Countess of Wessex to name new £30m hybrid energy car ferry

The hybrid energy car ferry is called Victoria of Wight.

The ceremony will take place at about lunchtime at Wightlink's Fishbourne port on the Isle of Wight in front of children, civic dignitaries and invited guests.

It will include a blessing from The Right Reverend Christopher Foster,  Bishop of Portsmouth.

Wightlink chief executive, Keith Greenfield, said: '˜Victoria of Wight heralds a new, greener era of travel between the Isle of Wight and the mainland and we are delighted that HRH The Countess of Wessex is able to join us t o officially name our new flagship.

'˜This will be a very proud moment for Wightlink as we have worked very hard to develop this new generation ship with our partners, to give the next generation a greener '“ and more comfortable '“ journey across the Solent.'

After the ceremony HRH will join guests for a tour of Victoria of Wight.

Powered by hybrid energy, she uses a combination of battery power and conventional engines to minimise emissions. Eco-friendly credentials also include a lift able to generate electricity through kinetic energy, on-board water heated by warmth generated by the engine and motion sensor LED lighting in lesser-used areas of the ship.