MV Norris Castle, the third vessel in the Red Funnel fleet to carry the name, was built in 1968 by Vosper Thorneycroft at Woolston and operated as a car ferry between Southampton and East Cowes until 1994. Mrs Joan Lacon, owner of the namesake building, Norris Castle, named the ship. Originally designed to load and discharge through the bows, in 1976, she was converted to drive through operation, with mezzanine decks and an extended superstructure, by Boele in Rotterdam. As built, she was long with a capacity of 734 GT. After rebuilding she was extended to and 999 GT. With the arrival of in 1994, she was surplus to requirements and sold to Jadrolinija for service in Croatia. She was renamed Lovrjenac. After 14 years further service, she was laid up in 2008. Accidents and incidents In gale-force winds in 1981, when turning in the River Medina in the Isle of Wight, she was blown on to the Cowes Floating Bridge, but there was no serious damage done to either vessel. References Ferries of England Ferry transport on the Isle of Wight 1968 ships Ships of Red Funnel