The Saga Moon leaves Norfolkline
Belfast, January 28th 2010
A ‘Saga’, by definition is a long story of heroic achievement, and so it is for the ‘Saga Moon’, the oldest ship in the Norfolkline fleet as she bids farewell to Norfolkline and sails to Mexico.
In its 25 years of trading, the trusty old ship which is not only very safe and reliable, but extremely popular with its customers, has travelled a staggering 1.6 nautical miles - far enough to take it round the earth 63 times. She now bids a fond farewell and ‘Bon Voyage’ to Norfolkline as she begins the next chapter of her adventures, setting sail for a new home in the Gulf of California at La Paz, Mexico.
As she leaves Norfolkline, she can boast an enviable record, having made 14,271 voyages, carried 766,950 Trucks and Trailers and 198,363 new cars as well as 30,479 horse boxes.
To mark her departure, Norfolkline is using the opportunity to raise funds for Seafarers UK, the leading charity for the UK’s maritime community. Seafarers UK gives grants to organisations that help serving or ex-serving seafarers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy or fishing fleets, and their families.
Seafarers UK do not give grants to individuals, but funds expert front-line charities that work directly with seafarers in distress. These charities help with all aspects of seafarers’ welfare, including accommodation, medical services, disability services, financial aid, childcare, education and training and youth activities.
The winner of the competition will be the person who most accurately estimates how long it will take the Saga Moon to get from Belfast to La Paz in the Gulf of California. We will tell all those who enter that the Captain’s estimate of the transit time is approximately 22 days – and although it sounds easy! – Don’t forget about the Currents, tides, delays at the Panama Canal and possibly bad weather that all make it a little more difficult to guess the exact duration of the voyage.
The charity hopes to raise several thousand pounds and all donations are welcome.
There is a superb range of prizes to be won, with the first prize of a trip to Mexico for 2 people, including 7 nights accommodation and return flights. Second prize is for a return crossing on Norfolkline Irish Sea for a car and 2 people and 2 tickets to a home Liverpool F.C. match, and third prize is for 2 return flights to Paris, and many more.
Anyone wishing to take part can find out more on the Norfolkline Irish Sea ferries website: