VESSEL REVIEW | La Vendéenne – Newbuild ferry to serve Western France’s Yeu Island

French coastal vessel operator Compagnie Vendeenne has taken delivery of a new inter-island fast ferry built by a local shipyard.

Designed by Mer et Design and built by Transmetal Industrie, La Vendeenne will be operated along with two other fast ferries between the popular tourist destination of Yeu Island and the commune of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie on the western coast of the French mainland. The newbuild replaces Saint-Sauveur, an older ferry in the owner's fleet.

La Vendeenne has an LOA of 27 metres, a beam of eight metres, a draught of only one metre, a crew of four, and waterjet propulsion that delivers a speed of 21 knots. Although the vessel has capacity for 294 passengers, regular sailings will accommodate a maximum of only 250 people to ensure enhanced onboard comfort.

The hull also features stabilising flaps to correct attitude and roll, hence reducing crew and passenger fatigue during sailings across the 32 kilometres between Yeu Island and the mainland.

The main passenger cabin is fitted with a lounge with panoramic windows, nine luggage racks, an AC unit, a snack bar, toilets, a satellite TV, and USB charging ports. The cabin's electrical power is drawn from rooftop solar panels, thus freeing up the low-emission and low-noise main engines for navigation. There are also outside areas with seating for passengers on the main and upper decks.

The vessel's electronics suite includes a Furuno radar.

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