After months of sea trials the first Mersey Ferry to be built in 60 years, the £26m Royal Daffodil, embarks on her maiden voyage following a special naming ceremony with her first public cruise just days away. Tony McDonough reports

Royal Daffodil has embarked on her maiden voyage as the first Mersey Ferry to be built in 60 years.

Costing £26m and constructed by skilled workers and apprentices at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, Royal Daffodil has been undergoing sea trials since the spring. She replaces Royal Iris which was taken out of service earlier this year.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram was joined by Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics Keir Mather and celebrity host Claire Sweeney, along with other guests, for the traditional naming ceremony.

This event shone a spotlight on the vital role Mersey Ferries continues to play in connecting communities, supporting tourism and proudly showcasing Liverpool city region to visitors from around the world.

Tuesday’s maiden voyage will be followed by Royal Daffodil’s first public cruise on Saturday, for those lucky passengers who were selected at random from a free ballot. She will enter general service later in the autumn joining existing vessel Snowdrop.

Steve Rotheram said: “Anyone from this part of the world understands the significance Mersey Ferries conjure in the minds of people – they are part of the very fabric of our skyline, our history and our identity.

“And thanks in no small part to Gerry Marsden, they’re a part of the soundtrack of this place too – and I wish he could have been here today.

“With Royal Daffodil, we haven’t just spent £26mon a new ferry. We have invested in the people and the capability to build one right here on the banks of the Mersey. We have built something here that millions of people will see, use and enjoy for decades to come.”

Guests at today’s ceremony included civic leaders along with representatives from Cammell Laird. They received a warm welcome from the Sea Cadet Corps at the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal before the vessel received a traditional blessing.

A ceremonial bottle was then broken against the hull of Royal Daffodil, continuing a long-standing maritime tradition, while performances from Pleasant Street Primary School Choir and Liverpool Show Choir provided a fitting musical backdrop to the celebrations.

It concluded with a spectacular tugboat salute on the River Mersey as the  Royal Daffodil was officially welcomed into the Mersey Ferries fleet during its maiden voyage, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the iconic service.

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Painted in Mersey Ferries’ historic red, white and black colours, the vessel features a contemporary main-deck lounge, modern bars, and open-plan decks, while adjustable panoramic windows provide views of the waterfront.

Passengers can look forward to a range of features including USB charging points, engaging storytelling boards, baby changing facilities and dedicated cycle parking on the main deck.