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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| display title = HSC ''Superexpress''
}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Viking FSTR Suomenlinna Kustaanmiekka.jpg
| Ship image = [[http://www.iomtoday.co.im/webimage/1.7206481.1428916182!/image/956246309.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/95624630.jpg]]
| Ship caption =
| Ship caption = HSC ''Express''
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
| Ship name =*'''''Nordic Express''''' 2015- Present
| Ship name = *''Superexpress'' (2019 onwards)
*''Express''* 2004-2015
*''Golden Express'' (2018–2019)
*''Catalonia'' 2000-2004
*''Express'' (2003–2018)
*''Catalonia'' (2003)
⚫
*''Portsmouth Express'' 2000-2000
*''Catalonia L'' 1999-2000
*''Express Fastcraft'' (2003)
*''Catalonia'' 1998-1999
*''Catalonia'' (2002–2003)
⚫
*''Portsmouth Express'' (2002)
| Ship owner = Gotlandsbaten AB
*''Catalonia'' (2001–2002)
⚫
| Ship operator =*[[Nordic HSC]] 2015-Present
*''Portsmouth Express'' (2001)
*[[P&O Ferries]] 2005-2015
*''Catalonia'' (2000–2001)
*[[P&O Irish Sea]] 2005-2010
*[[P&O Portsmouth]] 2000-2005
*''Portsmouth Express'' (2000)
*''Catalonia L'' (1998–2000)
⚫
*[[Buquebus]] 1998-2000
*''Catalonia'' (1998)
| Ship registry =*{{BAH}}, [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], 2003-present
| Ship owner = [[Golden Star Ferries]]
⚫
*{{URU}}, [[Montevideo]], 2002-2003
⚫
| Ship operator = *[[Golden Star Ferries]] (2019-present)
⚫
*{{BAH}}, [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], 2000-2002
*[[Viking Line]] (2017-2019)
⚫
*{{ESP}} [[Las Palmas de Gran Canaria|Las Palmas]], 1998-2000
*[[Gotlandsbåten]] (2015-2017)
| Ship route = [[Västervik]] Sweeden — [[Visby]] Gotland (2016)
*[[File:P&O-house flag.svg|border|20px]] [[P&O Ferries]] (2005-2015)
⚫
|Ship builder=[[Incat]], [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]]
*[[File:P&O-house flag.svg|border|20px]] [[P&O Irish Sea]] (2005-2010)
⚫
|Ship yard number=047
*[[File:P&O-house flag.svg|border|20px]] [[P&O Portsmouth]] (2000-2005)
⚫
| Ship ordered =
⚫
*[[Buquebus]] (1998-2000)
⚫
| Ship original cost =
⚫
| Ship registry = *1998–2000: [[Las Palmas de Gran Canaria|Las Palmas]], {{flag|Spain}}
| Ship way number =
⚫
*2000–2003: [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}
⚫
| Ship laid down = 12 May 1997
⚫
*2003: [[Montevideo]], {{flag|Uruguay}}
⚫
| Ship launched = 17 January 1998
*2003–2016: [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}
⚫
| Ship completed = 1 May 1998
*2016–2018: [[Uppsala, Sweden|Uppsala]], {{flag|Sweden}}
⚫
| Ship christened =
*2018 onwards: [[Piraeus]], {{flag|Greece}}
⚫
| Ship acquired =
| Ship route = [[Helsinki]]-[[Tallinn]] (From 10 April 2017)
⚫
| Ship maiden voyage =
⚫
| Ship builder = [[Incat]], [[Hobart]], [[Tasmania]]
⚫
| Ship in service =
| Ship out of service =
| Ship yard number = 047
⚫
| Ship ordered = 1996
⚫
| Ship identification =*[[Call sign]]: C6FQ4
⚫
| Ship original cost =
*[[Det Norske Veritas|DNV ID:]] 20078
⚫
| Ship way number =
⚫
| Ship laid down = 12 May 1997
⚫
| Ship launched = 17 January 1998
⚫
| Ship completed = 1 May 1998
⚫
| Ship christened =
⚫
| Ship acquired =
⚫
| Ship maiden voyage = 1998
⚫
| Ship in service = 1998
| Ship out of service =
⚫
| Ship identification = *[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: SVCT8
*{{IMO Number|9176046}}
*{{IMO Number|9176046}}
*{{MMSI Number|240139500}}
*[[Maritime Mobile Service Identity|MMSI no.:]] 311074000
| Ship status = Laid up in Belfast, Northern Ireland
| Ship status = In service
| Ship notes = <ref>[https://www.leonardoinfo.com/home/ship/26124/data/generalInfo RINA]</ref>
| Ship notes = <ref name=dnv/>
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =
| Hide header =
| Header caption =
| Header caption =
| Ship class = [[Det Norske Veritas]] 1A1 HSLC R1 Car Ferry A E0
| Ship class = [[Det Norske Veritas]] 1A1 HSLC R1 Car Ferry A E0
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|5,902}}; {{NetT|2,441 }}; {{DWT|450}}
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|5,902}}; {{NetT|2,441 }}; {{DWT|450}}
| Ship displacement =
| Ship displacement =
| Ship length = {{convert|91|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship length = {{convert|91|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|26|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|26|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship height =
| Ship height =
| Ship draught = {{convert|3.7|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|3.7|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft =
| Ship depth =
| Ship depth =
| Ship decks = 3
| Ship decks =
| Ship deck clearance =
| Ship deck clearance =
| Ship ramps = 1 Stern ramp
| Ship ramps =
| Ship ice class =
| Ship ice class =
| Ship sail plan =
⚫
| Ship power = 4 x 7200kw [[Caterpillar Inc|Caterpillar]] 3618 [[Marine propulsion|marine diesel engine]] through 4 x Renk ASL60 Gearboxes
| Ship sail plan =
⚫
| Ship propulsion = 4 x Lips LJ145D waterjet
⚫
| Ship power = 4 x [[Caterpillar Inc.]] model 3618 [[Marine propulsion|marine diesel engine]]s
⚫
| Ship speed = {{convert|42|kn}}
⚫
| Ship propulsion = 4 x Lips LJ145D waterjet
⚫
| Ship capacity = *900 passengers
⚫
| Ship speed = {{convert|40|kn}}
⚫
| Ship capacity =*900 passengers
*220 vehicles
*220 vehicles
| Ship crew =
| Ship crew = 32
| Ship notes = <ref>[https://www.leonardoinfo.com/home/ship/26124/data/generalInfo RINA]</ref>
| Ship notes = <ref name=dnv>{{cite web | author= | title=Vessel Info: ''Express'' | url=https://exchange.dnv.com/exchange/main.aspx?extool=vessel&subview=summary&vesselid=20078 | work=DNV Exchange | publisher=Det Norske Veritas | year=2010 | accessdate=4 June 2010}}</ref>
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''''Nordic Express''''' is a {{convert|91|m|sing=on}} [[wave piercing]] [[catamaran]] built by [[Incat|International Catamarans (Incat)]], and operated by [[Nordic HSC]] between [[Sweeden]] and [[Gotland]]. During her delivery voyage on 9 June 1998, she set the record for the fastest [[Blue Riband|Atlantic Eastbound Record]], previously held by another Incat craft ''[[Hoverspeed Great Britain]]'', making the {{convert|3125|mi|abbr=on}} run from [[Manhattan]] to [[Tarifa, Spain]] in 3 days 7 hours 54 minutes, traveling at an average speed of {{convert|38.877|kn}}.
The '''HSC ''Superexpress''''' is a {{convert|91|m|adj=on}} [[wave piercing]] [[catamaran]] built by [[Incat]], owned by [[Golden Star Ferries]] and chartered to [[Viking Line]]. During her delivery voyage on 9 June 1998, as '''''Catalonia''''', she set the record for the fastest [[Blue Riband|Atlantic Eastbound Record]], previously held by another Incat craft ''[[HSC High Speed Jet|Hoverspeed Great Britain]]''. She made the {{convert|3125|mi|abbr=on}} run from [[Manhattan]], US to [[Tarifa, Spain]] in 3 days 7 hours 54 minutes, traveling at an average speed of {{convert|38.877|kn}}.


During that same voyage, the ship became the first passenger ship to cover {{convert|1000|mi|abbr=on}} or more in one 24-hour period. In covering {{convert|1018|nmi|km}} in one day, beating the {{convert|868|mi|abbr=on}}. record set by [[SS United States|SS ''United States'']] in 1952. Six weeks later, sister craft [[HSC Fjord Cat|HSC ''Fjord Cat'']] took the record.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=91m Wave Piercing Catamaran | url=http://www.incat.com.au/domino/incat/incatweb.nsf/0/CD37E79AC29084E5CA2571AF0019ECDC?OpenDocument | publisher=Incat | date= | accessdate=11 June 2010}}</ref>
During that same voyage, the ship became the first passenger ship to cover {{convert|1000|mi|abbr=on}} or more in one 24-hour period. In covering {{convert|1018|nmi|km}} in one day, beating the {{convert|868|mi|abbr=on}}. record set by [[SS United States|SS ''United States'']] in 1952. Six weeks later, sister craft [[HSC Fjord Cat|HSC ''Fjord Cat'']] took the record.

As of January 2016 [[P&O Ferries]] announced that they would end the Larne-Troon service provided by HSC Express, this has ended 25 years of fastcraft service between Northern Ireland and Scotland.


==Mediterranean service==
==Mediterranean service==
Following her record breaking [[Atlantic Ocean]] crossing the vessel changed name to '''''Catalonia L''''' and entered service with [[Buquebus]] between [[Barcelona]] and [[Palma, Majorca]] and later between [[Ceuta]], [[Malaga]] and [[Algeciras]].
Following her record-breaking [[Atlantic Ocean]] crossing, the vessel changed name to ''Catalonia L'' and entered service with [[Buquebus]] between [[Barcelona]] and [[Palma, Majorca]] and later between [[Ceuta]], [[Málaga]] and [[Algeciras]].


==English Channel service==
==English Channel service==
In 2000 she was chartered to [[P&O Portsmouth]] for service between [[Portsmouth]] and [[Cherbourg]] replacing the smaller ''[[Superstar Express]]'' and adopted the trading name '''''Portsmouth Express''''' though her official name remained ''Catalonia''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=Western Channel & Channel Islands |journal=European Ferry Scene |volume=46 |date=Summer 2000 |page=16}}</ref> Her first season as ''Portsmouth Express'' was marred by a series of serious technical problems which at one point resulted in the ''Superstar Express'' returning to the route from [[P&O Irish Sea]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=Western Channel & Channel Islands |journal=European Ferry Scene |volume=47 |date=Autumn 2000 |page=17}}</ref> The ship operated with P&O Portsmouth during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 summer seasons and returned to Buquebus for the rest of the year, in each summer season on the Cherbourg route the ship experienced a number of technical problems which often resulted in the ship running on three or less of its four engines.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=Western Channel & Channel Islands |journal=European Ferry Scene |volume=54 |date=Autumn 2002 |page=13}}</ref> In 2002 the ships marketing name became '''''Express''''' after P&O Portsmouth became part of [[P&O Ferries]]. In 2004 the ship was officially renamed ''Express'' but her marketing name became '''''Cherbourg Express''''' to differentiate the service from ''[[Caen Express]]'' which P&O started that year. In September 2004 the ship completed her final Portsmouth-Cherbourg sailing and the ship was laid up at A&P [[Birkenhead]].
In 2000 she was chartered to [[P&O Portsmouth]] for service between [[Portsmouth Harbour|Portsmouth]] and [[Cherbourg]] replacing the smaller ''Superstar Express'' and adopted the trading name ''Portsmouth Express'' though her official name remained ''Catalonia''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=Western Channel & Channel Islands |journal=European Ferry Scene |volume=46 |date=Summer 2000 |page=16}}</ref> Her first season as ''Portsmouth Express'' was marred by a series of serious technical problems which at one point resulted in the ''Superstar Express'' returning to the route from [[P&O Irish Sea]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=Western Channel & Channel Islands |journal=European Ferry Scene |volume=47 |date=Autumn 2000 |page=17}}</ref> The ship operated with P&O Portsmouth during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 summer seasons and returned to Buquebus for the rest of the year, in each summer season on the Cherbourg route the ship experienced a number of technical problems which often resulted in the ship running on three or less of its four engines.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=Western Channel & Channel Islands |journal=European Ferry Scene |volume=54 |date=Autumn 2002 |page=13}}</ref> In 2002 the ship's marketing name became ''Express'' after P&O Portsmouth became part of [[P&O Ferries]]. In 2004 the ship was officially renamed ''Express'' but her marketing name became ''Cherbourg Express'' to differentiate the service from ''Caen Express'' which P&O started that year. In September 2004 the ship completed her final Portsmouth-Cherbourg sailing and the ship was laid up at A&P [[Birkenhead]].<ref>News in brief ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' December 2018 page 10</ref>


==Irish Sea service==
==Irish Sea service==
In 2005 her charter was transferred to [[P&O Irish Sea]] and the ship once again replaced ''Superstar Express''.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=HSC ''Catalonia'' (1998) | url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/catalonia_1998.htm | work=Fakta om Fartyg (Facts about Ships) | publisher=Klubb Maritim | language=Swedish | date=20 April 2010 | accessdate=11 June 2010}}</ref> Prior to her entering service with P&O Irish Sea the Club Lounge was removed and standard seating installed with the Club Bar rebranded to P&O's Harbour Coffee Company. The large shop was divided into a smaller retail outlet, gaming area, quiet lounge and 'Poets' bar. ''Express'' sailed with P&O Irish Sea on the routes between [[Troon]]/[[Cairnryan]], [[Scotland]] and [[Larne]], [[Northern Ireland]]. In 2010 she began operating sailings from Larne to [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]] on behalf of the [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]] during the [[Isle of Man TT]] season. Leaving Larne at 23:59 - arrive Douglas 2:44, Leave Douglas - 03:00 - Arrive Larne - 05:45. By doing this they have fitted it in around the normal timetable on the Larne - Cairnryan and Larne - Troon Routes.<ref>[http://www.poirishsea.com/passenger/poexpress.htm P&O Irish Sea - P&O ''Express'']</ref><ref>[http://www.poirishsea.com/information/poexpress.htm nP&O ''Irish Sea'' - ''Express'' Information]</ref>
In 2005 her charter was transferred to P&O Irish Sea and the ship once again replaced ''Superstar Express''.<ref>{{cite web | title=HSC ''Catalonia'' (1998) | url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/catalonia_1998.htm | work=Fakta om Fartyg (Facts about Ships) | publisher=Klubb Maritim | language=sv | date=20 April 2010 | access-date=11 June 2010}}</ref> Prior to her entering service with P&O Irish Sea the Club Lounge was removed and standard seating installed with the Club Bar rebranded to P&O's Harbour Coffee Company. The large shop was divided into a smaller retail outlet, gaming area, quiet lounge and 'Poets' bar. ''Express'' sailed with P&O Irish Sea on the routes between [[Troon]]/[[Cairnryan]], [[Scotland]] and [[Larne]], [[Northern Ireland]]. In 2010 she began operating sailings from Larne to [[Douglas Harbour|Douglas]] on behalf of the [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company]] during the [[Isle of Man TT]] season. Leaving Larne at 23:59 - arrive Douglas 2:44, Leave Douglas - 03:00 - Arrive Larne - 05:45. By doing this they have fitted it in around the normal timetable on the Larne - Cairnryan and Larne - Troon Routes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.poirishsea.com/passenger/poexpress.htm |title=P&O Irish Sea - P&O ''Express'' |access-date=31 August 2008 |archive-date=28 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228015001/http://www.poirishsea.com/passenger/poexpress.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.poirishsea.com/information/poexpress.htm |title=nP&O ''Irish Sea'' - ''Express'' Information |access-date=31 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704200157/http://www.poirishsea.com/information/poexpress.htm |archive-date=4 July 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


In 2013 ''Express'' received a £500,000 interior refurbishment <ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Blu Marine wins £500,000 P&O contract | url=http://www.ulsterbusiness.com/articles/2013/03/11/blu-marine-wins-500000-po-contract | publisher=Ulster Business | date=11 March 2013 | accessdate=14 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= | title=Blu Marine P&O Express | url=http://www.blumarine.co.uk/page30.html | publisher=Blu Marine Ltd | date=29 May 2013 | accessdate=14 August 2013}}</ref> which included reinstatement of the Club Lounge which was removed when the ship moved to the Irish Sea. From 2013 ''Express'' no longer makes a roundtrip between Larne and Cairnryan instead operating two roundtrips between [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour]] and [[Troon railway station|Troon]]. The Express charter was not renewed after the summer season ending September 2015 and is believed to be heading to run on a Scandinavian route next year. She is currently laid up in Belfast (Oct 2015) her P&O livery has already been painted over. It has not yet been disclosed by P&O if a new vessel will take on the Larne to Troon route in 2016.
In 2013 ''Express'' received a £500,000 interior refurbishment<ref>{{cite web | title=Blu Marine wins £500,000 P&O contract | url=http://www.ulsterbusiness.com/articles/2013/03/11/blu-marine-wins-500000-po-contract | publisher=Ulster Business | date=11 March 2013 | access-date=14 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Blu Marine P&O Express | url=http://www.blumarine.co.uk/page30.html | publisher=Blu Marine Ltd | date=29 May 2013 | access-date=14 August 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028051730/http://www.blumarine.co.uk/page30.html | archive-date=28 October 2013 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> which included reinstatement of the Club Lounge which was removed when the ship moved to the Irish Sea. From 2013 ''Express'' no longer makes a roundtrip between Larne and Cairnryan instead operating two roundtrips between [[Larne Harbour railway station|Larne Harbour]] and [[Troon railway station|Troon]]. The Express charter was not renewed after the summer season ending September 2015 and is believed to be heading to run on a Scandinavian route next year. She is currently laid up in Helsingborg (Feb 2016) her P&O livery has already been painted over. P&O announced on 13 January 2016 that the Troon-Larne service was to close with immediate effect.<ref>{{Cite web|title = P&O Ferries: Larne to Troon route to close with immediate effect|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-35301329|website = [[BBC News]]|access-date = 2016-02-01}}</ref>


==Sister ships==
==Sister ships==
''Express'' is one of four 91-metre wave piercing catamarans built by [[Incat]] but differs from the other three because of her addition lounge and large scenic window over the stern.
''Express'' is one of four 91-metre wave piercing catamarans built by [[Incat]] but differs from the other three because of her addition lounge and large scenic window over the stern. The bridge of the ''Express'' and other Incat 91 metre craft is very similar to the Incat 81 metre craft Hull 038-Rapide, Hull 040-Stena Lynx 3, Hull 041-Diamant


; Sister ships
; Sister ships
Line 96: Line 110:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.poirishsea.com/ P&O Irish Sea Ferries official website]
* [https://www.incat.com.au/incat-vessels/047/ Incat hull 047]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080715032523/http://www.poirishsea.com/ P&O Irish Sea Ferries official website]
* [http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Express-9176046.html ''Express'' current position] at ''VesselTracker''
* [http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Express-9176046.html ''Express'' current position] at ''VesselTracker''


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{{s-bef|before=[[Hoverspeed Great Britain]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Hoverspeed Great Britain]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Blue Riband|Atlantic Eastbound Record]] |years= 1998}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Blue Riband|Atlantic Eastbound Record]] |years= 1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Cat-Link V]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Hoverspeed Great Britain]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Hales Trophy]] |years= 1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Cat-Link V]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Cat-Link V]]}}
{{end}}
{{end}}
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{{P&O ships|stena=no|north=no|euro=no|pandoro=no}}
{{P&O ships|stena=no|north=no|euro=no|pandoro=no}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Express}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Superexpress, HSC}}
[[Category:1998 ships]]
[[Category:1998 ships]]
[[Category:Blue Riband holders]]
[[Category:Blue Riband holders]]

Latest revision as of 21:42, 4 July 2024

HSC Express
History
Name
  • Superexpress (2019 onwards)
  • Golden Express (2018–2019)
  • Express (2003–2018)
  • Catalonia (2003)
  • Express Fastcraft (2003)
  • Catalonia (2002–2003)
  • Portsmouth Express (2002)
  • Catalonia (2001–2002)
  • Portsmouth Express (2001)
  • Catalonia (2000–2001)
  • Portsmouth Express (2000)
  • Catalonia L (1998–2000)
  • Catalonia (1998)
OwnerGolden Star Ferries
Operator
Port of registry
RouteHelsinki-Tallinn (From 10 April 2017)
Ordered1996
BuilderIncat, Hobart, Tasmania
Yard number047
Laid down12 May 1997
Launched17 January 1998
Completed1 May 1998
Maiden voyage1998
In service1998
Identification
StatusIn service
Notes[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeDet Norske Veritas 1A1 HSLC R1 Car Ferry A E0
Tonnage5,902 GT; 2,441 NT; 450 DWT
Length91 m (299 ft)
Beam26 m (85 ft)
Draught3.7 m (12 ft)
Decks3
Ramps1 Stern ramp
Installed power4 x 7200kw Caterpillar 3618 marine diesel engine through 4 x Renk ASL60 Gearboxes
Propulsion4 x Lips LJ145D waterjet
Speed42 knots (78 km/h; 48 mph)
Capacity
  • 900 passengers
  • 220 vehicles
Crew32
Notes[2]

The HSC Superexpress is a 91-metre (299 ft) wave piercing catamaran built by Incat, owned by Golden Star Ferries and chartered to Viking Line. During her delivery voyage on 9 June 1998, as Catalonia, she set the record for the fastest Atlantic Eastbound Record, previously held by another Incat craft Hoverspeed Great Britain. She made the 3,125 mi (5,029 km) run from Manhattan, US to Tarifa, Spain in 3 days 7 hours 54 minutes, traveling at an average speed of 38.877 knots (72.000 km/h; 44.739 mph).

During that same voyage, the ship became the first passenger ship to cover 1,000 mi (1,600 km) or more in one 24-hour period. In covering 1,018 nautical miles (1,885 km) in one day, beating the 868 mi (1,397 km). record set by SS United States in 1952. Six weeks later, sister craft HSC Fjord Cat took the record.

As of January 2016 P&O Ferries announced that they would end the Larne-Troon service provided by HSC Express, this has ended 25 years of fastcraft service between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Mediterranean service

[edit]

Following her record-breaking Atlantic Ocean crossing, the vessel changed name to Catalonia L and entered service with Buquebus between Barcelona and Palma, Majorca and later between Ceuta, Málaga and Algeciras.

English Channel service

[edit]

In 2000 she was chartered to P&O Portsmouth for service between Portsmouth and Cherbourg replacing the smaller Superstar Express and adopted the trading name Portsmouth Express though her official name remained Catalonia.[3] Her first season as Portsmouth Express was marred by a series of serious technical problems which at one point resulted in the Superstar Express returning to the route from P&O Irish Sea.[4] The ship operated with P&O Portsmouth during the 2000, 2001 and 2002 summer seasons and returned to Buquebus for the rest of the year, in each summer season on the Cherbourg route the ship experienced a number of technical problems which often resulted in the ship running on three or less of its four engines.[5] In 2002 the ship's marketing name became Express after P&O Portsmouth became part of P&O Ferries. In 2004 the ship was officially renamed Express but her marketing name became Cherbourg Express to differentiate the service from Caen Express which P&O started that year. In September 2004 the ship completed her final Portsmouth-Cherbourg sailing and the ship was laid up at A&P Birkenhead.[6]

Irish Sea service

[edit]

In 2005 her charter was transferred to P&O Irish Sea and the ship once again replaced Superstar Express.[7] Prior to her entering service with P&O Irish Sea the Club Lounge was removed and standard seating installed with the Club Bar rebranded to P&O's Harbour Coffee Company. The large shop was divided into a smaller retail outlet, gaming area, quiet lounge and 'Poets' bar. Express sailed with P&O Irish Sea on the routes between Troon/Cairnryan, Scotland and Larne, Northern Ireland. In 2010 she began operating sailings from Larne to Douglas on behalf of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company during the Isle of Man TT season. Leaving Larne at 23:59 - arrive Douglas 2:44, Leave Douglas - 03:00 - Arrive Larne - 05:45. By doing this they have fitted it in around the normal timetable on the Larne - Cairnryan and Larne - Troon Routes.[8][9]

In 2013 Express received a £500,000 interior refurbishment[10][11] which included reinstatement of the Club Lounge which was removed when the ship moved to the Irish Sea. From 2013 Express no longer makes a roundtrip between Larne and Cairnryan instead operating two roundtrips between Larne Harbour and Troon. The Express charter was not renewed after the summer season ending September 2015 and is believed to be heading to run on a Scandinavian route next year. She is currently laid up in Helsingborg (Feb 2016) her P&O livery has already been painted over. P&O announced on 13 January 2016 that the Troon-Larne service was to close with immediate effect.[12]

Sister ships

[edit]

Express is one of four 91-metre wave piercing catamarans built by Incat but differs from the other three because of her addition lounge and large scenic window over the stern. The bridge of the Express and other Incat 91 metre craft is very similar to the Incat 81 metre craft Hull 038-Rapide, Hull 040-Stena Lynx 3, Hull 041-Diamant

Sister ships

References

[edit]
  1. ^ RINA
  2. ^ RINA
  3. ^ Cowsill, Miles (Summer 2000). "Western Channel & Channel Islands". European Ferry Scene. 46: 16.
  4. ^ Cowsill, Miles (Autumn 2000). "Western Channel & Channel Islands". European Ferry Scene. 47: 17.
  5. ^ Cowsill, Miles (Autumn 2002). "Western Channel & Channel Islands". European Ferry Scene. 54: 13.
  6. ^ News in brief Ships Monthly December 2018 page 10
  7. ^ "HSC Catalonia (1998)". Fakta om Fartyg (Facts about Ships) (in Swedish). Klubb Maritim. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  8. ^ "P&O Irish Sea - P&O Express". Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  9. ^ "nP&O Irish Sea - Express Information". Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  10. ^ "Blu Marine wins £500,000 P&O contract". Ulster Business. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  11. ^ "Blu Marine P&O Express". Blu Marine Ltd. 29 May 2013. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  12. ^ "P&O Ferries: Larne to Troon route to close with immediate effect". BBC News. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
[edit]
Records
Preceded by Atlantic Eastbound Record
1998 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Hales Trophy
1998 		Succeeded by
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