New Mersey Ferry Launched at Cammell Laird - MV Royal Daffodil

Today was the launch of a brand new Mersey Ferry the first in more than 60 years. Painted in the traditional colours of Black, red and white. Built at Cammell Laird she will enter service around Summer 2026 or sooner and sail up and down the River Mersey. She was helped off the slipway and in to the wet basin ready for here final fittings and some testing by three tugs VB DONAU, VB SANDON and VB BELGIE. Update: Mr Rotheram has revealed for the first time which of the two existing 60-year-old vessels – Royal Iris and Snowdrop – would be taken out of the service when Royal Daffodil is introduced into service next year. It is Royal Iris that is for the chop. “So the Dazzle Ferry (Snowdrop) will be staying and what we are going to do is take some of the parts from Royal Iris to use in Snowdrop. We will look to see if we can do similar to what has been done with the original Daffodil – maybe on the Wirral side of the river.” He was referring to the previous Royal Daffodil which has been converted into a multi-million pound bar and restaurant attraction in Canning Dock, next to Royal Albert Dock, by entrepreneurs Philip Olivier and Joshua Boyd.