Cross-Channel ferry set for final sailing

A cross-Channel ferry which has sailed from the Dorset coast for more than 30 years is set make its final journey on its route on Monday.

Brittany Ferries said Barfleur was scheduled to leave Poole, bound for Cherbourg in France, at 08:30 BST.

With a flotilla of small boats potentially accompanying the ferry, Poole Harbour Commissioners said an exclusion zone would be in place surrounding the ship and any small vessels should exercise "extreme caution".

Brittany Ferries announced earlier this year it would end the route between Poole-Cherbourg as well as Portsmouth Le Havre, blaming rising taxes, Covid loan repayments, unfair competition and falling passenger numbers.

Named after the small fishing port in Normandy, Barfleur entered service between Cherbourg and Poole in April 1992.

Brittany Ferries announced earlier this year that it would be sold as part of its plans to cope with financial challenges.

Barfleur is due to arrive on its last sailing from Normandy on Sunday at 21:45 BST.

It is due to set sail from Poole's RoRo3 berth at 08:30 on Monday, subject to operational factors such as the weather.

In a statement, Poole Harbour Commissioners said: "It is anticipated that residents and visiting enthusiasts may attend in possibly significant numbers to witness her departure from appropriate viewpoints ashore or underway small vessels afloat."

It said a "moving exclusion zone" would be in place 500m ahead and 50m either side and astern of the ferry.

"Other inbound vessels should expect delays and, where possible, plan to avoid the Main Shipping Channel," it added.

Barfleur has been a regular sight sailing across Poole Harbour, passing Old Harry Rocks on the Purbeck Coast. Some of the places to watch the final departure of from the shoreline include:

• Baiter Park - A view across Poole Harbour with Brownsea Island in the background (Parking at Harbourside Park Car Park)

• Sandbanks Ferry - The Barfleur passes close to the chain ferry at the opening of Poole Harbour, about 20 minutes after its departure time. Spectators can get a close-up view before it makes a sharp turn towards the Channel (Parking at Sandbanks Surface Car Park)

• Studland - On the other side of the entrance to Poole Harbour, Barfleur will be visible from Shell Bay Beach (Parking at National Trust Shell Bay Beach Car Park)

• Swanage - Sailing along the Purbeck coast, Barfleur has been a familiar sight crossing Swanage Bay as it heads towards the open sea

The date of the final departure was brought forward last week as Barfleur had to be moved to the Cherbourg-Rosslare route after its alternative back-up, Commodore Clipper, had suffered a gearbox failure which meant it had been temporarily withdrawn from service.

The technical issue with Commodore Clipper also led to the Portsmouth-Le Havre service being ended earlier than planned.

Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries, previously apologised for the "disappointment" caused to passengers using the Poole-Cherbourg service.

"The reality is that, post Brexit, Rosslare-Cherbourg has a strategically significant route for Brittany Ferries, carrying nearly 25% of all freight traffic so we must prioritise," he said.

"It has been a privilege to serve the Poole-Cherbourg route since 1986.

"But we should be clear that we will still sail to Guernsey and on to France in our fast craft from Poole, even if we must say an early adieu to a much-loved vessel and direct services from Poole to Cherbourg."

Announcing the changes to its services in June, the company said that although it had repaid half of its Covid support loan, significant debt remained, alongside new costs from the the European Union Emissions Trading System, despite major investments in greener ships.