HSC Jonathan Swift
HSC Jonathan Swift crossing the Irish Sea
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: | HSC Jonathan Swift |
| Operator: | Irish Ferries |
| Port of registry: |
 Limassol
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| Route: | Dublin-Holyhead |
| Builder: | Austal Ships, Australia |
| Cost: | IR£29 million |
| Yard number: | 94 |
| Launched: | February 1999 |
| Completed: | April 1999 |
| In service: | July 1999 |
| Identification: | IMO number: 9188881 |
| Status: | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | High-speed catamaran |
| Tonnage: | 5,992 GT |
| Length: | 86.6 m (284 ft 1 in) |
| Beam: | 24.4 m (80 ft 1 in) |
| Draught: | 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) |
| Decks: | 1 + Mezzanine/Swing Deck |
| Deck clearance: | 4.2M Full Height / 2.7M + 2.1M on Mezzanine |
| Installed power: | 4x Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines |
| Propulsion: | 4x Kamewa Waterjets |
| Capacity: |
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HSC Jonathan Swift (aka Dublin Swift) is a high-speed ferry that is owned and operated by Irish Ferries on their Dublin-Holyhead service. She is named after the Anglo-Irish author Jonathan Swift.
The vessel, a catamaran built by Austal Ships in Australia, was the first high-speed craft operated by Irish Ferries. She entered service in July 1999.
Jonathan Swift was constructed by Austal Ships in Henderson, Australia, at a cost IR£29 million. The vessel was launched in February 1999 and was delivered to Dublin in May 1999, before entering service in July 1999.
The vessel is of a catamaran design.
Power is provided by four Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines with a total output of 28,800 kW. The vessel employs four Kamewa waterjets for propulsion and has a service speed of 40 knots (75 km/h).
Jonathan Swift was designed to allow quick turnarounds at port. It is equipped with a bow door which allows vehicles to drive on at either end and drive straight off at the end of the journey. The vessel was able to use existing terminal facilities in both ports.
The vessel offers a number of catering facilities and seating areas. A "Club Class" lounge is available at an additional cost to the passenger which offers complimentary refreshments and reserved seating. Also available are shopping facilities and a video game arcade.
The introduction of Jonathan Swift was delayed due to an industrial dispute between Irish Ferries and the trade union SIPTU, who represented seven officers that had been transferred from the company's conventional ferry operations to man the new high-speed ferry. These officers refused to operate the vessel at lower manning levels which had been proposed by Irish Ferries. Irish Ferries threatened to sell or charter Jonathan Swift if the issue was not resolved.
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