Table of Contents
Good news: Mersey Ferries are back in business from today, Tuesday 3 November, as the new £26m Royal Daffodil enters full passenger service.
There have been no ferries on the river since 10 October, when Snowdrop, the only boat then in service, was taken out with an ongoing problem with its engine. The Royal Iris was retired earlier this year.
Merseytravel says the Royal Daffodil will run the morning and evening commuter services, the Liverpool Sightseeing Cruise, previously known as the River Explorer Cruise, and evening cruises.
Snowdrop is expected to stay out of action for several more weeks, according to Liverpool Business News.
The new boat was built at the APCL Balaena shipyard in Birkenhead, formerly Cammell Laird. She is the first new Mersey Ferry in around 60 years, and made her first voyage in September.
Painted in the ferries' red, white and black, she has a lounge, catering, open decks and panoramic windows. There is also a lift, USB charging points, baby-changing facilities and cycle parking.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: "The Mersey Ferries are part of who we are as a city region. They've carried generations of people across the river, welcomed millions of visitors and become one of the most recognisable symbols of our home."
He added: "She's a fantastic new vessel, built right here on the banks of the Mersey in Birkenhead, bringing our proud shipbuilding heritage together with the modern facilities passengers rightly expect."
The return ends a long run of disruption for commuters from Seacombe and Woodside, who were told to use trains while the ferries were suspended.
Timetables and tickets are on the Mersey Ferries website.
