MS Stena Pioneer
 |
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 Stena Pioneer | |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: |
1975-1998: Bison 1998-2004: European Pioneer 2004-present: Stena Pioneer |
| Operator: |
1975-1989: Pandoro 1989-1993: B&I Line 1993-1998: Pandoro 1998-2004: P&O Irish Sea 2004-present: Stena Line |
| Port of registry: |
1975-1997: London,  United Kingdom1997-present: Hamilton 22x20px Bermuda |
| Route: | 1995-present: Fleetwood - Larne |
| Builder: | J.J. Sietas Shiffswerft, Hamburg |
| Identification: | IMO number: 7361570 |
| General characteristics | |
| Length: | 140.81 m (462 ft 0 in) |
| Beam: | 23.02 m (75 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) |
| Installed power: | 2 x Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz 12M540 |
| Speed: | 18.5 Knots |
| Capacity: | 76 passengers |
MS Stena Pioneer is a ferry operated by Stena Line between Larne, Northern Ireland and Fleetwood, England. The ferry does carry passengers but it is mainly freight that is carried.
History
The Stena Pioneer was built in 1975[1] as the Bison. Initially ordered by Stena Line The vessel was sold before entering service to P&O subsidiary Pandoro.
To cope with the increased traffic on the Fleetwood - Larne route the Bison was sent to the River Tyne in 1980 for lengthening. The vessel was cut in two and a new 15 meter section added[2].
In 1989 the Bison was chartered to B&I Line for 4 years and placed on the Dublin - Liverpool route.
On return from her B&I Line charter the Bison was rebuilt to meet the latest SOLAS requirements. This involved adding sponsons increasing the vessels breadth by 4 meters.[3]. Following this rebuilding the vessels seakeeping was badly effected. To cure this the Bison was sent to Cammell Laird in 1995 to have additional weight in the form of an extra vehicle deck added to the stern.
In 1998 Pandoro merged with P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe Ltd.) to create P&O Irish Sea. The Bison was renamed European Pioneer
In 2004 and the ship passed into the hands of Stena Line.[4] and was renamed Stena Pioneer.
Current service
The Stena Pioneer and her sisters Stena Leader and Stena Seafarer take 8 hours to complete the journey but can take up to 12 hours depending on tide depths at Fleetwood.[citation needed]
Replacement
The Stena Pioneer and her sisters are each over 30 yeas old. Stena Line currently have no plans to order new ships for the Fleetwood - Larne route.
References
- ↑ "Freight Facts 2010". Stena Line. http://www.stenalinefreight.com/ferry/~/media/FF_benelux_09.ashx. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ↑ http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/bison_1975.htm
- ↑ www.larneferryweb.com/routes/lafr/s_pioneer.htm
- ↑ McDonald, Gary (2005-02-24). "P&O makes record hauls on Irish Sea". The Irish News Online. The Irish News. http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:nEx-sGq9UcMJ:www.irishnews.com/pageacc.asp%3Fsid%3D482232%26tser1%3Dser%26par%3Dben. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
| IMO 7361570
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