Re: Review of the Moby Vincent, former St Brendan / Stena Normandica

[giftgrub]

Here is a blast from the past, the former big white ship from the Rosslare - Fishguard route in its Sealink days, the Stena Normandica which became the St Brendan.

Featuring up to date images and interesting views, well worth a read.

http://www.passengerships.eu/news-and-reports/sailing-onboard-the-moby-vincent

http://www.passengerships.fr/blog/moby-vincent-une-traversee-a-bord-dun-habitue-de-la-ligne-livourne-bastia

[giftgrub]

Sad news the former St Brendan/ Stena Normandica, heading for the breakers yard.

https://www.pianetanavi.it/moby-vincent-venduta-per-la-demolizione/?fbclid=IwAR3ywCQjm3sHWOKwoeWhpPXR2LdUvLvyhIxSzCiWUKFDW1jK7aqPDHZ15Es

[giftgrub]

After the Avalon the second ferry I ever remembered sailing on, once spent a night crossing from UK to Ireland in the Summer of 1979 with a Tonka pull back race car near the duty free shop making what must have been a horrendous noise while my parents and the other adults tried to sleep. (I was a child at the time in my defence).

And in 1980 or 81 we had a very bumpy crossing from Fishguard to Rosslare with a lot of plates and glasses going flying as we encountered some rough weather while in the restaurant.

On one of my final crossings while Normandica around 83/84 a Rosslare Fishguard day trip I got onto the bridge having drawn an image of the Normandica knocked on the window of the communication room behind the bridge and got a tour while we crossed to Fishguard, great memories.

[giftgrub]

More recent images here

https://www.a2bviasea.co.uk/post/moby-vincent-the-looney-tunes-classic

[giftgrub]

Another of the Rickmers built quartet appears to be heading for the breakers yard, the Sardinia Vera is apparently due to be scrapped.

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-sardinia-vera-past-and-present/

https://www.ferry-site.dk/ferry.php?id=7360617&lang=en

This will leave the Corsica Marina Seconda as the last example of one of the most innovative ferry designs of their time.

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-st-brendan-past-and-present/

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-reine-astrid/

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-corsica-marina-seconda-past-and-present/

[giftgrub]

Moby Vincent on the way to Aliaga, not long left for the former Rosslare - Fishguard - Stena Normandica/ St Brendan.

[giftgrub]

Now at Aliaga anchorage, another one about to be beached.

[giftgrub]

Moby Vincent has been beached at Aliaga.

[giftgrub]

Got a repaint before beaching to remove Warner Bros branding

Scroll to the end of link below

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-st-brendan-past-and-present/

Also link below to the first of the Rickmers quartet to be beached the former Stena Nordica which sailed alongside the Stena Normandica from Rosslare for B&I while Normandica sailed for Sealink.

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-reine-astrid/

[Ferriesbetterfastercheape]

I can understand that there are a lot of personally memories about these old ferries from the 70ies for people who was travelling onboard. But on the other side - these old "Made in Germany quality" ferries has reached an age of 50 (!) years in operation - what is much much longer than what was expected and is usually normal lifetime for ferries. I am sure that a lot of ferries built in this century will not be longer in use than max. ca. 40 years... .

[giftgrub]

I can understand that there are a lot of personally memories about these old ferries from the 70ies for people who was travelling onboard. But on the other side - these old "Made in Germany quality" ferries has reached an age of 50 (!) years in operation - what is much much longer than what was expected and is usually normal lifetime for ferries. I am sure that a lot of ferries built in this century will not be longer in use than max. ca. 40 years... .

100% past the expected lifespan, but no harm in remembering them. Quite revolutionary at the time of their introduction.