Built at Cammell Laird at a cost of £26m, the new Mersey Ferry Royal Daffodil will shortly be coming into service – and here are the people making sure she is ship-shape and ready to go. Tony McDonough reports

 

Royal Daffodil will be the first new Mersey Ferry to come into service for 60 years when she welcomes her first passengers on board shortly.

Built by skilled workers at Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, Royal Daffodil represents a £26m investment by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. A date for her to enter service has yet to be announced.

In the last couple of months she has been undergoing trials and has been a regular sight on the River Mersey. It is taking a whole team of people with a range of skills to make sure she will be ship-shape and ready to go.

Behind the scenes, captains, engineers, deckhands and customer service staff are undergoing training on the vessel, learning new systems, mastering new technology and preparing to welcome passengers aboard the most modern ferries:

Marine operations manager Ian Hayman

We’ve reached a huge milestone recently because for the first time, Royal Daffodil has been operated entirely by our own crew, from the engineers and bridge team through to the deckhands. It’s been fantastic to see the progress everyone has made.”

“I’ve spent ten years working on Royal Daffodil and seeing that vision become reality, and even exceeding our expectations, is absolutely fantastic.”

Unlike the existing fleet, Royal Daffodil uses modern diesel-electric technology and highly manoeuvrable propulsion systems, giving crews far greater control while also requiring them to learn entirely new ways of operating.

Ian added: “This is a completely different vessel to what we’ve operated before. It’s more responsive, more modern and gives us opportunities to deliver an even better experience for passengers. But bringing a vessel like this into service is a huge team effort.”

 

 

Captain Gary Simpson

“The difference between Royal Daffodil and the vessels we’ve operated before is night and day. The propulsion system is completely different, and the learning curve has been huge,” explained Gary.

“It’s been exciting from the very beginning. We saw the vessel when it was still being built, then worked on simulators, then sea trials, and now we’re operating her ourselves. To see everything coming together is really special.

“I was the last captain of Royal Iris passenger service, so saying goodbye was emotional because she meant a lot to so many people. But looking at what we’ve got now, Royal Daffodil is an absolute game-changer for Mersey Ferries.”

 

 

Engineer Dawang Haruna

“I come from a family of engineers,” said Dawn. “My dad and my grandad were both mechanical engineers, so engineering has always been part of who I am. I’ve always had a passion for both machinery and life on the water.”

After training as a marine engineer in Nigeria and spending more than a decade at sea, Haruna moved to the UK and joined Mersey Ferries.

He added: “Very few engineers get the chance to be involved with a brand-new vessel from construction through to commissioning and into service. It’s a once-in-a-career opportunity and I’m very proud to be part of that story.

“We’re moving from systems that were much more manual to systems that are highly automated and diagnostic-led. The technology, reliability and environmental performance are on another level, and we’ve all been learning something new.”

 

 

Deckhand Phil Rogers

“A lot of the training is about getting familiar with the vessel and understanding all the new systems. Communication is a huge part of it because everybody needs to work together,” said Phil.

“It makes me really proud to be part of bringing a new vessel into service. Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, so I feel very privileged to be part of the crew helping to write the next chapter for Mersey Ferries.

“The best thing about working at Mersey Ferries is the sense of togetherness. Whether you’re on deck, in the engine room or on the bridge, everybody works together and everybody plays a part.”

 

 

Marine customer service officer Katey Hutchinson

After spending more than a decade working in the international yachting industry, Katey returned home to Liverpool city region and joined Mersey Ferries earlier this year.

She said: “For me, working on the Mersey Ferries combines two things I’ve always loved, being on the water and meeting people. Every day is different, whether we’re carrying commuters, welcoming visitors from around the world or helping families enjoy a day out on the river.

“Being part of the training on Royal Daffodil has been really exciting. The vessel is a huge step forward and it’s amazing to see the difference in the technology, the space and the facilities on board.

“It’s an exciting time to be part of Mersey Ferries and I feel very proud to be helping prepare such an important vessel for service.”

 

 

Painted in Mersey Ferries’ historic red, white and black colours, the new ferry features a contemporary main-deck lounge, modern bars, and spacious open-plan decks where passengers can relax and enjoy stunning views across the River Mersey.

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The vessel has also been designed with versatility in mind, with dedicated event spaces that transform the ferry into a unique venue for conferences, corporate functions, and private celebrations, offering an iconic setting on the waterfront.

Accessibility is also a top priority throughout the design. A fully accessible interior includes a dedicated lift providing easy access to the upper deck, ensuring all passengers can enjoy the ferry’s facilities and panoramic views.