HSC Dublin Swift
 | This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. (September 2018) |
| File:Westpac Express HSV-4676.jpg Dublin Swift moored pier side, date unknown location is Henderson, Rockingham, Western Australia.
To conduct its load/discharge, the HSV backs into the pier, ties up to the pilings, and lowers its stern ramp. Dublin Swift is currently the only HSC with an axial stern ramp, which affords it greater loading and unloading capacity.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Cyprus | |
| Name | Dublin Swift |
| Owner | Irish Continental Group |
| Operator | (2002-2018) - Chartered by the Marine Corps Logistics Prepositioning Ship Program by Military Sealift Command (MSC) as Westpac Express (HSV-4676) (2018-Present) - Irish Ferries |
| Port of registry | Limassol |
| Route | Dublin-Holyhead |
| Builder | Austal Ships, Henderson, Australia |
| Completed | 2001 |
| Identification |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Roll-on/roll-off catamaran |
| Tonnage | 2,111 tons (light) |
| Length | 100.99 m (331.3 ft) |
| Beam | 26.64 m (87.4 ft) |
| Draft | 4.29 m (14.1 ft) (fully loaded) |
| Installed power | Four Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines each producing 7,200 kW @ 1,050 rpm |
| Propulsion | water-jet propulsion |
| Speed | |
| Range | |
| Capacity | |
| Crew |
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HSC Dublin Swift is a high-speed catamaran built in 2001 by Austal Ltd. of Henderson, Western Australia. Chartered as a United States Marine Corps Maritime Prepositioning ship by Military Sealift Command (MSC), as Westpac Express (HSV-4676), until January 2018, the ship provided extensive logistics support to "Exercise Cobra Gold 2002". Cobra Gold 2002 is the 21st U.S. Pacific Command exercise conducted in Thailand demonstrating the ability of U.S. forces to deploy rapidly and conduct joint-combined operations with the Thai and Singapore Armed Forces. Austal Hull 130 Chartering, LLC of Mobile, Alabama was awarded a $13,395,944 firm-fixed-priced contract commencing in February 2007, with four one-year additional options to September 2011.
With a design based on the Westpac Express, Austal USA won the bidding for the Joint High Speed Vessel in November 2008 and will build one ship with an option for nine more. The new vessel will have an increased top speed of at least 35 and up to 45 kn and up to ten ships will eventually be used by the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Coast Guard.[1]
In March 2011, the Westpac Express was deployed as part of the US response to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.[2] In recognition of this service MSC Admiral Buzby presented the ship’s crew with United States Merchant Marine Medals for Outstanding Achievement at a ceremony on board the ship in Yokohama, Japan.[3]
In December 2011, the Westpac Express has been re-chartered with the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command[4] which continued operating to January 2014.[5] The contract was subsequently renewed in October 2014 for operational support of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in the Far East, until the end of 2017.[6]
In April 2016 Westpac Express was sold to Irish Continental Group for €13.25 million, who continued to contract it out to Military Sealift Command until the end of 2017.[7] In January 2018, with its charter to the US Navy completed, it was announced that the Westpac Express would replace the HSC Jonathan Swift as a commercial passenger ferry on Irish Ferries' Holyhead to Dublin route.[8] On the afternoon of 14 January 2018, Westpac Express arrived at Belfast's Harland & Wolff shipyard for refurbishment and conversion to civilian use.[9]
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MV Westpac Express (HSV-4676) offloads cargo at Chuk Samet, Sattahip, Thailand on 8 May 2002. An AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 HMLA-369 is being moved across the stern ramp. -
MV Westpac Express (HSV-4676) loading/unloading a Marine LAV, date and place unknown.
See also
- Independence class littoral combat ship
- Spearhead class Joint High Speed Vessel
- Alakai & Huakai, (Ex. Hawaii Superferries, renamed USNS Puerto Rico & USNS Guam)
- USAV Spearhead (TSV-X1), (operated by U.S. Army)
References
- "HSV-4676 Westpac Express". Service Ship Photo Archive. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
- ^ Jane's Defense Weekly, 2008-11-19, p. 5
- ^ http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=98402
- ^ http://www.defpro.com/news/details/30947/?SID=70dabe1b4a47e34dcfef8924d4bebe5c[permanent dead link]
- ^ http://www.defpro.com/news/details/30947/?SID=70dabe1b4a47e34dcfef8924d4bebe5c[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Westpac Express completes 16 year charter". defenceconnect.com.au. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ "ICG takes delivery of Westpac Express". irishtimestimes.com. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Irish Continental Group plc : Sale of Jonathan Swift". otp.investis.com. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ "H&W visitors: WESTPAC EXPRESS (Austal #130) - NI Ferry Site ~ www.niferry.co.uk ~". NI Ferry Site ~ www.niferry.co.uk ~. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
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