VITA at the City Cruises mooring, 20th May 2008

VITA was originally in service on the Portsmouth-Gostport ferry. She was the last of the traditional ferries delivered, albeit diesel-powered from the start. VITA was kept as a spare boat on for seasonal harbour cruises until 1974 after the arrival of the modern Portsmouth Queen and Gosport Queen in 1966. VITA was bought by Woods Cruises for use on the Thames, passing to City Cruises c.1999, with whom she remains in 2007. She is een alongside FERRY QUEEN, another ex-Portsmouth-Gosport ferry. Neither boat has seen much use in 2008 so far, following the acquisition of three large multi-hull vessels from Catamaran Cruisers for use on Westminster-Tower circulars.

Photo: © 2008 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk