On 1998, P&O Stena Line makes its last crossing between Dieppe and Newhaven. This departure is part of the traffic concentrating on the Calais-Dover line. Despite the creation of a high speed ferry service, the Seine-Maritime General Council manages quickly to create a company, in order to dessert Newhaven from Dieppe and to expand the local economy. This owner will be named Transmanche Ferries ; on 2001, when inaugurated, it will charter Corsica Sardinia Ferries's Sardinia Vera (you can discover the reportage made onboard by clicking here). One year later, the decision is made to buy a second vessel. The owner will choose Saga Star, and rename she Dieppe.
MV Côte d'Albâtre and MV Seven Sisters are respectively launched on 2005 and 2006 : they will replace Sardinia Vera (given back to her proprietary, Corsica Ferries) and Dieppe (sold to Polferries). Built in the Spanish shipyard Barreras, they are especially designed for the line they will dessert : their dimensions are selected in order both to make fast and sure maneuvers in these quite little ports, and to get as space onboard as possible.
For 2007 and until 2014, the management of the line and of Transmanche Ferries is entrusted to Louis Dreyfus, through subsidies amounting to 18 millions euros per year.
In last November, we made onboard three crossings, leaving Newhaven at 11 PM and disembarking in Dieppe the next day at 3 PM. That was the occasion for us to discover Seven Sister's organisation, both by day and by night.
MV Côte d'Albâtre and MV Seven Sisters are respectively launched on 2005 and 2006 : they will replace Sardinia Vera (given back to her proprietary, Corsica Ferries) and Dieppe (sold to Polferries). Built in the Spanish shipyard Barreras, they are especially designed for the line they will dessert : their dimensions are selected in order both to make fast and sure maneuvers in these quite little ports, and to get as space onboard as possible.
For 2007 and until 2014, the management of the line and of Transmanche Ferries is entrusted to Louis Dreyfus, through subsidies amounting to 18 millions euros per year.
In last November, we made onboard three crossings, leaving Newhaven at 11 PM and disembarking in Dieppe the next day at 3 PM. That was the occasion for us to discover Seven Sister's organisation, both by day and by night.
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From the electrical city of London to the calm port of Newhaven :
Two opposite atmospheres, separated by only one hour and a quarter of train
Two opposite atmospheres, separated by only one hour and a quarter of train
Newhaven's main economical activity is the port, and stands particularly on the Transmanche Ferries Dieppe line. The quite little city lives under the shadow of Brighton, one of the England's main watering cities, which can be reached within twenty minutes by car.
We register in the Newhaven port ferry terminal at half past eight, after being come by train from London (the travel costs less than six euros and spends about one hour and a quarter). This simplicity of access makes the difference between this line and the others cross-channel services, which are more difficult to reach from London by train or by bus.
We register in the Newhaven port ferry terminal at half past eight, after being come by train from London (the travel costs less than six euros and spends about one hour and a quarter). This simplicity of access makes the difference between this line and the others cross-channel services, which are more difficult to reach from London by train or by bus.
At about 22.40, we board on Seven Sisters : one bus is waiting the passengers at the terminal's exit, where they received the boarding card and they passed the customs controls.
We are directly lead before the car-ferry ramp. Arrived on the ship, we are directed to the guest relations, where the passengers having booked a cabin can get their keys.
We are directly lead before the car-ferry ramp. Arrived on the ship, we are directed to the guest relations, where the passengers having booked a cabin can get their keys.
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At 11, Seven Sisters is leaving the port of Newhaven. There is a few passengers onboard, the night crossing being usually preferred by the trucks drivers, who will profit of the sailing to sleep and to leave early then.
We rejoin then our cabin to sleep : the time of arrival in Dieppe is expected at 4 AM.
At about 3.45, the crew wakes up the cabin's guests in order to prepare the facilities for the next journey. Waking up is quite difficult at this so early hour (or so late, depending of the opinion), but many passengers watch the arrival maneuver.
At about 3.45, the crew wakes up the cabin's guests in order to prepare the facilities for the next journey. Waking up is quite difficult at this so early hour (or so late, depending of the opinion), but many passengers watch the arrival maneuver.
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After a nightly disembarking in Dieppe, followed by a second embarking at quarter past five, we approach Newhaven at 8. The sea is quite rough, and the passengers are once again not numerous on board. Before to reach the bridge in order to watch the last sailing hour and the arrival maneuver, we have breakfast in the Beachy Head Bar. In the distance, we can see the real Seven Sisters, which are the chalk cliffs in the vicinity of Newhaven.
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Seven Sisters arrives in advance in the port of Newhaven. The facilities are especially fitted for the two sister-ships, allowing easier maneuvers. The ramp, the quay protections, etc... are adapted to the ships dimensions.
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Once again, we disembark before coming back on the ship less than one hour and a half later.
We take place on the ship for a last crossing. This time, we will finally meet the veritable potential of the line : until now, we were on short and nightly crossings, which do not attract foot passengers and tourists but rather trucks drivers.
Even if many foot passengers are embarking, the identity and luggage formalities are quickly and professionally done.
Even if many foot passengers are embarking, the identity and luggage formalities are quickly and professionally done.
The journey is very enjoyable : the sky is clear, and the many passengers create a good atmosphere on board... We are in November, while despite the sun, the temperatures are too low to spend the some hours of our crossing on the exterior decks. We finally choose to stay in the Beachy Head Bar, and to eat quickly. Located at the top of the aft mezzanine, this bar provides both a superb view on the exterior decks and a warm atmosphere.
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It must be said that a few activities are purposed on board for the passengers. After a tour in the shop, the five hours of crossings are spend by the usual means : eating, walking on the exterior decks, reading or watching a film, etc.
Also here, we can notice a progress concerning the food. During a long time, the french car-ferries was described as lower quality than their foreign direct competitors : Italian, English (particularly Fish and Chips) etc. Seven Sisters provides some French traditional meals, which are rather good. For example, we tasted Boeuf Bourguignon, this permitting both English passengers to "travel by food" and French passengers to discover again this classic.
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It is half past two when we can see the Normandy coasts. The popular rumor about the English and Normand weather on November has been questioned during the main part of the crossings, even if the sky is covering back while approaching Dieppe.
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As expected, we arrive in Dieppe at 3 PM. We have to wait some minutes before disembarking.
The redactor's advice about the line and the vessel
For beginning, the voluntary of the locals authorities to create a line allowing to coordinate the development of Dieppe and Newhaven ports and hinterlands is remarkable. However, both ports are totally depending from the line : without it, they would essentially live from yachting.
Concerning my ships enthusiast opinion, the two ships firstly selected by Transmanche ferries on 2001 and 2002 look more interesting than they ordered some years later in Spain. The accommodations remains finally the same (meaning one self-service, one bar, one shop) even if they are quite larger. For so modern vessels, Seven Sisters and Côte d'Albâtre's indoors are quite disappointing concerning the decoration. This remark has to be qualified, while each ship costed only 41,6 millions euros, which is a very reasonable price.
Even if the ships are really not extraordinary, the on board service, the port welcoming and the line itself are important assets, which definitely compensate the negative points quoted before.
Concerning my ships enthusiast opinion, the two ships firstly selected by Transmanche ferries on 2001 and 2002 look more interesting than they ordered some years later in Spain. The accommodations remains finally the same (meaning one self-service, one bar, one shop) even if they are quite larger. For so modern vessels, Seven Sisters and Côte d'Albâtre's indoors are quite disappointing concerning the decoration. This remark has to be qualified, while each ship costed only 41,6 millions euros, which is a very reasonable price.
Even if the ships are really not extraordinary, the on board service, the port welcoming and the line itself are important assets, which definitely compensate the negative points quoted before.
Bruno Jonathan
