The rush of the tide through the channel is so strong that the Norsemen called the place Strang Fiord. The channel has a maximum depth of 60 metres (180 ft). For almost four centuries without a break, a ferry service has been provided between Strangford and Portaferry. The townland of Ferryquarter, which takes in part of Strangford, was granted by James I in 1612 to one Peter Tumolton. The patent
under which the townland is held grants two quarters of land; one quarter called Carhomada on the Portaferry side, and the other in Ferryquarter on the Strangford side. The Grant contains a covenant on the part of the grantee that:
"His heirs and assigns, at his and their expense for ever to maintain, keep and have in readiness, in and upon the ferry of Strangford, a good strong and sufficient ferry boat, and four able and efficient ferrymen to attend the ferry, for the transport of men, horses and other cattle and to perform other services at the said ferry as was theretofore used or accustomed to be done." Strangford also had the first steam ferry in Ireland, thirty-six years before Belfast could boast a steam ferry on the River Lagan. In June 1836 the "Lady of the Lake" took up service between Strangford and Portaferry. Her maiden trip was a romantic one as on board were the eldest daughter of Mr Andrew Nugent, of Portaferry House and Mr James Stronge of Tynan Abbey, County Armagh; they had married earlier the same day. In early 1946 two flat-bottomed landing craft, fitted with twin engines and capable of accommodating about 36 passengers and two motor cars were brought into service. Sadly this arrangement ended with the capsizing of one of the boats and the loss of one life. The McDonnell family from Strangford operated a passenger service after this. Other names worth mentioning about this time are the Quails from Strangford and the Trainors from Portaferry. This service lasted until 1967 when it was taken over by the Government. A new car ferry, the MV "Strangford" was ordered from the Verlome Shipyard in Cork. She was launched on 6 September 1969. It had a capacity of 18 cars and 260 passengers. The first superintendent was George McDonnell, a man who had spent his whole life on the ferry between Strangford and Portaferry. Following local Government in 1973 reorganisation, the Downpatrick Division of Roads Service took over operation of the service in. In 1974, another boat, the MV "Portaferry" was bought from a company in Wales (Cleddau King – Pembroke Dock / Neyland) and modified by Messrs Harland and Wolff of Belfast. This ferry acted as standby for whenever the main ferry was off due to annual maintenance. Another smaller passenger-only ferry, the "Isle O'Valla" was bought at about this time to cover for when neither vessel was operating. In 1975 the new ferry terminal building and semi dry dock were built. The new £2.7 million MV "Portaferry II" was officially handed over to Roads Service on Tuesday 23 October 2001 by shipbuilders McTay Marine of Merseyside. This purpose-built craft successfully completed final trials in Strangford Lough. After crew training she came into service at 15:00 on Tuesday 18 December 2001. The Portaferry II has a capacity of 28 cars and 260 passengers. The "Portaferry II" replaced the MV "Strangford" as the main vessel. The MV "Strangford" took over the support role from MV "Portaferry". MV Portaferry was sold in May 2002. In 2009 The MV "Rachlyn" replaced the "Isle O'Valla" passenger vessel. The MV Strangford II was built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead and came into service February 2017. The Strangford II and Portaferry II have same capacity and will operate alternatively. The original MV Strangford was sold to the Scenic Lough Foyle Ferry service (Magilligan)
The ferry service operates 16 hours per day, 364 days per year (22,500 crossings per year) 600,000 passengers / 250,000 vehicles. The ferry route is approximately 0.6 nautical miles with a typical crossing time of about five minutes. The ferry acts as an essential transport link for cars, commercial vehicles and foot passengers, for commuting, hospitals, schools etc, and for the emergency services - ambulance, fire, police, and coastguard.
