MS Pride of Kent


MS Pride of Kent is a cross-channel ferry operated by P&O Ferries, which since 2003 has operated on the Dover to Calais route. Before that, between 1992 and 2002, it had operated on the Dover to Zeebrugge route.

History

Colloquially known as Kent, she was built as European Highway in 1991, a sister ship to Pride of Canterbury, and European Seaway. Originally servicing Zeebrugge, like Pride of Canterbury, she was converted in 2003 before re-entering service on the Dover–Calais route as Pride of Kent.
On 10 December 2017, the vessel ran aground in the Port of Calais during routine departure manoeuvres in high winds. The vessel was refloated at high tide with assistance from harbour tugs commandeered from the Port of Dunkirk. On 12 December 2017, the vessel made her way to Dunkirk for an emergency dry docking. She has damaged a shaft seal and gearbox, her return to service date is unknown.
In early 2019, the Pride of Kent, like all P&O vessels on the Dover-to-Calais route, has been flagged out to Cyprus, a measure explained by the company as motivated by tax advantages in view of Brexit. She is now registered in Limassol.

Project Darwin

With the ending of the P&O Stena Line agreement, newly formed P&O Ferries announced that the ex Zeebrügge freight vessels European Highway and European Pathway would be rebuilt at the German Shipyard of Lloyd Werft. On completion of their rebuilds, they would be placed on the premier Dover-Calais service, replacing PO Kent and PO Canterbury. This move became widely known by its P&O in-house code name, Project Darwin. Key features of the converted ships were:
  • Passenger capacity up from 200 to 2,000
  • More than 5,000 square metres of passenger accommodation
  • Fifty extra crew cabins
  • Better manoeuvrability
European Pathway was to leave for Bremerhaven on 1 December 2002, followed later in the month by European Highway''. The rebuilt ferries were to enter service in April and May 2003 respectively.

Layout

Pride of Kent has six 'active' decks - cardeck 3 freight and cars, cardeck 5 freight and cars, cardeck 6 cars only, deck 7 & 8 passenger facilities and deck 9 outside deck area. The ship is both divided vertically and horizontally, into 3 ventilation zones, with stairs assigned the colours red, yellow, orange, green and blue. There are three passenger lifts from the main and car decks to the passenger facilities. Her onboard facilities include several lounges, a self-service cafeteria, two cafés, a restaurant, and a bar. There are also open decks on levels 8 and 9.

Sister ships

As built, Pride of Kent was identical to European Seaway and European Pathway. The fourth 'European Class' freight ferry was converted to a multi-purpose vessel for the Dover-Calais route and named, though she still retained a number of similarities. Following conversion to multi-purpose ship Pride of Kent is nearly identical to the.
Pride of Kent and Pride of Canterbury are commonly known as the 'Darwin Twins' or 'Darwins' after the project name given by P&O to the conversion of the ships.

Accident

On Sunday, 10 December 2017, the vessel ran aground whilst manoeuvring in high winds for departure from the Port of Calais. No one was reported as injured.