MV Reine Mathilde

History

The MS Prince of Fundy inaugurated ferry service on the Portland - Yarmouth route between 1970 and 1976.

In 1976, Lion Ferry moved the ship to the Varberg - Grenå route between 27 November 1976 and March 1978.

The ship was chartered by Brittany Ferries from 17 April 1978 initially to sail on the Portsmouth-Santander route. Her main route was Portsmouth-Saint Malo and she was renamed MS Prince of Brittany. She was subsequently bought and registered in France in 1980.

On 30 December 1988, she was renamed MS Reine Mathilde in preparation for her transfer to the Portsmouth-Caen(Ouistreham) route alongside the MV Duc de Normandie. Prior to the arrival of the MV Normandie, the MV Reine Mathilde was retired from service with Brittany Ferries and sold.

She was subsequently chartered by British Channel Island Ferries (BCIF) in which Brittany Ferries held a large share. In 1992, she took up service between Poole and the Channel Islands under a Bahamas registration and renamed MS Beauport. By the end of 1993, BCIF was experiencing financial difficulties due to competition from Condor Ferries and MS Beauport was returned to its owner, her passenger ship role with BCIF being taken by the MS Havelet.

MS Beauport was laid up in Southampton until mid-1994 when she was chartered to the Stern Maritime Line for its Bari - Cesme route. After this, the ship was laid up again in 1994 but quickly found work with a Greek shipping company between Brindisi, Igoumenitsa and Patras, after which she continued on the Mediterranean regularly sailing to Morocco for Comanav. Between work with Comanav, the MS Beauport was chartered to the Private Media Group and carried the marketing name of Private Lady.

In 2000, MS Beauport moved to Sancak Lines for service between Brindisi and Cesme. Later that year she was chartered to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2005, she was sent to India and was scrapped on a beach at Alang.

Onboard facilities

The facilities listed are those known to have been on board the vessel during its time as the Reine Mathilde and Beauport during its service with British Channel Island Ferries. It is likely that during the vessels time as Prince of Brittany the facilities and names remained much the same as they were on Reine Mathilde. The range of facilities on Beauport after her BCIF service is unknown at this time.

Bars and restaurants

Restaurant - Deck 6 (Restaurant Deck)

Known as La Bisquine when the vessel was named Reine Mathilde (a bisquine is a traditional sailing vessel, see one on the Chausey page). When the vessel became the Beauport of British Channel Island Ferries the forward section of the restaurant area became a reclining seat lounge while the remaining part of the restaurant became the Dolphin Carvery Restaurant.

Self Service Restaurant - Deck 6 (Restaurant Deck).

Known as Le Verger on Reine Mathilde and Orchard Restaurant on Beauport.

Bar - Deck 7 (Boarding Deck/Boat Deck)

Le Semaphore on Reine Mathilde. Renamed Corbiere Bar on Beauport after the first vessel of Channel Island Ferries and the Jersey lighthouse.

Shops

Shop - Deck 6 (Restaurant Deck)

Perfume Shop - Deck 5 (Cabin Deck)

Removed when renamed Beauport and combined with the main shop.

'The Newsstand' - magazine and newspaper kiosk - Deck 5 (Cabin Deck)

Does not appear on plans for the vessel as Beauport.

Other facilities

Children's Play Area - Deck 6 (Restaurant Deck).

Cabins (De-luxe, 2 and 4 berth standard cabins - Deck 2 (Inferior Deck/Lower Cabin Deck) and Deck 5 (Cabin Deck)

Reclining Seat Lounges - Deck 6 (Restaurant Deck).

As previously mentioned part of the restaurant became a reclining seat lounge when the vessel was renamed Beauport.