MV Sorrento (2001)

The MV Sorrento is a double-ended roll-on/roll-off vehicle ferry owned by Peninsula Searoad Transport of Victoria, Australia. It has operated between the heads of Port Phillip Bay between the towns of Queenscliff and Sorrento since 2000. It is the sister ship of Queenscliff, and on entering service enabled a doubling in the service frequency across the bay. The ferry can carry approximately 80 vehicles and 700 passengers. This ship is commonly referred to as “HMAS Mornpen”

The MV Sorrento docking at Queenscliff
History
Name	Sorrento
Operator	Peninsula Searoad Transport Pty Ltd
Port of registry	Australia
Builder	Seward Marine
Laid down	Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Identification	IMO number: 9261853 MMSI number: 503320500 Callsign: VKV6549
General characteristics
Class and type	Double-ended, roll-on/roll-off catamaran
Tonnage	2,514 gt
Length	61.4 m (201.4 ft)
Beam	17.4 m (57.1 ft)
Draught	2.3 m (7.5 ft)
Installed power	Diesel, 2 x Cummins KTA-38-M2, 1,300 hp at 1,800 rpm.
Propulsion	2 × Ulstein Aquamaster US 1201 CRP Azimuth thrusters Auxiliary: 2 x Kamewa Ulstein 45 TV controllable pitch side thrusters (300 kW/18); Cummins KTA38 / Onan 837 for bow thruster motor; 2 x Cummins 6BT 5.9 G2M gensets
Speed	11 knots
Capacity	700 passengers 80 cars
Notes	Fuel capacity: 80,000 litres

Loading and uploading

Sorrento is fitted with ramps at the bow and stern of the ship to allow vehicles to roll on at the start of the voyage and roll off at the end of the voyage. This results in a fast turnaround time, with all vehicles and passengers embarking and disembarking in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The ferry was designed to use the existing loading facilities used by the sister ship Queenscliff.

At Queenscliff, the ship docks bow into the terminal. The bow of the ship consists of two sections; one section raises while the other lowers, forming a ramp that allows vehicles to drive off. Once all vehicles and foot passengers have disembarked, vehicles travelling to Sorrento then board and face the stern of the ship for the voyage. At Sorrento, the ship docks stern into the terminal. A ramp at the stern of the ship lowers allowing vehicles to drive off. Once all vehicles and foot passengers have disembarked, vehicles travelling to Queenscliff then board and face the bow of the ship for the voyage.

Foot passengers embark and disembark the ship, via the same ramps that vehicles do, under the direction of the ship's crew in between the embarkation and disembarkation of vehicles.

See also

• MV Queenscliff

References

Stern view of the ferry

The MV Sorrento on Port Phillip Bay

External links

• Peninsula Searoad Ferry