Watch the launch of the
new fast ferry.

by Graham Tutthill

Authorities on both sides of the Channel have
welcomed the introduction of the new LD Lines' seacat service
between Dover and Boulogne.

Dover Harbour Board chairman
Robert Dibble and Boulogne Chamber of Commerce
President Francis Leroy were among the guests on board the Norman
Arrow for the official launch of the service on Monday.

Mr Dibble was pleased to have LD Lines operating from Dover, with
the largest seacat ever seen on the English Channel.

"It is good that the links have been
re-established between Dover and Boulogne," he said.

LD Lines said the seacat had already attracted
a number of freight companies and tourism traffic was also very
promising.

The Norman Arrow, a 112-metre wave piercing
catamaran makes the crossing in one hour, and carries up to 1,200
passengers, as well as all types of vehicle, from freight to
motorcycles.

The port authorities at Boulogne have
particularly welcomed the introduction of a service for foot
passengers.

Also on board the craft was Robert Clifford,
chairman of the company Incat which built the catamaran in
Tasmania, and a men’s choir from Le Portel in France who sang
traditional French sea songs during the crossing.