Welcome aboard

On your Solent crossing to or from the Isle of Wight, you will be sailing on board one of our Wightlink ferries, St Clare (the flagship of the fleet), St Faith, St Cecilia, St Helen or St Catherine - on the six mile route between Fishbourne on the Island and Portsmouth on the Mainland. These are big modern ships and are named after places or churches on the Island. Have a look at the panel below for some of their "vital statistics" Vital Statistics for the Wightlink "St Class" Ferry Length: 77 metres Breadth: 17.22 metres Draft: 2.65 metres (max) Loaded weight: 1994 tonnes Speed: 12 knots (13.8mph) Engines: 3 x 900 bhp Propellers: 1 forward, 2 aft Cars: 142, maximum capacity; coaches and/ or lorries: 18 to 24 Passengers: 771 Vital Statistics for the Wightlink Flagship Ferry "St Clare" Length: 86 metres Breadth: 18.00 metres Draft: 2.60 metres (max) Loaded weight: 2708 tonnes Speed: 12 knots (13.8mph) Engines: 4 x 1107 bhp Propellers: 2 forward, 2 aft Cars: 186, maximum capacity; coaches and/ or lorries: 18 to 20 Passengers: 878 Crew: 10-12

FLAGS AND ENSIGNS Ships have used a code, made from different coloured and shaped flags since the eighteenth century and was primarily used as a means of passing orders and secret messages between naval ships. Nowadays the system is used all over the world and is especially useful between ships of different nationalities. Ensigns normally are found at the after end of the ship or boat, and have been in existence for hundreds of years as a way of indicating nationality. They could also be used as a signalling device or rallying point. Some ensigns and flags, which you will almost certainly see being flown in the Solent, are shown here. Wightlink House Flag  A variation of the international code of signal flag 'W' Red Ensign Indicates the ship is registered in the UK White Ensign Flown by all serving royal navy ships and some shore establishments The Pilot Flag Shows the captain has a pilot's licence for the Solent area. It is also the national flag of Poland.

Stern: Rear end of ship

Aft: Toward or at the stern

Draft: The distance between the lowest part of a ship (forward, middle or aft) and the waterline (i.e. the minimum depth required for the vessel to float in)

Knot: A speed, measured in nautical miles per hour

Buoy: A floating marker used to show the position of navigable channels, or underwater obstructions

Hull: The outer main shell of a ship or boat

SAFETY ON BOARD THE VESSEL Once the ship is moving, listen for the safety announcement and look out for these safety signs around the ship. Your teacher or group leader will already have told you what rules you must observe and given you a meeting point whilst on board. Below is a list of the main points you should remember, for your own safety: Do not run whilst on board Do not climb on the ship's side rails Do not open lifejacket lockers, or other lockers Do not tamper with the ship's emergency equipment and remember that all car decks are out of bounds during the crossing Please: Put all litter in the bins provided Show consideration to other passengers Do not leave any personal belongings unattended and remember to take them with you when you leave the ship