Crews are being put through their paces aboard the new Royal Daffodil as the latest Mersey Ferry moves closer to entering passenger service.
Captains, engineers, deckhands and customer service staff are now undergoing extensive training on the vessel, getting to grips with new technology and operating systems ahead of its launch.
The Royal Daffodil is set to become the most modern ferry to operate on the River Mersey and represents a major change from the existing fleet.
It uses diesel-electric technology and highly manoeuvrable propulsion systems, while passengers will also find new bars, open-plan decks, event spaces and a contemporary main-deck lounge on board.
Marine Operations Manager Ian Hayman has worked on the Royal Daffodil project for around a decade and said a major milestone had now been reached, with the ferry operated entirely by Mersey Ferries’ own crew for the first time.
He said: “We’ve reached a huge milestone recently because for the first time, the 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.”
The change in technology means experienced Mersey Ferries crews have had to learn a new way of operating on the river.
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 is among those training on the new ferry after previously serving as the last captain of the Royal Iris passenger service.
He said: “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.
“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.”
There has also been a major change below deck, with the Royal Daffodil moving away from many of the more manual systems used on existing vessels.
Engineer Dawang Haruna, who trained as a marine engineer in Nigeria and spent more than a decade at sea before joining Mersey Ferries, said being involved in the introduction of a completely new ferry was a rare opportunity.
He said: “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.
“We call ourselves a crew because everybody plays a vital role. Just like a football team, everybody depends on everybody else.”
Deckhand Phil Rogers said much of the preparation had centred on learning the layout and systems of the new ferry and ensuring different parts of the crew could work effectively together.
He said: “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.
“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.”
Marine Customer Service Officer Katey Hutchinson is one of the newest members of the team.
She joined Mersey Ferries earlier this year after more than a decade working in the international yachting industry and has been helping to prepare the Royal Daffodil for passengers.
Katey said: “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’ traditional red, white and black colours, the Royal Daffodil has been designed to cater for both regular ferry passengers and the leisure market.
Its facilities include a main-deck lounge, modern bars and large open-plan outdoor areas offering views across the Mersey.
Dedicated event spaces will also allow the ferry to be used for conferences, corporate events and private celebrations.
Accessibility features include a lift providing access to the upper deck, with the interior designed to be fully accessible.
The new vessel forms part of Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram’s wider programme of investment in the region’s public transport network.
Once in service, the Royal Daffodil is also expected to play a significant role in the visitor economy, carrying passengers along the waterfront and providing a new leisure and events offer on the River Mersey.
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