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PONTUS is seen departing from
the Mersey towed by a Norwegian tug - bound for Norway on Wednesday
evening - April 20, 2006.
Brought to the Mersey in 2000
as Sea Containers' answer to the problems of developing the
Liverpool Sea Terminal PONTUS had previously served Sea Co
subsidiary Silja Line as a floating terminal and link-span facility.
Original published plans showed Pontus secured at the north end of
Prince's Stage - stern on against the present pilot berth.
Given the currents which flow
on the Mersey many thought such a position impractical and it was
not surprising that after a some modifications during summer 2000
she was berthed alongside the southern most section of the Prince's
Landing Stage though she was removed for occasional maintenance.
Following the decision to close
the Isle of Man Steam Packet Liverpool - Dublin service she was
consigned to a lay-up berth in Sandon Basin late in 2004. Shortly
after her removal the section of stage to which she had been
attached sank!
She never did realise her full
potential on Merseyside - passenger use being restricted to early
arriving car passengers and Blue Riband Club members, though her
office accommodation was also used, no use was ever found for her
arrival / departure hall.
Following her removal from the
stage it was rumoured locally on Merseyside that a Chinese
Restaurateur had considered buying her for use as a floating
Restaurant in the South Docks - the only problem her wide beam
prevented access via Brunswick Lock - which following rebuilding to
serve the Marina is only capable of handling small vessels. |
