Two Merchant Racehorses Rest on the Fal

Two Irish Sea Racehorses Rest on the Fal Photographs © John H. Luxton 2011
Perhaps the best ro/pax ferries to operate between Dublin and Liverpool, DAWN MERCHANT and BRAVE MERCHANT, inaugurated the Cenargo owned Merchant Ferries service between Liverpool and Dublin in 1999. Sadly they had a very short life on the Irish Sea route for which they were built. The ships have both had a rather varied careers serving a number of routes and operators. Their most recent operation being Louis Dreyfus Lines and whose names they still carry in lay up, The have for some time been managed by Meridian Marine Management of Liverpool. The ships were photographed at the lay-up moorings on the River Fal on Tuesday October 25, 2011.
			The former DAWN MERCHANT (NORMAN TRADER) is seen laid up at Tolverne opposite the popular Smugglers Tea Rooms. Meanwhile a few hundred yards down stream at King Harry Passage could be found the former BRAVE MERCHANT (NORMAN BRIDGE). NORMAN BRIDGE was noted to be flying Meridian Marine Management's house flag from its jack staff and appeared to be in much better cosmetic appearance than NORMAN TRADER having been was dry docked at A&P Falmouth after finishing up with LD Lines on Gijon - St Nazaire.