferries for the domestic routes each time they are re-tendered. This Horten-Moss route has re-tendered for new more energy-efficient ships, and my friend tells me that the company running it has ordered another sister vessel. The new sister is expected to be fitted with the largest battery so far.

On the way over to Moss we passed the BASTO VI going back to Horten; we also saw a DFDS vessel in the distance, and then BASTO IV. In the port of Moss, Norway, I was surprised to see the cruise ship ARTANIA. She has been on charter since 2011 to Phoenix Reisen GmbH, with a mostly German clientele. She was built in 1984.

Basto VI

A DFDS ferry

Artwork on board

Basto IV

Artania as we arrived at Moss, Norway

Basto I



We berthed in Moss and were soon off the ship and driving south again towards our hotel for the night at Lervik near Stromstad. We checked into the hotel and our accommodation for the night was to be in land-based cabins, which made a change from cabins at sea. Dinner was very welcome.

Tomorrow after breakfast we have an early drive back south to Gothenburg and then a booking for a lovely Brunch Cruise in Gothenburg's Archipelago on a fascinating old ship. The Hybrid Hop continues.


Ships seen: Oslofjord, Color Hybrid, Basto I, Basto V, Basto VI, Basto IV, Artania, Vederoy, a DFDS vessel,

To be concluded...

MONT ST. MICHEL & CALAIS SEAWAYS 4th & 5th May 2013

4th May 2013

After an interesting sail/flight on the Hover Travel hovercrafts between Southsea, Ryde, and back, it was time to check in with Britanny Ferries in Portsmouth for a trip on the ro-ro/passenger ferry MONT SAINT MICHEL. We would sail over to Caen (Ouistreham) in France, leaving Portsmouth at 14.45 (British Summer Time) and arriving at 21.30 French time (BST + 1). She was built in 2002, at 35,586 gross tons, and is registered in France.


Mont St. Michel


La Galerie Self-Service Restaurant


Les Romantiques Restaurant

As we left Portsmouth Harbour we could see various Royal Navy Vessels, plus HMS VICTORY, WARRIOR, SOLENT CAT from Blue Funnel, JENNY LEE, the ship of the man from Del Monte, WIGHT RYDER, ST. CECILIA, and others.


St. Clare & St. Helen of Wightlink Ferries


Blue Note Main Lounge and Bar, where we took part in a Musical Quiz and achieved second place, amongst many teams


Mont St. Michel as we drove away from the port

We stayed overnight in Dunkirk at a little hotel, and breakfast in the morning was enlivened by the paper place mats.


Place mat showing Newhaven to Dieppe ships


Happiness in a haystack?


Le Havre on the place mat


Outside in the sunshine we walked along the duck route to the harbour entrance


Then drove to the Dieppe Terminal building where we saw this poster on the wall. Our journey continued through the French countryside north-east to Calais. Whilst we were waiting for our homeward ship to arrive we could see others berthed in the port.


Pride of Kent


Calais Seaways, now with DFDS, arriving to take us home to Dover. She was built in 1992 at 28,8733 gross tons, for Belgian Operators as Prins Filip,registered in France to sail at first between Dover and Ostende. She then became Stena Royal, P&OSL Aquitaine, PO Aquitaine, Pride of Aquitaine, Norman Spirit (registered in the UK), Ostende Spirit (registered in the UK), Norman Spirit (registered in France), and then Calais Seaways as from 15th March 2013.


Rodin, of My Ferry Link, arriving


Rodin's stern view


Calais Seaways' deck plan


It was lovely and sunny on deck, heading for Dover across the English Channel


Calais Seaways' life ring