1987 to 2007

20 years ago the largest ferries ever built at that time entered service on the short sea service between Dover and Calais. The two ships represented an investment of over £85 million by European Ferries for the Townsend Thoresen operation, apart from technical refinement and points of consumer appeal to compete with both existing ferry opposition and any future English Channel fixed link, the mv Pride of Dover and mv Pride of Calais are claimed to have acheieved greater cost effectiveness per freight unit transported than previous vessels.

With the proposed Channel Tunnel eventually likly to provide a new dimension of competition, Townsend Thoresen deliverately set out to enhance the travel experience of seaborne passengers with a philosophy much along the lines of the big Baltic combines and in some respoecets the interior ambience of the hugh new ships was quite reminiscent of Viking Line's vessels with large scale use of mahogany and brass.

The aim was to create an impression of giving travellers more than they pay for. The accomodation at the time designed to cater for 2300 passengers is spread over two main decks with room below for a total of 650 cars on two complete decks, each with additional speace on hoistable platforms.

Traffic on the Dover to Calais route took a tremendours leap forward from 1980 with the introduction of the mv Spirit of Free Enterprise, mv Pride of Free Enterprise and the mv Herald of Free Enterprise, vessels of almost 8000 tons which became known as the 'Spirit' Class, and which had sufficient speed to make as many five return crossings in a 24-hour period, taking up to 1300 passengers and 350 cars a trip. They were built by Schichau Unterweser, the Bremerhaven concern also responsible for another four Townsend new builds in addition to the englargement of a further four vessels in the fleet, and it was logical that the German yard would be entrusted with the task of constructing the latest ships. Obviously a lot of features from the 'Spirit' class were incorporated in the new vessels.

The mv Pride of Dover was the first to enter service, and commenced sea trials during May 1987 and after preliminary visits to try out the newly installed twin-level, double-width berths at both Dover and Calais. The ship officially entered service on the 2nd June 1987, taking the 10:30 departure from Dover. Sadly the debut was overshadowed by the loss of the mv Herald of Free Enterprise two months earlier.

Apart from a choice of bars and lounge areas there was a wide range of eating options including a 55 seat restaurant with full silver service, two self-service cafeterias seating 292 and 204 respectively, plus a further 55-seat lounge/diner. A completly fresh innovation at the time was a 180 capacity function suite. The ships were introduced at the height of Duty Free sales and the ships utilised this to great advantage, boasting an extensive shopping complex.

The mv Pride of Dover carried 250,000 passengers in its first six weeks of service and was joined by sister mv Pride of Calais on the 1st December, the mv Pride of Calais being delivered in the new full P&O blue.

So after 20 years of service out of the Kent port, the two ships are still going strong and are still recognised to this day as being the most successful short-sea ferries introduced, where other ships have come and gone these soldier on. Internally the ships have changed signifantly during the many many refits and overhauls over the years but one thing remains and that is the fact they are very comfortable ships to travel aboard and will hopefully be in service for a further decade.

During January 2007 the announcement was made that their careers are coming to a closure. New replacement ships are being designed and built and due to enter service in 2011 on the short sea passage. Without a doubt the new ships will have a hard task ahead of them when replacing these two ageing ships. It is hoped that the new ships will assume the same historic names when they enter service, and what will become of the current ships. Well at 24 / 25 years old they will still have some life left in them.

mv Pride of Calais seen approaching Calais in October 2008.