MV Hythe Scene

MV Hythe Scene (formerly MV Great Expectations) is a catamaran ferry operating on the Hythe ferry service. This service connects the town of Hythe and the city of Southampton, across Southampton Water in England.[2]

Hythe Scene in May 2017
History
Name
  • 1992–2017: Great Expectations
  • 2017–present: Hythe Scene
Owner
  • 1992–2017: White Horse Ferries Ltd
  • 2017–2023: Blue Funnel Group
  • 2023–present: Red Funnel
Operator
  • 1992–2017: White Horse Ferries
  • 2017–2023: Blue Funnel Ferries
  • 2023–present: Hythe Ferry (via Red Funnel)
Port of registry2017–present: Southampton,  United Kingdom
RouteHythe Pier↔Southampton
Launched1992
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
TypeFerry
Length21 metres (68 ft 11 in)[1]
Beam4 metres (13 ft 1 in)

Great Expectations was originally introduced in 1992 and was used on the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry service across the River Thames between Kent and Essex, which was at that time operated by White Horse Ferries Ltd. She was named after the Charles Dickens novel, Great Expectations, in which the countryside of Kent and the marshes on the lower regions of the Thames feature heavily.[3]

In 1995, White Horse moved Great Expectations from the Thames to be the front-line vessel on their Hythe service.[2][3]

In 2008, White Horse Ferries spent £50,000 on upgrading the then 16-year-old Great Expectations, including improvements to her main drive shafts.[4]

In 2012, Great Expectations received a new green and white with a black hull livery.

On 21 April 2017, Great Expectations was purchased by the Blue Funnel Group as part of a takeover of Hythe ferry service.[5][6] Following a refit and repainting in blue, she returned to service on 26 May 2017 under the new name, Hythe Scene.[7]

In March 2023 the ferry was used in a training exercise conducted by the home office and the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.[8]

References
  1. "Great Expectations". Marine Traffic. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  2. "Hythe-Southampton Ferries". Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards. 1999–2006. Retrieved 14 February 2006.
  3. "Tilbury-Gravesend Ferries". Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards. 1999–2006. Retrieved 14 February 2006.
  4. "Hythe ferry meets its Expectations". Daily Echo. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  5. "Sale 'secures future' of Hythe ferry and pier". BBC. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  6. "New Operator Takes Over Saved Hythe Ferry". Capital FM. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  7. "MMSI Registration Details". Marine Traffic. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  8. Puri, Shivalika (25 March 2023). "Hampshire and Nigerian officers take part in Home Office training". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 27 March 2023.


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