© Brian Fisher

Steel twin screw motor vessel built in 1968 at Cons. Nav. & Ind. De la Mediterranean (CNIM), La Seyne , France (Yard No. 1381)as a passenger and train ferry for Societe Nationale de Chemins der Fer Francais (SNCF). Launched November 30^th, 1968.

Technical Data

IMO Number - 6904478

Registry - Dunkirk, France/Panama

Length - 104.20m (overall)

Breadth - 18.70m (moulded)

Draught - 5.20m (maximum)

Tonnage - 2760 gross (1968), 2289 (1991)

759 net (1968)(1991)

1829 deadweight (1968)(1991)

Engines - Two 8-cylinder MWM diesels

Power - 4400bhp/ 3326kW

Speed - 16 knots

Capacity - 36 passengers (1968) 1,000 (1991), and 36 railway wagons

Call sign - FNZN (1969 - 1986), 3ETZ8 (1991 - 1995)

History

November 30^th 1968: Launched. Part container ship.

February 1969: Delivered to Societe Nationale de Chemins der Fer Francais (SNCF) and introduced into service between Dunkerque - Harwich.

March 11^th 1969: Maiden sailing halted by strike.

March 13^th 1969: First sailing to Harwich.

1972/1973: All vessels were painted in the new house colours “Sealink” being added.

© Fotoflite, Nigel Thornton Collection

October 24^th 1974: Re-entered service (on Dunkirk - Dover or Dunkirk - Harwich) having been altered to a train ferry.

Roy Thornton Collection

November 10^th 1974 - January 8^th 1975: Operated between Calais and Dover switching back to Dunkerque - Harwich immediately afterwards.

January 8^th 1975: Inaugurated the new West Dunkirk (Gravelines) - Felixstowe 3 x weekly service.

January 9^th 1978: Collided with STENA NORDICA, outside Felixstowe and was subsequently repaired in Dunkerque.

April 1984: Her loss making route was terminated.

© Derek Sands

March 9^th 1985: Covered the Dieppe - Portsmouth route until her last run in October of the same year, returning to Dover - Dunkerque between February and July of 1986.

1986: Sold to Pireo Cia. Nav. S.A., Piraeus.

1987: Operated between Piraeus - Ravenna .

1991: Sold to Corporation Trans. S.A., Panama, and renamed NOUR I when she was rebuilt as a passenger ferry in Jordan.

1991: Introduced into service between Acaba and Nuwaiba.

1995: Sold again to Kassimeris Arab Bridge, Panama (registered to Seatower Shipping Co. Ltd., Panama) and renamed NIOBE I.

© Andreas Wörteler

December 1995: Sold to Rainbow Lines and rebuilt before serving between Otrantoi - Durres in 1996 then Brindisi - Durres and Igouenitsa in 1997.

1997: Laid up in Igoumenitsa before being introduced for Ikaria Lines between Brindsis - Otranto and Valona.

1998: Registered to Cascade Navigation Corp., Panama.

December 27^th2000: Reportedly arrived in Alang, India for scrapping.  

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for errors and omissions. All items included in this article are subject to ©. We would like to thank: Brian Fisher, Derek Sands and Andreas Wörteler for there assistance in producing this feature.