European Enterprise | Past and Present 
 Mv European Enterprise / European Endeavour / Gardenia 
  
 

© John Jones

Steel twin screw motor vessel, intended primarily as a commercial vehicle ferry, built and engineered by Schichau Unterweser A.G., Bremen (Yard No. 2275) in 1977 for the Monarch Steamship Company, like Townsend’s, a subsidiary of the European Ferries Group. Launched December 22nd, 1977.


D i m e n s i o n s / T e c h n i c a l  D a t a

MMSI Number - 210981000

IMO Number - 7711139

Registry - Dover (1977), Hamilton (1997), Limassol (2002)

Length on deck - 118.15m (388 ft) (overall)

107.56m (352.9 ft) (between perpendiculars)

Breadth of hull - 20.27m (66.5 ft) (extreme)

19.90m (65.3 ft) (moulded)

Depth - 11.64m (38.2 ft) (moulded)

Draught - 5.80m (19.0 ft) (maximum)

Tonnage - 3,767 gross (pre “69”), 8,097 (“69”)

1,029 net, 2,429 (“69”)

2,281 deadweight, 3,767 (pre “69”), 2276t (“69”)

Engines - Two 5,700 bhp 9-cylinder Stork-Werkspoor TM 410C four-stroke single-acting diesels

Power - 8592 kW

Propelling System - 2 screw propeller controllable pitch LB 10.00 @ 280 rpm

Fuel Capacity - 298m³

Speed - 18.5 knots

Capacity - 132 passengers (1977), 107(1997)

76 x 15m Commercial trailer (1996)

46 x 15m commercial trailers (2002)

Call Sign - GXXJ (1977), ZCBN6 (1997), P3JY9 (2002)

Sister ships: European Clearway, European Gateway, European Trader


H i s t o r y / R e m a r k s

December 22nd 1977: Launched,  fourth of the European class of vessels, but not a direct sister to the earlier trio. Other than appearance, fitted with fin stabilizers.

April 27th 1978: Delivered to Townsend Car Ferries Ltd., Dover (Monarch Steamship Co. Ltd., London), England.

April 28th 1978: Maiden voyage.

April 29th 1978: Commenced service between  Dover - Zeebrugge.

1984: A new TT logo, in white, was introduced on the funnels.


 © Gary Davies (Maritime Photographic)


1987: Following the HERALDdisaster, from spring onwards, pale blue funnels with P & O flag logo became the norm.


© Brian Fisher


1987: Work carried out included a split stern door so that she is able to use other ramps at Dover.

October 1987: Change to  P & O European Ferries navy blue hull and funnel.


© Brian Fisher


December 17th 1987: Renamed EUROPEAN ENDEAVOUR.  She still served the Dover routes..

December 31st 1987: Registered to P&O European Ferries Ltd., Dover, England.

February 1988: Laid up owing to National Union of Seamans strike

June 1988: Resumed service Dover - Zeebrugge.


Calais 12/04/1992.  © Andreas Wörteler


March 15th 1991: Sold to Abbey National Leasing, England. Bare-boat chartered to P&O European Ferries Ltd.

December 1992: Transferred to cover refits of the Felixstowe - Europort vessels

1993 (winter): Spells at Felixstowe and Larne.


Calais 12/04/1992. © Andreas Wörteler         


1994: Became the company relief ship, covering overhauls throughout the fleet.

March 17th 1994: Supplement Dover - Zeebrugge/Calais


 © Brian Pawley


April 24th 1995 - May 1995: Operated between Europort - Felixstowe.

May 1995: Operated between  Dover - Calais.


© Joe @ Ferry Fantastic


September 25th 1995: Transferred to the Larne/Cairnryan service increasing the capacity from 2 to 3 vessels.


© Trevor Kidd (Larne Ferry Web)


1996:The headroom on the upper vehicle deck was increased to 5 meters, allowing double deck trailers to be accommodated.

June 8th 1997 - June 26th  1997: Commenced service with  Pandoro between Dublin - Fleetwood - Cherbourg.

1997: Port of registry was changed from Dover, UK to Hamilton, Bermuda and shortly afterwards she had a Spanish crew. Also Ardrossan and Fleetwood services from Larne, as well as the Rosslare to Cherbourg.

1998: Alterations to upper decks accommodation at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead.

1998: Commenced service with P&O Irish Ferries between Cairnryan - Larne.

July 17th 2002: Final day in service between Cairnryan - Larne.


 © Trevor Kidd (Larne Ferry Web)


July 20th 2002: Departed Larne.

July 2002: Dry-docked at Dunkerque

July 2002: Sold to TransEuropa Ferries.

July 22nd 2002: Taken over by her new owners and renamed GARDENIA.

2002: Port of registry changed to Limassol, Cyprus.


© Andreas Wörteler


2002: Major refit/refurbishment and livery change at Ostend.

December 2002: To dry-dock at ARNO Dunkerque.

December 26th 2002: Survey at Dunkerque.

December 28th 2002: To Ostend.

January 15th 2003: Maiden voyage and commenced service between Ostend - Ramsgate.


© Nigel Thornton


April 6th 2005: Antwerp for refit.

April 16th 2005: Expected return from refit.

2006: Registered owner recorded as; Odyssy Maritime Co. Ltd (TransEuropa Ferries).

August 2006: Currently still in service Ostend - Ramsgate.


17/04/2006. © Ray Goodfellow


16th May 2008: Owing to engine damage the Gardenia is laid up in Ostend awaiting repairs.

17th July 2008: Following repairs to her damaged engine the Gardenia re-enters service between Ostend and Ramsgate for Trans Europa Ferries.


Ramsgate, July 23rd 2008. © Nigel Thornton

 
 
 

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All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for errors and omissions.

 
   
 

We would like to thank: Micke Asklander (Faktaomfartyg), Federico Bolognini, Gary Davies (Maritime Photographic), Brian Fisher, Brian Pawley, John "Jonesy" Jones, Trevor Kidd (Larne Ferry Web), Tim Vogel, Andreas Wörteler, Joe @ Ferry Fantastic for there assistance in producing this feature.

 
   
   
 

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