HSC Condor Vitesse
Encyclopedia
The HSC Condor Vitesse is a 86m fast catamaran
ferry
operated by Condor Ferries
.
Yards in Tasmania
, Australia
as Incat 044 but was not ordered by any ferry
company. She was sent to Europe and arrived in July 1997 at Portland
and was later moved to Århus, Denmark
. By moving the vessel to Europe
, Incat
hoped that she would attract a buyer. In late 1997 Condor Ferries
announced that they would again run services from Weymouth in 1998. The service was to operate to Guernsey
and St Malo using the Condor 10
but in March 1998 Condor Ferries
announced they would charter the Incat 044 and rename her Condor Vitesse for the new service. The charter had the option to purchase which was later taken up. She operated in 1998 at a reduced passenger capacity of 500 passengers and 90 cars in order to provide space to transfer passengers from the Condor Express
Poole
-Channel Islands
service should the need arise. Condor Express
had suffered a number of mechanical problems during her first year in service in 1997 and also during 1998, these problems meant that the Condor Vitesse had to move to the Poole
-Channel Islands
service a number of times during that year. During the winter of 1999 Condor Vitesse was chartered to Tranz Rail
for the Interisland Line service and carried the marketing name of The Lynx. She returned to Europe
for the summer to continue operating for Condor Ferries
. In 2001 Condor Ferries
and Brittany Ferries
entered into an agreement to run a Poole
-Cherbourg fastcraft service. Condor Vitesse was chosen for this service, possibly because of her French
sounding name, and she began sailing on the route in May 2001 as well as operating for Condor Ferries
in the afternoon between Poole
and St Malo calling at one of the Channel Islands
on the way. The fastcraft service was great success carrying double what was predicted. The summer operation pattern of a morning round trip between Poole
and Cherbourg then an afternoon round trip to St Malo continues to this day. In 2003 her livery was modified with the application of the new Condor Ferries and Brittany Ferries logos, it was altered again in 2007 when three flags were painted on the ships side forward of the bridge. The flags are those of Jersey
, Guernsey
and St Malo.
Condor Vitesse is registered in Nassau, Bahamas
.
On 28 March 2011, she was involved in a collision with a fishing boat near the Minquiers
whilst en route from St Malo in foggy conditions. A French fisherman died in the collision. Shortly after the incident, the fisherman was identified to be a Mr.Phillippe Claude Lesaulnier, Aged 42.A further investigation is underway.
Condor Vitesse carries small Brittany Ferries branding on both side towards the stern. In Brittany Ferries publicity the positioning of the Condor and Brittany branding is reversed or the Condor branding is removed altogether.
Condor Vitesse was the first vessel to carry the current Brittany Ferries
logo.
Shops
Other facilities
Catamaran
A catamaran is a type of multihulled boat or ship consisting of two hulls, or vakas, joined by some structure, the most basic being a frame, formed of akas...
ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
operated by Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the Channel Islands.-Recent history:...
.
History
Condor Vitesse was built in 1997 at the IncatINCAT
INCAT is a part of Tata Technologies Limited, a company in the Tata Group and operates in the field of Automotive Industry providing Engineering and Design solutions. The company took over a much larger player in the field namely INCAT, a Europe based company, in 2005...
Yards in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
as Incat 044 but was not ordered by any ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
company. She was sent to Europe and arrived in July 1997 at Portland
Portland Harbour
Portland Harbour is located beside the Isle of Portland, off Dorset, on the south coast of England. It is one of the largest man-made harbours in the world. Grid reference: .-History:...
and was later moved to Århus, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. By moving the vessel to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Incat
INCAT
INCAT is a part of Tata Technologies Limited, a company in the Tata Group and operates in the field of Automotive Industry providing Engineering and Design solutions. The company took over a much larger player in the field namely INCAT, a Europe based company, in 2005...
hoped that she would attract a buyer. In late 1997 Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the Channel Islands.-Recent history:...
announced that they would again run services from Weymouth in 1998. The service was to operate to Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
and St Malo using the Condor 10
HSC Condor 10
The HSC Condor 10 is a 74m fast catamaran ferry formerly operated by Condor Ferries but now operating in Pusan, South Korea.-History:Condor 10 was built in 1992 at the Incat Yards in Tasmania, Australia as Condor Ten but was renamed Condor 10 shortly after...
but in March 1998 Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the Channel Islands.-Recent history:...
announced they would charter the Incat 044 and rename her Condor Vitesse for the new service. The charter had the option to purchase which was later taken up. She operated in 1998 at a reduced passenger capacity of 500 passengers and 90 cars in order to provide space to transfer passengers from the Condor Express
HSC Condor Express
The HSC Condor Express is a 86m fast catamaran ferry that runs between the UK and the Channel Islands. It is operated by Condor Ferries.-History:...
Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
-Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
service should the need arise. Condor Express
HSC Condor Express
The HSC Condor Express is a 86m fast catamaran ferry that runs between the UK and the Channel Islands. It is operated by Condor Ferries.-History:...
had suffered a number of mechanical problems during her first year in service in 1997 and also during 1998, these problems meant that the Condor Vitesse had to move to the Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
-Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
service a number of times during that year. During the winter of 1999 Condor Vitesse was chartered to Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Ltd , was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.- Formation :...
for the Interisland Line service and carried the marketing name of The Lynx. She returned to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for the summer to continue operating for Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the Channel Islands.-Recent history:...
. In 2001 Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the Channel Islands.-Recent history:...
and Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries is a French ferry company that runs ships between France, the UK, Ireland and Spain.-1970s and 1980s:Following the provision of the deep-water port at Roscoff, the company commenced in January 1973 at the instigation of Alexis Gourvennec, when existing ferry companies showed...
entered into an agreement to run a Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
-Cherbourg fastcraft service. Condor Vitesse was chosen for this service, possibly because of her French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
sounding name, and she began sailing on the route in May 2001 as well as operating for Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the Channel Islands.-Recent history:...
in the afternoon between Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
and St Malo calling at one of the Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
on the way. The fastcraft service was great success carrying double what was predicted. The summer operation pattern of a morning round trip between Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
and Cherbourg then an afternoon round trip to St Malo continues to this day. In 2003 her livery was modified with the application of the new Condor Ferries and Brittany Ferries logos, it was altered again in 2007 when three flags were painted on the ships side forward of the bridge. The flags are those of Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
, Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
and St Malo.
Condor Vitesse is registered in Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
.
Incidents
Condor Vitesse was holed after colliding with the jetty in St Malo on March 22, 2008.On 28 March 2011, she was involved in a collision with a fishing boat near the Minquiers
Minquiers
The Minquiers are a group of islands and rocks situated 9 miles south of Jersey forming part of the Bailiwick of Jersey....
whilst en route from St Malo in foggy conditions. A French fisherman died in the collision. Shortly after the incident, the fisherman was identified to be a Mr.Phillippe Claude Lesaulnier, Aged 42.A further investigation is underway.
Condor Vitesse in Brittany Ferries marketing
Brittany Ferries have used a variety of marketing names for the vessel in its publicity and ticketing. The ship has been advertised as Brittany Ferries Condor Vitesse and Vitesse. Since 2005 she is referred to as Normandie Vitesse except in the Brittany Ferries information leaflet for the ship which refers to her as Vitesse.Condor Vitesse carries small Brittany Ferries branding on both side towards the stern. In Brittany Ferries publicity the positioning of the Condor and Brittany branding is reversed or the Condor branding is removed altogether.
Condor Vitesse was the first vessel to carry the current Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries is a French ferry company that runs ships between France, the UK, Ireland and Spain.-1970s and 1980s:Following the provision of the deep-water port at Roscoff, the company commenced in January 1973 at the instigation of Alexis Gourvennec, when existing ferry companies showed...
logo.
Regular routes
- PoolePoolePoole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
-Cherbourg mid-May to late September/early October 2001 - present - PoolePoolePoole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
-GuernseyGuernseyGuernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
/JerseyJerseyJersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
-St Malo mid-May to late September/early October 2001 - present - PoolePoolePoole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
/Weymouth-Channel IslandsChannel IslandsThe Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
(some services continuing to St Malo) rest of the year
Onboard facilities
Bars and restaurants- Café - Main Deck.
- Bar - Upper Deck.
Shops
- Duty free/duty paid (depending on route) shop
Other facilities
- Children's playroom - Main Deck.
- Club Lounge - Main Deck.
- Reclining seats - Main Deck.
Sister ships
- Condor ExpressHSC Condor ExpressThe HSC Condor Express is a 86m fast catamaran ferry that runs between the UK and the Channel Islands. It is operated by Condor Ferries.-History:...
- Tarifa JetHSC Tarifa JetThe HSC Tarifa Jet is a 86m fast catamaran ferry operated by Förde Reederei Seetouristik Iberia S.L.-Operator:FRS Iberia S.L.The FRS-service between Continental Europe and Morocco has been initiated back in 2000 on a year-round basis.-History:...
- Condor Rapide / Jervis Bay