Lovely I

The ship as Spirit I
History
Name	1993–1996: Saint Malo 1996–1999: Condor France 1999–2008: Acacia 2008–2010: Spirit I 2010–present: Lovely I
Owner	1993–1999: Société Nouvelle d'Armement Transmanche (SNAT) 1999–2008: Brudey Freres 2008–2010: Auto Guadeloupe Investments 2010–present: Lovely Fast Ferries
Operator	1993–1996: Channiland Ferries (SNAT) 1996–1999: Condor Ferries 1999–2008: Brudey Freres 2008–2010: Gerant Cie Mme de la Calaibe 2010–present: Lovely Fast Ferries
Builder	Fairey Marinteknik, completed by Marineteknik Verkstads
Identification	IMO number: 9038555
General characteristics
Tonnage	585 GT
Length	41.57 m (136 ft 5 in)
Beam	11 m (36 ft 1 in)
Draft	1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
Installed power	2 x MTU 16V396 3,900 kW (combined)

Lovely I is a catamaran operated by Lovely Fast Ferries. She was built in 1993 by Fairey Marinteknik, Singapore, and completed by Marineteknik Verkstads, Öregrund, Sweden. She first entered services as Saint Malo for Channiland Ferries, and she has also served under the names Condor France, Acacia, and Spirit I.

Accidents and incidents

In April 1995, she was involved in Jersey's biggest maritime disaster, a multi-agency rescue of 307 people when she was holed and starting to sink after hitting an object off La Corbière and starting to take on water, whilst travelling from Jersey to Sark. The passengers were evacuated to life rafts, with around 50 suffering injuries. The vessel was recovered and initially beached in St Aubin's bay, before being refitted and returned to service.

Saint-Malo sculpture commemorating the maritime rescue in 1995

The rescue effort was commemorated by a sculpture overlooking the lighthouse, sculpted by Derek Tristram, and unveiled in April 1997. The sculptor had searched for three months to locate a suitable piece of stone without flaws to produce the sculpture from. Eventually, a suitable piece of Jersey granite was located which had previously been part of the wall of Saint Helier Harbour. The accompanying plaque reads:

"During the morning of Monday April 17th 1995 whilst on passage from Jersey to Sark, the French catamaran Saint-Malo struck a rock known as La Frouquie, 900 metres north of La Corbière Lighthouse. Visibility was good at the time, but with a spring tide ebbing to the west and a westerly Force 5 wind, the sea conditions near Corbière were moderate to rough."

"Emergency services responded promptly and nearby ships gave assistance. All 307 passengers and crew were saved from the partially submerged vessel."

"This memorial is erected in thanksgiving and as a tribute to the rescue, which with the help of God and of many strong arms, ensured the safe return of all on board."