- Mayor virtually test drives the first new Mersey Ferry in 60 years
- £26m Royal Daffodil boasts sci-fi-style controls, state-of-the-art engines and green technology
- Captains training on simulators at Liverpool John Moores University
- Also gaining real-world experience in Lake Windermere ahead of big launch
Mayor Steve Rotheram today took the helm of a high-tech simulator being used to train captains on the first new Mersey Ferry in more than 60 years.
The Mayor visited the state-of-the-art maritime simulator at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) to meet the ferry captains and gain hands-on experience of the cutting-edge Azipod propulsion system that will power the £26m Royal Daffodil.
The vessel, being built at Cammell Laird, is the most advanced Mersey Ferry ever and is due to enter service next year. Comparable hybrid-ready engines are already in use on the Lake Windermere ferry where Mersey Ferries captains are also gaining hands-on experience ahead of our 2026 launch date.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram said:
“The late, great, Gerry Marsden immortalised the ‘ferry ‘cross the Mersey’ and they’re a part of who we are. They’ve carried generations of people across the river, to work, to gigs, to games and back home again. But just like our region, they’re evolving.
“The Royal Daffodil is the next chapter in that story – cleaner, greener, and built right here on the banks of the Mersey. It’s a real symbol of the pride, innovation and graft that make our area special.
“Seeing our captains mastering this new technology shows that, while the kit might be cutting-edge, the spirit of the Ferries remains exactly the same.”
The simulator training at LJMU has allowed captains to rehearse emergency stops, precision docking, tight manoeuvring, and multi-weather scenarios, all on a realistic digital version of the River Mersey.
Unlike the traditional 60-year-old propulsion used on the current ferries — which requires manual engagement and throttle management for turning — the new system supports captains with automated control for safer and more efficient navigation.
The Royal Daffodil heralds a new high-tech era however the skills of traditional ferry operations won’t be lost. The captains will continue to operate both new and existing vessels, ensuring the team remains one of the most adaptable and experienced in the UK maritime sector.
Major upgrades to the Seacombe ferry terminal (Wirral) were successfully completed in 2024, with the transformation of Woodside set to follow soon — both forming key milestones in the broader masterplan to both safeguard and elevate the Mersey Ferries experience.
