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CAPT.P.FERGUSON

March 2003

One of the most distinguished sea captains in Irish maritime history - Capt. Peter Ferguson, Master of Irish Ferries Dublin - Holyhead cruise ferry Ulysses, the world's largest car ferry - is to retire from active service after a lifetime's career at sea.

Born in the Sandymount area of Dublin, Capt. Ferguson took to sea in 1952 at the age of 14 years when he began a Cadetship with the Royal Navy Reserve serving on the vessel
HMS Worcester based in the Thames Estuary. From there, he began full time work at sea serving on P&O cargo liners and passenger cruise ships - his first voyage having taken him around the world. He remained with P&O until he joined B&I Line - now Irish Ferries - in 1966.

His first commission was on the vessel m.v. Innisfallen operating on the Cork - Fishguard route. In 1969, he transferred to what was then the first of a new generation of roll-on/roll-off car ferries when he joined the m.v. Munster (B&I Line's first car ferry) on the Dublin - Holyhead route. It was on this vessel in 1970 that he was promoted to the position of Chief Officer.

Capt. Ferguson's first appointment as Master came in 1972 when he was placed in charge of the container vessel m.v. Sligo operating between Dublin, Rotterdam and Antwerp after which he served on other vessel in the B&I Line freight fleet. In 1980, he was at the forefront of another innovation in sea travel when he was appointed Master of the new B&I Line jetfoil 'Cu na Mara' - a vessel which many argue was the forerunner of the company's current high-speed ferry 'Dublin Swift'.

The encyclopaedic list of freight and passenger vessels on which Capt. Ferguson has served in the course of his illustrious career include the m.v. Meath, Kilkenny, Leinster, Tipperary, Connaught, St. Colum, St. Patrick, Viking, Earl Harold, Norrona, Senlac and Prins Philippe.

In more recent years, Capt. Ferguson is remembered for his pivotal role as Master of the new generation of cruise ferries introduced by Irish Ferries during the 1990s on their Ireland - UK routes. These are the Isle of Innisfree - launched in 1995 for the Dublin - Holyhead route and now operating under charter to P&O on their Portsmouth - France service. This was followed in 1997 by the Isle of Inishmore, also launched for the Dublin - Holyhead service and now operating on the Rosslare - Pembroke route and, more recently in 2001, by the present Dublin - Holyhead cruise ferry Ulysses, the world's largest car ferry.

Arguably one of the most recognised 'faces' in Irish shipping, Capt. Ferguson is familiar to thousands of Irish and UK television viewers and newspaper readers thanks to his 'ask any of our passengers' appearances in Irish Ferries commercials. Eleven years ago, he took up residence in Kilmore, Co. Wexford where he now lives. Holder of a private air pilot's licence, he includes the sport of parachute jumping amongst his many leisure interests.

© Irish Ferries 4 March 2003

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