F/B
DIMITRIOS EXPRESS
/
POSEIDON EXPRESS 2
The ship as “Dimitrios Express”, Photo © Per Jensen
The ship as “Poseidon Express 2”, Photo © Per Jensen
|
Ship |
Dimitrios Express (1990) / Poseidon Express 2 (1996) |
Building Spec. |
1973 at Shiffsbau Unterweser, Bremerhaven, Germany N°
485 |
|
GRT |
5.285 |
DWT |
1.309 |
|
Dimensions |
119,6 x 17,81 x 4,95 |
Engines |
2 Pielstick, 12.000 hp |
|
Speed |
20,5 knots |
Passengers |
1.000 |
|
Beds |
547 |
Cars |
215 |
|
Lane Metres |
400 |
Sister Ships |
|
|
Registry Port |
Piraeus |
Flag |
Greek |
|
Former Owners |
Irish Continental Line
1973-82 Belfast Ferries 1982-90 |
Former Names |
Saint Patrick 1973-82 Saint Colum I 1982-90 |
|
New Owners |
M.F.D. Hellas Ferries 1999 à |
New Names |
Express Poseidon 1999à |
|
Line |
|
||
Both owned by companies of
the two Irish countries, this ship was on the line Rosslare - Le Havre after
her delivery in 1973, partially owned also by Lion Ferry. In 1982 was sold to
Belfast Ferries and renamed “Saint Colum I”. At the end of 1990 arrives in Greece
to be refitted in Perama for starting the line Patras - Igoumenitsa - Corfu -
Brindisi as “Dimitrios Express” for Arkadia Lines First running together with “Paloma”,
then with “Silver Paloma” left later Patras to link only Igoumenitsa and Corfi
to Italy. In 1996, after the loss of original “Poseidon Express” in Paros, was
little modified (the solarium above the bridge was cut, as two lifeboats each
side; the solariums were reduced als at the stern), renamed “Poseidon Express 2”,
departing daily at 18.30 from Piraeus to Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini,
returning following day at 07.30 from the “Volcano Island” and diverting, once
or twice a-week, also to Syros, Sikinos and Folegandros. However Paros and “Poseidon”
ships do not agree very much: on 19/07/97, the ship had a black-out entering in
Paros due to a problem in one generator: she discharged all the passengers and
headed to Piraeus for repairs; on 12/06/99 she grounded on a reef near Paros
and had a water ingress. She was rescued and resumed service ten days later. In
1998 and 1999 was the only ship in service for Arkadia Lines, sold at end of 1999
season to Minoan Flying Dolphins giving an end to Arkadia Lines services.
IRISH
CONTINENTAL LINE F/B Saint Patrick Photo by courtesy of Micke Asklander
HELLAS FERRIES
F/B Express Poseidon Photo © Pieter Inpijn