THE second of three Irish Ferries’ ships arrived for annual overhaul at Cammell Laird today.

The arrival of the roll-on/roll-off ferry Isle of Inishmore, for refit until January 25, directly follows the departure from the yard of Irish Ferries’ Ulysses yesterday.

The 51,000-tonne Ulysses, the world’s largest car ferry, returned to her Dublin - Holyhead run.

Hot on her heels into Birkenhead tomorrow will be IF’s Dublin - Holyhead high-speed ferry Jonathan Swift, for her bi-annual refit at Laird’s until January 22.

The work on each ship includes routine dry-docking, inspections and certifications.

However, the icy weather had played havoc with Ulysses’s repainting.

“We had 100,000 euros of paint ready at the shipyard, but the weather was so cold we shelved most of it,” said an Irish Ferries’ spokesman.

“In the 168 hours available, only seven hours, or 4%, of painting was done. But we got the crucial underside of the hull cleaned and finished.”

John Syvret, Laird’s chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to see three ships coming in quick succession from Irish Ferries, which is a very important client, and more proof of Laird’s commercial muscle.”