MS Express Aphrodite

History
Name	2007–present: Masarrah; 1997 - 2007: Express Aphrodite; 1996 - 1997: Stena Adventurer; 1991 - 1996: Stena Hibernia; 1977 - 1991: St. Columba;
Operator	Namma Shipping Lines
Port of registry	Panama
Builder	Aalborg Vaerft, Denmark
Yard number	214
Completed	1977
In service	1977–present
Identification	IMO number: 7507019
Status	In service
General characteristics
Tonnage	11,690 GT
Length	129.2 m (423 ft 11 in)
Beam	20.6 m (67 ft 7 in)
Draught	4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
Installed power	2 × Stork-Werkspoor 16T410
Capacity	1,700 passengers; 52 berths; 335 cars; 430 lane metres;

MS Masarrah is a ferry originally named St. Columba, but also known as the "Pelican Ship" by some. Built in 1977, at the Aalborg Shipyard in Denmark, St. Columba was originally a Sealink UK ferry, operating between Holyhead and Dún Laoghaire in the Irish Sea. She now operates between Duba and Jeddah for Namma Shipping Lines.

Fire

On 31 January 1990, a fire broke out in the engine room of St. Columba. Fortunately, none of the 199 passengers on board were injured, however a fireman suffered a fractured ulna.

The Captain, John Bakewell praised the work of the staff on board the ferry in preventing the spread of the fire, and keeping the passengers safe and re-assured. As there was too much oil to re-ignite the engines, the ship had to be towed for the remainder of the journey to Holyhead port.

Ownership by Stena Line

In 1990, Sealink was taken over by Stena Line, and with this new investment, came a £8 million re-fit for St Columba, and her name was changed to Stena Hibernia. In 1996, with the introduction of the HSS fast ferries, Hibernia was again re-named, this time as Stena Adventurer, with the intention of her moving to the English Channel to serve the Dover to Calais route. This move, however, never materialised, and Stena Adventurer was sold to Agapitos Express Ferries of Greece.

Ownership by Agapitos Express Ferries

Stena Adventurer was renamed Express Aphrodite.

Previous names

St. Columba (1977–1990)
Stena Hibernia (1990–1996)
Stena Adventurer (1996–)
Express Aphrodite

References

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