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April 28th 1990: Launched.
Justin Merrigan © Incat Tasmania PTY Ltd
April 1991: Delivered to Hoverspeed Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas.
April 12th 1991: Left builders on her delivery voyage (via Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Mauritius, Djibouti and Malta ) to Southampton.
June 25th 1991: After a short refit at Southampton she arrived at Dover.
July 1st 1991: Commenced service between Dover - Calais.
 Nigel Thornton Collection (left) and © Andreas Wörteler (right)
April 11th 1992:
Commenced service between Folkestone - Boulogne.
© Stéphane Poulain
June 29th 1992: Chartered to an Sardinia Express and renamed SARDEGNA EXPRESS, operating between Rome - Sardinia.
December 1992: Charter completed and returned to England after Sardinia Express defaulted on payments.
1993: Renamed SEACAT BOULOGNE and commenced service between Dover - Calais and Folkestone - Boulogne.
© Stéphane Poulain
June 1994: Chartered to IOMSP, Douglas, Isle Of Man. Renamed SEACAT ISLE OF MAN.
Stéphane Poulain Collection
June 23rd 1994: Arrived at Douglas from Liverpool having travelled from Vlissingen, via Dover.
June 26th 1994: Open to the public in Douglas.
June 28th 1994: Commenced operations between Douglas - Liverpool/ Belfast/ Fleetwood/ Dublin.
September 26th 1994: Charter completed.
September 28th 1994: Commenced operations for Hoverspeed Scotland Ltd between Stranraer - Belfast.
January 1995: Charter completed.
March 16th 1995: Chartered to Condor, St. Sampson's, Guernsey for services between Weymouth - Jersey - Guernsey.
May 18th 1995: Completed last sailing from the Channel Islands.
May 21st 1995: Arrived in Douglas.
May 24th 1995: Commenced operations for The Isle of Man Steam Packet Co between Douglas - Liverpool/ Belfast/ Fleetwood/ Dublin.
August 27th 1995: Whilst returning from Dublin, two crew members were washed overboard during re-stowing of her rescue boat after assisting a yacht. Crew members were recovered, uninjured, by another yacht and returned on board by the Port St peter lifeboat.
September 1995: Hit by a “freak wave” resulting in serious structural damage. The outer weatherproof bow visor was apparently badly twisted and crumpled but the waterproof door remained intact. Withdrawn for repairs at Cammell Laird yard.
September 28th 1995: Charter completed and laid up in Liverpool.
© Andreas Wörteler
January 1996: Commenced operations for Hoverspeed between Dover - Calais.
© Stéphane Poulain
April 1996: Chartered to ColorSeaCat KS, Norway. Rebuilt at Cityverken, Göthenborg and renamed COLOR SEACAT NORGE.
 © Dirk Jankowsky
May 1st 1996 - September 30th 1966:
Operated between Langesund - Frederikshavn.
October 1996: Laid up in Newhaven.
November 1996: Operated between Stranraer - Belfast.
November 24th 1996: Arrived in Boulogne from Belfast.
© Stéphane Poulain
November 29th 1996 - December 23rd 1996: Services between Dover - Calais.
© Stéphane Poulain
February 1997: Renamed SEACAT ISLE OF MAN. (Home port Newhaven).
March 1997 - May 14th 1997: Operated services between Dover - Calais.
© Stéphane Poulain
May 21st 1997 - September 22nd 1997: Operations for IOMSP, Douglas, Isle Of Man between Douglas - Liverpool/ Belfast/ Dublin/ Fleetwood.
 © Marco Stampehl
September 22nd 1997: Laid up in Langton Dock, Liverpool.
December 1997 - May 1998: Operated between Dover - Calais.
 © Andreas Wörteler
May 21st 1998: Commenced operations for IOMSP, Douglas, Isle Of Man between Douglas - Liverpool/ Belfast/ Dublin.
March 28th 2003 - October 24th 2003: Continued services between Douglas - Liverpool/ Belfast/ Dublin.
October 24th 2003: Laid up in Birkenhead.
April 2004 - October 2004: operated services for IOMSP between Douglas - Liverpool/ Belfast/ Dublin.
© Ian Collard
April 2005: Chartered to Irish Sea Express and renamed SEA EXPRESS I
© Ian Collard
April 27th 2005: Commenced services between Liverpool - Dublin.
September 11th 2005: Reduction in services and laid up.
January 10th 2006: Operated between Douglas - Liverpool.
 © Marco Stampehl
April 14th 2006: Laid up in Birkenhead.
September 11th 2006: Operations for IOMSP between Douglas - Liverpool.
February 3rd 2007: “In dense fog, was in collision with the bulk carrier ALASKA RAINBOW.
It is understood that this vessel had apparently been on approach for Alfred Lock, Birkenhead but had aborted this manoeuvre. Shortly afterwards the collision occurred. It appears that SEA EXPRESS I was struck at the stern and was then swept around bringing her starboard bridge wing into contact with the ALASKA RAINBOW.
Following the collision ALASKA RAINBOW proceeded to the Liverpool Bar Anchorage pending inspection from a MCA Surveyor.
SEA EXPRESS I was brought port side on, alongside Prince's Landing Stage by tugs. Passengers being quickly discharged at the section of the stage currently being used by the Mersey Ferries.
She was then turned and put on to her berth stern on - however due to her being significantly down by the stern it was not possible to discharge vehicles which remained on board.
By mid afternoon Svitzer tugs OAKGARTH and SVITZER BIDSTON plus ADSTEAM WATERLOO were in attendance at the stage. There was a full emergency response with several fire tenders present, counter pollution and salvage experts in attendance. A salvage contract with Svitzer-Weismuller is understood to have been agreed and their representatives are on board.”
February 5th 2007: Floated to Birkenhead for repairs.
© Ian Collard
December 2007: Renamed SNAEFELL
2008: Laid-up.
April 23rd 2008: “ After departing Birkenhead Docks she crossed to Prince's Landing Stage where she remained until around 15:45 when she departed for sea trials with a return to Liverpool showing on AIS at 22:00.”
© Ian Collard
May 11th 2008: Departed from Alexandra Dock. She proceeded to Langton Lock before heading to Prince's Landing Stage. Left for Douglas mid afternoon and was due to take up service on Monday May 12th with 07:30 Douglas to Liverpool sailing.
May 12th 2008: First day back in service between Douglas - Liverpool, following re-branding.
© Trevor Kidd (Larne Ferry Web)
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Technical Data
History
