Fortuna and Spirit of the Tyne

Fortuna and Spirit of the Tyne seen here in the Port of Tyne on 23rd July 2009. Photographed from Western Quay, North Shields.

Fortuna:
Built by Bideford Shipbuilding in 1978 she was originally known as Island Scene and was operated by Blue Funnel Cruises ( Solent & Wight Line Cruises). In 1980 her aft deck was enclosed, to make her more suitable of all-weather charters. In 1994 she was sold to Tyne Leisure Cruises, where she still runs in 2006 for River Escapes as the River Escapes Fortuna (Fortuna being a Roman goddess).
131 gross tons (as built) - 90 ft long - 250 passengers - 10 knots

Spirit of the Tyne:
The ferry is operated by Nexus and plys the route between North and South Shields.

The £1.9m ferry was built at the VT Halmatic shipyard in Portchester, Hampshire.