Pont-Aven Ferry on Cork to Roscoff route undergoing significant overhaul

The Pont-Aven ferry, which travels the Cork to France route, is undergoing an “extensive overhaul” in the coming weeks, as one of the ship's engines is being cut out and replaced.

The interior of the ship will also be upgraded before it returns to Cork in March.

The ferry was also out of service for a time last year as it was undergoing repairs fora hydraulic failure, with a number of sailings out of Cork cancelled.

Hugh Bruton, General Manager of Brittany Ferries Ireland said: “As part of an extensive overhaul, one of Pont-Aven’s four MaK 12VM43 main engines is being replaced with a brand new one with the work taking place at the Remontowa Shiprepair Yard in Gdansk, Poland.

“This involved cutting a hole in the side of the ship in order to crane out the old engine and in the new one. This means that when Pont-Aven re-enters service in March, she’ll be able to operate at full cruising speed (24 knots) compared to around 20 knots currently,” he said.

“The ship’s interior spaces will also receive a thorough spruce-up – ready to welcome passengers back on board when the ship returns to Cork on Saturday 21st March,” he added.

The Pont-Aven will then operate regular weekly departures from Cork to Roscoff every Saturday until 31st October.

“We look forward to this year’s new sailing season, welcoming new and existing customers who recognise the many advantages of ferry travel on the Cork to France route,” Mr Bruton said.