New Ships

Wightlink have three new ferries coming into service on the Lymington-Yarmouth route during 2008-9.  The new ferries will mark the start of a whole new era for the route, as they will be more fuel efficient, offer greater flexibility and will have more attractive passenger facilities on board.

The ferries have been designed by Naval Architects ‘Hart Fenton’ and are being built at the Brodogradiliste Kraljevica, Croatia.

The current ferries have to be replaced, as they are now over 34 years old and whilst they have provided excellent service they are now reaching the end of their useful lives. It is simply not practical to invest in modifications that will be required to comply with imminent regulations.

The new ferries have been designed exclusively for the route and we have carried out a process of extensive consultation to arrive at the design of the new ferries to ensure that they both complied with the new regulations and were also suitable for the change in traffic mix on the route.

The first keel was laid in June 2007, Wightlink will take delivery of the first two ships in 2008, and they are expected to enter service later in the year.  The third ship is due to join the first two in early 2009'

The new ships are being built under the supervision of Portsmouth based Naval Architects, Hart Fenton; and Wightlink’s own Project Manager, Colin Stanton, who will be based at the yard in Croatia for the duration of the build.

Naming and Dedication Ceremony for Wight Light after thousands check out Wightlink’s new ship at free Open Days in Lymington

Following two highly successful Open Days in Lymington when over 2,500 members of the public took the opportunity to check out the first of Wightlink’s new Wight-Class fleet of ships, purpose-built for the Lymington-Yarmouth ferry route, Wight Light was officially named in a private naming and dedication ceremony on Thursday 30th October. 

Wight Light was blessed by Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, Caroline Baston, and her plaque unveiled by seven-year old Jessica Willson, daughter of Wightlink Chief Executive Andrew Willson. Speaking to an invited audience of stakeholders from the Isle of Wight and the mainland, Mr Willson said that ‘the Wight-Class ferries signify a new era for the route and for Wightlink, representing a sizable investment and a big commitment overall that will secure the future of the route for the life-cycle of the ships, which should take us past the bicentennial in 2030’. In turn Major General Martin White, Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight thanked Wightlink for its continued commitment to the Island, not just with its ongoing investment in the three cross-Solent ferry routes but also for its community support, most notably its sponsorship programme for Island youth.

Prior to the naming ceremony, Wightlink threw open its doors on 28th and 29th October for Open Days when staff and crew were on hand to answer questions.

Children attending the Open Days during the school half-term holiday received a free souvenir gift and those aged between seven and 14 years had the chance to win one of three Fruit Shoots mountain bikes, courtesy of Pepsi. Island resident, Louise Hart, who attended with her three children said ‘Wight Light is a lovely ship, spacious inside and with great facilities. It is sad to say goodbye to the old ships but these will be a fantastic step forward on a route that is definitely the most picturesque way to travel between the Isle of Wight and the mainland.’ 

  Keep up to date with progress in our Gallery  

  Watch the Wight Light launch video