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Irish Ferries Enthusiasts => The News Board => Topic started by: jswift on February 18, 2011, 02:48:35 PM

Title: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: jswift on February 18, 2011, 02:48:35 PM
Captain Simon Coates, Dun Laoghaire Harbourmaster, today on RTE Radio 1's "Liveline" with Joe Duffy said that the HSS Stena Explorer will resume one sailing per day in April and the service will continue until September. He further said that he believes that 2011 will see the end of the vessel operating on the Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead route based on his discussions with Stena Line. ;)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on February 20, 2011, 10:03:26 PM
I suspect he is probably right, though it is interesting they are bringing it back 7 weeks earlier than last year.  This could be that it's simpler and cheaper to run one vessel than chop and change.

The problem Stena have is how to convince most of their remaining loyal fastferry customers to continue to travel with them through Dublin port on a conventional ferry, especially when Irish Ferries swift sailing continues to run twice a day.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour have been getting €6.5m for the last 7 years from Stena.  Stena just are not going to pay anywhere near that.  But they might be prepared to pay something to retain their USP, and it's down to whether DLH think they can make more money from the other options they've been exploring compared to what Stena are happy to pay.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on February 24, 2011, 08:48:04 AM
From the Irish Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0223/1224290628617_pf.html

Stena Line agrees cut in Dún Laoghaire charges

TIM O'BRIEN

Wed, Feb 23, 2011

STENA LINE has negotiated a reduction in berthage fees at Dún Laoghaire Harbour in a move which will allow the ferry company to bring its high-speed service back into service for the summer.

However, the company has told staff at the port that even with the reduction – which is subject to ratification by the board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company – the service may become seasonal from September.

Neither side would confirm the reduction in annual fees, but it is understood to be a drop from €6.5 million to €2 million. If approved by the harbour company board next week the agreement would come into effect on April 1st and last for three years.

Stena has been divesting itself of its high-speed ship (HSS) in recent years and is actively looking for a smaller vessel on the Dún Laoghaire-Holyhead route.

The HSS has been mothballed in Holyhead over the winter and has been replaced on the route by the smaller vessel, the Stena Lynx, on loan from the Rosslare to Fishguard route.

A significant difficulty is that facilities at St Michael's pier in Dún Laoghaire are not configured for conventional car ferries. Any replacement ferry would have to be another fast craft and the business case for such a fuel-dependent vessel is understood to be uncertain.

Stena has two conventional ferries serving Dublin port. There are also Irish Sea crossings to Britain from Belfast and Rosslare.

In the light of declining traffic on the Holyhead route, the harbour company has made no secret of its interest in the cruise line business.

Chief executive Gerry Dunne has said plans were being made to attract cruise liners with a capacity for up to 5,000 passengers.

The plans are being supported by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as well as the local chamber of commerce, retail and tourism interests and will be advanced by a new master plan being drawn up for the harbour.

A spokeswoman for the harbour company said a statement on the future agreement between the harbour and the ferry company would be issued after the harbour company board meeting next week.

© 2011 The Irish Times
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on February 24, 2011, 11:33:23 PM
Stena must be delighted to be out of that nightmare contract that they had the misfortune to re-negotiate early in 2004, ahead of the date the previous contract actually ran out in 2006.  Whoever was in charge of that at Stena probably cost them a small fortune.

I suspect the late start this year of the service is at least in part political, giving themselves time to negotiate a much better contract, and potentially walk away from any deal that wasn't good enough.

The sum agreed sounds like it should allow Stena to make the route profitable.  If they are only paying €2m, whether or not they run after September, presumably it makes sense to run a year round service.  And hopefully the times will be tweaked to better co-incide with trains at Holyhead.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on March 02, 2011, 08:49:24 PM
I see that the Lynx arrived in Dun Laoghaire today.  Is she really going to be moored there until she starts her summer season into Rosslare or have they got an extra shift organised for her out of Dun Laoghaire?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Kieran on March 04, 2011, 11:56:23 AM
QuoteI see that the Lynx arrived in Dun Laoghaire today.  Is she really going to be moored there until she starts her summer season into Rosslare or have they got an extra shift organised for her out of Dun Laoghaire?

No extra services, she is to lay up in Dún Laoghaire until she takes up summer sailings as far as I know.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on March 05, 2011, 10:39:49 AM
That's a shame.  Much as I'd like to see her operating, she's going to be a bit of a blot on the view across the harbour from Marine Road if it's going to be for the next 4 months.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on August 31, 2011, 09:28:47 PM
Lots of publicity in the papers for the Explorers final weeks:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0830/breaking53.html

A major ferry operator is pulling its fast service between Ireland and Britain next month.

Stena Line said its HSS craft will be suspended on the Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead route from September 13th until later next year.

Michael McGrath, area director for Stena Line's Irish Sea services, blamed the cutbacks on the high cost of operating the two-hour sailing.

"The fast craft service operating between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead has traded at a financial loss for several years," he said.

"The high operating costs of the HSS Stena Explorer, particularly in terms of fuel costs and gas turbine maintenance, has been a major factor in this and despite all our attempts to reduce operating costs over the last few years, it has not been possible to return the route to profitability."

Stena said the high-speed HSS craft will now operate as a seasonal service only.

The operator will continue to run two traditional ferries year-round between Dublin Port and Holyhead.

"The vast majority of revenue from the fast craft service is generated from car and coach guests and is received during the peak summer trading period," said Mr McGrath.

Last year, almost three quarters of Stena's business on the HSS Irish Sea service was between May and September, the company said.

Unlike the other services, there was very little year-round freight business on the high-speed route, Stena added.

"We regret that this decision will have an impact amongst our ship's personnel and our port operations staff in Dun Laoghaire but this is a decision that has to be taken," said Mr McGrath.

The HSS Stena Explorer currently operates one sailing a day.

Stena said 88 staff working on the high-speed route will be affected.

These include 24 involved in Dun Laoghaire travel centre and ship handling as well as general operatives and clerical staff.

Another 55 crew working on board will be impacted.

The company begins a 30-day consultation period with trade unions Siptu, RMT and Nautilus tomorrow.

A Stena spokesman said workers would be offered voluntary redundancy or redeployment within the company, but declined to say how many lay-offs were expected.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0831/1224303237213.html

Ferry firm to end winter crossings from Dún Laoghaire


THE OPERATOR of the ferry route between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead is ceasing the once-daily winter service, it was confirmed yesterday.

Stena Line said the move was a result of rising costs associated with the high-speed ship (HSS) fast ferry, particularly increased fuel costs, along with competition from low cost airlines.

Some 24 staff based at Dún Laoghaire are to be affected by the reduction to a seasonal service, along with a further 53 crew based in the UK.

The company, which employs more than 1,800 people in Ireland, said about 26 staff will continue to work all year round at Dún Laoghaire, while the crew may be redeployed.

The summer schedule is set to end on September 12th, when the change will be brought in, and it will resume next April or May.

The company is to discuss the situation with workers' unions. A spokesman said redeployment and redundancy terms will be offered. Stena will continue to operate two services daily from Holyhead to Dublin Port, as well as services between Rosslare and Pembroke, and Belfast and Stranraer.

Business interests in Dún Laoghaire expressed disappointment at the news, while Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber said the retention of the harbour as a port was very important to the region. Chamber chief executive Hal Ledford said the cessation of winter services was not entirely unexpected, but was regrettable.

Local Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O'Connor said she was "extremely sorry" for the staff involved. "This was an operational decision for the company which has the potential to adversely affect the local economy in and around the Dún Laoghaire area," she said, adding the decision "will be widely viewed as an unwelcome one".

Stena, which has seen declining winter traffic for a number of years, is understood to have been effectively paying 12-month costs on five to six months of income.

HSS Stena Explorer , introduced in 1995, offers travel at 40 knots, completing the journey in just 99 minutes with a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 350 cars.

HSS ships have a heavy fuel consumption, however, and Stena has already sold, or offered for sale, a number of the HSS Explorer 's sister ships across Europe.

Last year HSS Explorer was replaced during winter months by the smaller Stena Lynx II . From January to April the service was temporarily suspended.

Stena has recently signed a new agreement with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to operate the service in the summer months for the next two years. It is understood there is an option on a further two years.

A regular ferry service has sailed between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead for more than 150 years.


Image below from http://www.drimnagh-road.com/020411hssexplorer.htm


Lots more images available here also

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottmackey/sets/72157623466755204/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer/Redundancies at Dun Laoghaire
Post by: DublinPeter on January 17, 2012, 12:34:14 AM
From RTE.IE/NEWS this evening:

Increased terms for Stena workers recommended

The Labour Court has recommended that the Stena Ferry Company should increase redundancy terms for 39 workers at Dun Laoghaire operation - but has rejected a SIPTU claim that they should be entitled to redeployment to Stena's Dublin port centre.

The redundancies were first announced in August for operational staff and October for support services.

This followed the reduction of Dun Laoghaire services to summertime only, and the transfer of other services to Dublin Port.

Stena Line argued that because it is only operating from Dun Laoghaire between April and September, there is no work for the staff.

However, SIPTU had claimed that under agreements signed in 2007 and 2009, Stena had undertaken to redeploy Dun Laoghaire staff to Dublin Port in the event of a downturn.

The Dublin Port operation is now being run by a subcontractor Ro Ro Services Dublin Ltd, which Stena said had no vacancies.

The Labour Court said the Stena should increase the redundancy term previously offered to staff.

In 2009, staff had received 3 weeks per year of service inclusive of statutory redundancy.

In addition, they had received ex gratia payments of E18,000 plus an additional E500 per year of service.

However, the Labour Court recommmended that the E500 per year of service payment should be increased to E1050 per year of service.

in addition it recommmended that the company should confirm in writing that displaced staff in Dun Laoghaire would be given first call on the jobs that will be created latyer this year when the seasonal High Speed ferry service commences - whether through direct employment or through a contracting arrangement.

The company should also engage with the union on terms and conditions for those jobs.

The ruling is binding on the union but not on Stena.

A Stena spokesperson said the company was considering the recommendation.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on February 18, 2012, 12:58:02 PM
Staffing arrangments are now being made for the return of the HSS to Dun Laoghaire for the Summer Season. 

Unsurprisingly, seasonal staff will be used on 6 month contracts - hopefully some of the staff who lost their jobs at the port recently will be able to get sorted out, although the terms will be very different!

Explorer herself is off to H&W Belfast in the next few weeks for refit and then back to Holyhead for staff training before taking up service a couple of days earlier than planned on Friday March 30th with the 10am sailing to Dun Laoghaire.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on March 25, 2012, 11:59:46 PM
No refit for Stena HSS Explorer this year due to the various delays with Mersey/Lagan but good to see Dun Laoghaire ferryport come back to life this weekend with the arrival of a little convoy of Stena vehicles and all the bits necessary to get the show on the road before Friday. Ticket desks etc will be up and running by Tuesday and first arrival due at 12 on Friday. Odd to see the new faces after so many years of familiar Stena staff.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on March 26, 2012, 08:33:46 AM
Amazing to think the Explorer has been laid up since last September and is going straight back into service without even cleaning the hulls underwater, there has got to be plenty of seaweed and stuff, growing on the bottom of the hulls which will surely have a negative effect on fuel consumption.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on March 28, 2012, 06:17:57 PM
QuoteAmazing to think the Explorer has been laid up since last September and is going straight back into service without even cleaning the hulls underwater, there has got to be plenty of seaweed and stuff, growing on the bottom of the hulls which will surely have a negative effect on fuel consumption.

Presumably they'd reved up the engines / turbines a few days before.

Not that surprising there has been no refit given it's only doing one trip a day for 5 1/2 months of the year.  The continuing hike in fuel can't be doing anything to increase the likelihood the Explorer will operate beyond the end of this year.  Stena do not seem to be using the tag line they have used for the last few years: "The best is back" to market its one remaining HSS; this is presumably very telling.

Now approaching its 16th anniversary of service it has easily seen off the Discovery and Voyager in time, though not necessarily "miles on the clock".

On a separate note, I see Stena's Dublin port bus service is no longer free after 1 April.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on March 29, 2012, 12:05:24 AM
Explorer got a decent run over to Dun Laoghaire on Monday and spent a couple of hours doing berthing trials. Did some decent speed on the way over (up to 40 knots) which will have blown some cobwebs off! "Best is back" posters up in the terminal and on the press release I got on Monday. First year in many years that it didn't come from Eamon Hewitt in Stena Hq in Dun Laoghaire. Almost all admin now done from Belfast as is the PR. Lot depends on the success of this years seasonal service. Bookings apparently healthy so far for Jun-Aug at least.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: maehara on March 29, 2012, 09:53:57 AM
QuoteNow approaching its 16th anniversary of service it has easily seen off the Discovery and Voyager in time, though not necessarily "miles on the clock".
Vaguely surprised they didn't move Voyager down to do the route - having been on both Explorer and Voyager last year, Voyager's noticeably better 'equipped' in the passenger areas.  Especially if you're travelling with kids.  Explorer is a tad more spartan.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on April 01, 2012, 01:05:56 PM
QuoteVaguely surprised they didn't move Voyager down to do the route - having been on both Explorer and Voyager last year, Voyager's noticeably better 'equipped' in the passenger areas.  Especially if you're travelling with kids.  Explorer is a tad more spartan.

Depends if being better "equipped" means needing more manpower to run it.

Last time I would have been on the Explorer would have been September 2010 and even then several of the coffee bars and other facilties weren't open. There'd be no point adding extra facilities if they weren't going to be opened.

It's a vicious circle; the fewer services it runs and the more it increases prices due to fuel costs and the downturn, the more it goes out of people's consciousness to use it, the less sustainable it is.  As well as taking the car, I have used it several times in the past on Sail / Rail.  The train connections at Holyhead haven't been great for a long time, but recent price increases have tipped the balance completely in favour of flying.

I wonder what the difference is on the loadings between the inbound (10am) and outbound (1.15pm) service?  Haven't used the inbound service since they did away with the afternoon crossing at the end of 2008, which is a real shame.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on August 31, 2012, 04:13:20 PM
So it looks like the HSS won't get the entire winter off this year which really is good news.  She will be back on the run for 12 days over Christmas/New Year with a 1030 departure from Holyhead and a 1330 return from Dun Laoghaire.  Its on the booking engine now. 

Bookings have been good this Summer and she has sold out regularly (including this weekend) so obviously a busy Christmas is expected and they don't want to leave all that extra traffic to Irish Ferries!

I know a couple of enthusiasts who were booked on to Explorers latest swansong (I make it 7 "final" days now since 2008) on September 11th.  I'm guessing they will be rebooking now for January 5th :)

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on August 31, 2012, 11:02:10 PM
Great news and shows a bit of risk taking from the local management of Stena Line, always a shame to see the HSS laid up most of the year.

Confirmed on Stena's facebook site

"Great Friday news! We know it's a little early to be talking about Christmas but we're just too excited!
For all of you wanting to visit your friends or relatives over the festive season, the HSS will be running 20-23 Dec, 27-30 Dec & 2-5 Jan on our Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead route so get booking today at www.stenaline.co.uk
or www.stenaline.ie"

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on August 31, 2012, 11:30:45 PM
Good to see her running in the winter months for the first time in 3 years.

Clearly Stena are not convinced they can pursuade enough of the Christmas market of the benefits of the conventional ships.  This, together with the earlier arrival of the Explorer in March last are the clearest signals for a long time that fast ferries will by plying the Irish Sea for some time yet.  They're "excited" only because they know the public like the Explorer and it'll stimulate bookings.

Not great for IF; who'll book a Swift sailing with a 50% chance of a winter cancellation and being shifted to a conventional sailing when you book the hulking great Explorer with a much reduced chance?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: larry on August 31, 2012, 11:34:32 PM
judging by the bizarre weather maybe theyre anticipating a rather calm winter season on the seas
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: steven_shaw on September 02, 2012, 11:14:11 PM
It just a real shame the management at Belfast dont have the same vision and get the Voyager back on to scotland instead of the overated slow boats on there now

I will never travel with stena until a high speed ferry is back on
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on September 04, 2012, 10:04:00 AM
QuoteIt just a real shame the management at Belfast dont have the same vision and get the Voyager back on to scotland instead of the overated slow boats on there now

I will never travel with stena until a high speed ferry is back on

I'm sure Stena would be hoping that your view is not representative of their average customer.

I think the only way you'll see the Voyager again is in the event of a breakdown of one of the Superfasts or a commodity price crash (which some forecasters are predicting).  Even then, the linkspan for the HSS is presumably still in Stranraer, which Stena have left in favour of Cairnryan.  Stena are able to provide a very regular service because the two Superfasts take the same time, which reintrodcution of the HSS would upset.

A travel time of only 2 hours 22 minutes seems to be only 22 minutes more than the HSS and 40 minutes faster than the previous slow boats, though this might be more to do with the location of the new port than the ships themselves.

The high speed ferries other advantages are quick docking and unload / load time, which always seems painfully slow on the traditional ferries.  Do the Superfasts offer any advantage here?

I have not been on one of the Superfasts, though it's possible we might beore the year is out.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: FlyingCello on September 04, 2012, 08:33:18 PM
Quote
Quote

A travel time of only 2 hours 22 minutes seems to be only 22 minutes more than the HSS and 40 minutes faster than the previous slow boats, though this might be more to do with the location of the new port than the ships themselves.


Aren't the Superfasts capable of around 30 knots? In which case, any reduction in fuel price might be better put to use upping their current cruise speed (circa. 22 knots?). The HSS was massively impressive in it's day, and I loved sailing on her. But the new ships are equally as impressive in their own way, and a 30 knot crossing would be something to enjoy!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Collision-course on September 05, 2012, 02:07:01 AM
I would'nt hold my breath for lower fuel prices with WW3 about to kick off in the Persian Gulf , transport industry analysts are projecting Brent Crude at $200 per barrel (currently around $115) in the event of a protracted conflict , given the season in the desert if there is going to be a war it will be within the next 3 weeks. When the HSS was built Brent Crude was $16 per barrel.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on September 06, 2012, 09:31:46 PM
Interesting decision to bring the Explorer in for the winter. Does anyone know whether the Voyager is actually for sale, or simply laid up in wait for better times/other routes? I guess Stena were lucky to sell the discovery. have you seen pictures of its current state? it looks awful and is involved in a criminal investigation in Curacao. It never sailed on its destined route in Venezuela.Also looks like only two of her jets are in working condition.

But back to the explorer;) ..
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on September 12, 2012, 05:47:50 PM
For those interested, i have received word that the voyager has been for sale quite some time but with no real interest. I can't belief the only fate for her is going to the scrapyard. If anything scrap the explorer, voyager seems newer and better equipped for passengers.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Andrew White on September 12, 2012, 05:51:33 PM
Sure they could used the Voyage from Belfast and do the crossing in the same time as the Superfasts. and still save money!!!!!  She is a lovely boat keep her!!1
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on September 12, 2012, 11:12:16 PM
According to the Dun Laoghaire Harbour website, the Explorer is running a "freight-only" service this Sunday.  Anyone know what this is about?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on September 14, 2012, 10:22:43 PM
Thats some freight vessell !!!

http://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/19895-stena-lines-hss-service-sounds-good-for-lady-gaga

Stena Line's HSS Service Sounds Good for Lady Gaga

Stena Line's HSS Stena Explorer is set to return to Dun Laoghaire Harbour this Sunday, despite last Tuesday's end of season Sailings to Holyhead, as previously reported on Afloat.ie. The HSS has been specially chartered in to transport stage trucks following the Lady Gaga concert to be held this weekend in Dublin, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The US pop-star is to play her only Irish tour date on Saturday night in the Aviva Stadium. Following the New York musician's 'The Born This Way Ball' performance, the stage equipment is to be transported from the Ballsbridge venue by a convoy of 25 freight trucks to the ferryport in Dun Laoghaire for the Sailing to Holyhead.

On arrival of the HSS into Dun Laoghaire, the fast-ferry will be in a 'light' mode, i.e. no passengers or vehicles on board. However on the return leg to Anglesey, the craft will be loaded with the stage trucks on the vehicle decks that are capable of loading in total 50 lorries (each of 15m in length).

Upon arrival in Holyhead, the truck convoy will travel 'landbridge' across the UK as they proceed onward to The Netherlands, where the tour continues in Amsterdam, at the cities Ziggo Dome.

However normal HSS Sailings are to resume for 12 days over the Christmas /New Year period, for further information visit: www.stenaline.ie/ferry/book-now/hss-christmas-sailings-2012/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on September 15, 2012, 12:58:32 PM
I wonder if the Lady herself will be going on a tour of Dun Laogaire tomorrow before checking in and boarding the vessel and trucking it across the UK to the Netherlands? ;-)

I'd have thought there'd be plenty of capacity on the existing scheduled ships at this time of year for a few concert lorries.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Kieran on September 15, 2012, 02:30:55 PM
Quote
I'd have thought there'd be plenty of capacity on the existing scheduled ships at this time of year for a few concert lorries.

That's an odd on alright, she has a big production, but that's overkill.  I think that article got something wrong - she's playing in Amsterdam on Monday (no way they will de-rig, travel, and rebuild the stage in that length of time), usually for those sorts of shows, there are 2 or 3 stages that "leap frog" the tour. I am going to guess they are chartering the HSS so they can meet a schedule (or if there is a hold up with the de-rig they the ferry waits for them, then goes full speed to the UK)....
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on September 15, 2012, 07:59:54 PM
Its a big stage show - 50 trucks apparently along with lots of crew for this stage.  Apparently they wouldnt be ready for Adventurer in the morning and Nordica later on just didn't have the capacity (or the flexibility to wait!) so Stena laid on the HSS especially which can depart whenever they are ready.  You know you're big when they run Explorer just for you :).

Bookings apparently ticking along nicely for the Christmas sailing schedule and the new Shackleton exhibition opens in the Ferry Terminal (old departures hall) this week.  Plan is to run for 18 months - 2 years.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on September 15, 2012, 09:27:36 PM
Has stena found a lucrative new business model for the HSS' ?

She has style ;).
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on October 05, 2012, 04:11:25 PM
for those interested in the HSS, thought this made an itneresting picture. NOt sure which of the three vessels it belongs to though
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: cullyburn on October 05, 2012, 05:12:13 PM
As it's still branded'Stena', its probably the 'Explorer' as the 'Voyager' is still alongside at Belfast' Victoris 3. (At least it was yesterday about 17-00) ;)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Collision-course on October 05, 2012, 05:34:56 PM
Do we know when the photo was taken? looks like Stena Discovery after its collision a few years ago.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on October 05, 2012, 06:10:51 PM
Sorry yes, it is definitely not a recent picture. I doubt they would spend any money right now on maintenance .
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ScottMackey on October 08, 2012, 11:47:08 AM
Its Stena Explorer a few years ago at Harland and Wolff. She has a slightly larger 'Stena Line' on her bow than the other two have/had.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on October 11, 2012, 04:42:21 PM
Confirmation today of the HSS season for next year on Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead.

After her refit in early December at H&W, she's back for Christmas/New Year and then returns on Friday March 22nd and will operate her daily sailing until Tuesday September 10th.  Back a week earlier this year because Easter is early (March 31st I think).

Departure now 1030 from Holyhead and 1330 from Dun Laoghaire.  Journey time now listed at 134 minutes so a bit slower than this year to keep the bills down! 

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: digorykirke1 on October 15, 2012, 11:30:43 AM
QuoteConfirmation today of the HSS season for next year on Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead.

After her refit in early December at H&W, she's back for Christmas/New Year and then returns on Friday March 22nd and will operate her daily sailing until Tuesday September 10th.  Back a week earlier this year because Easter is early (March 31st I think).

Departure now 1030 from Holyhead and 1330 from Dun Laoghaire.  Journey time now listed at 134 minutes so a bit slower than this year to keep the bills down! 

Pete

Looks again like the only journeys I will be doing with Stena then will be with the HSS, as it is impossible to get from Heuston to Westmoreland Street (why there for the bus?) in fifteen minutes from arrival at 0700 unless I pay extra for a taxi.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on November 28, 2012, 11:14:28 PM
QuoteConfirmation today of the HSS season for next year on Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead.

After her refit in early December at H&W, she's back for Christmas/New Year and then returns on Friday March 22nd and will operate her daily sailing until Tuesday September 10th.  Back a week earlier this year because Easter is early (March 31st I think).

Departure now 1030 from Holyhead and 1330 from Dun Laoghaire.  Journey time now listed at 134 minutes so a bit slower than this year to keep the bills down! 

Pete

Unless they've made a mistake, timetable on Stena's website says same as this year, 30 March to September 11, though would be a bit silly to start half way through the Easter weekend.  Some changes also to Nordica's departure times for 2013 (8.55am instead of 8.20am (always thought this was too early from Holyhead and later time co-incides with Explorer's old departure time), 3.10pm instead of 4pm from Dublin and 8.30pm instead of 9.30pm from Holyhead (always thought this was too late).  Still no foot passengers though.  Booking engine hasn't been updated to reflect the new positions yet.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on February 19, 2013, 09:49:07 PM
Quotefor those interested in the HSS, thought this made an itneresting picture. NOt sure which of the three vessels it belongs to though


Here are the original images for the repair from H&W

http://www.harland-wolff.com/Projects/Ship-Repair--amp--Conversion-Project-Synopsis/HSS-Voyager-and-HSS-Explorer.aspx

Click on Gallery.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on August 07, 2013, 12:18:35 AM
HSS Explorer Christmas and New Year 2013/2014 sailings now confirmed and should be on the booking system by now.

Season finishes on September 10 and then she is off until December 20 and runs 20-23rd, 27th to 30th and January 2nd to 5th 2014.  Sailing times the same as this season.

Hopefully have the 2014 season confirmed soon.  Easter is much later this year so she will probably be back the last week in March.  There is refit cover etc but that can be confirmed much later and is dependent on relief ships not hopping off the berth in Holyhead :)

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on August 07, 2013, 09:36:15 AM
.....or crashing into anything else (as per the Stena Feronia).

It makes a lot of sense to use the HSS to cover for the Stena Nordica, which can then be released to act whilst all the others do refit in turn. Whilst she may be expensive to run, it saves the cost of a charter vessel, is run by crew who know the area and less likely to come to mishap. True she can't handle as much freight, but if a backlog does occur she also has the capabilities of double-tripping.

Have we heard if Isle of Inishmore is likely to join the Central Corridor again at Christmas?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on August 26, 2013, 07:27:23 PM
Any news on the explorer's schedule next year?

what are your experiences with reliability during the festivities? Are Irish sea's really that rough during winter months?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on August 26, 2013, 09:43:30 PM
The Christmas and New Year sailings are on the booking system, Dec 20th/23rd - Dec 27th/31st, Jan2nd/Jan 5th. No sailings for the rest of 2014 available yet.

Irish Sea can be rough, reliability is normally good unless weather is very bad.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on August 26, 2013, 09:51:11 PM
Just noticed the Stena Website is showing fastcraft prices continuing right up and through Christmas, unless I'm reading it wrong.

http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/routes/holyhead-dun-laoghaire/fares-2013/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on August 26, 2013, 10:49:22 PM
Davy, you missed out on note "d":

d) Operates from Dun Laoghaire - 2nd to 5th Jan, 22nd March to 10th September

Explorer finishes up on September 10th and as Giftgrub says, she is back for 12 days over Christmas and New Year 2013/2014. Easter is quite late next year (April 20th) but from what I've heard, she is due back the last weekend in March and may be called in to do some refit cover depending on what happens with Stena Europe in Rosslare.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on August 29, 2013, 05:35:34 PM
Yeah, I saw that. I just couldn't understand why somebody would spend time working out and posting charges for something that wasn't going to happen.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 12, 2013, 08:17:34 PM
Well thats the Stena Explorers summer season over for another year. Looking forward to seeing her next year (9 April – 9 September) after her Christmas run.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on September 12, 2013, 08:47:26 PM
My first ever time on the Explorer this season, loved it.

A nice history btw, has anyone ever seen it? hope I'm not posting old news

http://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/hsc-stena-explorer-past-present/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 12, 2013, 08:54:48 PM
Well I have never seen it, thats great, thanks!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: timwryan on September 26, 2013, 01:31:52 PM
QuoteWell thats the Stena Explorers summer season over for another year. Looking forward to seeing her next year (9 April – 9 September) after her Christmas run.

Where do you see (9 April – 9 September 2014)? online booking engine doesn't go past 5th Jan 2014??
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 27, 2013, 11:19:55 PM
Quote
QuoteWell thats the Stena Explorers summer season over for another year. Looking forward to seeing her next year (9 April – 9 September) after her Christmas run.

Where do you see (9 April – 9 September 2014)? online booking engine doesn't go past 5th Jan 2014??

Well, that would be telling??
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: timwryan on October 01, 2013, 08:56:32 AM
Bookable through the route map online!!!

Please note: Our Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead route is a seasonal service and will resume operation for a limited number of sailings over the Christmas and New Year period from 20 December 2013. For 2014 the service will operate daily from 9 April – 9 September. For sailings on alternative dates, please select our Dublin Port - Holyhead route which operates daily.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on October 13, 2013, 10:43:24 PM
Dover Ferry Photos have updated their file on the Explorer with more images of its visit to Dover during its delivery voyage posted, some very nice new images.

http://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/hsc-stena-explorer-past-present/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on October 21, 2013, 07:57:20 PM
very nice indeed.

still no news on the HSS Discovery...
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: smudga31 on October 31, 2013, 01:27:15 PM
I did hear "unofficially" the other day that Stena had renewed a contract to run the Explorer from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire up until christmas 2015 (obviously on a seasonal basis again). This came from a Stena Line CSA in Holyhead.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on November 05, 2013, 07:57:38 PM
Nice, good to hear she'll remain in the game.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on November 05, 2013, 10:28:56 PM
For as long as possible I say!!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: 20knots on November 06, 2013, 01:04:17 AM
Vivat the Stena Explorer! This is good news. Better still make it April 2016 (her 20th year) and beyond. I wonder if cheaper fuels became available how easy or difficult it would be to modify her to run on such fuels.

On a partially related note Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company have published material relating to a new cruise berth and the need to work around the HSS operations is stated in the document:

http://dlharbour.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Cruise-Berth-Project-Brief.pdf

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on November 06, 2013, 08:35:03 PM
Would be great news if the HSS's return through 2015 was confirmed, however with no official word, we better not buy the balloons just yet.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on November 14, 2013, 09:42:02 PM
Just five weeks away...... and those big Explorer engines will start up again ;D
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on November 14, 2013, 09:47:51 PM
you mean the little engines will start up again.  ;D
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on November 14, 2013, 09:52:17 PM
QuoteJust five weeks away...... and those big Explorer engines will start up again ;D
We''ll probably see the black smoke from Belfast lol! 

Not thats its worth much, but I have also been told Explorer's good until 2015.  Voyager should keep her in spares anyway!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on November 14, 2013, 09:53:58 PM
Quoteyou mean the little engines will start up again.  ;D

Ha ha, now that we are in 2013 you are right, what ever happened to the crossing time of 99 minutes  ;)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on November 14, 2013, 10:04:54 PM
Quote
QuoteJust five weeks away...... and those big Explorer engines will start up again ;D
We''ll probably see the black smoke from Belfast lol! 

Not thats its worth much, but I have also been told Explorer's good until 2015.  Voyager should keep her in spares anyway!

You probably will see the black smoke from Belfast......2015, now that's good news for the Stena Explorer!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ccs on November 29, 2013, 08:26:08 AM
Short video clip of HSS leaving Dun Laoighaire in August 2012.

http://youtu.be/G_2R99XsopU
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on November 29, 2013, 08:07:14 PM
Great video, another one here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2wzbqZwOqY
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on December 13, 2013, 08:17:04 PM
Stena Explorer is back on the Irish Sea next Friday, the 20th of December, starting with a sailing from Holyhead at 10.30am 8-)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on December 15, 2013, 09:31:17 PM
Will anyone be there to record the black smoke?

How does it work anyway, I presume they take her out on a test run a week in advance to test everything? Or is it just start and go?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on December 16, 2013, 12:36:13 AM
Her AIS has been showing on and off for the last few days, so there's obviously some maintenance going on, running up generators and engines etc.

It's probably more of an exercise to recall and train crew for just a few days of work.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on December 19, 2013, 05:16:22 PM
HSS Explorer back tomorrow morning.  Weather forecast for the Irish Sea is pretty awful for the day so the plan is to do an early dash back and forth to Dun Laoghaire before the weather closes in!

So, departure from Holyhead will be at 0830 and from Dun Laoghaire at 1100. Expect a rapid but bumpy sailing :).  Forecast for the weekend is not looking any better and Swift will almost certainly not be able to sail so expect delays and funny sailing times all weekend as the battle between capacity and weather continues!  Bookings for both Stena and IF are thankfully very healthy for Christmas.

Pete

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: 20knots on December 19, 2013, 05:50:59 PM
Was intrigued by the earlier than usual first day departure which I spotted on the Stena Line website earlier today.

Is there a particular reason - weather or otherwise - that she is 08.30 ex Holyhead & 11.00 ex Dun Laoghaire tomorrow but 10.30 & 13.30 the other days?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on December 19, 2013, 07:20:59 PM
QuoteWas intrigued by the earlier than usual first day departure which I spotted on the Stena Line website earlier today.

Is there a particular reason - weather or otherwise - that she is 08.30 ex Holyhead & 11.00 ex Dun Laoghaire tomorrow but 10.30 & 13.30 the other days?

It's purely down to the weather. Saturday looks marginally easier so she might go to schedule but Monday in particular looks dodgy on the weather front (pardon the pun!) so expect some more time juggling to get everyone home!

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: 20knots on December 19, 2013, 09:14:00 PM
Thanks, makes sense to seize "weather windows".
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on December 20, 2013, 01:27:59 AM
Sounds like we may see her running at speed then.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on December 20, 2013, 10:26:39 AM
Yup! just pulling in at Dun Laoghaire after making the journey at 35Kts. Wind in the Irish sea currently 25Kts but more like 50Kts off the west coast of Ireland. No doubt this is what they're wanting to avoid as it comes across later.

According to IF Website, Both Swift and Epsilon sailings cancelled for the next 2 days. Epsilon is currently racing Stena Nordica to make Dublin before weather closes in.

No cancellations currently shown on Stena website.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on December 20, 2013, 01:55:35 PM
There and back before the winds got too nasty!

Friend was on the sailing that left Dun Laoghaire just after 11am.  Back in Holyhead by 1.  That's the way it should be :).  40 knots most of the way back.

Current plan is to sail on schedule tomorrow (1030 from Holyhead, 1330 from Dun Laoghaire) but obviously that is weather dependent.  Depending on how dodgy the sea is, there may still be capacity issues over the weekend - Swift is off until Monday and Epsilon will miss a couple of trips too.  That's quite a few people needing a lift between now and Christmas.  Fingers crossed that the weather allows everyone to get home close to time and in some comfort.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on December 20, 2013, 03:26:08 PM
During the passenger announcements, do they tell them if they're going to put the hammer down?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on December 20, 2013, 08:34:22 PM
Well the Stena Explorer is back with a bang, its like the good old days at 40 knots. Great posts here, anyboby know who the Captian was today?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on December 20, 2013, 08:55:59 PM
QuoteDuring the passenger announcements, do they tell them if they're going to put the hammer down?

No, it's 'we will make up time' that's what they normally say.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on January 16, 2014, 09:23:37 PM
Just spotted this nice link, originally posted on BFE.

Some nice images from December 2013.

http://swift-kontiki.co.uk/uncategorized/stena-lines-hss-explorer/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on January 17, 2014, 09:02:26 PM
Great link, I have been on many Explorer sailings like that and I have to say I like it when the weather is bad especially when she starts moving from side to side like that, great fun!!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: russellw on January 19, 2014, 12:45:27 PM
Hi

I'm the "owner" of that website, so thanks for your kind words.

I love ships, ferries and above all, fast craft, so am regularly out at sea. I especially like rough crossings, much to the amusement of the Stena staff at Holyhead!

Russell
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on January 24, 2014, 10:17:29 PM
Welcome to IFE Russell. Glad you liked the Stena Explorer!!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: russellw on January 26, 2014, 09:30:05 AM
I love all Fast Craft, it started when I was about 20 with the Hovercraft and the early SeaCats ex Dover. It progressed then to Sea Cat Isle of Man when she used to do day trips ex Fleetwood.

I ride the Jonathan Swift as often as I can if the forecast is rough.

My March week off is Weymouth based for Jersey (out and back, no time ashore) and Guernsey, five hours ashore.

My February week off is Dover based, £1 foot fares on the P&O ships ex Dover.

I have a motorhome so it's easy to find accommodation near the ports!

Russell
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on January 29, 2015, 10:24:29 PM
With no sign of HSS Explorer getting that dry dock by the end of this month she needs to remain in class, it doesn't look like she will operate this summer.  Have we seen her in service for the last I wonder?  Personally I had hoped to see her sail under her own power next time, but it's looking like she might have the same undignified end Voyager had which we all feared!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on January 30, 2015, 11:53:13 AM
Stena super fast x should be ready by mid February  , she will appear on the Irish Sea ,and will get a lot of publicity from stena , and quietly they will announce the ending of the dunlaoghaire route. Life moves on and the new ship on the holyhead run is grat to see, stena are investing a lot of money on the route ,and they will have two formidable ships on the run, and I for one look forward to traveling on the new super fast. Because of the nordica small passanger allocation ,no day trips were allowed on her . That won't be a problem now. So for the late risers we will now be able to head off on a afternoon cruise on her ,the irony for the hss is that if oil keeps falling ,it might not have been that expensive to keep her running for another bit.but it really did not make sense for stena to be operating out of the two ports ,dublin and dun laoghaire. I think at the end of the day dunlaoghaire harbour  fleeced stena with the amount they charged them for use of the port over the years.As for dunlaoghaire the talk is cruise ships , but there is still no sign of them building a new pier for them , at the rate they are going it's still a few years away. So all the big ships they have lined up for the season will have to berth out in the bay and shuttle passangers in ,a lot of hassle if you ask me ,and prone to bad weather, as in  past with windy and foggy weather.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on January 30, 2015, 01:43:52 PM
you only have to visit Dun Laoire town centre to see how run down its becoming. The Parking charges have frightened the shoppers away just like the ferry company.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: cosseric.coss on January 30, 2015, 05:19:11 PM
The stena hss explorer is running from dun laoigher over easter.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on January 30, 2015, 08:05:48 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on January 30, 2015, 05:19:11 PM
The stena hss explorer is running from dun laoigher over easter.

What makes you so sure she'll run?  Perhaps the contract with DLH doesn't run out til April, so maybe they'll give her a last few days run over Easter.

First sailing of the Superfast X appears to be the early morning run from Dublin on Monday 9 March, according to the website.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on January 30, 2015, 10:36:14 PM
Explorer due back 24th March...or maybe not  :'(
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: cosseric.coss on January 31, 2015, 12:07:31 AM
Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on January 30, 2015, 08:05:48 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on January 30, 2015, 05:19:11 PM
The stena hss explorer is running from dun laoigher over easter.

What makes you so sure she'll run?  Perhaps the contract with DLH doesn't run out til April, so maybe they'll give her a last few days run over Easter.

First sailing of the Superfast X appears to be the early morning run from Dublin on Monday 9 March, according to the website.
Because ive got a booking made on her
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on January 31, 2015, 07:30:22 AM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on January 31, 2015, 12:07:31 AM
Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on January 30, 2015, 08:05:48 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on January 30, 2015, 05:19:11 PM
The stena hss explorer is running from dun laoigher over easter.

What makes you so sure she'll run?  Perhaps the contract with DLH doesn't run out til April, so maybe they'll give her a last few days run over Easter.

First sailing of the Superfast X appears to be the early morning run from Dublin on Monday 9 March, according to the website.
Because ive got a booking made on her

Just as people had bookings over Christmas.... :p. 

If I where you I'd be ready to adjust my travel plans ;)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on January 31, 2015, 09:32:18 AM
If the hss was to run ,surely she would be booked in to harland and wolf soon for her check up, and someone would know something. I suppose one should always expect the unexpected and the only reason I can think why stena could possibly think of running her is fuel prices ,I do know tha jet fuel oil is just under 50% cheaper than it was this time last year , but it really would surprise me if she ran?we should know for sure in a few weeks as by late February stena will have to make a official announcement.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on January 31, 2015, 11:49:10 PM
Quote from: Stena explorer on January 31, 2015, 09:32:18 AM
If the hss was to run ,surely she would be booked in to harland and wolf soon for her check up, and someone would know something. I suppose one should always expect the unexpected and the only reason I can think why stena could possibly think of running her is fuel prices ,I do know tha jet fuel oil is just under 50% cheaper than it was this time last year , but it really would surprise me if she ran?we should know for sure in a few weeks as by late February stena will have to make a official announcement.
The temporary dip in fuel prices would make no difference given ferry companies tend to speculatively purchase fuel around 2 years in advance.  I believe the deadline for her dry-dock and survey has now passed.  In order to regain certification major work is required costing millions - and thats before they even see whats below the waterline.  This isn't just a case of ticking a few boxes and fitting a few (now discontinued) MES parts!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on February 01, 2015, 12:29:38 AM
Just on the fuel prices thing (not specific to the HSS issue)....

Hedging contracts are big news the last six months as crude oil prices have fallen.  A barrel of WTI or Brent has dropped from more than $100 to less than $50 in a pretty short period (closed at $47.85 last night).  It has probably stabilised for now and may slowly recover over the next 12 months.  If you are hedging your prices, now is the time to do so and you can bet your life that airlines and major transport companies are doing that everywhere.  They would be able to hedge now (on a call option) at somewhere about the equivalent of 20% above current market price for the next 24 months.  The idea isn't always to save a great deal of money, but to provide stability of cost base in the same way that someone might take out a fixed rate mortgage for a period.

This obviously includes ferry companies too and doubtless Stena have been involved here.  They would chew through quite a quantity of diesel in a year so it makes perfect sense.  Companies would never hedge 100% of their fuel needs - generally it might be about 50% and those contracts would be ongoing so they might have 10% of their fuel bought from 2013 and more likely 30-40% bought more recently with the lower prices.

However, in the market for specialised distillates (like the fuel HSS uses) you need to be using pretty serious quantities to get a proper benefit out of hedging.  For Stena, it makes much more sense to just buy as you need for the HSS and doubtless that is what they do. 
So, at this point (if they were minded to!), they could buy up enough fuel (buying the actual fuel rather than a contract to do so at a certain price in the future) to run the HSS for 3 years if they wanted to at the new discounted price.  At such volumes, there is low margin and low risk.

So to answer the question above - yes, the price of fuel makes an immediate difference to the operators bottom line and even more so when it's a specialist product.  It is one of many factors that will have been/are being considered and I don't believe it to be the decisive one.

Phew.  Need to lie down.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on February 01, 2015, 01:33:16 PM
If the HSS was coming back it would have been drydocked already and any relevant technical work would be done, they are spending millions on the Superfast X to provide the required passenger capacity increase that the Explorers demise requires.

There is no way they are going to turn around and spend another 4/5 million to keep the Explorer going, at this stage a full service for the MES system, the four turbines, paintwork, glass areas, navigation systems, water jets etc etc, onboard areas, kitchens etc plus fuel and marketing / staffing.

Stena's focus this year is going to be the introduction of the Superfast X and communicating the full two ship service from Dublin-Holyhead.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 01, 2015, 04:58:12 PM
Even with the current "low" prices, the cost is still too high.  When the HSS entered service oil was less than $20 a barrel remember!  Fuel is just one part of the problem - theres the associated infrastructure maintenance (remember she has a dedicated terminal on both sides), ongoing maintenance on the craft herself, crewing costs, etc, etc and thats before you consider her technical condition (which giftgrub summed up).  The fuel used by Explorer isn't that special, but she does burn a lot of it - even at reduced speed.  Her loadings last year where down yet again on the previous year - no commercial enterprise can continue throwing money away indefinitely.  If nothing else, recycling Explorer will recoup some of the cost of the conversion of Stena Superfast X which is her long term replacement.  I'd expect to hear something official by the end of the month, by which stage Stena Superfast X will be in service and generating publicity.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on February 01, 2015, 07:53:43 PM
Quote from: giftgrub on February 01, 2015, 01:33:16 PM
If the HSS was coming back it would have been drydocked already and any relevant technical work would be done, they are spending millions on the Superfast X to provide the required passenger capacity increase that the Explorers demise requires.

There is no way they are going to turn around and spend another 4/5 million to keep the Explorer going, at this stage a full service for the MES system, the four turbines, paintwork, glass areas, navigation systems, water jets etc etc, onboard areas, kitchens etc plus fuel and marketing / staffing.

Stena's focus this year is going to be the introduction of the Superfast X and communicating the full two ship service from Dublin-Holyhead.

Absolutely true Giftgrub.  The decision will be based (or already has been based) on the costs of getting her to the starting line on March 25th.  The costs of operation for the season are definitely secondary on this one.  Would be a much tighter call if this was 2013 and Explorer was fresh from a valet or if an alternative fastcraft happened to be available :)

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Ger Tigchelaar on February 04, 2015, 11:59:33 AM
Stena Line confirms end of Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead route. Operator to concentrate on expanding ferry service at Dublin Port
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/stena-line-confirms-end-of-dun-laoghaire-to-holyhead-route-1.2090954
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on February 04, 2015, 12:04:55 PM
Well it would appear that thats that for the HSS! End of an era for Dun Laoghaire too
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 04, 2015, 12:07:15 PM
QuoteIssued on behalf of Stena Line
Date: 4th February 2015

Stena Line consolidates ferry services into Dublin Port

Stena Line today announced a consolidation of its services from Holyhead to Dublin Port. The company has stated that it will be concentrating on expanding its existing ferry service at Dublin Port while at the same time confirming that it is withdrawing its HSS Stena Explorer service from Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Ian Davies, Stena Line's Route Manager for Irish Sea South, said: "With two services operating approx. 10 miles apart we needed to make a decision in relation to what operation best serves the needs of our customers now and in the years ahead, and that operation is Dublin Port."

Stena Line has operated the HSS Stena Explorer into Dun Laoghaire since 1995 during which time the vessel has carried a mix of passengers, car and coach traffic. The Dun Laoghaire service was successful for several years following its introduction, carrying over 1.7 million passengers annually during its peak in 1998. However, post the withdrawal of 'duty free' shopping, passenger and cars volumes declined dramatically and by 2014, less than 200,000 ferry passengers travelled through Dun Laoghaire Harbour. This represented a decline of over 90% in volume, making the route unsustainable.

During the same time period Stena Line has continued to make significant investment in larger better equipped vessels, and this, coupled with key improvements in road infrastructure and connectivity to Dublin, Belfast and further afield, has led to a significant uplift in both passenger and freight volumes through its evolving Dublin Port business.  Car and passenger volumes into Dublin Port overtook Dun Laoghaire as far back as 2008. Since then volumes through Dublin Port have continued to grow, as volumes through Dun Laoghaire have contracted thus providing Stena Line with a stark choice in relation to its future route network in the region.

Ian Davies added: "While we have enjoyed a very professional working relationship with Dun Laoghaire Harbour over many years, the economic realities of the current situation in relation to our business levels have left us with no choice but to close the service. Dublin continues to grow in importance, not only as the core freight port for Ireland but also as the key tourism gateway into Ireland." 

"Ireland remains a strategically important region for us which is why Stena Line has invested over £250m across our Irish Sea business in the last five years alone.  A number of economic indicators point to the continued recovery of the Irish and UK economies which has helped to stimulate renewed freight growth and returning tourism confidence in 2014.  In 2014 we invested in a new Stena Line service to France from Rosslare and recently announced the arrival of the superferry Stena Superfast X into Dublin Port by late February."   

Looking ahead, Stena Line is confident that this upward trend will continue which is why it has committed to increasing its capacity on the Dublin Port service. The new vessel Superfast X offers space for up to 1, 200 passengers and in addition to a host of improved onboard passenger facilities including the premium Stena Plus lounge, the ship also boasts 2 km of vehicle lane capacity and with its year round sailing schedule further underpins Stena Line's commitment to helping to expand freight trade volumes in the region.   

[ends]
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ScottMackey on February 04, 2015, 02:22:37 PM
HSS Stena Explorer - 18 years of operation on the Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead route:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottmackey/sets/72157633041823557/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on February 04, 2015, 04:53:04 PM
So finally the confirmation we had been expecting. I'm glad I had one last spin on her last summer.but at least everyone now knows where they stand .stena super fast is going to be a big improvement on the nordica, and should take a good portion of the explorers  passangers,the swift will no doubt take a % of them too!but the super fast will hope to take a few of the epsilon  passangers as we'll, so plenty of marketing ahead by both company's, interesting times ahead. With regards another seasonal ferry coming in to dunlaoghaire , the only company I could see comming in is p&o , but as stena own holyhead port , I don't know how easy it would be for them to get berthing there. Anyway the end of a era  for dun laoghaire. My god when you look at all the money that was spent on that terminal in dunlaoghaire for the hss  and  a huge area was reclaimed from the sea , the terminal itself was rebuilt , and now it's all going to just  lie abandoned  ,it would be nice if some company was able to make use of the facalaties,.I presume stena will have to remove the hss gangway themselves.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on February 04, 2015, 05:37:27 PM
Well we've all suspected for some time that this will happen and now it finally has. Likewise I am very glad to have sailed on board this unique vessel last year and thoroughly enjoyed my crossing, although I could see how quiet it was of passengers and traffic. It is sad to see her go, but like Concorde, the HSS has suffered from the typical dilemma of being fast and good, but extremely expensive to operate.
This really is an end of an era and surely given this news, the HSS Discovery will have to go the same way as the Voyager.
It would be nice if Stena kept the Explorer as a museum ship in Gothenburg, but I doubt they'll do that. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on February 04, 2015, 06:28:46 PM
I guess the Ferry Terminal in Dun Laoire will become a cruise terminal,

Pity Stena did not go for a swift style replacement for HSS but thats the way it goes.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on February 04, 2015, 06:32:31 PM
A sadly inevitable day.  I wonder if Nordica being pulled out of service forced their hand early, as you'd imagine questions might arise as to the Explorer being put into service as it was a couple of years ago when Nordica's replacement service was damaged.

Will be interesting to how its 141,000 passengers from 2014 divide between the other services this year.  Stena will have a job to convince me travel on its replacement vessel, but perhaps others will be happier with its offering.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 04, 2015, 07:00:33 PM
I doubt anyone would want to offer a replacement service from Dun Laoghaire.  Might be interesting to see how long the Swift lasts now given she is now 17 years old.  Like InCat's (and the HSS), Austal craft don't last forever, and 17 is getting on in Northern European fast craft terms.  I'd give it a couple of years personally, particularly if IF do find a replacement for Epsilon with better passenger facilities.  Increasingly the day trip and short break market is going to the low cost airlines - who wants to travel to Holyhead to get to Dublin for a short break when you can fly direct for buttons from your local airport?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on February 04, 2015, 10:23:37 PM
Knew it was going to happen but I'm gutted. I got to visit the bridge last year, glad I did now. I was on one of the first sailings in 1996 and also on one of the last in 2014. I too am very glad to have sailed on board this unique vessel.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: cosseric.coss on February 04, 2015, 10:36:29 PM
I purchased one of those Hss minuture ships that you do sometimes see on ebay. I was considering selling it myself on eBay but it won't be happening now! Ill upload pic if it when im home tmro
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on February 04, 2015, 11:05:59 PM
From The Irish Times bulletin:

"DHLC said it had held active discussions with Stena in recent days over resumption of the seasonal service but said the ferry company had been unable to secure a suitable vessel and had decided to ditch the service".

Had they been trying then?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on February 04, 2015, 11:35:00 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on February 04, 2015, 11:05:59 PM
From The Irish Times bulletin:

"DHLC said it had held active discussions with Stena in recent days over resumption of the seasonal service but said the ferry company had been unable to secure a suitable vessel and had decided to ditch the service".

Had they been trying then?


They had a vessel available in the Explorer, possibly no port charges deal offered to cover some of the refit costs, but all good things must come to an end and now the endgame has begun for the Explorer, expect the interior to be stripped out for other vessels in the fleet and the vessel to be taken over by Stena RoRo who organised the Voyagers final journey to Sweden, twenty years is indeed a long time in the ferry business, the Superfast X's arrival will create some good buzz to make up for the bad news today.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on February 05, 2015, 10:14:11 PM
Not sure if these have been posted before...

Explorer in 1996
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWr7Yc_ys84

Explorer in 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYq0Mr9E5VE

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on February 05, 2015, 11:57:50 PM
I hope they give her the dignity when she leaves to do so under her own power, - perhaps calling at Dun Laoghaire for a final show - before sailing to Belfast for strip-down, which is probably what may happen given that her 'service centre' and the other HSS bits (including ex-Voyager parts and ex Discovery linkspans) are all there.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on February 06, 2015, 10:41:03 AM
It would be lovely to see the HSS make a brief stopover  and final farewell when she heads off (whenever that will be) . I think for most people from Dun laoghaire ,any time the Hss arrived or departed it was a head turning Experience, no matter how many times they had seen it in the past ,just the sheer size of her as she came through the harbour enterance.  Anyway now that stena are concentrating on Dublin port  alone , maybe they will spend some money in improving its terminal ,it is poor to say the least , only 25 car spaces, no gangway to ship and no public bus service  serving stena terminal ,only a private bus for some sailings, .Ian Davies of stena was going on about how they have spent over  250 million in last 5 years on Irish Sea. Opperations , the problem is the vast majority of the money was spent on the belfast -cairnryan route .I think  A few million on the Dublin terminal is badly needed. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on February 06, 2015, 11:54:29 AM
The HSS won't make any brief stopover to DL on her way to the scrapyard as she will be under tow from the stern and will be heading straight to Landskrona. In terms of foot passenger facilities at Dublin Port; Stena will concentrate more on freight, coaches/cars and will probably stop carrying foot passengers. In 10 years time I see Stena moving from Holyhead to Birkenhead, where Stena are expanding their facilities.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 07, 2015, 12:35:57 AM
Quote from: Niall on February 06, 2015, 11:54:29 AM
The HSS won't make any brief stopover to DL on her way to the scrapyard as she will be under tow from the stern and will be heading straight to Landskrona. In terms of foot passenger facilities at Dublin Port; Stena will concentrate more on freight, coaches/cars and will probably stop carrying foot passengers. In 10 years time I see Stena moving from Holyhead to Birkenhead, where Stena are expanding their facilities.

There's still plenty of life left in Holyhead yet!  I doubt there would be the berth availability at 12 quays anyway year round to sustain a frequent Dublin service.  It would require a lot of extra fuel as well.  As for foot passengers, at the moment it doesn't really cost any extra to take them - plus there's the coach trip market which Stena are very aggressively targeting up here - £10 day trips to Glasgow and Belfast for example.  These are VERY popular, as are the shopping cruises, etc - both increase inboard spend on what would otherwise be quieter sailings. With more and more freight being unaccompanied and families choosing to fly rather than take the car on holiday those extra passengers can keep the onboard services viable.   Now they have the capacity, I expect Stena will do the opposite of what you suggest and actively target the foot passenger market. 

As for Explorer making a stopover at Dun Laoghaire - extremely unlikely.  Many of the aforementioned spare parts have already been used anyway, but she is now out of class and most probably will be towed for recycling.  It's possible she could be reclassified temporarily to move under her own power for part of the way, but even then Dun Laoghaire is hardly going to be a priority. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 07, 2015, 12:49:23 AM
Quote from: Stena explorer on February 06, 2015, 10:41:03 AM
Ian Davies of stena was going on about how they have spent over  250 million in last 5 years on Irish Sea. Opperations , the problem is the vast majority of the money was spent on the belfast -cairnryan route .I think  A few million on the Dublin terminal is badly needed.

You forget the takeover of Celtic link, refurbishing Stena Adventurer, the introduction and refurbishment of Stena Superfast X, etc.  Large sums of money for the infrastructure improvements at Belfast and Cairnryan came from outside of Stena - for example Belfast harbour invested some £37m in moving Stena to VT4 in order to retain them.  There was a very real possibility at one stage of Stena moving all conventional and some HSS movements to Larne, however (in contrast to Dun Laoghaire) Belfast not only lobbied at the highest level of the stena board but also invested heavily.  While the facilities at Belfast and LRP look, fantastic, they are little more than a check area, waiting area, and a coffee shop - the Birkenhead terminals at both ends omit the coffee shop.  Yes there are gangways at both ends of the North Channel service - in the case of Belfast it is so long I think I might prefer a minibus transfer!!!

Stena have invested heavily in the North Channel, but so have others.  The headline figure for Stena's North channel investment is £200m since 2008, but this includes the price of both Superfast ships for example and some £80m odd to build an entire new port from scratch at LRP, and also the cost of acquiring and refurbishing Stena Navigator as an interim measure.  The terminal at Stranraer was starved of investment for years as well, so I would think some of the money saved went into the new scheme.  Stena Caledonia and Navigator are a very different proposition from Adventurer and SF X or even Nordica.  Both the North Channel and Central Corridor routes now have well appointed modern tonnage with good passenger facilities.  As for the Stena Dublin terminal, is this not the responsibility of the port?  I'm not familiar with the arrangements down there myself.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: cosseric.coss on February 07, 2015, 04:49:16 PM
Remember back when the concorde aircrafts went out of service. Air France kept one on show at Charles De Gaulle Airport and British Airways kept one on show at London Heathrow. They are still there. Well I'd think it would be nice if Stena left the Stena Explorer at Holyhead on show. Even if they demolished the entire interior of the vessel and just left the ship itself there, it would be nice.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gm_076/16072333271
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on February 07, 2015, 10:38:04 PM
And so an end to the historic link between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead. One of my fondest memories will be sailing out on the St Columba in the 1980s.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on February 07, 2015, 11:20:44 PM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on February 07, 2015, 04:49:16 PM
Remember back when the concorde aircrafts went out of service. Air France kept one on show at Charles De Gaulle Airport and British Airways kept one on show at London Heathrow. They are still there. Well I'd think it would be nice if Stena left the Stena Explorer at Holyhead on show. Even if they demolished the entire interior of the vessel and just left the ship itself there, it would be nice.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gm_076/16072333271

That's a great flickr page, some great photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gm_076/11196249513/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 11, 2015, 01:57:07 AM
Quote from: Oscar Wilde on February 07, 2015, 04:49:16 PM
Remember back when the concorde aircrafts went out of service. Air France kept one on show at Charles De Gaulle Airport and British Airways kept one on show at London Heathrow. They are still there. Well I'd think it would be nice if Stena left the Stena Explorer at Holyhead on show. Even if they demolished the entire interior of the vessel and just left the ship itself there, it would be nice.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gm_076/16072333271
Unfortunately the HSS didn't quite capture the imagination of the travelling public in the same way as Concorde.   HSS Voyager also generated a significant sum in scrap value.  In order for Explorer to remain in-situ she would need regular maintenance, and a probably a crew of some description, or I would imagine she would have the same fate as HSS Discovery, albeit without the severe effects of heat and humidity.  Do we really want to see her become another Duke of Lancaster?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on February 11, 2015, 11:20:00 AM
Does anyone think Stena Metal will buy the HSS Discovery for scrap?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 11, 2015, 01:03:53 PM
Quote from: mrwtho07 on February 11, 2015, 11:20:00 AM
Does anyone think Stena Metal will buy the HSS Discovery for scrap?
Doubt it.  Too much hassle.  She's been deteriorating out there for years remember
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on February 11, 2015, 04:32:30 PM
I'm sure Stena Metal will also get Stena Carisma in the very near future as well.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on February 11, 2015, 07:08:12 PM
So where in Venezuela could the Discovery be scrapped or towed to for scrapping?
I do agree that both the Carisma and Explorer will head off to Stena Metal soon.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on February 11, 2015, 09:33:58 PM
Does anyone  know what the plan is with discovery? Isn't she still involved in a criminal investigation since her owner (ferrymar or albamar or something)  smuggled diesel into curaçao in her tanks?

Can you image what state she must be in after so long laying abandoned. Hopefully they kept her on some form of power and air conditioning.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on February 12, 2015, 11:43:23 PM
Quote from: Niall on February 06, 2015, 11:54:29 AM
The HSS won't make any brief stopover to DL on her way to the scrapyard as she will be under tow from the stern and will be heading straight to Landskrona. In terms of foot passenger facilities at Dublin Port; Stena will concentrate more on freight, coaches/cars and will probably stop carrying foot passengers. In 10 years time I see Stena moving from Holyhead to Birkenhead, where Stena are expanding their facilities.

Getting her out of the inner harbour on tow will I think, be near impossible. She won't even turn around in there. My guess is they will take her to Belfast under her own power, then use Voyagers berth to strip what they want out of her before towing to Landskrona.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on February 13, 2015, 03:38:12 PM
Can they not tow her out bow first?
I wonder what they will do with her berth in Holyhead and the terminal building, I don't think the draft of the inner harbour at 5.5 m is deep enough for either Adventurer or Ulysses and there is not enough parking for trailers etc outside.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on February 13, 2015, 09:28:23 PM
Terminal building in holyhead is still in use for foot passangers for Dublin port,with shuttle bus. Now the big question is what will they do with Dun laoghaire ferry terminal ,   which will be completely empty in a few weeks when the Shackleton exebetion finishes in a few weeks , the resteraunt ,purple ocean closed down before Christmas.it would make a fantastic site for waterside appartaments ,but as with everything in Dunlaoghaire would probabily be lots of objections .but having been in dun laoghaire centre a few times over the last few weeks ,the stena pullout has been a hard blow To the town, at least with the seasonal ferry , some of the shops pubs  petrol stations and resteraunts got a bit of extra business, I can't see much of the cruise passangers stopping in dunlaoghaire , they will be all bussed out to the tourist attractions on arrival.   .justin merrigan  has some lovely photos of the harbour through the years on Sealink-Holyhead.net
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on February 14, 2015, 02:08:46 PM
St Michaels Warf would make an ideal cruise terminal,

I would not be surprised if the Harbour had to be dredged to accomodate them.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on February 14, 2015, 02:51:48 PM
The new cruise jetty is going to be to the left of the hss berth ,so as the ships will just have to reverse straight in to harbour and sail straight out without any manovering ,they will be dredging that channel to 11 odd meters ,the water out from the pier is deep enough. Official plans are due to be sent for approval this spring. From what I gather they are hoping to have it built for the start of the 2016 cruise season , I  think the feeling is that the amount of cruise ships into dublin at present is not huge ,and there is huge potential to grow the market ,so basically a lot of the business going to dunlaoghaire will be new business, and Dublin port should not be affected by falling cruise calls.  It's only costing 15 million which in this day and age is not huge ,and the govt will probably sponsor a couple of million towards it, The jetty I to be over 300 meters long so as to cater for the biggest ships out there which at present can't enter dublin port,as they can't turn. I suppose it is a very scenic harbour for a cruise ship to berth, and dunlaoghaire will try to push that point home, along with one could walk up to the town or train if one wanted ,it is a very safe area,unlike the run down from dublin port to city centre is at present. It will be interesting to see how it all develops,  .There must be big money in cruises that's for sure ,that they are all so eager in getting the business.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on February 15, 2015, 04:03:57 AM
Quote from: Rob on February 11, 2015, 09:33:58 PM
Does anyone  know what the plan is with discovery? Isn't she still involved in a criminal investigation since her owner (ferrymar or albamar or something)  smuggled diesel into curaçao in her tanks?

Can you image what state she must be in after so long laying abandoned. Hopefully they kept her on some form of power and air conditioning.

No idea, but I believe she is in really poor condition and there has been no air-con on her for some timeThere have been reports she also has a non-human 'crew' onboard.  Its certainly been a while since any maintenance has been done on her, and I believe she may also have a list.  She's pretty much been left to rot from what I can gather.

Quote from: ferryfan on February 13, 2015, 03:38:12 PM
Can they not tow her out bow first?
I wonder what they will do with her berth in Holyhead and the terminal building, I don't think the draft of the inner harbour at 5.5 m is deep enough for either Adventurer or Ulysses and there is not enough parking for trailers etc outside.


There isn't the required strength to tow her out bow first, she will be towed stern first like her sister.  In all likelihood the terminal area will be redeveloped.

Quote from: Davy Jones on February 12, 2015, 11:43:23 PM
Quote from: Niall on February 06, 2015, 11:54:29 AM
The HSS won't make any brief stopover to DL on her way to the scrapyard as she will be under tow from the stern and will be heading straight to Landskrona. In terms of foot passenger facilities at Dublin Port; Stena will concentrate more on freight, coaches/cars and will probably stop carrying foot passengers. In 10 years time I see Stena moving from Holyhead to Birkenhead, where Stena are expanding their facilities.

Getting her out of the inner harbour on tow will I think, be near impossible. She won't even turn around in there. My guess is they will take her to Belfast under her own power, then use Voyagers berth to strip what they want out of her before towing to Landskrona.
Wouldn't at all be surprised if she stopped of at Belfast on the way.  The berth is very much still there, as is the expertise/knowledge gained from the decommissioning of Voyager.  She will definitely need to move out of Holyhead inner harbour under her own power I am told (from a number of sources).

Quote from: Stena explorer on February 14, 2015, 02:51:48 PM
The new cruise jetty is going to be to the left of the hss berth ,so as the ships will just have to reverse straight in to harbour and sail straight out without any manovering ,they will be dredging that channel to 11 odd meters ,the water out from the pier is deep enough. Official plans are due to be sent for approval this spring. From what I gather they are hoping to have it built for the start of the 2016 cruise season , I  think the feeling is that the amount of cruise ships into dublin at present is not huge ,and there is huge potential to grow the market ,so basically a lot of the business going to dunlaoghaire will be new business, and Dublin port should not be affected by falling cruise calls.  It's only costing 15 million which in this day and age is not huge ,and the govt will probably sponsor a couple of million towards it, The jetty I to be over 300 meters long so as to cater for the biggest ships out there which at present can't enter dublin port,as they can't turn. I suppose it is a very scenic harbour for a cruise ship to berth, and dunlaoghaire will try to push that point home, along with one could walk up to the town or train if one wanted ,it is a very safe area,unlike the run down from dublin port to city centre is at present. It will be interesting to see how it all develops,  .There must be big money in cruises that's for sure ,that they are all so eager in getting the business.

They'll need to get a move on if its going to be ready for the '16 season, as by my calculations they've about 5m worth of dredging to do for a start, and the '15 season is just around the corner.  With the way cruise itineraries work, Dun Laoghaire may well find itself competing with Holyhead as well as Dublin (and perhaps even Liverpool) as a cruise destination.  Its only possible for the ships to make so many calls, so Dublin and Dun Laoghaire will be very much competing for the same trade. 
The Oasis class are 362m long and the current largest ships - however, who knows what ships could be ordered for 2020 and beyond.  A ship such as Oasis of the Seas can hold 6000 passengers - I'm sure the NIMBY's will be delighted with the coaches busing out that lot on a regular basis!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on February 24, 2015, 10:05:30 AM
Quote from: Rob on February 11, 2015, 09:33:58 PM
Does anyone  know what the plan is with discovery? Isn't she still involved in a criminal investigation since her owner (ferrymar or albamar or something)  smuggled diesel into curaçao in her tanks?

Can you image what state she must be in after so long laying abandoned. Hopefully they kept her on some form of power and air conditioning.

http://www.dutchcaribbeanlegalportal.com/news/latest-news/1840-criminal-investigation-into-disappearance-of-diesel-from-hss-discovery
I've just found this article which talks about the Criminal Investigation you mention Rob- nearly 3 years old now. It seems the deal to get the HSS Discovery was iffy from the very beginning. One wonders if Stena would've got more value for money recycling her like the Voyager and eventually Explorer and Carisma.
I do totally agree with you Steven that the Discovery has been left to rot and I can't see any other future than scrap in South America (as she won't travel to the Indian Subcontinent, either alone or under tow).  From what I can see there aren't any big ship breaking facilities in South America, but that doesn't stop someone taking her to a dry dock and ripping her up quite literally.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on February 28, 2015, 10:52:30 PM
Would expect the HSS Stena Explorer AIS to reactivate sooner rather than later, as Stena have made the decision to end the service and recycle the HSS Stena Explorer it would make sense to use the vessels own power to get it to Sweden rather tugs and all the risks associated with towing, one would assume that Stena Metall will get the contract for recycling to enable them to use the experience gained with the HSS Stena Voyager to maximise the return from Explorer.

While it may go to Belfast for stripping the interior, unless a lot of the interior is going to be reused on Irish Sea vessels it would make no sense carry out the work in Ireland and ship parts across Europe.

The Endgame for Stena's fast ferry experience is about to begin, from Stena Sea Lynx to Stena Explorer, its quite fitting that the first route to get the Fast Ferry Experience was the last route still in operation, a pity that it ends Dun Laoghaire's days as a ferry port but maybe the no lorries in Dun Lorry campaign from many years ago was the catalyst that started the shift in operations to Dublin port.

Images from its final day in service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYq0Mr9E5VE

In comparison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xddjYJBiQlc

In a very short period of time with all the advances in technology it now takes longer to get from London Heathrow to New York JFK and to get from Holyhead to Ireland, we may have gained the iphone, the ipad, facebook, twitter etc but the increase in fuel prices has ended the careers of two of the worlds greatest inventions.

(I am well aware that there are other fast ferries available but for me watching the HSS turning in Dun Laoghaire harbour in 1996 not long after entering service will live with me for ever and that very distinctive sound as the turbines spooled up, just incredible I am just glad I had the chance to travel on the future of ferry travel when it still ran at full speed )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKJXD7dlPL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlirKPwcl9U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaTQKwITcoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1gq3R7nTmQ


a look at the Voyager's last days

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhlykQMLaq4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY3-wxWnSJ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SuGzAZYO6Q


Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on February 28, 2015, 11:28:33 PM
Quote from: giftgrub on February 28, 2015, 10:52:30 PM
Would expect the HSS Stena Explorer AIS to reactivate sooner rather than later, as Stena have made the decision to end the service and recycle the HSS Stena Explorer

Have they actually said they'll recycle her?

From memory, the Voyager wasn't removed for a year from Belfast.  Unless there are significant birthing costs associated with keeping her in Holyhead, or immediate use for the land, I wouldn't be at all surprised if she doesn't move for a similar period to ensure the "Superfast" X beds down as Stena hopes.  There is a risk it doesn't, but once she's gone, she's gone.  I'm sure they'll know by about June what the impact has been on bookings.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on March 01, 2015, 10:12:51 AM
I suppose they may make a token attempt at selling her, but I've looked through the usual sales sites and can't find any listing.

Shouldn't be expensive to keep her for a bit - Maintenance will be down to an absolute minimum and Stena own the port anyway. There was originally talk of the former Stena Discovery going to lay-up at Holyhead when she finished at Harwich, but I think it was decided against as the refit berth - where she would have tied up - had other uses. This won't be the case now as Explorer can sit on her own berth indefinitely.

The Final Day video is very striking! still looks like she is new. Compliments to Stena for keeping her that way.

Pity Harrods (or somebody) couldn't buy her to use as a floating department store! She could visit ports in turn throughout Europe to sell their wares as a special attraction.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on March 01, 2015, 03:25:20 PM
Really good stuff there Giftgrub, and as Davy says so well, the video of the last day is striking.  She really does look so well for a vessel of her age and economics and all that aside, it's a real shame that the HSS story seems to be coming to an end.  I too was lucky enough to see HSS Explorer on her first day in service (watching from the end of the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire) and lucky enough too to travel on her in 2013 when she made a dash for low tide in Holyhead at 42knots! 

The videos of Voyager in her very last days are fascinating to watch but I don't think I want to see the same when it comes time for Explorer to take the trip to Sweden :(

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on March 02, 2015, 12:02:53 AM
Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on February 28, 2015, 11:28:33 PM
Quote from: giftgrub on February 28, 2015, 10:52:30 PM
Would expect the HSS Stena Explorer AIS to reactivate sooner rather than later, as Stena have made the decision to end the service and recycle the HSS Stena Explorer

Have they actually said they'll recycle her?

From memory, the Voyager wasn't removed for a year from Belfast.  Unless there are significant birthing costs associated with keeping her in Holyhead, or immediate use for the land, I wouldn't be at all surprised if she doesn't move for a similar period to ensure the "Superfast" X beds down as Stena hopes.  There is a risk it doesn't, but once she's gone, she's gone.  I'm sure they'll know by about June what the impact has been on bookings.


She needs far too much work done to keep her running, and doesn't make any money when she runs anyway! Theres also the problem of where to get parts from, its not like they can just go down to the nearest motor factors and get them of the shelf!  Likewise, if someone wanted to buy her they'd need to spend a small fortune on her - whatever her intended use.  I have a feeling she won't hang around long, if she is to move under her own power (and to get out of the inner harbour I believe this will need to be the case), it'll need to be soon or it'll be too much work to get her re-certified.  Voyager was a totally different scenario - for a start she had a lot of parts removed just to keep Explorer running!  That isn't needed in this case.

For the record, a ship doesn't need to go onto one of the aforementioned websites in order to be sold.  Rather like a house or car, there are other ways of selling a ship.  I'd hazard a guess she is worth more in scrap value than as a going concern anyway!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on March 06, 2015, 08:33:57 PM
on a related note, there is now also news on the HSS discovery! She will be auctioned off on the 9th of april. Albamar, the company that owned it, has been summoned by Dutch court to pay some 900k dollars for the costs incurred having the vessel laid up in Curacao for so many years.

http://www.kkcuracao.info/?p=106879




Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on March 06, 2015, 09:33:47 PM
Interesting news on Discovery, has always been a bizarre story since it arrived in that part of the world.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on March 07, 2015, 10:01:17 AM
Thanks Rob, I'm glad something is FINALLY happening with the Discovery. It is interesting it's happening now, as Stena have withdrawn her sisters.  I suppose most of the bidders will be scrap merchants... will Stena Metal be one of them?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on March 07, 2015, 02:16:52 PM
I would doubt it. The cost of bringing her back across the Atlantic - by whatever means - would be astronomical.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on March 07, 2015, 09:31:23 PM
Oh I totally agree. What I was thinking was that the vessel is scrapped in a South American shipyard and then the metal gets transported to Sweden.  I think a South American scrap merchant will be most likely bidder.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on March 08, 2015, 12:01:39 PM
I suppose Stena Metall could get involved. When the crafts were new, there were several patents taken out which they may wish to protect the technology of - if indeed they are still worth anything. A far eastern based company getting their hands on such technology may not be the best idea. Stena Metall could purchase her then contract a local shipyard to dismantle her under the direction of a small team of their own people.

On the other hand, if the price is that low somebody may decide to try taking her on as a going concern - plenty of spares from Voyager and now presumably Explorer available. (Although if it was me, I would prefer doing it the other way round, but the price of Explorer would be much higher).

Whatever the outcome, I don't see either craft operating around Europe again, if anywhere.

Anybody heard anything about their little sister, Stena Carisma?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on March 08, 2015, 06:52:44 PM
Carisma laid up in Gothenburg since summer 2013.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on March 10, 2015, 08:20:46 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on March 08, 2015, 12:01:39 PM
I suppose Stena Metall could get involved. When the crafts were new, there were several patents taken out which they may wish to protect the technology of - if indeed they are still worth anything. A far eastern based company getting their hands on such technology may not be the best idea. Stena Metall could purchase her then contract a local shipyard to dismantle her under the direction of a small team of their own people.

On the other hand, if the price is that low somebody may decide to try taking her on as a going concern - plenty of spares from Voyager and now presumably Explorer available. (Although if it was me, I would prefer doing it the other way round, but the price of Explorer would be much higher).

Whatever the outcome, I don't see either craft operating around Europe again, if anywhere.

Anybody heard anything about their little sister, Stena Carisma?
There aren't as many spares as you would think.  I believe the spares from Voyager have been what has kept Explorer running.  However, not only have some spare parts been exhausted, but I believe their manufacturers have also gone the way of the HSS itself.  Another possible issue is maintenance.  Currently there is only one yard in the entire world able to maintain the HSS, H&W Belfast.

Regarding the patents issue, other manufacturers are already using technology patented while the HSS was under development.  For instance, Austal pay Stena a royalty fee for every craft they build.  Regardless, the path to Stena Metall has already been trodden and keeping things in-house maximises the payback for the Stena sphere.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on March 11, 2015, 11:56:14 PM
Demise of the HSS Stena Explorer..... no more fast craft then.....

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/stena-line-chief-talks-a55-8811625
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 10, 2015, 11:52:44 PM
Quote from: Rob on March 06, 2015, 08:33:57 PM
on a related note, there is now also news on the HSS discovery! She will be auctioned off on the 9th of april. Albamar, the company that owned it, has been summoned by Dutch court to pay some 900k dollars for the costs incurred having the vessel laid up in Curacao for so many years.

http://www.kkcuracao.info/?p=106879

Anybody heard if the auction occurred, and if so, the outcome? I've done a google search but nothing relevant seemed to pop up.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer/Discovery Future
Post by: mrwt.nsf on April 12, 2015, 09:41:10 AM
It needs to be translated into stilted English, but I found this online just now:
http://www.amigoe.com/curacao/204652-hss-discovery-gaat-curacao-verlaten

According to the article, the Discovery has been sold to a Turkish buyer for $2.1 million and will apparently leave Curacao within 30 days. A group from Greece as also expressed interest in working with the Turkish buyer.  Unsurprisingly the Discovery can no longer sail under her own power, so she will have to be towed from the island. A contract of towage has already been signed by the Curacao Port Authority and harbour master, but the destination is not yet clear (Aliaga perhaps?).
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 12, 2015, 12:27:10 PM
Surely they are not going to tow her back across the Atlantic! Curacao to Turkey has got to be about 6000 miles.

I think they will do it somewhere local.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 12, 2015, 01:14:43 PM
The article, courtesy of Google Translate:

(Paragraph 5, assuming correct translation, states that the ship has not been bought for scrap).

WILLEMSTAD - The execution sale of the high-speed ferry the 'HSS Discovery, docked since November 2011 in Curacao is located, has occurred Thursday. The ship was purchased by a group from Turkey for an amount of $ 2.1 million at auction as "very exciting" was described. The now "old" ferry will leave the island within thirty days.

by Marija Stojanovic

The buyer, who has traveled specially to Curacao, was approached immediately after the auction by a group from Greece. This group had also given serious during the auction, but fished behind the net used by the auction form, which consisted of two parts: the sale by auction and the auction at afmijning. Ursus Bemmelen, partner of the local law firm BBV Legal, who represents the buyer: "It is a 'Dutch Auction', where the first part goes through auction - the so-called 'Dutch Auction'. The price is hereby greatly increased. But the exciting part, when literally with the sweat on the forehead stands, starts with 'afmijn' section. It is gradually reduced the sum, which the one who first "my" calling either afmijnt, the owner. Of course one wants to wait until the price drops, but you walk in the meantime the risk someone else. When you call 'my'? "Says Van Bemmelen. This auction method is described by experts as "unnerving. Too early Dutch auction means that there needs to be paid more than they had planned. Who afmijnt late, caught in the net. There must also be loud and clear "my" to be called. Simply raising a hand or shout 'yes', has only effect that another candidate early alarmed and still "my" calling. Van Bemmelen states that after the auction at the request of the Greek party has a conversation held with the buyer from Turkey. "It is not yet certain, but the conversation went well, and perhaps that these two parties will even go into a partnership for the operation of the ferry. As it stands now, in any case, the aim of my client to refurbish the ship and carry out the necessary repairs for exploitation. Possible in cooperation with the Greek party will happen. Since the ship is unable to sail independent way, the ferry will be towed within thirty days of the island. About contacts already established with the Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) and the harbor master. "The destination is not yet clear.

The auction took place on the occasion of the extracted interim relief brought by Global Marine Business Solutions Inc. on Tortola (British Virgin Islands) sits against the owner of the ferry Albamar CA established in the Venezuelan Porlamar. The Court of First Instance in Curaçao on December 5, 2014 Albamar sentenced to paying $ 863 640, plus 15 percent collection costs and $ 600,000. This for by Global Marine Business Solutions Inc. services provided and payments made to third parties for Albamar.

Continued on page 2

Continued from page 1

Albamar also condemned the costs for 7791 guilders. Frieda Pais Advocate-Fruchter, representing the creditor Global Marine Business Solutions: "Such an auction is regulated by law and is held in the courtroom in the presence of the judge. There was a lot of interest, given the hall was filled with about 30 men and was commanded by at least four serious parties. The auction was led by two bailiffs. I do not know if it actually is, but my impression was that there was much interest for purchase of the ship for "scrapbook" (stripping the ship for sale of spare parts, ed.). I have no knowledge of ships, but I understand the ferry is nice and in good condition inside. It seems that the global price hike of fuel made sure that they did not appear profitable. "The lawyer further explains that the sale of the vessel and the proceeds, the whole issue of her client will not yet completed. "This now as the proceeds from the sale may still lawsuits will follow. Unfortunately, these issues have a protracted character and hence my request to the court for a placement on deposit with the court until all procedures have been completed and, for example a 'Settlement' is signed, "said Pais-Fruchter.

Relief

The special properties of the high-speed ferry over the past three and half years for many residents faded, as they do not feed and as a 'leave colossus' part of the view of the Caracas Bay. The ferry had a negative connotation because of the illegal diesel trade. Nevertheless, those who have ever been on board with relief respond that the buyer has not bought the ship for scrap and the possibility granted only gets a new life. As is known, has done Amigoe comprehensive report of the luxury on board the ship. After a somewhat steep climb on the walkway ends one can board an impressive cargo space, where vehicles through a bright yellow-colored indication floor above the ship to drive. The whole looks new and tidy by the shiny metal of the walls and the interior of the cargo space. The ferry can accommodate 300 vehicles.

Service

HSS Discovery, formerly 'Stena Discovery', was recorded by Stena Line under the Dutch flag. The ferry conducted between June 1997 and January 2007 from the ferry to England from Hook of Holland and Harwich. The ferry is almost entirely made of aluminum - resistant to corrosion - and is built like a catamaran. The ferry can offer accommodation for up to 1,500 passengers. The ship is also suitable for cars and trucks. This ferry run in its glory days with a speed of about 75 kilometers per hour and put off the crossing to the Hook of Holland in 3 hours and 40 minutes. Stena Line decided in 2006 to take the Stena Discovery out of service due to high fuel prices and the sharp decline in passenger numbers. Due to fierce competition from low-cost airline could ship with no profit to be made anymore. On 8 January 2007, the Stena Discovery made its last trip across the North Sea. Between the aforesaid year and 2009 the ship was docked in Belfast, then owned by Albamar to La Guaira, Venezuela to leave. The ferry has a very short dangers in Venezuela, where she again was taken out of service.

Attractively

On the top floor of the ferry's interior commands attention because of the many different seating areas that are equipped with their own color setting and atmosphere. The warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere, so you can imagine easily that it was pleasant stay on board the ferry when the ferry services between England and the Netherlands were carried out. Due to the huge windows passengers have a good view of the surrounding area and there is a lot of daylight. It can seat a total of 1400 passengers in a comfortable chair as part of a seating area. The ferry has a modern equipped industrial kitchen with large fridge and freezer rooms. The ship also features a shopping area, which is intended for tax-free purchases, and two cinemas. The Discovery is part of a total of three sister. The other two ships are named Voyager and Explorer.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on April 12, 2015, 08:19:53 PM
Amazing, it actually got sold. who knows they might even want to purchase the explorer and have the duo operate.

I don't think anything has happened to the ship since her arrival so it could still be in a config that would allow the long journey back after essential maintenance on the jets is carried out somewhere local.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 12, 2015, 09:49:43 PM
I understand she did operate for a short time so presumably the extra tanks were removed, although I don't expect it to be a big job to refit them. - I assume it was simply a load of stillages on the vehicle deck.

It has got to be cheaper getting some Techies from H&W or wherever to fly out and sort her as opposed to attempting a major tow.

One of the great things about the HSS is the ability to work on her jets whilst afloat. They simply fill the front ballast tanks with water and the stern comes right up and out. I watched them do it to the Explorer in Holyhead once.

The interesting thing about all this - If they paid £2M for her, then add on cost of the repairs, towage and so on - what value does this put the sale of the Explorer at, and how does all this compare with the monetary yield of breaking Voyager?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on April 12, 2015, 11:59:15 PM
This certainly suggests that there might be a brighter future for the Explorer than might have been anticipated a few months ago.

Incidentally, is any pressure being put on Stena by the Harbour Authority to start the decommissioning process in Dun Laoghaire of all the HSS infrastructure?  Or are both sides holding out for a "just in case" scenario?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on April 13, 2015, 06:41:06 PM
Wouldn't be the first time a ship has not been bought for scrap, and proceeded straight to the scrapyard!

She's worth more than $2m as scrap, I can tell you that much.

To put things into perspective here, there's only one yard in the world that has the equipment to work on her.  She hasn't been out of the water since 2009.  That equipment is bespoke as well, and costs a few quid in its own right.  Her engines haven't even been turned over in years (regardless of the condition or any maintenance undertaken on the water jets), hence why she will have to be towed.  She's sat in that heat with no air con on for all that time - remember, this is a ship that has been abandoned for years.  If someone makes a go of her, they'll need VERY deep pockets to get a craft back in to service which only has a few years left anyway.  Contrary to popular belief, marine grade aluminium does suffer from corrosion - any anodes that where in place to reduce this would be long gone.  Until the hull has been inspected properly, it's impossible to say if she will ever operate again.  I notice there is no mention of where they intend to operate her either, or even where she is going when she leaves the island. 

There's another problem as well - linkspans. That beings me neatly to..

Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on April 12, 2015, 11:59:15 PM
This certainly suggests that there might be a brighter future for the Explorer than might have been anticipated a few months ago.

Incidentally, is any pressure being put on Stena by the Harbour Authority to start the decommissioning process in Dun Laoghaire of all the HSS infrastructure?  Or are both sides holding out for a "just in case" scenario?
No pressure needed.  It's already in the works - note one of the companies involved is Stena Metall (the same company that recycled Voyager).

http://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/28289-hss-ferry-linkspan-to-be-removed-with-backdrop-of-cruise-berth-plans

If they are getting rid of one, chances are the other 3 are going too. Like the craft themselves, the linkspan's only have a finite lifespan.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 14, 2015, 10:31:58 AM
Quick Ambiguous calculation:

Price of 6030 (marine grade) Aluminium scrap (retail, England - picked off web) ~ £0.90/kg
Deadweight of ship = 1500 tonnes
Yield of ally (pure guess) = 900 tonnes
Scrap value = £810,000 + engines (much lower scrap value) and fittings, less cost of relocating and breaking up.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on April 14, 2015, 04:48:28 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on April 14, 2015, 10:31:58 AM
Quick Ambiguous calculation:

Price of 6030 (marine grade) Aluminium scrap (retail, England - picked off web) ~ £0.90/kg
Deadweight of ship = 1500 tonnes
Yield of ally (pure guess) = 900 tonnes
Scrap value = £810,000 + engines (much lower scrap value) and fittings, less cost of relocating and breaking up.
Doesn't take into account the turbines or anything else - you may as well pick a number out of the air.  Let's just say Voyager generated much more than your figure according to what I have heard.  Catamaran plating is usually 5083 or 5383 grade aluminium, in the case of the HSS I believe it is 5083.  I believe the HSS class has a history of corrosion at the welds btw, another factor which may prevent further use.

Heres a paper from Austal about aluminium in ship design.  Includes some details of how hey use zinc anodes to prevent/reduce corrosion of the aluminium

http://www.austal.com/Libraries/Newsletters-Presentations-Presentations-and-Publications/Aluminium---Hull-Structure-in-Naval-Applications.pdf
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on April 14, 2015, 06:57:44 PM
Quote from: Steven on April 13, 2015, 06:41:06 PM
Wouldn't be the first time a ship has not been bought for scrap, and proceeded straight to the scrapyard!

She's worth more than $2m as scrap, I can tell you that much.

To put things into perspective here, there's only one yard in the world that has the equipment to work on her.  She hasn't been out of the water since 2009.  That equipment is bespoke as well, and costs a few quid in its own right.  Her engines haven't even been turned over in years (regardless of the condition or any maintenance undertaken on the water jets), hence why she will have to be towed.  She's sat in that heat with no air con on for all that time - remember, this is a ship that has been abandoned for years.  If someone makes a go of her, they'll need VERY deep pockets to get a craft back in to service which only has a few years left anyway.  Contrary to popular belief, marine grade aluminium does suffer from corrosion - any anodes that where in place to reduce this would be long gone.  Until the hull has been inspected properly, it's impossible to say if she will ever operate again.  I notice there is no mention of where they intend to operate her either, or even where she is going when she leaves the island. 

There's another problem as well - linkspans. That beings me neatly to..

Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on April 12, 2015, 11:59:15 PM
This certainly suggests that there might be a brighter future for the Explorer than might have been anticipated a few months ago.

Incidentally, is any pressure being put on Stena by the Harbour Authority to start the decommissioning process in Dun Laoghaire of all the HSS infrastructure?  Or are both sides holding out for a "just in case" scenario?
No pressure needed.  It's already in the works - note one of the companies involved is Stena Metall (the same company that recycled Voyager).

http://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/28289-hss-ferry-linkspan-to-be-removed-with-backdrop-of-cruise-berth-plans

If they are getting rid of one, chances are the other 3 are going too. Like the craft themselves, the linkspan's only have a finite lifespan.

That's it in a nutshell! Aside from their high fuel costs, their biggest problem has been the fact the vessels need dedicated linkspans, which was why the Venezuelan deal seemed a little iffy, and it's no surprise it didn't take off.  I was in Legoland a couple of years ago, with my family, and I saw a model of the HSS alongside the Pride of Burgundy and they were both berthed alongside Dover style berths, and I thought you wouldn't get that in real life :). 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on April 16, 2015, 08:14:04 PM
Interesting times, let's see what happens....
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on April 24, 2015, 03:06:34 PM
Hate to say it, but told you so:
Quote
HSS DISCOVERY sold for scrap
April 24. There is no more doubt about the future of HSS DISCOVERY. In May
the high-speed catamaran will be towed from Willemstad, Curacao to Aliaga,
Turkey, to be scrapped.

The voyage of almost 5,400 nautical miles is expected to take about 37 days.


http://www.shippax.se/members/news/newsarticle.asp?id=6354
Title: HSS Discovery, the final chapter
Post by: Steven on April 24, 2015, 03:07:48 PM
Quote
HSS DISCOVERY sold for scrap
April 24. There is no more doubt about the future of HSS DISCOVERY. In May
the high-speed catamaran will be towed from Willemstad, Curacao to Aliaga,
Turkey, to be scrapped.

The voyage of almost 5,400 nautical miles is expected to take about 37 days.


http://www.shippax.se/members/news/newsarticle.asp?id=6354

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on April 24, 2015, 04:49:09 PM
Thanks Steven, my sentiments exactly.  Given this news, I'm sure the Carisma and Explorer will head over to Stena Metal very soon too.
Title: Re: HSS Discovery, the final chapter
Post by: mrwt.nsf on April 24, 2015, 04:56:22 PM
Thanks Steven. As I said on the other thread, given this unsurprising news, I'm sure the Carisma and Explorer will head over to Stena Metal very soon too.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on April 24, 2015, 08:06:39 PM
Quote from: mrwtho07 on April 24, 2015, 04:49:09 PM
Thanks Steven, my sentiments exactly.  Given this news, I'm sure the Carisma and Explorer will head over to Stena Metal very soon too.
Explorer definitely, Carisma might have a bit of a chance of another bit of service, but we will see.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on April 24, 2015, 11:50:05 PM
Well lets all get excited about the news.....not
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on April 26, 2015, 08:54:56 PM
Any idea when either the Discovery or Explorer will move from their respective berths?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on April 26, 2015, 11:29:36 PM
Explorer won't be in Hoyhead for much longer given the Stena set up, they are probably charging themselves big money to keep it tied up at the berth in Holyhead and could be moved in the next few weeks, the Discovery has to be moved within 30 days from date of sale, though this could be extended by the purchaser.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on April 27, 2015, 10:09:53 AM
Quote from: giftgrub on April 26, 2015, 11:29:36 PM
Explorer won't be in Hoyhead for much longer given the Stena set up, they are probably charging themselves big money to keep it tied up at the berth in Holyhead.

I would have thought that's an accounting technicality and not enough of a motivation on its own to move her.

Any news on the seriousness or otherwise of the 7 submissions to Dun Laoghaire Harbour on a possible replacement service for next year?  I thought there was to be an update this month?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 27, 2015, 10:53:55 PM
I expect there will be a link between the time of departure and a favourable price on Ally scrap.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on April 28, 2015, 09:26:21 AM
I really can't see anyone comming in to operate a fast ferry in Dun laoghaire. Holyhead would be the port  to sail to, and stena own holyhead port ,so it might be difficult to get berthing in holyhead. I think in Dun laoghaire their main aim now is to get this cruise liner berth up and running. Opinion seems to be divided on it . The sailors in the harbour are against it. Some people saying it won't benefit the town. I think that it would benefit the town , all the crew can get off ship at some stage ,and can only stay locally, say if only  66% of crew got off!that's  900 people  on some ships and even if they only spent 10 euro each ,that's still 9 thousand euro spent in the local economy  that day .Also a lot of these big ships will attract a lot of local dublin area foot fall to see the ships and they will also spend some money .there is a lot of potential for tons more parking  ,in the area which was the stena holding area , many hundreds of parking spaces in there. So all in all I hope it goes ahead.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on April 28, 2015, 03:13:27 PM
http://www.interferry.com/node/2897

I found this weblink confirming the fate of the Discovery. Just thought I'd put it on here.

Do people want to properly merge the HSS threads into one? 
Title: Re: HSS Discovery, the final chapter
Post by: mrwt.nsf on April 28, 2015, 03:14:20 PM
http://www.interferry.com/node/2897

I found this weblink confirming the fate of the Discovery. Just thought I'd put it on here.

Do people want to properly merge the HSS threads into one? 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on April 28, 2015, 04:38:47 PM
Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on April 27, 2015, 10:09:53 AM
Quote from: giftgrub on April 26, 2015, 11:29:36 PM
Explorer won't be in Hoyhead for much longer given the Stena set up, they are probably charging themselves big money to keep it tied up at the berth in Holyhead.

I would have thought that's an accounting technicality and not enough of a motivation on its own to move her.

Any news on the seriousness or otherwise of the 7 submissions to Dun Laoghaire Harbour on a possible replacement service for next year?  I thought there was to be an update this month?
HSS Explorer is currently owned by Stena RoRo, who are paying Stena Line Ports a significant sum in fee's - just as anyone would be for the use of the port.  While both are part of the Stena Sphere, they are independent company's in their own right. Im sure Stena RoRo have better things to spend their money on.  There has been talk of movement of supply containers in Holyhead on FB this week with things still being taken off Explorer.  I'd expect something to happen with her sooner rather than later, and certainly before the year is out.  With Discovery's fate seemingly sealed it would appear that the next stop being Stena Metall is more certain than ever. 

As for Dun Laoghaire, as many of us expected, its all gone very quiet.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ccs on April 28, 2015, 10:34:59 PM
Quote from: Stena explorer on April 28, 2015, 09:26:21 AM
I really can't see anyone comming in to operate a fast ferry in Dun laoghaire. Holyhead would be the port  to sail to, and stena own holyhead port ,so it might be difficult to get berthing in holyhead. I think in Dun laoghaire their main aim now is to get this cruise liner berth up and running. Opinion seems to be divided on it . The sailors in the harbour are against it. Some people saying it won't benefit the town. I think that it would benefit the town , all the crew can get off ship at some stage ,and can only stay locally, say if only  66% of crew got off!that's  900 people  on some ships and even if they only spent 10 euro each ,that's still 9 thousand euro spent in the local economy  that day .Also a lot of these big ships will attract a lot of local dublin area foot fall to see the ships and they will also spend some money .there is a lot of potential for tons more parking  ,in the area which was the stena holding area , many hundreds of parking spaces in there. So all in all I hope it goes ahead.

Crazy stuff. Tell the diubters to drop down to Cobh any day there's a cruise ship in and they'll be able to see the economic benefits having these vessels bring.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on April 28, 2015, 11:12:59 PM
Unfortunately for Dun Lorry the exact same issues that were raised in 1994/95 before the HSS arrived are being repeated, amazingly they did not want a busy ferry delivering loads of freight and cars FIVE times a day onto the lovely streets of Dun Laoghaire, this then encouraged Stena to start a freight service from Dublin port, which has ended up in 2015 with no ferry from Dun Laoghaire.

As a resident in Cork, it's easy to say this but in my view cruise ships have no business in Dublin Port as Dun Laoghaire is a stunning location for a cruise terminal and provides easy access to all the normal tourist spots, there will be a major spin off for the town, if you have one cruise ship every week, that's on average 5,000 people arriving on your door step once a week, plus with the piers in DL you have the added attraction of people going down to see these Cruise Ships as well and getting views that are possibly the best in the world, imagine standing on the end of the pier as a vessel like the QM 2 left port ????

With regards to the yacht clubs objecting, they managed to sail around the HSS and before that the ferries, just get on with life and accept that a 150,000 tonne ship will not give way to a 39ft sailing boat, it's hard to believe that anyone could think the town won't benefit, just do it right and have the correct services and entertainment in place and it could actually save the town.

Given its use as a location for the TV3 soap Red Rock, it does not take a genius to see the town needs all the help it can get, hopefully it will become Dublins Cruise Terminal. (How many members if they were on a cruise ship would rather berth in Ringaskiddy rather than Cobh ???? Same argument for Dublin Port v Dun Laoghaire)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on April 29, 2015, 12:13:43 AM
Quote from: giftgrub on April 28, 2015, 11:12:59 PM
Unfortunately for Dun Lorry the exact same issues that were raised in 1994/95 before the HSS arrived are being repeated, amazingly they did not want a busy ferry delivering loads of freight and cars FIVE times a day onto the lovely streets of Dun Laoghaire, this then encouraged Stena to start a freight service from Dublin port, which has ended up in 2015 with no ferry from Dun Laoghaire.

As a resident in Cork, it's easy to say this but in my view cruise ships have no business in Dublin Port as Dun Laoghaire is a stunning location for a cruise terminal and provides easy access to all the normal tourist spots, there will be a major spin off for the town, if you have one cruise ship every week, that's on average 5,000 people arriving on your door step once a week, plus with the piers in DL you have the added attraction of people going down to see these Cruise Ships as well and getting views that are possibly the best in the world, imagine standing on the end of the pier as a vessel like the QM 2 left port ????

With regards to the yacht clubs objecting, they managed to sail around the HSS and before that the ferries, just get on with life and accept that a 150,000 tonne ship will not give way to a 39ft sailing boat, it's hard to believe that anyone could think the town won't benefit, just do it right and have the correct services and entertainment in place and it could actually save the town.

Given its use as a location for the TV3 soap Red Rock, it does not take a genius to see the town needs all the help it can get, hopefully it will become Dublins Cruise Terminal. (How many members if they were on a cruise ship would rather berth in Ringaskiddy rather than Cobh ???? Same argument for Dublin Port v Dun Laoghaire)

Very well put GiftGrub, sums up the situation very well.  There will always be the battles between the Yacht Clubs and the "commercial" users of the port (including the port operator) but interestingly this time, there seems to be more of an acceptance generally of the proposals (outside of the voiciferous objectors).  Generally, people see the necessity of the berth and the economic boost that it would bring to a town which, seafront aside, has really struggled in recent years. Application will be lodged in the next two weeks with an Oral hearing with An Bord Pleanala in the late Autumn and a decision early in the new year. 

On the ferry front, there are apparently 2 serious proposals in play. The current delay is apparently down to a legal question as to whether the Harbour Company (as a semi-state company) has to put the proposal out to tender or whether it can negotiate individually.  Whether they can then do a deal is another days work but it's good that there is at least competitive interest there.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on April 29, 2015, 01:09:36 AM
Quote from: DublinPeter on April 29, 2015, 12:13:43 AM
On the ferry front, there are apparently 2 serious proposals in play. The current delay is apparently down to a legal question as to whether the Harbour Company (as a semi-state company) has to put the proposal out to tender or whether it can negotiate individually.  Whether they can then do a deal is another days work but it's good that there is at least competitive interest there.

Pete

That's great news - and I hope something comes of it, and if it does I look forward to using the service.  Whenever I'm in the Dun Laoghaire area in the afternoon I quite frequently see the SFX in Dublin bay around 3.45pm - that's a not so superfast 35 mins it takes to get from Dublin port to the middle of the bay, which is just a 5 minute journey for a fast ferry from Dun Laoghaire.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on April 29, 2015, 07:30:28 PM
Any possibility of Stena Carisma coming to Irish Sea in 2016.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on April 29, 2015, 07:40:57 PM
No she's been laid up in Gotenburg since late 2013. Only one place she'll be going and that's Lanskrona.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: KieranR on April 30, 2015, 12:43:33 AM
I wouldnt expect to hear anything from DLHC for a while yet. We know there were 7 expressions of interest. They would have been either invited to submit formal tenders which DLHC will need to consider or as a previous post has alluded to, negotiation, and award to the most economic advantageous bid. While a smaller number may only be invited to formally tender, I would be very surprised if none of the bids were successful.

I still think Stena pulling out of DL, disposing of the Explorer and considering the Superfast X a suitable replacement as being decisions they will regret in the longer run, depending on what IF might have planned and what might happen in DL.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on May 01, 2015, 08:16:35 PM
Quote from: KieranR on April 30, 2015, 12:43:33 AM
I still think Stena pulling out of DL, disposing of the Explorer and considering the Superfast X a suitable replacement as being decisions they will regret in the longer run, depending on what IF might have planned and what might happen in DL.
I agree...
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on May 01, 2015, 09:02:11 PM
Quote from: giftgrub on April 28, 2015, 11:12:59 PM
Unfortunately for Dun Lorry the exact same issues that were raised in 1994/95 before the HSS arrived are being repeated, amazingly they did not want a busy ferry delivering loads of freight and cars FIVE times a day onto the lovely streets of Dun Laoghaire, this then encouraged Stena to start a freight service from Dublin port, which has ended up in 2015 with no ferry from Dun Laoghaire.

As a resident in Cork, it's easy to say this but in my view cruise ships have no business in Dublin Port as Dun Laoghaire is a stunning location for a cruise terminal and provides easy access to all the normal tourist spots, there will be a major spin off for the town, if you have one cruise ship every week, that's on average 5,000 people arriving on your door step once a week, plus with the piers in DL you have the added attraction of people going down to see these Cruise Ships as well and getting views that are possibly the best in the world, imagine standing on the end of the pier as a vessel like the QM 2 left port ????

With regards to the yacht clubs objecting, they managed to sail around the HSS and before that the ferries, just get on with life and accept that a 150,000 tonne ship will not give way to a 39ft sailing boat, it's hard to believe that anyone could think the town won't benefit, just do it right and have the correct services and entertainment in place and it could actually save the town.

Given its use as a location for the TV3 soap Red Rock, it does not take a genius to see the town needs all the help it can get, hopefully it will become Dublins Cruise Terminal. (How many members if they were on a cruise ship would rather berth in Ringaskiddy rather than Cobh ???? Same argument for Dublin Port v Dun Laoghaire)

Well said giftgrub
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on May 02, 2015, 10:06:34 AM
The save our seafront. Group had a public meeting and are opposed to the cruise berth. I mean how can anyone not see that this could be the shot in the arm that could get Dun laoghaire moving again. With regards a fast ferry next year , just say p&o wanted to start up ,would it be difficult for them to get a berthing slot in Holyhead considering Stena own the port (anyone any idea)'
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on May 02, 2015, 02:12:20 PM
As regards Holyhead, I suspect money will talk. After all, it is Stena Ports that own the facility, not Stena RoRo or Stena Line. They work with Irish Ferries, so why not another party, provided they are prepared to pay the berthing fees?

If it was P&O  however, I would be expecting a Dun-Laoghaire to Liverpool service, where they already have connections. Could be very popular as well: shorter drive, faster crossing.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on May 03, 2015, 12:24:55 AM
Quote from: Davy Jones on May 02, 2015, 02:12:20 PM
As regards Holyhead, I suspect money will talk. After all, it is Stena Ports that own the facility, not Stena RoRo or Stena Line. They work with Irish Ferries, so why not another party, provided they are prepared to pay the berthing fees?

If it was P&O  however, I would be expecting a Dun-Laoghaire to Liverpool service, where they already have connections. Could be very popular as well: shorter drive, faster crossing.

Good points there Davy and Kieran.  You're right Davy when it comes to Holyhead, money most certainly does talk.  Someone else on here will remember the history better than me, but since Thatchers Open Ports Policy (after the ABP sale in the early 80s) there really is no "exclusivity" on ports of national significance any more (Holyhead by virtue of percentage of traffic handled would be one of those).  Berthing costs etc have to be clear and published too.  There are issues with available slots on the conventional berths but there is no capacity issue for Fastcraft.

The hypothesis about P&O is an interesting one too.  If I was a gambling man then (purely hypothetically you undertand) I would be putting my 20p (24c) on a mixture of Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire - Liverpool services using a single Fastcraft.  Some of it would depend of course on where the Fastcraft was going to live at night.  Dun Laoghaire - Liverpool is about twice the distance of Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead so would need about 10 hours for a round trip (4 hours each way).  Couldn't see it being daily (fuel burn among other issues!) but definitely 2/3 times a week in the Summer - bit of a market could be built there to supplement the DL/Holyhead trade.

The objections to the cruise berth are bound to come from the sailing lobby and others around Dun Laoghaire.  They tend to be a very vocal minority but I think the majority of concerns of the non-vocals can be dealt with quite easily by the proposers and I know from being around the town that the majority of people would welcome the cruise ships with open arms and open shop doors!

Pete


Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: hhvferry on May 03, 2015, 01:11:17 PM
Holyhead itself is ground zero for port open access from back when Stena lost the two landmark European rulings which went in favour of B&I and then Sea Containers. Essentially it would be very difficult for Stena Ports to obstruct an operator who wanted to use Holyhead if a suitable berth was available. Presumably that would have to be the berth used by the Swift. I wonder what the ruling would be in some hypothetical situation where a the new operator decided their craft would somehow fit the HSS berth but were told it was unavailable due to the Explorer being laid up there.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on May 03, 2015, 09:15:58 PM
There is of course Terminal 4 (in the big harbour) which is currently closed for operations (it is only used by the tankers at present) but could probably be sorted quite easily if needed.

The subject of berthing would be the biggest problem for P&O (or anybody else) to run a fast craft service from Liverpool, it would really need to be conducted from an open, riverside berth.


Incidentally, this is fast turning into a discussion thread rather than a news thread. Should it be moved? One for the admins.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on May 05, 2015, 11:49:30 AM
P&O may decide to move the Express Catamaran from Larne to Dun Laoire

I am sure they will be able to use Holyhead Terminal 2 in the afternoon or early morning before the Swift arrives.

The Ramp at Terminal 4 was removed some years ago.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on May 05, 2015, 02:44:40 PM
If it is too happen my money would deffo  be on P&O ,,they would get a very good financial deal from dun laoghaire harbour board,they would use the old stena sea cat bert,everything is in place,  in holyhead they would use the swift terminal, a two times daily each way would be the way to go ,they would just have to work around the swift port times in holyhead so ,say Dept Dun laoghaire at 7.30am arr Holyhead 9.20am(A nice service for the early birds).Dept Holyhead 10.15 arrDun laoghaire12.05pm ,then Dept Dun laoghaire 13.15pm arr Holyhead15.05pm and then Dept Holyhead at 16.20 arr Dunlaoghaire at18.10pm.   What did not help the Hss in recent years was the once a day only service , a two journey a day each way is much more appealing  ,more options for people and even brings day trippers back into the picture, I would say that if the route was marketed well at the start  ,with good promotions etc it could do very well as a seasonal service   From Easter to September , it would bring some more competition which is a good thing .
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on May 05, 2015, 04:14:11 PM
For information

Swift only uses Terminal 2 in the morning because Ulyesis Berths at T5,

In the afternoon Swift Berths at T5 because it departs at 1715 and Epscilon arrives at 1745.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: TC on May 05, 2015, 06:11:08 PM
P&O are certainly experienced in the fast-ferry sector, and ironically are the only HSC operator between NI and Scotland. Sad when you think of the days of Seacat, and the HSS, but P&O's decision to pull the plug early on the loss making routes (Mostyn, Fleetwood, Portsmouth ect) , before the economic crash, gave them an advantage over competitors, and has allowed the company to build on strengths.

The Dublin - Liverpool route has really grown dramatically in the past five years, hence the arrival of European Endeavour, and 15:00 (Dublin) and 3:00 (Liverpool) hours sailings. To be honest the service has improved and become more passenger orientated, sort of in the same way Dover - Dunkirk became popular under Norfolk Line (c.2004).

I think P&O are reaching a real fork in the road. They do need to replace Norbay and Norbank. Fair enough they must be among the top 5 most reliable ships on the Irish Sea, but they are too small for the route, both in-terms of freight and passenger capacity. Personally I wouldn't be shocked to see real developments for the route in the next five years. P&O could easily toddle off to an Asian, Italian, or Spanish shipbuilder and get two super-ferries, passenger cert about 500, lane metres 3200.

This is where I agree a P&O Express service to Holyhead would work well to compliment a revised Liverpool service. As mentioned, Dun Laoghaire needs something to fill the void left by the HSS, and P&O in the past has been willing to try the odd seasonal route (See Portsmouth - Caen, Portsmouth - Ouistreham), even in spite of tough Brittany Ferries competition, so I am indeed wondering will P&O give Dun Laoghaire a shout.

In a way Stena would be thrilled to see the P&O Express gone from Larne and switched to Dun Laoghaire - Holyhead. As Stena don't have a HSS up there anymore the P&O Express is competition. It would also mean Irish Ferries (Stena's main rival) doesn't have free reign over the central corridors fast-ferry sector.

I am wondering not so much would P&O choose to start a service. Personally I wouldn't be shocked. The company has been subtly backtracking on the cuts it made in 2004, and the dropping of separate 'P&O Irish Sea' branding and move to the passenger orientated 'P&O Ferries', and the 2015 new look  'P&O Ferries' certainly does seem to look forward, and to expansion, rather than retrenchment. An 'Express' sailing by P&O would complement the Dublin operations, but I am wondering couldn't P&O just berth the Express on the river berth used by Norbay and Norbank, and get the European Endeavour to use the inner berth.

The only problem I can see with P&O using Dublin rather than Dun Laoghaire is the lack of a large terminal at Dublin. The 'shed' at Dublin isn't terrible, always clean, heated, has 1 reception / ticket desk and has about 50 seats, but this may be a bit of a squeeze for foot passengers, who would be essential for such a service. If P&O wanted to 'test the waters' Dublin Port would be an option for them, and if it was successful, Dun Laoghaire would be perfect for a more robust operation. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ccs on May 13, 2015, 04:10:25 PM
Morning Ireland had a short piece yesterday on the possibility of a cruise berth at Dun Laoghaire.  Audio here http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!type=doPlayThis&detail=&rii=0%3A20778410%3A0%3A%3A (http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!type=doPlayThis&detail=&rii=0%3A20778410%3A0%3A%3A)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 14, 2015, 08:08:51 PM
Anyone who has seen the Express timetable can see P&O couldn't give a toss about the service.  Many expect this to be its last season.  As for the craft herself, she's over 17 years old now and on charter. I have heard this may be the last year of the charter agreement. If so, I don't expect it will be renewed - she now only operates a single round trip for half the year, which is also indicative of just how (un)lucrative a proposition she is to operate. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on May 15, 2015, 05:17:13 PM
Hi does anyone no anyone who works in Holyhead port il be down there the morrow and would love to get a look round the hss before she goes to scrap and love to get to see the bridge etc thanks
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: TC on May 17, 2015, 12:45:35 PM
Steven I'd say P&O give a toss about the Express, and the North Channel, as only recently did they invest in Club Lounges, and generally a much more passenger orientated marketing / branding strategy.

All in all I think the Express is in very good condition for her age (1998), and has been operating for P&O for many years, who (if you don't know!) look after their ships very well.   

Anyone who has looked at a marketing or business strategy would understand (as Stena and IF do!) you need to draw people to a brand for a number of reasons. From a business perspective, P&O are the only HSC operator from NI to Scotland. That can be considered an advantage, and given there is no competition, P&O could do quite well if they went about the marketing correctly.

I agree with you, HSC's are expensive to run / operate, and perhaps Cairnryan will replace Troon as the Express's destination. I would imagine it would be a quicker sailing than either the 'Superfasts' or Highlander / Causeway, and Fuel consumption could be also reduced.

Personally I don't think the European Highlander / Causeway are great adversaries for the Superfasts in terms of passenger experience - space etc. Express does fit the passenger niche quite nicely, and does say from a marketing perspective, "P&O are not just about cramped freight ships, their a company with great heritage, combined with a modern, bright, sleek, reliable service, and have something to offer that is different to the competition".   

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on May 18, 2015, 07:11:00 PM
Anybody heard when Discovery is to move? She's well over her 30 days grace.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on May 19, 2015, 05:52:58 PM
New guy here, this looks like a great site for Irish ferry news. 

About P&O's Express. I am from near Larne and know a few guys who work on her, they tell me she is definitely finishing at the end of September and her owners are selling her.

There are rumours P&O are looking at switching European Causeway to Troon and/or are looking for a shallow draft ship for the port.

Things are very poor in Larne generally with traffic at very low levels compared to the past.  The Cairnryan ships have many sailings with very poor loads.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: TC on May 20, 2015, 12:52:43 AM
Welcome Paddy, glad you like the forum, and you make an interesting point.

It would be a great shame to see no Express / HSC sailings from Larne / Northern Ireland dropped, suppose it'd be the final nail in the coffin so to speak. Fitting though as it will be nearly the 20th anniversary of P&O entering the fast-ferry market with the advent of Jetliner in 1996, also operating from Larne.

As usual time will tell, and I too have heard rumors, which to be honest I have been hearing for the past five years. I personally think P&O aren't utilising Troon to its full potential (hauliers do like to save fuel), and Liverpool has shown where business can be won for this reason.   

Your right Paddy, Larne has suffered, especially since the Superfasts arrived on the scene. You could say its now a level playing field, as before Stena were seriously unable to compete with P&O's capacity (European Highlander and Causeway). Stena Caledonia had about half the lane metres of just one of the vessels! Lough Ryan port too hasn't helped.

But I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel. 1. The new dual carriageway, and 2. The new link-span at P&O Cairnryan should help improve matters.

If I'm correct in thinking P&O own the 'Port of Larne', and 'Port of Cairnryan', I would imagine they would take the route a bit more serious, as its demise would effect not only P&O Ferries, but these off-shoot companies.

Your note on a possible third ship is interesting. They tried Norcape on the route for a brief spell, after long serving European Mariner was finally pensioned off. I don't think her loadings were amazing either, but her deployment was around the same time the Superfasts were introduced so that may explain that. Norcape was fairly ancient as well, I think the oldest ferry on the Irish Sea at the time, hence any big maintenance bills would have seen her off to the beach.         
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on May 20, 2015, 11:34:21 AM
Quote from: TC on May 20, 2015, 12:52:43 AM

As usual time will tell, and I too have heard rumors, which to be honest I have been hearing for the past five years. I personally think P&O aren't utilising Troon to its full potential (hauliers do like to save fuel), and Liverpool has shown where business can be won for this reason.   


But I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel. 1. The new dual carriageway, and 2. The new link-span at P&O Cairnryan should help improve matters.

If I'm correct in thinking P&O own the 'Port of Larne', and 'Port of Cairnryan', I would imagine they would take the route a bit more serious, as its demise would effect not only P&O Ferries, but these off-shoot companies.
       

My friend at P&O reckons the problem with freight at Troon is prices, they'd have to charge a lot more to cover the extra sailing times unless they gained a lot of traffic.  Bit of a gamble he says.

Are you saying the new ramp at Cairnryan will boost business, I can't see why.

The new look A8 is a great road and can't harm things but I'm not sure it will be a saviour for P&O, Larne's big disadvantage is it only has one route which makes it less attractive, Belfast being a hub especially for unaccompanied. Belfast offers Cairnryan, Heysham and Birkenhead and has far more of the haulage companies/distribution centres.

I'd sadly say Larne will have no ferries in 10 years.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 20, 2015, 01:51:13 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on May 20, 2015, 11:34:21 AM
Quote from: TC on May 20, 2015, 12:52:43 AM

As usual time will tell, and I too have heard rumors, which to be honest I have been hearing for the past five years. I personally think P&O aren't utilising Troon to its full potential (hauliers do like to save fuel), and Liverpool has shown where business can be won for this reason.   


But I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel. 1. The new dual carriageway, and 2. The new link-span at P&O Cairnryan should help improve matters.

If I'm correct in thinking P&O own the 'Port of Larne', and 'Port of Cairnryan', I would imagine they would take the route a bit more serious, as its demise would effect not only P&O Ferries, but these off-shoot companies.
       

My friend at P&O reckons the problem with freight at Troon is prices, they'd have to charge a lot more to cover the extra sailing times unless they gained a lot of traffic.  Bit of a gamble he says.

Are you saying the new ramp at Cairnryan will boost business, I can't see why.

The new look A8 is a great road and can't harm things but I'm not sure it will be a saviour for P&O, Larne's big disadvantage is it only has one route which makes it less attractive, Belfast being a hub especially for unaccompanied. Belfast offers Cairnryan, Heysham and Birkenhead and has far more of the haulage companies/distribution centres.

I'd sadly say Larne will have no ferries in 10 years.

Unfortunately I have to agree with Paddy here.  The a8 is 20 years too late IMO.  Express costs P&O a small fortune to run, and loadings aren't exactly stellar.  The only thing the new linkspan improves is turnaround times which aren't an issue anyway.  It is there because the old one was literally ready to fall down!  If a freight route is established (re-established if you consider the old Adrossan route) to Troon, I personally think it will canabalise trade from Cairnryan - but as Paddy points out, the numbers have to work.  However, if sailing are to be halved to Cairnryan, I'd be inclined to think some regular customers would be less than pleased. 

There has been a shift of hauliers in recent years to Belfast as well.  The Stena terminals are inside the same industrial park as many of them.  Likewise for the supermarket trade (which makes up an awful lot of the regular business for the ferry companies), the final destinations are mostly Belfast or to the south along the M1 - where the majority of the population lives.  Larne made sense when the majority of the ferry trade was coming from the railways.  However, that trade is almost non-existent now.  Stena have built a freight hub at Belfast.  There's also the shift towards Dublin by a lot of companies too to consider. IMO, Stena where very savvy in cornering the diagonal routes to Lancashire and Cheshire - the same routes that P&O over he years abandoned.  More and more distribution seems to be based in these regions as well. 

As for P&O looking after their ships TC, I beg to differ.

For the record. I have heard the same about Express being for sale, and from sources which dont get these things wrong.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on May 20, 2015, 02:20:46 PM
Hello Steven,

Interesting you have heard about Express too.  I was out a message during my lunch break and at a local hot food van all the talk was of the Express going so it's clearly widely known now.

Also interesting what you say about Dublin, my friend at P&O says a lot of the old Northern traffic is now using Dublin.

Sad times but that's progress I guess.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: TC on May 20, 2015, 09:25:12 PM
I'd say ye two are right to be honest. But surely P&O could do something? Its like Stena at Fishguard saying "Ah lads, lets call it a day, Irish Ferries are too much for us". Stena didn't get to where they are today taking that approach! 

A friend of mine once said "If P&O can't see it from Channel House their not interested", but as you said yourself Steven, with all the competition on the channel that's hardly the pot of gold it once was, and to survive P&O need a few good routes under their belt.

I agree with you Steven about P&O being foolish not investing in a route from lets say Heysham / Fleetwood to Larne, that's probably hurt the port.

I think P&O can overcome these issues if they go about it correctly, never forget, DP World have deep pockets. Option B of course is to slash costs (Express might be indeed facing the final curtain).

Any thoughts on European Causeway operating Larne - Fleetwood? Or would size, dredging, port access and condition mean a no goer?
 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on May 20, 2015, 11:29:15 PM
Fleetwood is dead and gone surely? Causeway length and draught surely a problem? Plus she would need a major re-build with cabins.

What are you hearing about the future of the route?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on May 21, 2015, 10:39:05 AM
In terms of the HSS vessels, I've no heard or seen anything, but it's possible the new owners are in the process of sorting out tugs and the final procedures for the journey to Turkey.  She will be going, as I'm sure Curacao want to get rid of her and probably by the end of the year, the Stena Explorer will be heading to Stena Metal, in the same way.

In terms of Larne, it amazing the difference of five years. In 2010, Larne had Stena Line serving Fleetwood, P&O serving Cairnryan and Troon fully (i.e. both freight and passengers) and Seatruck opening a service to Heysham.  Now in 2015, there's nothing except the P&O service to Cairnryan and the seasonal service to Troon, and as a result I agree with many people here that Larne's future looks a little bleak.

There are many reasons for this, some of which P&O has to take a degree of responsibility. First of all, as we all know, by the end of 2010 Stena closed the Fleetwood service, and effectively replaced it with the Heysham-Belfast service it took from DFDS. This of course complimented the new Superfast operations from Cairnryan, as well as the service from Birkenhead, so understandably Stena's focus shifted to Belfast.  Some might say that had P&O kept Fleetwood and invested in it properly, then route would still be there and the Larne would be in a better future.  However, in 2004, P&O really was in dire straights and had to close/sell off a lot of their routes, which resulted in Stena taking over the Fleetwood service. Also had P&O kept it, it would have faced competition from other lines and given the downturn, I believe the route would've still closed anyway.

Then we come to Seatruck, who continued serving Larne till 2012. There original intention was to build up the route with R-Class vessels and then replace them with two of the P-Class. However, the latter vessels couldn't fit the berths at Larne and P&O didn't seem willing to invest in upgrading them. So as a result, Seatruck took the decision to transfer their services to Belfast. This of course lasted for a couple of months, before an agreement was reached with Stena Line where they would operate the route, but Seatruck would provide the vessels. Seatruck also continue to operate their flagship Warrenpoint service.

Last and by no means least, we have P&O.  Given the Stena's new operations at Cairnryan, it was no big surprise to me that P&O decided to close the freight only service and focus solely at Cairnryan. I was a little disappointed though because, I thought the Norcape was a good vessel and a perfect replacement for the European Mariner, and it was a shame she didn't come on the route sooner.  Given this news (which meant the Troon route was just a fast seasonal service), I knew back in 2012 the route's future looked quite bleak, even though I thought it may continue to operate for a couple more years.  That prediction seems to have been right and when P&O decided last year to operate the Express only on the Troon run, and then this year only once a day, I suspected that this would be the end of the service and the withdrawal of the Express, so I am not in the least surprised by the rumours and does seem to follow the heals of the Explorer's departure. 

I honestly don't know what will happen to the Cairnryan-Larne service, but I suspect it will continue for the time being. Although I do agree that the new operations into the far bigger port of Belfast, which has better hinterland connections, have made the route's future prospects less certain than they once were. I also agree that the new link road has come too late, as it would have been perfect 5-10 years ago, when there was more than one route and one operator serving the port.
Like Dun Laoghaire, Troon will go. Larne will only go too if P&O feels it really is unable to compete with Stena's superior operations... time will tell how things go. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 21, 2015, 02:33:34 PM
As posted on the Central and Southern corridor thread, but here as its relevant:
QuoteLatest official (via Shippax) figures show that Stena have had a strong double digit growth in passengers, cars, and buses on Dublin - Holyhead during April, whilst everyone else is down with the exception of marginal growth in car numbers for Irish Ferries and a downward trend overall.  It appears that the marketing offensive may be working!

Regarding Troon - the numbers for April would best be described as a road crash, even accounting for reduced sailings as it would be expected that there should be some transfer to the single sailing (which surely was the intention - to get everyone on the same trip instead of splitting the numbers).  The trade hasn't gone to the Cairnryan route either - it is down too, though the deployment of Norbay could account for the passenger numbers being a little down, freight is also down as well.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: TC on May 22, 2015, 12:40:33 AM
Judging from this, P&O really need to get their act together. I think your right though Steven, especially about the Norbay. In photos from Scott Mackey, the upper deck had no trailers or lorries. Rough times ahead for P&O Larne.

They need to get more routes into Larne by the sounds of things otherwise the port will face a similar future to Fleetwood. P&O could reduce sailings, and that way reduce costs, and try and get the route more profitable. Its better to have a vessel leaving with 85% of her car decks full, than doing dozens of half empty sailings.

Personally I think once the A8 is up and going, and somehow (maybe through better rates, lower port costs), get freight traffic using Larne again, and if possible another operator i.e. Seatruck.

Alliance in the future between Seatruck and P&O wouldn't be a bad thing either. Costs could be curtailed for both operators on the central channel through 'co-operation' rather than competition, and more routes could be opened up to both parties. Seatruck could use Larne - Cairnryan, and P&O benefit from Seatrucks network. Wining Seatruck back to Larne could help solve P&O's difficulty, but they certainly wont comeback for nothing. Much lower port costs might be a solution.   
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: TC on May 22, 2015, 01:16:50 AM
Sorry Paddy, I forgot your question about Fleetwood.

I haven't heard or seen anything, but the port is still there, and nobody is using it. I don't even think Isle of Man Steam Packet do?

I was just wondering if P&O could jump start / tap into freight coming from the North of England, by utilising a port, such as idle Fleetwood (that ABP indicates has a ferry berth).

I have never looked at the berthing statistics, and I remember looking at pictures of the late Stena / European Leader and the tight fit would make you jump, but could it be possible to fit a high freight capacity vessel (with the right investment).

An upgraded Fleetwood - Larne (competitively priced) could draw freight away from Heysham to Belfast, and perhaps back into Larne.     
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on May 27, 2015, 08:21:41 PM
HSS Stena Explorer thread??
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on May 27, 2015, 10:20:30 PM
 Have just been looking around Marine Traffic and lo and behold Explorer's AIS has been reactivated. Has anyone got any idea or info? Her AIS has been switched off since it was announced that she was cancelled.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on May 28, 2015, 10:18:51 AM
Interesting. Any word on the Discovery?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on May 29, 2015, 12:16:34 AM
Quote from: ferryfan on May 27, 2015, 10:20:30 PM
Have just been looking around Marine Traffic and lo and behold Explorer's AIS has been reactivated. Has anyone got any idea or info? Her AIS has been switched off since it was announced that she was cancelled.

2 ideas:
1. She's been resurrected on the Dun Laoghaire route and will resume service to capture the summer market since SSFX is not as popular as hoped.
2. She's heading to the scrapyard in the sky.

Since we know that the Dublin to Holyhead route has experienced double digit growth for Stena this year, the first idea must be complete bunkum and it can only mean one thing...
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on May 29, 2015, 10:43:50 AM
The main reason stena made double digit growth in April on the holyhead route ,was because the vast bulk of the 26,000to 30'000 passangers that used Dunlaoghaire  last April  transferred to Dublin Port. As Easter was ril last year as we'll , thee hss always did ok around the Easter holidays
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 29, 2015, 12:00:55 PM
I'm told that the HSS ramps at all four ports are to be removed soon.

Quote from: Stena explorer on May 29, 2015, 10:43:50 AM
The main reason stena made double digit growth in April on the holyhead route ,was because the vast bulk of the 26,000to 30'000 passangers that used Dunlaoghaire  last April  transferred to Dublin Port. As Easter was ril last year as we'll , thee hss always did ok around the Easter holidays
Yea, that was a lot of the point of the post - to say that the shift IF many expected hadn't happened as of yet :).
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on May 29, 2015, 03:16:19 PM
Any tugs bound for Holyhead or Curacao?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on May 29, 2015, 04:00:00 PM
The tug AGAT that towed voyager away to  be scrapped is currently off the coast of Portugal heading towards Aberdeen!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on June 02, 2015, 02:40:55 AM
Its quite possible that Explorer could move within Holyhead itself, in order to allow her linkspan to be removed.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on June 02, 2015, 10:42:30 PM
On the way to board the Adventurer/Superfast X, its very sad to see the Explorer just sat there :'(
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on June 04, 2015, 01:39:22 PM
Explorer currently in the centre of inner harbour a tug vessel the Tessa F is alongside her berth. Wish there was some way of seeing what was going on, I suspect it might be something to do with removing the linkspan.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on June 04, 2015, 05:08:22 PM
She's still berthed at her linkspan as far as I am aware.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on June 04, 2015, 07:12:10 PM
Was down a few weeks ago seen the explorer and was talking to the port manager and he was telling me about a bit of interest by the American army for her and also a club in London looking to put her in the Thames for a night club I wasn't allowed on board due to health and safety and he said to start it up again and get the electric going would cost a lot of money and time also the only person allowed on the hss is a fire chief  so now the ais is on which means she starting up and if she moved from her berth maybe there working at her jets I was confirmed she never sail Holyhead route a again cause it is sold within the last couple days but who bought her ?
Hss discovery
I found a lot of pages threw Internet that she is gettin a refurb and been sold to Turkey and Greece as for takeing the berths away the 1 in Belfast is still here and Stranraer and dun laoghaire so y would they do Holyhead first it would be the last as the hss is there
#bringbacktheconcordeofthesea
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on June 04, 2015, 07:19:23 PM
It'll be interesting to see what happens to the inner harbour, once the HSS and berth 1 linkspan go. I hope they do something beneficial and productive with it, because the area is nice to walk along from the ferry terminal/station to the town centre.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on June 04, 2015, 11:30:47 PM
Stena Line handed the Explorer over to Northern Marine Management a few months back. As regarding her ownership she is now owned by Stena Metall as I understand it.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on June 04, 2015, 11:55:20 PM
Quote from: Jjtdi on June 04, 2015, 07:12:10 PM
Was down a few weeks ago seen the explorer and was talking to the port manager and he was telling me about a bit of interest by the American army for her and also a club in London looking to put her in the Thames for a night club I wasn't allowed on board due to health and safety and he said to start it up again and get the electric going would cost a lot of money and time also the only person allowed on the hss is a fire chief  so now the ais is on which means she starting up and if she moved from her berth maybe there working at her jets I was confirmed she never sail Holyhead route a again cause it is sold within the last couple days but who bought her ?
Hss discovery
I found a lot of pages threw Internet that she is gettin a refurb and been sold to Turkey and Greece as for takeing the berths away the 1 in Belfast is still here and Stranraer and dun laoghaire so y would they do Holyhead first it would be the last as the hss is there
#bringbacktheconcordeofthesea
1.  The reports about Discovery going to Turkey/Greece for further service are old news.  Shippax (a respected industry publication) have already said she is going to Aliaga for scrap - this was after those reports of potential further service, which where based on a statement made at the time of the auction itself.
2. The plan is to remove all four linkspans at the same time - this makes perfect sense if they are all to be towed to a common destination. I believe they are worth a few quid in scrap metal value.
3.  As for Explorer being sold, this sounds like someone getting mixed up with her transferring within the Stena Sphere.  She is no longer the responsibility of Stena Line, and is actually costing money (as discussed elsewhere) whilst she sits in Holyhead.
4.  For the record, Explorer HAS been started up recently.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on June 05, 2015, 12:19:03 AM
Yea thats what i mint steven they have started up the ais so means they have went to a lot of expense as holyhead port manger said to me to just start the ship they have to get everything eletrical tested which costs money plus the hss was only sold this week to a disclosed buyer and as for the link spans there specialist design so destructing them will be a specialist job which id think they would only have 1 team to do them all  as for the discovey im only hopeing she doesnt go like the voyager
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: smudga31 on June 05, 2015, 04:36:17 AM
just out of interest, as I'm not too "in the know" on these subjects....Would Explorer's AIS need to be visible/active for her to be towed? Or is it permissible to tow with just the Tug's AIS active?

Thanks
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on June 05, 2015, 10:57:27 AM
Quote from: Jjtdi on June 05, 2015, 12:19:03 AM
Yea thats what i mint steven they have started up the ais so means they have went to a lot of expense as holyhead port manger said to me to just start the ship they have to get everything eletrical tested which costs money plus the hss was only sold this week to a disclosed buyer and as for the link spans there specialist design so destructing them will be a specialist job which id think they would only have 1 team to do them all  as for the discovey im only hopeing she doesnt go like the voyager

Destructing any type of metal structure is not a specialist job! Maybe removing the structures from harbours is but give me the gear and I could even take apart a linkspan!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on June 05, 2015, 05:10:27 PM
Well when they towed the voyager i dont think the ais was not active i dnt think plus they have to use a barge to dismantle the  linkspan which not many scrap companies have i dont believe,,,,,, but i possibely be wrong
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on June 05, 2015, 06:13:08 PM
I would expect that work on the HSS Links-pans would be near to any typical civil engineering job involving cranes working shore-side. I expect they will need to dismantle the walkways first before moving the main metalwork.

Can anybody remember back a few years to 2008 when the Voyager link-span was moved downstream from her original location opposite the Titanic slipway in Belfast? I'm just wondering how big an operation it was, and was she out of service for long? (Or was an entirely new link-span was constructed)?

When Voyager made her final journey I recall she had no AIS. I'm just wondering what would have happened if she had lost her tow in fog?

If they have been playing with Explorer's engines it sounds likely that she will be using them to take her to wherever her next destination is.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on June 05, 2015, 07:29:20 PM
In terms of the dismantling of the HSS berths, I think we need to look at what happened in Harwich and Hook-of-Holland, after the Discovery  finished her operations with Stena.  Talking of which, given her AIS hasn't been on for while, she may be already under tow and no-one is aware of it...
I think the Explorer's last departure will be the next big event at Holyhead.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on June 05, 2015, 08:51:49 PM
Quote from: TC on May 20, 2015, 12:52:43 AM
Welcome Paddy, glad you like the forum, and you make an interesting point.

It would be a great shame to see no Express / HSC sailings from Larne / Northern Ireland dropped, suppose it'd be the final nail in the coffin so to speak. Fitting though as it will be nearly the 20th anniversary of P&O entering the fast-ferry market with the advent of Jetliner in 1996, also operating from Larne.

As usual time will tell, and I too have heard rumors, which to be honest I have been hearing for the past five years. I personally think P&O aren't utilising Troon to its full potential (hauliers do like to save fuel), and Liverpool has shown where business can be won for this reason.   

Your right Paddy, Larne has suffered, especially since the Superfasts arrived on the scene. You could say its now a level playing field, as before Stena were seriously unable to compete with P&O's capacity (European Highlander and Causeway). Stena Caledonia had about half the lane metres of just one of the vessels! Lough Ryan port too hasn't helped.

But I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel. 1. The new dual carriageway, and 2. The new link-span at P&O Cairnryan should help improve matters.

If I'm correct in thinking P&O own the 'Port of Larne', and 'Port of Cairnryan', I would imagine they would take the route a bit more serious, as its demise would effect not only P&O Ferries, but these off-shoot companies.

Your note on a possible third ship is interesting. They tried Norcape on the route for a brief spell, after long serving European Mariner was finally pensioned off. I don't think her loadings were amazing either, but her deployment was around the same time the Superfasts were introduced so that may explain that. Norcape was fairly ancient as well, I think the oldest ferry on the Irish Sea at the time, hence any big maintenance bills would have seen her off to the beach.         

My friend who works on the Express tells me that the crew were officially told today that the craft is leaving P&O after the summer.  Seems they are looking a new ship for Troon.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on June 06, 2015, 04:29:35 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on June 05, 2015, 06:13:08 PM
I would expect that work on the HSS Links-pans would be near to any typical civil engineering job involving cranes working shore-side. I expect they will need to dismantle the walkways first before moving the main metalwork.

Can anybody remember back a few years to 2008 when the Voyager link-span was moved downstream from her original location opposite the Titanic slipway in Belfast? I'm just wondering how big an operation it was, and was she out of service for long? (Or was an entirely new link-span was constructed)?

When Voyager made her final journey I recall she had no AIS. I'm just wondering what would have happened if she had lost her tow in fog?

If they have been playing with Explorer's engines it sounds likely that she will be using them to take her to wherever her next destination is.

Just to clarify.  The linkspan used at VT4 is actually from the Harwich - Hoek route.  This was so the service could continue undisrupted by the move to VT4.  Voyagers linkspan at Albert Quay was towed to Harland and Wolff and used for parts to keep the rest running once the services had moved.

Quote from: smudga on June 05, 2015, 04:36:17 AM
just out of interest, as I'm not too "in the know" on these subjects....Would Explorer's AIS need to be visible/active for her to be towed? Or is it permissible to tow with just the Tug's AIS active?

Thanks

No.  Voyager's AIS was deactivated when she was towed by Agat - she was effectively a dead ship with no-one onboard.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on June 07, 2015, 12:22:33 AM
Quote from: ferryfan on June 04, 2015, 01:39:22 PM
Explorer currently in the centre of inner harbour a tug vessel the Tessa F is alongside her berth. Wish there was some way of seeing what was going on, I suspect it might be something to do with removing the linkspan.
Arrived into Holyhead on Superfast X today, passed the Explorer and she is still in exactly the same place.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on June 07, 2015, 11:17:59 AM
According to AIS, a 48m tug - Amber II - has been manoeuvring around HSS Discovery over the past 24 hrs. She seems to have spent the night alongside her.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on June 07, 2015, 12:55:10 PM
I think HSS you missed the word CURRENTLY in my post. The ships track showed that she had moved away from her berth under her own power on two occasions on Thursday.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer Discovery Salvage
Post by: ferryfan on June 07, 2015, 01:02:36 PM
Amber II is owned by SMIT Salvage so it looks a bit like the beginning of the end for the Discovery AIS is showing her right alongside Discovery at the moment.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: dw0029 on June 07, 2015, 02:33:26 PM
What about European Seaway sat idle in Tilbury would she not be ideal for Larne to Troon?

Quote from: PaddyL on June 05, 2015, 08:51:49 PM
Quote from: TC on May 20, 2015, 12:52:43 AM
Welcome Paddy, glad you like the forum, and you make an interesting point.

It would be a great shame to see no Express / HSC sailings from Larne / Northern Ireland dropped, suppose it'd be the final nail in the coffin so to speak. Fitting though as it will be nearly the 20th anniversary of P&O entering the fast-ferry market with the advent of Jetliner in 1996, also operating from Larne.

As usual time will tell, and I too have heard rumors, which to be honest I have been hearing for the past five years. I personally think P&O aren't utilising Troon to its full potential (hauliers do like to save fuel), and Liverpool has shown where business can be won for this reason.   

Your right Paddy, Larne has suffered, especially since the Superfasts arrived on the scene. You could say its now a level playing field, as before Stena were seriously unable to compete with P&O's capacity (European Highlander and Causeway). Stena Caledonia had about half the lane metres of just one of the vessels! Lough Ryan port too hasn't helped.

But I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel. 1. The new dual carriageway, and 2. The new link-span at P&O Cairnryan should help improve matters.

If I'm correct in thinking P&O own the 'Port of Larne', and 'Port of Cairnryan', I would imagine they would take the route a bit more serious, as its demise would effect not only P&O Ferries, but these off-shoot companies.

Your note on a possible third ship is interesting. They tried Norcape on the route for a brief spell, after long serving European Mariner was finally pensioned off. I don't think her loadings were amazing either, but her deployment was around the same time the Superfasts were introduced so that may explain that. Norcape was fairly ancient as well, I think the oldest ferry on the Irish Sea at the time, hence any big maintenance bills would have seen her off to the beach.         

My friend who works on the Express tells me that the crew were officially told today that the craft is leaving P&O after the summer.  Seems they are looking a new ship for Troon.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer/Discovery Salvage
Post by: mrwt.nsf on June 07, 2015, 02:34:31 PM
Thanks for the heads up on the Discovery ferryfan! It looks like the Amber II is underway and located towards the stern of the HSS, presumably to secure the towing rope(s).

Sometimes AIS signals get bounced around, giving the impression ships are moving erratically, when in reality they aren't. I doubt Stena would move the HSS briefly, just to move her back to Berth 1... unless they have money to burn. 

I suspect the Seaway is a little too big for Troon lol!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Stena explorer on June 07, 2015, 02:43:15 PM
Has anyone any information on Stena carisma  , she has been out of service a long while now, 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on June 07, 2015, 03:38:17 PM
Quote from: dw0029 on June 07, 2015, 02:33:26 PM
What about European Seaway sat idle in Tilbury would she not be ideal for Larne to Troon?


Seaway is too big for both ports and hasn't the headroom needed for the route so would be pretty useless and rather far from ideal.

Also it was reported this week on the Ferries of Northern Europe Yahoo group that P&O are currently trying to sell her via brokers.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on June 07, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on June 07, 2015, 03:38:17 PM
Quote from: dw0029 on June 07, 2015, 02:33:26 PM
What about European Seaway sat idle in Tilbury would she not be ideal for Larne to Troon?


Seaway is too big for both ports and hasn't the headroom needed for the route so would be pretty useless and rather far from ideal.

Also it was reported this week on the Ferries of Northern Europe Yahoo group that P&O are currently trying to sell her via brokers.

Sorry for being a jobsworth but I really think this is in the wrong thread.  :-X
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on June 07, 2015, 04:12:04 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on June 07, 2015, 04:01:53 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on June 07, 2015, 03:38:17 PM
Quote from: dw0029 on June 07, 2015, 02:33:26 PM
What about European Seaway sat idle in Tilbury would she not be ideal for Larne to Troon?


Seaway is too big for both ports and hasn't the headroom needed for the route so would be pretty useless and rather far from ideal.

Also it was reported this week on the Ferries of Northern Europe Yahoo group that P&O are currently trying to sell her via brokers.

Sorry for being a jobsworth but I really think this is in the wrong thread.  :-X

Agreed though I was only replying to comments already here.

Can I suggest a moderator moves many of these posts to the P&O thread?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on June 07, 2015, 07:53:53 PM
Quote from: Stena explorer on June 07, 2015, 02:43:15 PM
Has anyone any information on Stena carisma  , she has been out of service a long while now,
There was a press release earlier in the year to say she won't sail, but they haven't ruled out her doing so in the future.  They can't justify her use as traffic levels mean Danica and Jutlandica can cope without her.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on June 08, 2015, 03:41:24 PM
Discovery on her way
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on June 08, 2015, 03:43:22 PM
Amber 2 tow line attached This is the end of the line
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on June 08, 2015, 05:42:32 PM
Quote from: ferryfan on June 08, 2015, 03:41:24 PM
Discovery on her way
If her AIS (which now seems to be switched off) is correct, it will only be a short trip up the coast to Willemstad. Amber II still moored in Caracas Bay, also with an AIS destination of Willemstad.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on June 08, 2015, 07:25:07 PM
Great photos ferryfan!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on June 08, 2015, 08:28:56 PM
Quote from: ferryfan on June 07, 2015, 12:55:10 PM
I think HSS you missed the word CURRENTLY in my post. The ships track showed that she had moved away from her berth under her own power on two occasions on Thursday.
Oh well, if the ships track showed that she had moved away from her berth, then it MUST be TRUE  ::)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Collision-course on June 08, 2015, 08:38:35 PM
Quote from: Stena explorer on June 07, 2015, 02:43:15 PM
Has anyone any information on Stena carisma  , she has been out of service a long while now,
A recent Stena Line report says Stena Carsima is to be retained as seasonal back up until the end of 2016 at least.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: hhvferry on June 08, 2015, 09:12:30 PM
Quote from: Stena explorer on June 07, 2015, 02:43:15 PM
Has anyone any information on Stena carisma  , she has been out of service a long while now,
As Steven says, they've confirmed she will be out of service for another year at least. I imagine it would cost a fair amount to get her up and running again after so long laid up although cosmetically she seems to be doing ok. This image is from February this year - she's not exactly a rusting hulk (that would never do next to Stena HQ, especially as they have difficulties with the local council as it is) but on closer inspection you can tell she's not moved for a fair while.

(http://hhvferry.com/CARISMA_IMG_4087_1010215.jpg)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on June 09, 2015, 11:48:25 AM
A friend told me the Stena Carisma is a floating storage facility (junking den) for Stena these days
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: smudga31 on June 12, 2015, 07:44:09 PM
Amber II has left Caracas Baai with a destination of Istanbul, I assume with HSS Discovery in tow.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on June 12, 2015, 09:56:48 PM
Yeah given the Amber II's speed of 3-4kts and ETA of 22nd July, I think you're right. The end of the line for the Discovery has finally arrived; the second part of the final curtain of the HSS.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on June 12, 2015, 10:37:34 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on June 09, 2015, 11:48:25 AM
A friend told me the Stena Carisma is a floating storage facility (junking den) for Stena these days

HSS Stena Carisma expected to move on Wed morning up river to make space for Volvo Ocean Race arriving on the 21st June.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on June 14, 2015, 10:55:09 PM
Is there any ship breakers in istanbul? I still doubt there not going to tow her over the alantic just to cut her up
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on June 14, 2015, 11:14:25 PM
Quote from: Jjtdi on June 14, 2015, 10:55:09 PM
Is there any ship breakers in istanbul? I still doubt there not going to tow her over the alantic just to cut her up
Shippax (a respected industry publication) have already said she is being recycled. It has also been reported elsewhere.  The AIS destination has already changed once, nothing to say it won't again. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on June 14, 2015, 11:41:13 PM
Aw ryt ok Steven its to bad great waste of a mighty ship still tho we can hope for the best :)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on June 17, 2015, 11:38:28 PM
Nothing to do with Explorer, but voyage report from Carisma with some good images

http://motor-vessel.com/2013/08/18/hss-stena-carisma-onboard-report/

No confirmation, if it was moved off berth today in Gothenburg as AIS is not switched on
Title: Re: HSS Stena Discovery
Post by: ferryfan on June 27, 2015, 12:52:10 PM
Found these pics of Amber 2 alongside Discovery
Title: Re: HSS Stena Discovery
Post by: ferryfan on June 27, 2015, 12:53:46 PM
And another
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Robbie74656 on June 27, 2015, 07:51:01 PM
too bad no pictures have surfaced of discovery actually in tow, I guess we'll have to wait until it arrives in istanbul

any news on the explorer?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on June 27, 2015, 09:31:42 PM
Great pictures! Well done for accessing them.  Well ETAs have been known to change mid route, but I suppose we can check for potential drydocks in Istanbul where they could recycle an HSS.
As for the Explorer, I suspect she'll be gone from Holyhead by the end of the year. She won't be there this time next year, as I don't think Stena will wait 2-3 years to recycle her.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on June 27, 2015, 11:23:05 PM
Usually, the main reason for leaving old lumps of metal lying around is to wait for the price of scrap metal to go up.

I couldn't find the price history of 5083 grade ally, but the trends I did find show aluminium prices generally currently two thirds of what they were 8 months ago. Might be the reason she's sat there, and if so she may be there for quite a bit longer.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer/Discovery
Post by: Davy Jones on July 09, 2015, 12:07:51 AM
Just spotted Amber II on AIS nearing Madeira pulling a steady 4-5kts. Looks like she made it across the pond safely.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Dee on July 12, 2015, 12:14:12 PM
Hi all

I'm going Dublin to holyhead in September. Do any of you think explorer may still be there by then? Would really love to get some photos. Really is a shame that the service is not running from dun laoghaire anymore. Found out the hard way when I tried to book my September trip on explorer. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on July 12, 2015, 09:18:32 PM
Unlikely but not impossible
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on July 13, 2015, 08:10:35 PM
Quote from: Dee on July 12, 2015, 12:14:12 PM
Hi all

I'm going Dublin to holyhead in September. Do any of you think explorer may still be there by then? Would really love to get some photos. Really is a shame that the service is not running from dun laoghaire anymore. Found out the hard way when I tried to book my September trip on explorer.

The Explorer may still be at Holyhead in September!
Out of interest, who have you booked your trip with, IF or Stena?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Dee on July 13, 2015, 09:24:13 PM
Hi

I booked with IF. Getting the swift over. Have Ulysses booked for return trip.

Have sailed on Ulysses before, never on the swift though. Explorer, I've been on a good few times.

Really hoping it's still around, last chance for some photos  :(
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on July 14, 2015, 11:13:22 PM
Amber 2 nearing Gibraltar and the med, images of HSS Discovery under tow should start to surface soon.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on July 16, 2015, 10:01:51 AM
A photo I've found on Shipspotting.com of Amber II alongside HSS Discovery in Curacao

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2261312
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on July 17, 2015, 10:07:23 AM
There is a large tug hanging about Holyhead - Go Pegusus (twice the size of Amber II) that came in from Douglas last night. May be nothing as vessels often call to bunker but she's not moved on her way yet and shows no other destination.

Hope she's not the Explorer's Grim Reaper.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on July 17, 2015, 11:05:34 AM
Well for Dee's sake I hope it's not, but it wouldn't surprise me. Then again she seems to be berth outside of the harbour wall. If the Explorer's departure is imminent then wouldn't the tug berth close by, say at the layby berth close to berth 2.  Although having said that I've just thought, haven't various members been saying that the Explorer will have to move from berth 1 herself, before being towed away?

I think if the Go Pegusus moves towards the old Aluminium berth, once the Saga Pearl has moved, then the probability of an imminent departure may increase and everyone will watch the two vessels' movements very closely.  But if the Go Pegusus heads off over elsewhere over the next two days, then I think we can safely say it's a false alarm.

Elsewhere the Amber II and Discovery hulk are on the Eastbound Med channel, a few miles SW of Almeria. ETA in Istanbul is 28th July.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Dee on July 17, 2015, 05:52:56 PM
I guess all we can do, is wait. No chance of her returning for a season at this stage. Too late into the season, also sounds like dun laoghaire has plans also.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on July 17, 2015, 11:06:01 PM
Doubtless Explorer will be on the move at some point but I don't reckon Go Pegasus will be her Grim Reaper.  She's in the area doing survey work and I'm told not booked to take the HSS away thankfully.  I know it's just delaying the inevitable but there is something nice about seeing her there at her berth and on AIS!

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: russellw on July 22, 2015, 04:12:57 PM
Quote from: TC on May 22, 2015, 01:16:50 AM
Sorry Paddy, I forgot your question about Fleetwood.

I haven't heard or seen anything, but the port is still there, and nobody is using it. I don't even think Isle of Man Steam Packet do?

I was just wondering if P&O could jump start / tap into freight coming from the North of England, by utilising a port, such as idle Fleetwood (that ABP indicates has a ferry berth).

I have never looked at the berthing statistics, and I remember looking at pictures of the late Stena / European Leader and the tight fit would make you jump, but could it be possible to fit a high freight capacity vessel (with the right investment).

An upgraded Fleetwood - Larne (competitively priced) could draw freight away from Heysham to Belfast, and perhaps back into Larne.     

Last time I sailed into Fleetwood was at least 10 years ago on the SeaCat, a day trip from the Isle of Man. Previously the "Lady of Mann" operated the Fleetwood stuff.

I don't know about the last couple of years, but there was an occasional day return to Fleetwood a few years ago.

Russ
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on July 26, 2015, 11:34:18 PM
Despite still showing a destination of Istanbul and an arrival time 3 days away, Amber II has altered course and currently appears to be only about 50km from Aliaga.

I know it wouldn't happen, but just supposing they fired Discovery's engines up and she hit the beach at 40kts.  :-\
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: J41140 on July 27, 2015, 03:38:51 AM
Seeing as the Discovery is very close to the end, I thought I'd share some interesting material on Discovery I've found over the years:

A Dutch news report on Discovery's final day in service (Audio is a bit out of sync on this one): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5ffY6DD060wNHh2LUdDUzJGQms/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5ffY6DD060wNHh2LUdDUzJGQms/view?usp=sharing)   

An old FerryMar promotional video from their probably defunct website (Mostly images of Voyager but a few shots of Discovery's Interior) :https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5ffY6DD060wdTJFUXAtSjJLZWs/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5ffY6DD060wdTJFUXAtSjJLZWs/view?usp=sharing)

Some images of Discovery's interior during her time in Venezuela (Sadly very low resolution) : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ffY6DD060wfmttMS1oazhoNndhZDRfUnJzRjRkbW84cjdiRjNwTzBrZkw4d0FuLUtucjg&usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ffY6DD060wfmttMS1oazhoNndhZDRfUnJzRjRkbW84cjdiRjNwTzBrZkw4d0FuLUtucjg&usp=sharing)

I've had this stuff for years and sadly cannot remember where I found them or if they still exist and haven't 404'ed a long time ago, so credit goes to whoever deserves it. Just hope some find it interesting.

Amber II now a mere 18km from Aliaga.

Edit: Found an nice cutaway image from an early brochure for auction on ebay I missed out on : https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5ffY6DD060wS1U0SUxibXJNaGM/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5ffY6DD060wS1U0SUxibXJNaGM/view?usp=sharing)

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on July 27, 2015, 10:28:26 AM
Great videos and thank you. Well just checked the Aliaga AIS now and there seems to be a lot of activity happening near the Amber II.
I think it will be like the Pride of Dover all over again, where the harbour tugs take control of the vessel (with assistance of main tug) and tow her to the beach in such a way that she is beached successfully.  Will they have to beach her stern first I wonder?
Eitherway, by the end of the day there will only be one HSS 1500 left.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on July 27, 2015, 11:03:51 AM
They offer ship repair in Aliaga lol just hoping for the best but I would think this is good bye hss discovery
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on July 27, 2015, 11:05:52 AM
She's so light they might just drag her up with the shore winches. If you recall, Voyager was pulled out (albeit without her top deck) with 2 trucks.

When is high tide in Aliaga? (if there is one).
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on July 27, 2015, 11:52:40 AM
Judging by tug movements, I would say she's beached now.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on July 28, 2015, 12:35:21 PM
Pictures on Facebook of Discovery beached.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Jjtdi1 on July 28, 2015, 02:14:44 PM
Hi steven can u tell me which fb profile the pictures our on thank you
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on July 28, 2015, 02:45:20 PM
Quote from: Jjtdi on July 28, 2015, 02:14:44 PM
Hi steven can u tell me which fb profile the pictures our on thank you
The "Ferries and ships of the Irish Sea" group.  Also, one of the ship breaking groups is carrying the news.  Beached yesterday apparently.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on July 29, 2015, 10:35:49 AM
So now the HSS Stena Discovery has gone to her last resting place, when do people think the Explorer will head off to Landskrona, like the Voyager? 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: nord_musician on September 03, 2015, 04:35:17 AM
Quote from: J41140 on July 27, 2015, 03:38:51 AM
Seeing as the Discovery is very close to the end, I thought I'd share some interesting material on Discovery I've found over the years:

Some images of Discovery's interior during her time in Venezuela (Sadly very low resolution) : https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ffY6DD060wfmttMS1oazhoNndhZDRfUnJzRjRkbW84cjdiRjNwTzBrZkw4d0FuLUtucjg&usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ffY6DD060wfmttMS1oazhoNndhZDRfUnJzRjRkbW84cjdiRjNwTzBrZkw4d0FuLUtucjg&usp=sharing)

I've had this stuff for years and sadly cannot remember where I found them or if they still exist and haven't 404'ed a long time ago, so credit goes to whoever deserves it. Just hope some find it interesting.

I took those pictures. Nice to see them again and proud that people saved them. I still have the originals in one of my hard drive tho. Sorry for the quality, my camera was dying and had to lower down the quality

Very sad to see the HSS Discovery go
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: J41140 on September 03, 2015, 12:55:56 PM
Quote from: nord_musician on September 03, 2015, 04:35:17 AM
I took those pictures. Nice to see them again and proud that people saved them. I still have the originals in one of my hard drive tho. Sorry for the quality, my camera was dying and had to lower down the quality

Very sad to see the HSS Discovery go

Thanks for the great images then in that case, great to hear they're still around too.

Just found some more Discovery goodies I saved  a very long time ago for anyone that's interested: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ffY6DD060wWlVRanhvTWRnNWc&usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ffY6DD060wWlVRanhvTWRnNWc&usp=sharing)

These are Stena's own Virtual tour files of Discovery that used to be on their dutch website around 2004 -ish, now these are long before adobe flash player and so require a special program to view them which i've included too, simply drag the tour files onto the exe.

Again, being as old as they are the quality is quite lacking but they still showcase some interesting areas of Discovery.

It is crazy how much you find clearing out an old hard drive.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: nord_musician on September 03, 2015, 05:25:59 PM
You're welcome :)

Too bad the Discovery never enter into service. Can't believe how much money was spent on it and it seems no one cared after it arrived to Venezuela. Weird.

About the tour files. What are the ipx? Should I download them together with the exe?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on September 03, 2015, 05:55:37 PM
Quote from: mrwtho07 on July 29, 2015, 10:35:49 AM
So now the HSS Stena Discovery has gone to her last resting place, when do people think the Explorer will head off to Landskrona, like the Voyager?
Almost certainly IMO
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on September 03, 2015, 08:41:54 PM
Given that her seasonal service would be up next week if she had run this summer, I reckon the number crunchers at Stena will soon be working out what revenue and costs have actually come through on the new SFX line-up compared to what they could have reasonably expected if they had kept the Explorer going.  I'd say that exercise will seal her fate.

I'm sure if they really wanted to, they could go back to DLH and reinstate the service if the numbers showed they had lost significant market share, and the lower oil price made it more viable, but I'm not expecting it to, and the best we can hope for is that one of the other providers that expressed an interest in operating from Dun Laoghaire shows their hand soon.  If one of those companies is not IF, I presume they will need to make an arrangement with a conventional ferry operator to offer transfers in the event of bad weather.

The combination of the SFX and Adventurer may well offer a better frequency and reliability that suits the wider population and perhaps this may even have increased passenger numbers. 
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on September 04, 2015, 01:38:22 AM
I understand Freight Drivers are still complaining about the shortage of cabins on Superfast X

Even the Epsilon has more cabin accomodation.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Andrew White on September 04, 2015, 08:18:20 AM
The Stena HSS Explorer is still sitting in Holyhead as off last weekend, im sure if the market is their for her they would have use her this year, it would be nice to see her back in operation even with the lower fuel prices, but I think the end is near, she is just sitting their and it would be hard for her to leave her berth without being powered up as the harbour is quiet tight.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on September 04, 2015, 08:33:27 AM
It's hard to believe that one year ago exactly I was travelling on board for the first and last time. It was a trip I thoroughly enjoyed and I made sure I made full use of this unique experience.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on September 04, 2015, 11:31:06 AM
I made my last trip on the 1st September last year and was surprised with how well the ship looked and the good condition all of her fixtures and fittings were in.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Andrew White on September 04, 2015, 11:54:31 AM
Im sure that the HSS is in a better condition than the Stena Adventurer as when i travelled on her last weekend I persoanlly think she need a bit off tlc.  I think she isn't in a good condition as she was in the last time i travel on her.  Maybe she just need to be dry dock, i dont remember her in dry dock this year.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: mrwt.nsf on September 04, 2015, 03:02:58 PM
Does she usually have one every year, I thought it was biannual.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Niall on September 04, 2015, 05:09:12 PM
I can assure you Stena Explorer is way worse than the Adventurer. Explorer hasn't moved in nearly a year, at least Adventurer is on the go every day.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: J41140 on September 04, 2015, 10:17:25 PM
Quote from: Niall on September 04, 2015, 05:09:12 PM
I can assure you Stena Explorer is way worse than the Adventurer. Explorer hasn't moved in nearly a year, at least Adventurer is on the go every day.
How long Explorer sits there has no bearing on her interior fittings condition, Stena use Munters Dehumindifiers and Ventilation systems during her layups to prevent any such deterioration, those same systems kept Voyager in perfect condition during her layup, granted Explorer's interior fittings don't hold a candle to Adventurer (unless you're into broken payphones and plastic flowers ;D).

Why they didn't swap Voyager with Explorer when they were both in Belfast back in Christmas 2012 is beyond me.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on September 05, 2015, 03:29:25 PM
Stena Line have announced that they will be applying for planning permission to remove berthing equipment from St Michaels Pier,  they say that this will involve removing the east/west walkway, terminal walkways and the supporting steel and concrete structure at St Michael's Pier.
The final nail in the coffin for the HSS.
For full article and comments from local councillors
http://www.gazettegroup.com/category/news/news-dunlaoghaire/
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: 20knots on September 09, 2015, 05:46:50 PM
A year today since the HSS Stena Explorer made her final sailing from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: dan1985 on September 09, 2015, 07:24:31 PM
Yes I was on the last sailing of Explorer a memorable moment had guessed it wouldn't return December so wanted to ensure did one last trip. Was a fun craft the HSS was very ahead of time with its docking technology just a shame on the cost of running her. When single sailing operation happened seasonal it was only a matter of time. Really do miss it and sailing into Dunlaoghaire
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 09, 2015, 09:24:37 PM
Quote from: dan1985 on September 09, 2015, 07:24:31 PM
Yes I was on the last sailing of Explorer a memorable moment had guessed it wouldn't return December so wanted to ensure did one last trip. Was a fun craft the HSS was very ahead of time with its docking technology just a shame on the cost of running her. When single sailing operation happened seasonal it was only a matter of time. Really do miss it and sailing into Dunlaoghaire
Same here, I was on just a couple of days before the final sailing.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 09, 2015, 09:29:23 PM
Quote from: IFPete on September 04, 2015, 01:38:22 AM
I understand Freight Drivers are still complaining about the shortage of cabins on Superfast X

Even the Epsilon has more cabin accomodation.
Why the shortage of cabins on Superfast X?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 09, 2015, 09:42:08 PM
Quote from: Andrew White on September 04, 2015, 11:54:31 AM
Im sure that the HSS is in a better condition than the Stena Adventurer as when i travelled on her last weekend I persoanlly think she need a bit off tlc.  I think she isn't in a good condition as she was in the last time i travel on her.  Maybe she just need to be dry dock, i dont remember her in dry dock this year.
Was on Adventurer last week, yes she does need some TLC but she is still doing very well. You can tell outside on deck...that rust...do we have a Stena Adventurer thread?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on September 10, 2015, 10:08:59 AM
I still tend to think of the Adventurer as a "new" ship, being the last new-build made for the Irish sea. However, it's now 12 years ago since she arrived on the route. Time flies! - and with that in mind, helps me to realise the age of the Explorer.

Wonder if the latter will still be moored at Holyhead to celebrate their 20th birthday? (incidentally, I know she arrived in April 1996, but does anybody know when she first touched water?)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: J41140 on September 10, 2015, 04:02:06 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on September 10, 2015, 10:08:59 AM
Wonder if the latter will still be moored at Holyhead to celebrate their 20th birthday? (incidentally, I know she arrived in April 1996, but does anybody know when she first touched water?)
9th May 1995 according to doverferryphotos' past and present page on her, shown afloat on 23rd May in this picture: http://faktaomfartyg.se/stena_explorer_1996_b_1.htm (http://faktaomfartyg.se/stena_explorer_1996_b_1.htm)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on September 10, 2015, 05:39:41 PM
She was birthed there last Friday morning.

Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 10, 2015, 10:06:53 PM
Quote from: J41140 on September 10, 2015, 04:02:06 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on September 10, 2015, 10:08:59 AM
Wonder if the latter will still be moored at Holyhead to celebrate their 20th birthday? (incidentally, I know she arrived in April 1996, but does anybody know when she first touched water?)
9th May 1995 according to doverferryphotos' past and present page on her, shown afloat on 23rd May in this picture: http://faktaomfartyg.se/stena_explorer_1996_b_1.htm (http://faktaomfartyg.se/stena_explorer_1996_b_1.htm)
What a great photo, never seen that before  8)
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on September 12, 2015, 12:11:29 AM
Quote from: IFPete on September 04, 2015, 01:38:22 AM
I understand Freight Drivers are still complaining about the shortage of cabins on Superfast X

Even the Epsilon has more cabin accomodation.
Hardly surprising given that Epsilon remains as built and unmodified for short sea service.  It is somewhat ironic that SFX should experience a shortage of freight cabins though given how many cabins she was originally built with.  Mind you, in such a short crossing a cabin is hardly essential!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: IFPete on September 12, 2015, 10:59:46 AM
Freight Drivers get a free cabin berth with irish ferries and ironically Epsilon has 274 more cabin berths than Ulysses which has 220.

I guess on Stena Nordica there were less passengers compared with Freight Drivers hence this was not a problem before,
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Bigalsship on September 13, 2015, 05:55:26 AM
Does the Explorer have anyone on board every day? Security staff I presume?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: J41140 on September 13, 2015, 09:24:33 AM
Quote from: Bigalsship on September 13, 2015, 05:55:26 AM
Does the Explorer have anyone on board every day? Security staff I presume?
I remember reading earlier on in this thread that the Fire Chief is the only person on Explorer on a regular basis, other personnel come and go, sometimes at night the lights are on and there are quite a few people onboard.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Smudger1309 on September 16, 2015, 04:49:55 PM
with the route up for grabs and about 7 companies interested in operating the fast route wont it be easy for new company to buy the HSS and use her
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: PaddyL on September 16, 2015, 04:57:21 PM
Quote from: Smudger on September 16, 2015, 04:49:55 PM
with the route up for grabs and about 7 companies interested in operating the fast route wont it be easy for new company to buy the HSS and use her

Begs two questions;

1. Is anybody really serious about the route?

2. Would anybody really consider the HSS?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on September 16, 2015, 07:32:13 PM
Quote from: PaddyL on September 16, 2015, 04:57:21 PM
Quote from: Smudger on September 16, 2015, 04:49:55 PM
with the route up for grabs and about 7 companies interested in operating the fast route wont it be easy for new company to buy the HSS and use her

Begs two questions;

1. Is anybody really serious about the route?

2. Would anybody really consider the HSS?
1. Maybe, maybe not.  Im not convinced myself.

2. I doubt it.  If for no other reason than the availability of parts and the cost of getting her operational (not to mention all the other barriers to be overcome).
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 16, 2015, 10:03:04 PM
Quote from: Smudger on September 16, 2015, 04:49:55 PM
with the route up for grabs and about 7 companies interested in operating the fast route wont it be easy for new company to buy the HSS and use her

You can just see it...

The Irish Ferries HSS
The P&O HSS
The steam packet HSS

etc, etc
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on September 27, 2015, 07:58:39 PM
A bit of nostalgia...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1vbQO4GxJY
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: russellw on October 15, 2015, 03:49:48 PM
I was in Holyhead earlier this week after enjoying a round trip on the Stena Superfast X

I was glad to see that the Explorer still has her branding and "the lights were on, and so was the telly!"

Russ
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on April 14, 2016, 10:31:12 PM
When I was in Holyhead last year witnessing the uncermonious removal of the HSS from her berth I did wonder why they didn't just fire her up and sail her out of the inner harbour (it seemed to be a much easier option).
However today in Holyhead I spotted the attached located just behind the refit berth.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 15, 2016, 12:30:44 AM
Interesting!

However, I've just looked at the archive pictures on vessels-at-Holyhead.blogspot.co.uk of the removal day and she obviously went with all 4 water-jets still attached.

These must have been spares. I also have a picture of Voyager being towed away and she too, departed with her jets intact.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: RorieLen on April 15, 2016, 07:03:33 AM
I noted those at Holyhead quite some time ago, long before the Stena Explorer was towed away and maybe even back as far as before Stena Voyager left Belfast. Presumably they are spares.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 15, 2016, 10:33:27 AM
Don't suppose they are much use now. They are probably just waiting for the price of scrap to rise before weighing them in.

If anybody has a spare GE-LM2500 lying about we could make one hell of a Jet-ski! :D
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: HSS on April 15, 2016, 08:18:42 PM
Yeah, they have been there for years, passed them many times on the way round to the ferry.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 15, 2016, 08:56:19 PM
If you call up Google Street-view and place yourself on Lands End Road at the appropriate point you can see them over the wall. - that is from a recording made in July 2014.

On a more current note, does anybody know if work is progressing on the former Stena Explorer's conversion over in Turkey, or is she just sat there doing nothing?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on April 15, 2016, 09:40:26 PM
Those jets are spares.  They couldn't "fire her up" as she was out of class.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Dd1129 on May 10, 2016, 11:20:51 PM
looks like she is back up for sale again - http://tinyurl.com/z88rwnf
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 11, 2016, 10:55:06 AM
Quote from: Dd1129 on May 10, 2016, 11:20:51 PM
looks like she is back up for sale again - http://tinyurl.com/z88rwnf
The legitimacy of the website has been called into question elsewhere.  Its not normal practice for ferries to be sold through a public website TBH (most of these sites speculatively put up adverts for ships).  In any case, if a concern with the scale and expertise of Karadeniz isn't able to make a go of her for static use, its highly unlikely anyone else will either, never mind putting her back into operation.  If she IS for sale, I'd expect a relatively short trip to Aliaga to be her next move.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Fast Ferry Fan on May 13, 2016, 12:25:43 AM
Didn't Stena sell it for about what they used to say was the cost of its annual refurbishment  (about £1m)?  This would have represented a massive discount on its original £60m cost.

If the new owners really are trying to sell it for $6.5m then perhaps it was always a speculative buy and hold purchase until it appeared that low fuel prices were here to stay for the foreseeable future, and therefore more valuable.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 13, 2016, 08:59:04 AM
Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on May 13, 2016, 12:25:43 AM
Didn't Stena sell it for about what they used to say was the cost of its annual refurbishment  (about £1m)?  This would have represented a massive discount on its original £60m cost.

If the new owners really are trying to sell it for $6.5m then perhaps it was always a speculative buy and hold purchase until it appeared that low fuel prices were here to stay for the foreseeable future, and therefore more valuable.
Daily Post have managed to get confirmation from both Karadeniz and the broker that she is indeed for sale again.  Excellent work by them, and nice to see some journalists actually do the "leg work" rather than rely on mere speculation.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/sale-former-holyhead-stena-line-11324513

Having asked around it appears that Karadeniz will in fact be taking a loss at that sale price - assuming she doesn't go for even less.  Bear in mind that it took a considerable amount of effort for Stena to sell her on in the first place - she didn't exactly get snapped up as soon as she was for sale!  At £4.5m, a price which could get lower in any case, I fear she could be cheap enough to tempt the breakers at Aliaga.  Its still around double what was paid for Discovery of course, but not only is Explorer in much better condition having been maintained rather than abandoned for years, but there won't be the costs associated with transporting her across the atlantic for demolition either!  The situation regarding her needing expensive maintenance work to operate again hasn't changed for the better either, if anything she will now require even more work.  This was always an extremely ambitious project - I wonder whether it has been a case of poor project planning and management (did they even have planning consent for mooring her?), or if an issue with the craft itself?  Regarding fuel prices, things are still far from certain.  Fingers crossed for a positive outcome in any case.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on May 13, 2016, 10:11:52 AM
Quote from: Steven on May 13, 2016, 08:59:04 AM
Quote from: Fast Ferry Fan on May 13, 2016, 12:25:43 AM
Didn't Stena sell it for about what they used to say was the cost of its annual refurbishment  (about £1m)?  This would have represented a massive discount on its original £60m cost.

If the new owners really are trying to sell it for $6.5m then perhaps it was always a speculative buy and hold purchase until it appeared that low fuel prices were here to stay for the foreseeable future, and therefore more valuable.
Daily Post have managed to get confirmation from both Karadeniz and the broker that she is indeed for sale again.  Excellent work by them, and nice to see some journalists actually do the "leg work" rather than rely on mere speculation.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/sale-former-holyhead-stena-line-11324513

Having asked around it appears that Karadeniz will in fact be taking a loss at that sale price - assuming she doesn't go for even less.  Bear in mind that it took a considerable amount of effort for Stena to sell her on in the first place - she didn't exactly get snapped up as soon as she was for sale!  At £4.5m, a price which could get lower in any case, I fear she could be cheap enough to tempt the breakers at Aliaga.  Its still around double what was paid for Discovery of course, but not only is Explorer in much better condition having been maintained rather than abandoned for years, but there won't be the costs associated with transporting her across the atlantic for demolition either!  The situation regarding her needing expensive maintenance work to operate again hasn't changed for the better either, if anything she will now require even more work.  This was always an extremely ambitious project - I wonder whether it has been a case of poor project planning and management (did they even have planning consent for mooring her?), or if an issue with the craft itself?  Regarding fuel prices, things are still far from certain.  Fingers crossed for a positive outcome in any case.

I think you might well be right on this one Steven, it does seem to have been a strangely planned operation! I'm sure Stena were delighted to get cash (whatever the price) for her and get her moved out of Holyhead but the breakers are a bit too close for comfort now.  Only thing she has going for her ironically is that the price of Aluminium scrap is still very low so she would have to sell at a serious discount to make the scrapping worthwhile. Perhaps the Greeks may take a look, given that she's just down the road now :)

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 15, 2016, 09:04:56 PM
I'm sure Karadeniz have plenty of time to wait for a buyer - they certainly don't seem to be short of a few quid.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: RorieLen on May 20, 2016, 08:39:36 AM
A friend was telling me someone is setting up a preservation society for the HSS Explorer. Interesting move but surely an uphill struggle to raise funds to purchase the craft and then there's whole issue of returning her from Turkey before one would even look at the costs and practicalities of maintainance or a viable business plan to make her a worthwhile return for any investment?

Anybody have any thoughts?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on May 22, 2016, 08:46:11 PM
Quote from: RorieLen on May 20, 2016, 08:39:36 AM
A friend was telling me someone is setting up a preservation society for the HSS Explorer. Interesting move but surely an uphill struggle to raise funds to purchase the craft and then there's whole issue of returning her from Turkey before one would even look at the costs and practicalities of maintainance or a viable business plan to make her a worthwhile return for any investment?

Anybody have any thoughts?
Personally I think they'd do well to get another hobby!  From my understanding it seems these people want to preserve the vessel in the condition in which she operated - no mention of how they are going to raise the revenue to cover the costs of ongoing maintenance, etc (which will be a significant sum even if she doesn't sail for them) such as by converting all or part of the ship to something which will pay for itself.  Best of luck to them of course.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on June 14, 2016, 12:25:00 PM
Dismantling of the HSS linkspan well underway at Dun Laoghaire.
Live webcam here:

http://89.101.197.50:82/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi?resolution=240x180&dummy=1465903392533
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on June 30, 2016, 01:37:24 AM
A recent update to Google Earth allows you to see Explorer/Karadeniz at her berth just eastwards of Yalova.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on July 04, 2016, 11:55:15 AM
The last sections being removed atm it looks like the ramp and passenger gangways being moved back onto barge behind them
live on the cam link below

Quote from: ferryfan on June 14, 2016, 12:25:00 PM
Dismantling of the HSS linkspan well underway at Dun Laoghaire.
Live webcam here:

http://89.101.197.50:82/axis-cgi/mjpg/video.cgi?resolution=240x180&dummy=1465903392533
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on July 10, 2016, 02:54:51 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on June 30, 2016, 01:37:24 AM
A recent update to Google Earth allows you to see Explorer/Karadeniz at her berth just eastwards of Yalova.

Following on from this post, I notice on AIS that there is another vessel - a large tug named on the site as Karadeniz One - occupying the same berth. Is it possible that One World Karadeniz has been moved?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on July 10, 2016, 04:01:34 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on July 10, 2016, 02:54:51 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on June 30, 2016, 01:37:24 AM
A recent update to Google Earth allows you to see Explorer/Karadeniz at her berth just eastwards of Yalova.

Following on from this post, I notice on AIS that there is another vessel - a large tug named on the site as Karadeniz One - occupying the same berth. Is it possible that One World Karadeniz has been moved?

The Tug is the Normand Skarven an offshore supply/service tug also known as the Troms Skarven hard to know if Explorer is still there but I suspect the tug is there to shift her.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on August 26, 2016, 03:54:53 PM
Hard to believe that it is almost 2 years since my last trip. I used to love the view here when leaving the port.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on August 28, 2016, 12:18:26 PM
Still not sure where she is now. AIS still shows the Karadeniz One - AKA Normand Skarven - in front of the Karmarine slipway, exactly the same position that the One World Karadeniz can be seen on Google Earth.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on August 31, 2016, 04:26:27 PM
Normand Skarven was sold to Karadeniz and renamed Karadeniz One last year I understand.  Here is a picture of her doing what she does these days, towing a rig to Aliaga!

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2425613

To be honest it wouldn't surprise me if she is simply laying over at her owners shipyard whilst waiting for further work.  For all we know, she could be undergoing work at the yard herself!
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on September 02, 2016, 11:10:25 AM
HSS is still berthed in Yalova in the top right hand corner of this picture taken on Monday just about make her out.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Steven on September 07, 2016, 12:36:20 AM
Was reading a Finnish article earlier that said One World Karadeniz is for sale for €6.5m.  However, they said that her engines may not be included in that price.  Probably more speculation than anything (and google isn't too good at translating Finnish either tbh), but it does make you wonder considering some of us suspected Karadeniz may have been after those turbines in the first place.  I understand the turbines can be converted for use in power generation applications, in which Karadeniz specialise with their infamous power generator ships.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on November 09, 2016, 10:55:29 AM
Former Dun Laoghaire ferry terminal building "To Let" alas no ferries in sight. The decision to grant permission for a new cruise berth will be welcome news but unfortunately the restriction in size (250m length)has meant that some of the newer cruise ships will not be able to use it.
Irish Times article
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/d%C3%BAn-laoghaire-s-former-ferry-terminal-available-to-rent-1.2859217
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: DublinPeter on November 09, 2016, 10:17:27 PM
Just on that topic, the letting out of the bulk of the old Ferry Terminal building won't effect the return (or not) of a Ferry.  The ground floor end of the terminal (down by Berth 5) isn't included and is set aside for Marine use with access to Berth 4 or 5. In fairness, it's a good idea in any circumstance to make use of the terminal building and it's frontage. 

Valuable bit of real estate down there with a beautiful aspect - personally I think it would make a nice Hotel and performance space.  Good to see that the Harbour Company are now actively engaging with Dublin Port, Visit Dublin and all the other stakeholders about working together on the cruise business.  Makes a lot of sense for everyone.

Pete
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: SEA on November 10, 2016, 05:48:40 AM
Hope I am not going off the topic but I think Stena explorer would be celebrating her 21 st birthday this year if she was still on the run ??
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on November 10, 2016, 10:57:23 AM
Quote from: SEA on November 10, 2016, 05:48:40 AM
Hope I am not going off the topic but I think Stena explorer would be celebrating her 21 st birthday this year if she was still on the run ??

The HSS entered service in April 1996.
Stena Line are celebrating 21 years of service on the Dublin_Holyhead route and have tied up with RTE radio 1 with a car up for grabs
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on November 14, 2016, 04:27:22 PM
Started Service in '96 but first hit the water in '95, so, irrespective of not being on the run anymore, she is still celebrating her 21st birthday.

Will she make her 22nd?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on March 25, 2017, 12:29:28 PM
The dismantling of the HSS berth in Holyhead near completion just the four supports left to be removed. I wonder will they proceed to dismantle the large concrete pier they built to house the linkspan.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on March 25, 2017, 11:13:28 PM
I would doubt it. It's not like they have an alternative use for the berth. Besides, all the other piers are still intact - although I'm not sure about Stranraer as Google Maps haven't updated around there for the last few hundred years.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on April 02, 2017, 09:13:05 PM
Confirmed! Linkspan removed, Pier remains. Photo below.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: ferryfan on September 29, 2023, 10:43:12 PM
Been a few years since there was any news on the HSS Explorer but she has had a facelift a lick of paint and has been re-purposed as a sort of humanitarian rescue vessel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f9T1VDvpiI
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on September 30, 2023, 09:37:23 AM
Mmm. Interesting!

I like the concept and her capability of a fast response should help (assuming her engines have been maintained). I'm not sure of her range as she was only designed for short haul trips.

I also wonder what they are going to do with Stena Carisma. As far as I know, she is still sat on her link-span in Gothenberg.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Kieran on September 30, 2023, 03:00:10 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on September 30, 2023, 09:37:23 AMI also wonder what they are going to do with Stena Carisma. As far as I know, she is still sat on her link-span in Gothenberg.

She was still there in 2001 anyhow, and looked ok! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMl2kbL064I
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: giftgrub on September 30, 2023, 03:40:29 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on September 30, 2023, 09:37:23 AMMmm. Interesting!

I like the concept and her capability of a fast response should help (assuming her engines have been maintained). I'm not sure of her range as she was only designed for short haul trips.

I also wonder what they are going to do with Stena Carisma. As far as I know, she is still sat on her link-span in Gothenberg.

Dont think the engines (gas turbines) are working anymore, it would need to be towed to any destination, there were spare waterjet parts in Holyhead (not sure if there are still in place), would be some sight if they got the turbines and waterjets powered up.

Still get a kick watching these videos

https://youtu.be/SlirKPwcl9U

https://youtu.be/dKJXD7dlPL4?list=PL1F7D58D86A2E21B9
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: shipbiulder101 on September 30, 2023, 05:23:27 PM
Quote from: giftgrub on September 30, 2023, 03:40:29 PM
Quote from: Davy Jones on September 30, 2023, 09:37:23 AMMmm. Interesting!

I like the concept and her capability of a fast response should help (assuming her engines have been maintained). I'm not sure of her range as she was only designed for short haul trips.

I also wonder what they are going to do with Stena Carisma. As far as I know, she is still sat on her link-span in Gothenberg.

Dont think the engines (gas turbines) are working anymore, it would need to be towed to any destination, there were spare waterjet parts in Holyhead (not sure if there are still in place), would be some sight if they got the turbines and waterjets powered up.

Still get a kick watching these videos

https://youtu.be/SlirKPwcl9U

https://youtu.be/dKJXD7dlPL4?list=PL1F7D58D86A2E21B9
The spare waterjets are still in Holyhead as of Wednesday, not sure why Stena are keeping them given there is only one HSS still about in ther fleet (Carisma) and she probalby wont run again. Are they compatible with other HSCs (Dublin Swift, Mannanan)?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Ferriesbetterfastercheape on October 01, 2023, 04:31:59 PM
The Carisma is in Gothenburg since ca. 10 years now laid up.
The reason is just for avoid that not any other ferry-company could use the ferry-berth there.
It is not possible just to start the engines now and to operate then from tomorrow.
For a new operation of Carisma first a lot of money would be needed now.
Space today is for 3 ferries at the same time, 1 x to kiel, 1 x to frederikshavn, 1 x carisma.

The city of Gothenburg has decided to close the complete ferry-port for rebuilding into apartment-houses ca. in 2027. i am awaiting then scrapping of Carisma and sale/scrap of Danica.
The ferries must move then to the freight-port far away from the city, with the result of further more less passengers on this route. Already now on some days Stena has reduced to 1 ship only with 3 roundtrips per day.

So my future speculation here: From ca. 2027 only the Jutlandica to Frederikshavn and from ca. 2031 only with 1 Stena Electric Ropax-freighter, maybe max. 900 Pax, to Frederikshavn.
Maybe the most down-running ferry-route from 4 biggest cruise-ferries, 4 x ca. 2250 Pax = 9000, in the 90ies down to 1 poorest freighter with a fast-food-pick-up station only for normal people.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Ncol on October 10, 2023, 09:45:34 PM
Its that long ago cant remember - i dont think she went to turkey under her own power?
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: boathansm on October 11, 2023, 06:36:03 AM
Quote from: Ferriesbetterfastercheape on October 01, 2023, 04:31:59 PMSo my future speculation here: From ca. 2027 only the Jutlandica to Frederikshavn and from ca. 2031 only with 1 Stena Electric Ropax-freighter, maybe max. 900 Pax, to Frederikshavn.
Maybe the most down-running ferry-route from 4 biggest cruise-ferries, 4 x ca. 2250 Pax = 9000, in the 90ies down to 1 poorest freighter with a fast-food-pick-up station only for normal people.

When in the 90's was 4 ferry with over 2000pax on Gothenburg-Frederikshavn from Stena?
I remember only 3, but only two with over 2000pax. Stena Danica and Stena Jutlandica(1983-1997)
Stena Nordica was 1800pax and take route Gothenburg-Frederikshavn-Moss from 1989-1996.
Stena Carsima take 900pax from 1997.
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Davy Jones on October 17, 2023, 12:19:52 AM
It appears (according to google earth) that the former HSS Stena Explorer/One World Karadeniz has moved from her home of the last 7 years, berthed at the Karmarine Shipyard, near Yalova in Turkey.

Suspicions were aroused as I watched another video of her in her new guise "Lifeship Rauf Bey" and noticed the scenery had changed (Later on in the video) which caused me to search for her. Marine Traffic yielded no clues, neither did Vessel Finder other than the registration of her new name. (A search on "One World Karadeniz" positions her at Greenock - work that one out).

If anybody can recognise the coastline in the video I would be pleased to know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oys0W_0xq18

(Sorry, didn't understand a word of it).

From earlier comments regarding her ability to run her engines - I would be surprised if they had spent what must be a large amount of money on her and not tended to her machinery. It also appears in the videos that her jets have been freshly painted whilst the rest of her hull has not, indicating some work in that area.


Addendum: Another video, showing more of the interior. The old passenger deck still appears to be very much Stena decor. It seems she is being used as some sort of educational facility.  The access ramps appear to be rather permanent. I can't see them wanting to move all the shrubbery every time she sails.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q39FAJ4aXA
Title: Re: HSS Stena Explorer
Post by: Kieran on October 17, 2023, 11:13:23 AM
Quote from: Davy Jones on October 17, 2023, 12:19:52 AMIf anybody can recognise the coastline in the video I would be pleased to know.
Shes in İskenderun, just north of the Lebanon/Syrian border on the med - https://maps.app.goo.gl/zZixsmtU8dBcdYmz5

No idea how she moved, but looks like it happened after the earthquake earlier this year.