North-Sea-Ferries

A break for those living in the Midlands and North, and wishing to travel to the Continent with their cars without the tedium of driving to the south coast car-ferries is provided by the new Drive on—Drive off m.v. Norwave which operates between Hull and Rotterdam. Although she flies the British flag, is British registered and has a British crew, she was, built in Bremerhaven; but it is not in my province to discuss the politics of this arrangement. The Norwave, built in 1965, has a gross tonnage of 3,950, carries 235 passengers, 100 cars and 65 trucks, and is powered by Smit-Bohnes diesel engines developing 5,600 h.p. She has a Tranquilduct stabiliser and Decca radar, etc.

Instead of the tiring road journey south, passengers can have dinner, and sleep in adequate cabins, whilst their cars are being transported across the North Sea to the new Dutch Europort. The other side of the coin, and there always is one, is the nerve-racking experience at night of knowing, and hearing in rough weather, that the cars and heavy freighters “straining at the leash” are on the decks above the cabins; but there are some Special Class cabins above these decks.

The maiden voyage, laid on for the Press, was a specially testing one as force-10 winds were raging, and we were assured that on a schedule trip she would not have put out to sea.

Costs are very reasonable and include dinner, bed and breakfast. Passenger fares range from Standard Class single at £6 10s.(unberthed, £5 10s.) to £15 return for Special Class; children are free up to one year and half-fare up to 11 years. Cars are conveyed from £4 single up to 11 ft., to £25 return for those over 16 ft. 6 in. Further details from. : North Sea Ferries Ltd., King George Dock, Hedon Road, Hull.