Understanding Various Types Of Ferries And Ships

Ferries

Ferries are types of boats which are very commonly found in areas where the main modem of transportation happens through water. In such areas, ferries are used not just to transport passengers from one shore to another but to carry cargo as well.

Ferries are native to Greece and over the centuries have made their presence known not just in Greece and Europe but also in Africa and wide across the world.

However, the term “ferry” is a very generic one. There are many different types of ferries that are in existence today. The name by which each ferry is known is unique and is named so because of its major characteristic or feature. Some of the main types of ferries can be listed as follows:

Catamarans:

Catamarans are a famous ferry type. They generally are operated as passenger boats and are exceedingly popular wherever they are used. Speed is the major USP of a catamaran and for this reason alone a catamaran ride is favourite among people – young and old alike. One of the most famous catamaran services are operated in the UK by the shipping company Stena Line.

Channel Ferries:

In simple terms, channel ferries are ferries that cross the English Channel as their routine voyage. Channel ferries as a means of transportation were introduced in the early 19th century because of the difficulties posed to ships in the treacherous English Channel waters in both England as well as France. The Channel ferries were small and speedier thus making them a very trustworthy transportation vessel in the English Channel. In today’s times, there are many variants of Channel ferries that undertake journey not just between England and France but via the English Channel to other parts of Europe as well.

Car Ferries:

Car ferries are basically cargo ferries that help carry cars and other automobile vehicles. Car ferries have two different interpretations. In the United States, car ferries are used to ferry railway carts or cars. These railway cars are loaded into the ferry with the help of tracks that can be attached and detached at will. These attachable and detachable adjustments are also called as Roll-On/Roll-Off ramps. These ramps form the car ferry type in the United Kingdom.

Roll-On/Roll-Off Ferries:

These ferries are also known as Ro-Ro ferries. They are a very useful ferry type especially when it comes to cargo hauling in the form of other vehicles. This type of ferry is mainly used in the United Kingdom. There are also certain other ferries that use such Ro-Ro ramps for boarding of vehicles in addition to the ferrying of passengers. Such ferries are called as cruise ferries.

Double-Ended Ferries:

The front and the back portion of this type of ferry – known as the prow and the stern – can be alternated. In simple terms, it can be said that while making a journey to a particular port, the prow and the stern remain as the parts mentioned; while the ferry makes a return journey, the prow gets converted into the stern and vice verse.

There are various companies that offer ferry services. But there is no other like the Ferry Crossings. Ferry Crossings’ ferry services are widely known throughout Europe and they are exceedingly popular among people who are keenly interested in taking ferry tours and cruises.

In certain places in the world, ferries are a way of life. Without them, normal existence comes to a pause in these areas. In other areas, ferries provide excursion tours and services and thus become a major source of entertainment for the general public. With so many utilities provided, there is no doubt that a ferry is unique and the services provided are completely singular and unlike any other medium of transportation.

Types of International Ships 

If you are going to work in the shipping sector or have a general interest in sailing the seas then you might want to know what different types of ships there are. You may come across a wide range of different vessels and it’s useful to be able to identify them when you are out at sea. It is also important to note that safety regulations vary a lot depending on what type of ship you are operating. Each type of vessel has its own strict regulations that must be followed.

Working on each type of ship can also be completely different, so it’s definitely worth doing your research before you apply for a job. For example, working on a fishing vessel is a completely different experience to a cargo ship.

Marine industry experts and experienced sailors will have a good idea of the different types of ship. If you are new to the industry then here are some of the main types of international ships that you will probably come across on your travels.

 Cargo Ships

Cargo ships are generally used to transport cargo safely from one place to another. They will have a ship with a multi-deck or single-deck hull. There are thousands of cargo ships on the move around the world, transporting good across the globe. They are crucial to international trade. Cargo ships can transport things such as food, petroleum, furniture, metals, clothes and machinery.

RoRo (Roll on Roll Off

Most vehicles that are being transported over water internationally are done on a Roll on Roll off ship. The reason this ship is so popular to transport vehicles is that it’s safer and much faster to just drive a car onto the ship than using a crane. Once the cars are aboard, they are braced to the ship’s deck to keep them from moving around while the ship is at sea. This is the type we use primarily for shipping to the UK & other countries for our vehicles.

Tankers

Tankers are ships that primarily carry huge quantities of liquid. They can carry a wide range of liquids such as oil, water, wine and lots of different chemicals that need transporting. They come in lots of different sizes but some of the larger vessels have the capacity to carry several hundred thousand tons.

Passenger Ships

Passenger ships are officially defined as ships that carry more than 12 passengers. If you own a passenger ship then you will need to abide by strict safety regulations. There have been several disasters with passenger ships lately so the rules and regulations have been updated in a bid to try and improve safety. Passengers should be able to travel in a safe and comfortable environment. Passenger ships also include cruise and holiday ships.

Fishing Vessel

Fishing vessels are boats and ships designed to catch fish and marine wildlife. They are used for leisure purposes but also for commercial fishing. There are millions of fishing vessels being used to catch fish around the world. If you are considering working on a fishing vessel then it is important to know that they are very dangerous. According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) there are around 24, 000 deaths on fishing vessels each year. All ships engaged in international voyages must install an ECDIS. Electronic chart display and information systems can help fisherman avoid bad weather and navigate through international seas.

High Speed Craft

High speed crafts are also sometimes called ‘fast ferries’. They are mainly designed for civilian use as passenger ferries. They also include hovercrafts, catamarans and hydrofoil boats. High speed crafts are able to go faster because they use air pressure and powerful turbine propellers.