Ferry passengers
Ferry fast or ferry slow?
The fast-ferry challenge Car ferries have not gone unchallenged, however. A variety
of fast craft have come along to give even shorter crossing
times. First there were hovercraft, floating on a cushion of
air and powered by aero engines driving propellers. Then came
slightly more conventional craft, including those built to
twin-hulled design called a catamaran. Their hull design and
powerful engines allow them to cross in almost half the time of a
conventional ferry. However, as yet these fast craft have
limited accommodation for vehicles other than cars. A major limitation, especially out of the summer season, is that
fast ferries are very uncomfortable even when the weather is
rough. Indeed, their operators do not let them cross when the
wind rises above a certain speed. They are unlikely to
replace conventional ferries all together. Ferry cruises On longer overnight crossings, such as those across the North
Sea, the passenger will find on the ferry many of the facilities
expected on a cruise ship. This could include fine dining,
entertainers, dancing and a casino. Indeed, ferry companies
often market their crossings as mini-cruises. That people
choose to travel by ferry for pleasure shows how far sea travel has
come since the days when only those who absolutely needed to do so
would venture on to a sailing packet.
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