MV ''Spirit of Gosport'' is a vessel owned by the Gosport Ferry Company Ltd and built by

Abels Shipbuilders Abels Shipbuilders Ltd was a ship and boat builder in Bristol, England. In addition to boat building, the company branched out into architectural sculptures, tidal energy and marine restoration, but closed in 2016. Business Founded in 1980 b ...

in Bristol.

History

''Spirit of Gosport'' was built in 2001 to replace '' Portsmouth Queen'' on ferry duties. However, the company also wanted to replace '' Solent Enterprise'', which operated cruise duties. The vessel was hardly used for the first few months and both existing ferries were kept in service. In 2003, she finally replaced '' Solent Enterprise'' on cruise duties. This continued until 2005, when a brand new vessel was purchased to replace ''Spirit of Gosport'' on cruise duties. Shortly after being awarded the contract for ''Spirit of Gosport'', Abels were awarded a follow-on contract for a second ferry, to be known as ''Spirit of Portsmouth''. However this vessel was only partially constructed when the ferry company cancelled the order, and the unfinished hull remained at Abel's shipyard for many years, before being completed as a medical missionary ferry, the '' Forth Hope''. This ship should not be confused with the subsequent '' Spirit of Portsmouth'' that now operates alongside the ''Spirit of Gosport''.

Characteristics

The ''Spirit of Gosport'' is in length and has a beam of and a draught of . She has a service speed of and a capacity of 300 passengers and 3 crew.

References

External links

*
Gosport Ferry Ferries of England Ships built in Bristol 2001 ships {{ferry-stub