Ferry passengers
Ferries for vehicles
Between the First and Second World Wars car ownership grew
rapidly. Motorists wanted to be able to take their cars abroad.
However, with conventional ferries their cars had to be put aboard
and taken off with cranes. This was slow, and the car could easily
be damaged. So why not mimic the train ferry, and arrange for cars
to be driven on to the ferry? Hence the vehicle ferry was born. Its
development was given a big boost by the craft built in huge
numbers by the Allies in the Second World War. These had ramps and
in some cases bow doors, allowing tanks and other vehicles to be
driven off onto invasion beaches. 
 `Viking Venturer` car and passenger ferry |
Today the conventional, passenger-only ferry is the exception.
Train ferries survive on a few routes, but on some of the major
routes such as across the English Channel or the Great Belt, fixed
rail links have made them redundant. However, the vehicle ferry
goes from strength to strength. On major routes they have grown to
the same size as ocean-going passenger liners. Even on short
crossings, they offer the passenger a range of facilities,
including shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, gaming machines, and
play areas for children. These facilities aim at encouraging the passenger to use one
ferry company rather than a rival, or - on the English Channel -
rather than the competing rail tunnel. A further objective is to
make ferry travel fun, and encourage passengers to take short
trips, even day trips. Further attractions, especially on the
English Channel, are wine, food and other goods that can be bought
more cheaply in France than in Britain.
|
