MV Stena Britannica
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
 Stena Britannica in November 2016
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Stena Britannica[2] |
| Owner | Stena Ropax Ltd |
| Operator | Stena Line |
| Port of registry | Harwich |
| Route | Harwich - Hoek van Holland |
| Builder | Wadan Yards, Wismar, Germany. |
| Yard number | 164 |
| Laid down | 17 December 2008 |
| Launched | 7 June 2009[1] |
| Completed | 2010 |
| Maiden voyage | 9 October 2010 |
| Identification | IMO number: 9419175 |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 64,039 GT |
| Length | 240 m (787.4 ft) |
| Beam | 32.00 m (105.0 ft) |
| Height | 51 m (167.3 ft) |
| Draught | 6.65 m (21.8 ft) |
| Decks | 12 |
| Ice class | 1B FS |
| Installed power | 33.6MW |
| Propulsion | 2 x 8L48/60CR and 2 x 6L48/60CR MAN 4-stroke diesel engines. |
| Speed | 22 knots (25 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 85 |
| Notes | Sister ship is the MV Stena Hollandica |
The Stena Britannica, launched towards the end of 2010, is the second of two identical Ropax ferries built by Wadan Yards in Warnemünde and nearby Wismar, Germany for Stena Line.[3] The first of the two ships, launched in January 2010, was the Stena Hollandica. Both ships operate (As of 2018[update]) across the southern North Sea between Harwich and Hoek van Holland, providing a twice daily service (taking seven hours)[4] from each side. The ships were specifically designed for this route.
Power and its transmission
The Stena Britannica has four main MAN diesel engines, producing between them 33,600 kW, and providing for a maximum speed of 22 knots (25 mph). Two of the engines are rated at 9,600 kW and the other two at 7,200 kW. The engines are connected via two gearboxes to two controllable pitch propellers. The two rudders, one behind each propeller, are of the Becker flap type with twisted leading edges. Control of the bow while docking is by two tunnel thrusters.
Heat from the main engines is also used to heat the ship.[5]
Loading characteristics
The vehicle decks can be loaded on two levels from both the bow and stern on decks 3 and 5 and there are two-tier linkspans in both Harwich and Hoek van Holland to accommodate the ship.
Extended gestation
The ferries, then designated "RoPax 55" ferries, were originally ordered from the shipbuilders Waden Yards (subsequently subsumed into Nordic Yards Wismar) by Stena Line in 2006. The total value of the order amounted to approximately €400 million.[3] Delays arose when Stena temporarily withdrew the order in response to economic difficulties being experienced by Waden Yards. After further negotiations the order was reinstated, but the new agreement included a price cut of 6% or approximately €24 million.[6] The ships having been completed, naming ceremonies took place on 8 June 2010 for the "Stena Hollandica" at Hoek van Holland and on 19 October 2010 at Harwich for the "Stena Britannica".[7]
Accidents and incidents
On the overnight crossing between Hoek van Holland and Harwich on 17 January 2018, a fire broke out on one of the refrigerated lorries and subsequently spread to other lorries but did not breach the lorry decks.[8][9] The vessel was subsequently taken to Schiedam and returned to service three days after the fire.
See also
References
- ^ "M/S Stena Britannica". Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ http://www.stenalinefreight.com/ferry/our-ships/shipgallery/Stena-Britannica
- ^ a b RoPax-Fähre bei Wadan Yards aufgeschwommen, Schiff&Hafen, 10. Juni 2010. Abgerufen am 1. Juli 2013.
- ^ Timetable on Stena Line homepage
- ^ Größte RoPax-Fähre Stena Britannica sticht in See, lifePR, Pressemitteilung der Stena Line vom 30. September 2010. Abgerufen am 1. Juli 2013.
- ^ New Stena Hollandica (PDF; 1,0 MB), RoPax International Magazine for Ferry and RoRo Shipping
- ^ Stena Britannica Ferry to Holland, Stena Line
- ^ "Stena Britannica fire, English Canal". Maritime Bulletin. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
- ^ Gregory, James (17 January 2018). "Footage shows fire on Essex-bound ferry after lorry 'exploded'". essexlive. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
External links
- 3min Video on YouTube, from Mighty Ships