Cruise the Bay and beautiful River Dart in style

THE Nationally Registered Heritage passenger ship Fairmile – Torbay’s longest-operating original Torquay to Brixham ferry – has returned to service after an extensive £160,000 restoration refit.

The newly restored  historic World War Two  heritage ship has just undergone her largest refit since the family-run Greenway Ferry Company saved her in 2009 from being decommissioned in Poole returning her back to service in Torbay where she had plied during war and peacetime – now in her 72nd year.

The whole saloon was removed and  75 per cent of her deck replaced. There are new deck shelves, deck beams,  deck, floors and two brand new watertight double sheaved bulkheads, plus new seating and two new bars.

Will Ford, director of the Greenway Ferry Company, said: “As she defended our country, we are now defending her from the passage of time through our own financial commitment and with a team of enthusiasts, we know how much this ship is loved in Torbay and have done our bit to ensure that she can be enjoyed by all now and in the future as the bays longest serving passenger ship.”

“This will be the first time for her to be seen as she would have looked during her operation period in the Royal Navy as much as health and safety will allow.  Her newly restored medial bay on the top deck now dispenses alcoholic medicine in the midst of stretchers from the new 1940’s bar and we have reopened the Ward Room on the lower deck which has been completely refurbished with beautiful leather seats housing the ships original blueprints from WWII .  This refit has not just been for the ship but also for passenger comfort.  The newly commissioned purpose built porthole awning looks fabulous on the deck and passengers can now sit in pure comfort on the top and bottom deck and the seats can be folded away to create a massive dance floor for private charters and party boats.  Carrying capacity has been increased and passenger facilities modified even to the point of frothy coffee machines, draught beers and ice cream.  Our investment into Fairmile and the bay is proof of our commitment to this wonderful area and tourism as a whole not to mention a ship which is the last remaining type of her kind in passenger service from WWII. ”

Greenway Ferry also operate services departing Torquay and Brixham between the two towns for just £1 each way, Sea-Fari Wildlife Cruises and Agatha Christie Experiences to the National Trust property Greenway House in addition to the wonderful 1940′s Vintage Bus which was the ex Mobile Library from TV show Heartbeat.

www.greenwayferry.co.uk
information line: 01803 882811