Hartland Point Named at Harland and Wolff

The latest vessel to be constructed at Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries Ltd., was officially christened “Hartland Point” by Fiona De Pencier, the wife of Mr Theo de Pencier, Managing Director of Bibby Distribution Ltd. Hartland Point is the first of two RoRo ferries under construction by Harland and Wolff for the AWSR Shipping Ltd., as part of the Strategic Sealift Service for the U.K. Ministry of Defense. Along with the 150 invited guests, Primary 6 children from Ben Madigan Preparatory School, St Therese of Lisieux Primary School and Comber Primary School joined in the celebrations as the band of the Police Service of Northern Ireland struck up “Congratulations” following the traditional breaking of champagne and three long blasts of the ships horn. Speaking at the ceremony, Bill Alexander, chief executive of Harland and Wolff Group PLC said : “It is highly appropriate that the Naming Ceremony for Hartland Point should be hosted by Bibby Line, a member of AWSR Shipping Ltd. The Bibby family connections reach right back to the very earliest days of Harland and Wolff when, almost as soon as Edward Harland acquired the yard in 1858, the Bibby Line placed an order for three 1,500 gross ton iron steamers. “These vessels, which were named Venetian, Sicilian and Syrian, are listed as Ship numbers 1, 2 and 3 on the orderbook of Harland and Wolff. Today, over 140 years later, we are, in Hartland Point, celebrating the naming of Ship number 1741 in the expectation that it shall be a hugely successful vessel for both AWSR Shipping Ltd and as part of the Strategic Sealift Service. “Following today’s naming, we look forward to a successful sea trial and delivery of Hartland Point. A second vessel, to be named Anvil Point, is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter 2003.”