F/B Poseidon Express 2

F/B POSEIDON EXPRESS 2

Photo © Per Jensen

Ship	Poseidon Express 2 (1996) ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩΝ ΕΞΠΡΕΣ 2	Building Spec.	1973 at Shiffsbau Unterweser, Bremerhaven, Germany N° 485
Call Sign	SVRX	IMO Number	7302885
GRT	7.819	DWT	1.309
Dimensions	119,6 x 17,81 x 4,95	Engines	2 Blohm & Voss - Pielstick, 8.826 kW
Speed	22 knots	Passengers	1.870
Beds	560 in 120 cabins	Cars	215
Lane Metres	400	Sister Ships	Beauport
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 Dimitrios Express 1990-93 Kadia Express 1993-94 Dimitrios Express 1994-96
New Owners	Hellas Ferries 1999-05 Scrapped in 2005	New Names	Express Poseidon 1999-05
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; for that operator is serving mainly two old Arkadia services: Piraeus – Cyclades – Ikaria – Samos and Piraeus – Paros – Naxos – Ios – Santorini. Since the end of 2004 the ferry is laid up at Piraeus due to the statement of Hellenic Seaways which decided to sell the ferry; the buyer was an Indian scrapyard.

IRISH CONTINENTAL LINE F/B Saint Patrick – Photo by courtesy of Micke Asklander

ARKADIA LINES F/B Dimitrios Express – Photo © Per Jensen

ARKADIA LINES F/B Dimitrios Express – Photo © Emilio Barenghi

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