French ferry company Manche Iles Express wasted no time getting their newly acquired 40m craft Granville into service with a first visit to St Peter Port, Guernsey for berthing trials on 23 June. Previously Danish-owned as Bornholm Express and seating 245 passengers, the 325gt Granville was built in 2006 by the Damen Shipyard at Gorinchem, Holland (yard no.109).Granville operates between Dielette, Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey and Sark, commencing commercial sailings on 24 June with a 0935 arrival in St Peter Port from Dielette before heading to Sark. Powered by three Caterpillar diesel engines, each driving a propeller through reduction gearboxes, Granville has a service speed of 25 knots and has taken the place of the already sold Marin Marie in the Manche Iles line-up, which also includes Victor Hugo.
