| Before John Steven invented his steam ferry, most of the ferry routes were operated by human powered and cable ferry (also known as a chain ferry). Such ferries could cover short distances as the ferry was driven by chains or wires connected to each bank of a river or another small water body. Human powered cable ferry crossings are still quite common in some parts of Eastern Europe.
Ferry crossing to France
The English Channel is famous for being the busiest seaway in the world and is well maintained by many ferry services operating here. Ferry crossing to France is very popular amongst both leisure and business travellers. The main ferry routes connect the UK with Brittany accounting for the increase in business contacts between Great Britain and France. The most popular ferry destinations are St Malo, Calais, Le Havre, Boulogne and Cherbourg. Ferries from the UK also cross to Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Spain and even Norway. As ferry tickets remain relatively cheap the popularity of ferry crossing becomes more and more popular each year.
Condor Ferries - the cheap ferry crossings to France and the Channel Islands
It will be fair to say that Condor Ferries re-invented the ferry services as a convenient way to cross the Channel making it available and affordable for more people. Condor Ferries operate ferry crossing to France and the Channel Islands.
Obtaining its first high speed vessel Incat Condor 10, Condor Ferries started the first ferry service to the Channel Islands from Weymouth passenger port in 1993. This ferry service proved so popular that soon Condor Ferries were able to widen their area of service starting a complimentary ferry crossing services to the Channel Islands from the port of Poole. Now Condor Ferries offer a possibility of cheap and convenient travel from Weymouth and Poole to the Channel Islands and France.
At the present time Condor Ferries operate the following ferry routes including ferry crossing to France:
- Weymouth-Guernsey-Jersey
- Weymouth-St Malo
- Poole-Guernsey-Jersey
- Poole-St Malo
- Portsmouth-Guernsey-Jersey
- Portsmouth-Cherbourg
- Jersey-St Malo
All Condor Ferries passenger crossings are run by three high speed vessels made by Tasmanian/Australian company Incat. These are Condor 10 , Condor Vitesse and Condor Express.
Incat - a revolutionary manufacturer of ferries
 Incat is a Tasmanian maker of large high speed catamarans. The company is capable of building large passenger, commercial and even military vessels. High speed technology became available due to using lighter materials and a revolutionary design allowing a vessel to easily cut the waves. Incat ferries boast aluminium construction, and so called wave-piercing technology. Largest ferries made by Incat measure 98 metres in length. Ferries operated by Condor Ferries are 86 metres long and can achieve 40 knots (76 km/h or 46 mph). You will find Incat's name in Guinness Book of Records. A ferry constructed by Incat received the Blue Riband Trophy for setting a new time record of crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
The first catamaran by Incat was built in 1977. Called Incat Derwent Explorer, this small ferry, still operates on Maria Island, Tasmania. During 30 years of operation Incat has completed 65 large size high speed catamarans including those made for military needs. A military high speed ferry named Joint Venture helped to resolve the Timor crisis. Ever since that Incat continues working with the defence systems of many countries, including USA.
For the period of its operation Incat has received 32 awards both Australian and international for making outstanding ferry ships. Nowadays fast ferry crafts are amongst the fastest and cheapest international travel means available.
If you are interested in cheap ferry crossing to France or the Channel Islands, learn more about buying cheap ferry tickets by clicking here.
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