ms PRINCE PHILIPPE

This is the 1948 version. How can you tell?
Regards

100% agree with you, Dick. The Belgian ships had great lines and boy, were they speedy. I also like the black hull, buff funnels that we lost when we went through the 'blue period'.

Just realised this was a colour photo but its come out black and white....so will change it.
regards Dick.

Which is the "Blue Period"? The 1980s, that Stena bought Sealink?

Hi Fotis
I think meeching means the RailBlue period of the UK ships which used to have a similar livery before 1964/65 when they all got the new BR livery and, a few years later still, Sealink.
The Belgians stuck with black hulls and buff funnels until the mid-80s but these also ended up being 'defaced' at least from the 70s.

Matt

I'm tempted to agree with Finnpartner and say it started when Robin of Sherwood bought Sealink for peanuts, but hhv is quite right. 1965 and the big colour change. Those 'monastral blue' hulls never looked that good, IMHO. At least in Newhaven, we kept the buff funnels, albeit with the addition of the route's Houseflag.

Looks even better in colour!