The giant twin-hulled craft (pictured) are the largest and most comfortable fast ferries in the world. Powered by four gas turbines via four waterjets producing 100,000 horse power - the same as a Jumbo jet - they have a top speed of more than 50 mph.

It meant the sailing time from Harwich to Hook of Holland was cut to just 3 hours 40 minutes, half the time of a conventional ferry, to bring Holland closer to the UK and make it a far more attractive way for holidaymakers, business travellers and hauliers to travel from East Anglia and beyond to northern Europe.

It is not just the speed of the Stena HSS which is so impressive but also their size. At 126 metres long and 40 metres wide - about the same size as a football pitch - Stena HSS was the first high-speed craft to be able to carry coaches and lorries as well as cars with space for 375 cars - or 120 cars and 50 coaches or 50 lorries.

With accommodation for up to 1500 passengers on one level covering a huge 4,000 square metres, she has a similar carrying capacity as today's superferries.

On board facilities are unique and include

• Air-conditioned lounges
• Bars
• A la carte and self-service restaurants
• McDonald's and New York Pizza fast food outlets
• Large duty-free shop

Additional leisure facilities include a video cinema lounge showing the latest movies, a video warp housing the latest interactive games, plus Disco and Casino bars and Club Lounge with access to business facilities.

Safety and stability are other key features. There are no bow doors - loading an unloading is via the stern - and the vehicle deck is eight metres above the water line. The two hulls are each divided in 14 self-contained areas, separated from one another by water-tight bulkheads.

Ashore multi-million pound developments in new berths, passenger terminals and fast check-in facilities were introduced at Harwich and the Hook, enabling Stena Discovery to be simultaneously loaded and unloaded for a turn around in just 30 minutes.