Yeu Island: Discover Insula Oya III

Since May 2, 2023, a new vessel fulfilling freight and passenger transport missions connects the continent to Île d’Yeu: Insula Oya III.

« The cabotage vessel Insula Oya III will enable the daily transport of goods to the island. It is an essential tool for the lives of islanders. More efficient than the previous vessel, it will better meet evolving needs and also reduce nuisances during loading and unloading operations at the quay by connecting to the electrical grid. Scheduled to replace the 40-year-old Insula Oya II, this new boat is highly anticipated by the islanders for securing supplies to the island », said Bruno Noury, mayor of Île d’Yeu and departmental councilor of Vendée.

The vessel is the only link between the islanders and the continent.

Reduced environmental impact
To control and reduce its environmental impact, Insula Oya III is equipped with SCR filters on the exhaust lines, significantly reducing NOx/Sox emissions (nitrogen and sulfur oxides). For the first time in the West, on a public transport ferry of this size, the vessel benefits from onshore electrical power (cold ironing), allowing all commercial operations at the quay to be conducted electrically, with no CO2 or fumes emissions. In practice, when docked, there will be no noise pollution (engine noise), visual pollution (exhaust fumes), or atmospheric pollution (air pollution). This represents an improvement in the quality of life for the islanders and the crew of IO3. This sustainable vessel is intended to be in service for at least 30 years and to operate year-round. From the outset, Insula Oya III was designed to incorporate an eventual green energy-powered re-motorization if needed.

Technical specifications of the Insula Oya III cargo vessel
– Length: 55m (compared to 50m for Insula Oya II)
– Width: 13m (previously 11.90m)
– Speed: 15 knots, significantly faster than the current vessel
– Draft limited to 2.35m (2.55m on IO2), to facilitate regular and daily passage of the Fromentine channel.
– Capacity:
o 391 passengers (compared to 250 currently) distributed across 3 lounges including 1 outdoor, with
a relaxation corner (coffee machine and snack/drink dispensers)
o PMR accessibility, with an elevator connecting the different decks
o Passenger zones designed to facilitate flow and limit boarding times
o Cargo hold capacity over 193 tons (compared to 80 tons)
o 15 light vehicles (compared to 12) with a enclosed garage
o 2 heavy vehicles of 19 tons on lifting platforms (limit of 13 tons on IO2)
o 374 pallets (compared to 290)
o 20 twenty-foot containers (none currently)
o 2 onboard cranes of 13-ton capacity versus 2 cranes of 3 tons on IO2.
The choice was made to equip with onboard cranes rather than quay-mounted, for several reasons:
o The very tight space of the 2 port sites for additional installations;
o Faster operation due to better internal visibility of the vessel’s holds;
On quay, to obtain this visibility, taller and more imposing cranes would have been required;
o Faster execution of maneuvers starting during mooring;
o Greater responsiveness for maintenance by marine crew, compared to quay cranes.
Its limited draft, features, and design make it particularly suitable for the constrained crossing affected by tides and sometimes difficult navigation conditions.