Discovery Channel Superships Irish Ferries Ulysses

Crossing the Irish sea in mid-winter the world's largest car ferry battles through a gale force wind and 10 metre seas. 3-D animation explains the advanced design that allows a shallow draught vessel to carry up to 1,300 cars and 2,000 people.

[@guymorris1963]

Hey Irish Ferries, Ulysses is a beautiful regal vessel so be proud of her ! A thimbs up from Texas.

[@happyhighway106]

#182 Thanks for showing! I was a sailor many years ago on the Lake Michigan Railroad Ferries operated by the C&O, B&O out of Ludington, Michigan, USA. We had 6 vessels operating. All were equipped to break ice in the winter. To tie down the railroad cars we used chains, turnbuckles, clamps, and cables. Automobiles and Semi-Trucks were also carried, if enough room was left. One special thing, all were "Coal Fired" for the Lake Crossings. Coal was very economical and worked well in this situation.

[@howardfortyfive9676]

WOW positively magnificent vessel to carry so much cargo so many people and so many cars in 30 foot seas and gale force winds. Both captain and crew members must have balls of steel.

[@Kirovets7011]

Those Finnish builders did a very good job! Nice ferry.

[@michaelrmonk]

I've been on this ship a few times. Would never use anything else now! Travels over a rough sea like it's not there. Amazing ship.

[@ryanenglish3097]

Michael Monk so have I I traveled when over to Ireland when the weather was pretty bad but we made i over

[@conorjamesmahoney5941]

Proceeds to sink.

[@Oakleaf700]

@@conorjamesmahoney5941 Don't say thatttttt.........

[@jimmymiller77]

Just think about it.. This captain is so amazing. What a cool guy ...

[@marcellop3163]

Been on the Ulysses lots of times from Dublin to Holyhead and back and it was a pleasure every time, the sea was most of the times quite flat and even when I did an overnight sail in January the sea was never that rough as they show in this video to add some excessive drama to it and scary the people who are about to do this ferry crossing. Irish Ferries guys are the best professionals, they wouldn't allow the ship to go if the weather was over the ship capabilities, so if it leaves the port is because the weather is ok to sail. However when I was on it and the sea was a bit rough the ship handled it like a boss, it is amazing, I love the big James Joyce wood sculpture in the main lobby, the cinema and the wifi onboard, but the best of it is the Blooms pub on the deck 9 :), on the 8 AM sail you can see people queuing for pints and as soon as the ship leaves the port they open the bar and people get pints of Guinness and and wine at 8 in the morning... you can tell that's an Irish ship :D

[@kendallbaker8299]

My hats off to you gentlemen. i broke out in a cold sweat just imagining trying not to sink my own vessel and anotjher . The communities. The whole time trying not to put a big whole in here. i would have night mares For month's . You guy's have nothing but the highest admiration from me. It's got to be one of the most stressful jobs in the world. I'm in no way implying it isn't very stressful, but I hear there's more aircraft that actually land and take off by themselves than we'll ever know

[@jacquikelly7929]

The Ulysses Irish Ferrys is a wonderful progression to Ireland's sea fairng history ... They so deserve to be the front runners, i wish i was part of their crew.

[@terryosullivan2620]

Jacqui Kelly It would be good if you have another language probably Polish or so.

[@walterhynson2898]

fantastic ship with great Stout which is great with Maryland steamed crabs.

[@owenb1t5014]

I have travelled on this ship in rough winter crossings and it’s very stable, would not book anything else now.

[@celticlofts]

I remember sailing on the old Killian and St Patrick, they were both good ships but nothing compared to the size of this beast. I think the Killian 2 ( Killian was extended so they renamed her to Killian 2) was only 7,000 tons and the Patrick was even smaller. So sailing on this amazing ship is a huge step up.

[@jacquikelly7929]

This programme is excellent, fantastic footage and explanation in detail. Also Irish traveling experience is wonderful to see.

[@buggsy5]

Too bad the narration was not more accurate.

[@Elmwood-ze3cr]

Iv just recently traveled on the Ullyses , apparently the forecast was for Rough seas but it was a relly smooth crossing and handled the water very well

[@derrycummins1260]

Fantastic ship & one thing that really stood out to me was how very smooth the journey is. Crossing takes approx 3hrs 30.hrs with 6 sailings per day.The bunks are not necessary, but you may be glad of the break if you have been driving all day to get to the ferry at Holyhead for 2am (like a lot of wagon drivers on their way from or to Europe), then driving on from Dublin (arriving about 6.30am) to say, Waterford or Cork can make for a very long day. Other ferry's sailing the same route can do the journey in 2hs., but when the weather in the Irish sea turns rough, Ulysses is considered a real life-line, being one of the few that can carry on while others have to be pulled from service.

[@MRWONDERFULIRELAND1]

+Derry Cummins Your post is littered with inaccuracies. 1. Ulysses does not complete 6 trips per day. She completes 2 round trips per day so only sails out of Dublin in the morning and evening. 2. Most of the traffic is freight so it is the only time Drivers get a significant break so the cabins are vital, crew sleep there too. 3. Other Ferries do not take 2 hours. A fast ferry (HSC Jonathan Swift) takes 2 hours but that is less comfortable and cannot carry freight.

[@frankjuelich2772]

Mr Wonderful Ireland ,

[@njohnson6589]

The 1st time I'd ever taken a artic lorry on a ferry. in the dark. Thank heavens for all the friendly Irish & Welsh drivers that answered my daft questions and pointed me in the right direction.. 👍👍😉👍👍

[@njohnson6589]

Went on her back in 06 - 08 in lorrys. Wow what a fantastic ship. Massive

[@shirzs]

27 mins! Saga moon RO RO ! Jesus I spent some time on that! Now that did Rock & roll on the Irish Sea!

[@TT_1221]

This is incredible! Fascinating documentary. Got to hand it to the Finns - they build some ship!

[@sulray]

The best..

[@84staci]

good DOC. thank you

[@liaquatali5818]

Fantastic journey.

[@guymorris1963]

That looks absolutely fun, memorable and very impressive. I've cruised aboard the ferry between Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula. It's a small ferry and short voyage but still great fun and free. I wish many safe present and future voyages to all crews and passengers.

[@tedhernandez5009]

What a great video!!! Was never aware of the Irish ferries. Nice ship too!!

[@siegridthomas9674]

Very interesting video. Thank you

[@jdrex6473]

GREAT VIDEO.

[@Mr91495osh]

A damn good documentary

[@servicarrider]

It certainly is a vessel to be very proud of. Continued success.

[@Evo65]

Just about to board her in Dublin 🇮🇪 🚛🚛☘️

[@johnmehaffey9953]

The shortest route from Great Britain to Ireland is not Holyhead,Dublin it's larne cairnryan,just because its Northern Ireland doesn't mean we have floated away from the rest of Ireland

[@sheilaghbrosky]

Boris wanted to build a bridge. That would give you something else to grouse about.

[@paulsuprono7225]

Simply amazing . . . 😎

[@chetlovesamerica6783]

Grate video!♡

[@candy1971]

ive been on Ulysses a few times..love it :)she takes me to my family :)

[@dannytonnessen6896]

I LOVE THIS BOAT! I USED TO LITERALLY 🙏PRAY🙏 FOR BAD WEATHER BECAUSE IT WAS THE BEST SLEEP 😴 EVER! I had to travel back and forth between Dublin and Holyhead several times a week... just days after giving birth and the staff on this boat were BEYOND AMAZING, HONESTLY JUST INCREDIBLE! I’m in a wheelchair (because of ms) and because I was only days out from a traumatic natural birth, obviously 🙄 naturally I was really fragile and tbh just extremely run down and stressed out because our premie daughter was still in intensive care. Every single member of staff on this boat genuinely went above and beyond, TIME AFTER TIME, to help make my awful journeys bearable and not completely soul destroying... THEY EVEN MADE IT PLEASANT! It was the best part of my journey from Dublin home! This was November, December, January... all the way till April! If any of the staff from ulysses, Holyhead or Dublin (especially from Christmas 2014!) come across this I want you to know that, I honestly wish we had words that could convey strongly enough my true and deepest appreciation and gratitude 🙏 for what you did for me, you made the worst part of my life that bit less soul destroying with your kindness and I honestly don’t think that I could or would have coped if the staff had been awkward with me, it really would have crushed me tbh. WHEN YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL FOR 12 - 14 HOURS JUST TO BE HOME FOR TWO HOURS AND THEN TURN AROUND AND TRAVEL FOR ANOTHER 12 HOURS BACK TO DUBLIN TO ONLY BE IN DUBLIN FOR 24HRS MAX AND THEN HAVE TO DO THAT JOURNEY AGAIN... AND...AGAIN...AND...AGAIN.. WAS AWFUL BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN INFINITELY WORSE AND FAR MORE TRAUMATIC THAN IT WAS! AND THAT WAS SOLELY DOWN TO THE COMPASSION OF ALL OF THOSE AMAZING PEOPLE ALONG THE JOURNEY! THANK YOU 🙏 BUT THANK YOU ISN’T EVEN CLOSE BY ANY MEANS BUT WE DON’T HAVE ANY WORD STRONGER. I HOPE THAT ALL OF MY COMPLIMENTS ABOUT EVERY SINGLE TRIP AT LEAST GOT YOU SOME RECOGNITION AND PRAISE FROM YOUR COMPANY Xx

[@jochemzijtveldvan7758]

worked there in 1995 still great experience

[@TheMickyTDI]

I’ll be on this vessel along with my car this coming weekend.

[@kevindunne9767]

the ulysses is a great ship, I have had the privilege of travelling on her to holyhead

[@shirzs]

Oh the saga moon. Remember getting that ferry from Belfast! What a ship!

[@shirzs]

@Oliver Miller 24:55 the saga moon 😉👍 originally when i sailed on her years ago used todo Heysham Belfast and Dublin. Was currently owned by norse merchant ferries then.

[@FerryChat]

Hi. Its a nice video. I worked 27 years at ferries.

[@terryosullivan2620]

Ferry Chat So did I 5 years Rosslare to Le Havre and Cherbourg .

[@FerryChat]

@@terryosullivan2620 oh thats nice, im sure you liked it. Wich Ferry? Im building the new Ferry from TT Line in 3D. The real One comes in 2022.

[@ciaran3303]

great ship looking forward to the wb yeats tho

[@ahmadkazemi8728]

Holly Molly, truly mind bugling, with such technology in use , and in some parts of the world still fighting over Holly lands or Holly cows or Holly.............

[@annakeating7037]

I've been on this ferrie so many times and in summer it's calm but in the winter the ship is going up and down, not scary just unbelievable.

[@danieladkins7340]

Wow your an Irish girl yes? A girl of my dreams is Irish..I am American... Wish I could have met a girl from there.

[@PhillipMolloy-kk8zu]

Excellent ❤

[@nilsnyman9637]

Built in Finland Rauma Yard.

[@martinbitter4162]

The last IF service I was in was on that route on the Isle of Inishmore in 1999

[@williamhoskins7818]

Just an INCREDIBLE amount of IRISH glory and pride..Beautiful.

[@user-uz7dy5vi7u]

yes and CAPTAIN BIRDSEYE

[@iceman2008able]

Amazing

[@poodumrover1]

GAs fun watching this must have been filmed way long before the smoking ban kicked in Ireland

[@holmesjunction]

Smoking ban? What about an Irish crew?

[@seanconnor-bc6rx]

been on it, in worse weather XD x

[@andrewjones-productions]

INCORRECT: The Herald Of Free Enterprise didn't capsize on the approach to Zeebrugge, but shortly after its departure.

[@mikeoconnell-uh8lx]

Hey Mike, we have the same name and I was a merchant Marine now retired, good story thanks

[@marcdavies-hall616]

i remember when they first built the landing on salt island, i shit myself how big it was all becoming, not like the day of st columbia

[@BadBoyHank]

Nice.

[@granskare]

the great lakes of Canada & the USA have less sea room to handle storms. There is much trouble with ferries between South and the North islands of New Zealand.

[@Oakleaf700]

That is a bit of water that cut up rough for sure {seen the vids}...''Straits'' are always a bit ......''choppy''.

[@chrisclark1761]

FUN FACT: The MV Kaitaki was originally an Irish Ferries ship which ran the same route the Ulysses now does. It was called the Isle Of Inisfree.

[@hellohellohello6847]

Smoking inside!! They were the days lol

[@scronx]

Great documentary -- but why are there overnight accommodations? It's a 3-hour crossing.

[@msnpassjan2004]

@24:40 So Captain docks and launches his own ship. I noticed in a lot of sketchy and/or crowded harbors a harbor pilot docks and launches the larger ships.

[@dportass]

Given they enter and depart the port twice a day they will already be so familiar with all the characteristics of the port, channels, shallows, tides, currents, winds and general traffic so would be exempt from needing a pilot unlike with a visiting cruise/container/other large ship.

[@tillyx1380]

I went on the Ferry yesterday

[@SouthCoast457]

same

[@SteelyPaw]

For a ship that size, the storm did not look big to me. I was on a tanker once, about 7 stories high compared to to a building and the waves here higher than the ship when down in the trough, now that is a storm.

[@Ktynan341]

My dad worked on that boat

[@EezeeListen]

How ignorant when this wanna be narrator says that the truck drivers will probably have a glass or two of "stout" during the crossing. Yes, I am sure that these professional drivers are willing to lose their licence and get caught drink driving! What a plonker!! HOLY mackerel - or should that be HOLLY mackerel!!

[@paulwilkinson66]

I noticed that, I have been on this ferry, quite a few of them, never ever drank, just coffee or tea, not worth it, look in the video, how many drivers do you see drinking alcohol, cups are on the tables, not pint's.

[@isladurrant7895]

Yup. They'll be in bunks... Who wrote this guff? Spoiling my interest :(

[@bpfromowc]

The guys comments are primarily aimed at a mostly braindead American audience. He is playing to the idiotic myths that a lot of Americans have of the Emerald Isle. Even so, it's mischievous at best.

[@clodwolf]

@@bpfromowc you love America Paddy O, Paddy

[@BookOfJames1]

​@@bpfromowc The amount of irrational hatred it takes to write such a vitriolic comment conjured up from a phrase used by a narrator on a ferry documentary is stunning. Calm down paddy! hahahahahaha

[@fabianmwilson2772]

This is a very fascinating journey to watch. To see how man has conquered the dangers of the Irish seas!

[@josmith-kearney3490]

Always a positive experience on the Ulysses; it is a shame that the rail connection from Holyhead is such a long wait for the 21.15 hrs sailing from Dublin. passengers are stuck ' Holyhead from disembarking around 12.30 until just before 6am, not much fun if it is winter & cold. I avoid this sailing where possible.

[@josmith-kearney3490]

Hello Michael, I have travelled coach sail which saves a long wait at Holyhead, last time i travelled by railsail going over & returned by plane & am travelling again this month & the flights are 14.99 each way from Gatwick & I have a railcard which means my return rail fare to& from the airport is £24.80, so all in for £55. They coach fare is about £40 + each way, & the rail fare on top. So the coach is more expensive although you could travel over by train & return by coach. Jo

[@alanhowitzer]

Are any of the vehicles hauling squirrels?

[@kevind8446]

A human marvel.

[@saginaw60]

don't you use counter-rotational props. ?

[@keithwatson1384]

What's Irish soccer, is he talking about Gaelic?

[@irishmaninflorida1608]

This is a small ship. Just off a cruise on the norweigan getaway in new orleans.

[@BritishMetric144]

What is the music in the background from 21:20 to 23:10?

[@20Rocolo]

Has anyone noticed that the Herald of Free Enterprise was leaving with it's bow door's open not approaching Zeebrugge.

[@paulbates5509]

Just a small point but I think you will find that the shortest sea crossing between Britain and Ireland is that between Stranraer and larne

[@mellowfellow4755]

Paul Bates Larne is in Northern Ireland

[@dickpotter6108]

it has sleeping compartments incase it gets lost between Wales & Ireland.

[@johnreynolds3348]

And for when it sails to France...

[@adammaher6601]

@@johnreynolds3348 Ulysses never sails to France. She is exclusively for the Dublin to Holyhead Route. W.B. Yeats sails to Cherbourg, France from Dublin. It departs at the weekends only

[@cthoadmin7458]

Guinness at 4:00am. The Irish, actively keeping human civilisation alive.

[@KennethTheBig]

Color Line's sister ships Color Fantasy and Color Magic remain the largest ferries

[@SuperRede4u]

Depending on your definition. If you are talking "cruise ferries" then yes. If you are talking "ferry" only then the Ulysses blows them out of the water with over 4000 lanemeters of deck space for cars and trucks. The Fantasy has 1280 lanemeters and Magic has 1270 lanemeters. So it's like comparing apples to oranges. Both are built for different purposes. The Fantasy & Magic are cruise ships that carry vehicles while the Ulysses is pure ferry that has accommodation and amenities for guests.

[@Z-ht9oq]

Lovely,lovely,lovely and enjoyable.Thanx to the camera man and the producer good job.

[@slobama]

I may have missed it but how long does the crossing take?

[@gpasquini6254]

Michael M 3 hrs

[@adammaher6601]

Depends on what the sea conditions are like.

[@245194LAC]

One small observation: They still smoke on board ships? In designated areas one would hope.

[@anthonymcgowan5289]

This was filmed ages ago before smoking ban kicked in. Have to go outside to smoke now

[@jocktigernuts680]

Would have been interesting to see how motorcycles are loaded, secured and unloaded.

[@whynot64928]

Stout and truck drivers ... a good combination ?

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

It's another inaccurate comment in a video resplendent with inaccurate comments.

[@figjam59]

I used to love travelling on that ship, until Irish Ferries flagged out.

[@figjam59]

@Jack Bolger They're now registered in Limmasol and fly a Cypriot ensign.

[@adarbs6384]

And I've never come across an Irish crew member including Captains since Irish Ferries got rid of them all

[@macspud28]

Wikipedia says it cost €110m and it's replacement €165.2m.

[@celticlofts]

Irish Ferries have ordered another ship of her size for the Irish/French route.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Yes, Some say because of Brexit.

[@Dannenmannen]

Is't Color Line's Color Fantasy and Color Line bigger than Ulysses? They are 224 m long and 41,35 m wide.

[@davya5671]

do this with the isle of inis more

[@colinward1007]

Its all about passenger comfort....*camera pans to some council estate looking types smoking away. Lol!

[@miapdx503]

God bless the people of Ireland. Continued success, from this woman in Portland Oregon. 🌹⚓

[@roncheetham673]

Omega Express off at about 45 00 ,that doesnt happen anymore

[@Fishingadventureuk]

That ship is full of decs 😂

[@ramblingrob4693]

@ 2.51 in film The Merc truck nearly slams into the back of the truck i front and the moron guy in charge in he's Hi-Viz jacket is wavin him in...

[@drwillrountree7074]

how long is the ferry crossing from Ireland to Great Britain?

[@surbon514]

2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on which ship you take. Don't know why they offer cabins for such a short trip

[@terryosullivan2620]

@@surbon514 Mainly for truckers.

[@chrismacleod3947]

interesting

[@delicatemotion5254]

100 doller per ton for fuel? you wouldn't get a ton of water for that

[@RyanHannaMusic]

holyhead is pronounced 'holly' like hollywood...just sayin...

[@lickleluke5190]

lol

[@omerkeremoglu4055]

RyanHannaMusic im from Germany and that's my job I see this ship in real and I build this ship

[@roberthughes513]

Dead right Ryan, it was annoying me ....just saying lol.

[@dportass]

Promenade too, not promenayed

[@tommyroche9142]

@@omerkeremoglu4055 You moved to Finland ?

[@zacharylegaspi7594]

38:32 one of the lifeboats are missing

[@Oakleaf700]

Truckers do NOT drink while driving....sheesh.

[@granskare]

when we rode Bore 3 to Leningrad, we played the slots, 50 pennia each time and of course all was lost :) My nephew works as a lead engineer for Cat.

[@RushfanUK]

Shame that Irish Ferries register their vessels in Cyprus.

[@michaelgrey7854]

Not really. It saves money or is it better they go bankrupt?

[@rogerblagdon4935]

It’s because they can employ foreigners they got rid of all there good Irish workers even the captain now is a foreign fuck

[@rogerblagdon4935]

They do not chain down the vehicles. That’s a lie give me stena anytime

[@jadeclothier8587]

All major shipping companies do it. Registering their flag in another country is called a flag of convenience. Helps keep overheads down is the main reason.

[@dinaatjuh]

it's to avoid taxes mate

[@deirdresiegel7707]

Holy and holly are two different words.

[@bigbadjohn10]

That is true, but Holyhead is pronounced Hollyhead.

[@derrickharvey7487]

They allow smoking !!!! That is just plain nuts

[@alankelly8773]

This documentary was made before smoking ban of 2004. No smoking these days.

[@dejanira2]

how many ferries named Ulysses do they have?

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

One