MV Coutances

The M/V "Rosa Eugenia", formerly the "Coutances" and "Outances" is a freight ferry owned by Conferrys and previously operated by Brittany Ferries. It was built at Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre shipyard in France for Truckline Ferries and entered service in 1977. In 1985 Truckline was purchased by Brittany Ferries and in 1986 they sent "Coutances" and her sister "Purbeck" to be lengthened which increased their capacity by 34%. In 2004 "Coutances" was repainted in Brittany Ferries livery. She has sailed for most of her life between Poole and Cherbourg though was briefly replaced by the "Normandie Shipper" in the early nineties. In November 2007 Coutances was replaced on most Poole-Cherbourg sailings by the "Cotentin", a new freight ferry constructed by Aker Finnyards. "Coutances" was withdrawn from service on 1 May 2008. In late July 2008 she was sold to Conferrys of Venezuela owners of the former "Purbeck", "Coutances"' sister ship.

"Coutances" sailed under the French flag and was registered in Cherbourg. As the "Rosa Eugenia" she is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Regular routes

*Puerto la Cruz - Isla Margarita

As the "Coutances" with Brittany Ferries and Truckline the ship sailed on the following routes:-
*Poole-Cherbourg :Primary route from 1977 until November 2007. Then weekends only from end of November 2007 until end of February 2008. Sundays only from 1 March 2008. "Coutances" final sailing on this route was the 16:00 Poole-Cherbourg on 28 April 2008.
*Portsmouth-Caen :Primary route from end of November 2007. Monday to Thursday only until 30 April 2008.
*Portsmouth-Cherbourg :Weekly positioning move from end of November 2007. "Coutances" final commercial Brittany Ferries sailing was on this route on 1 May 2008.

Other routes served

As the "Coutances" the ship has also served on Portsmouth-Caen (Ouistreham) in the early years of the route where she provided extra freight capacity. She has also seen use on Plymouth-Roscoff and Plymouth-Santander.

On 13 December 2007 "Coutances" sailed from Portsmouth to the Channel Islands on charter to Condor Ferries to cover for the damaged "Commodore Goodwill".

Onboard facilities

*Bar.
*Drivers Restaurant.
*Counter service of duty paid goods.
*Four Berth Cabins

External links

* [http://www.brittanyferriesfreight.co.uk Brittany Ferries Freight official site]
* [http://www.bfenthusiasts.com Brittany Ferries Enthusiasts - Unofficial Guide to the Western Channel ferry company.]