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{{EngvarB|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
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| Ship way number =
| Ship way number =
| Ship laid down = May 1995
| Ship laid down = May 1995
| Ship launched = February 1996
| Ship launched = 23 February 1996<ref>{{csr|register=MSI|id=9080209|shipname=Stena Voyager |accessdate=12 September 2020}}</ref>
| Ship completed = June 1996
| Ship completed = June 1996
| Ship christened =
| Ship christened =
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| Ship out of service =
| Ship out of service =
| Ship identification = {{IMO Number|9080209}}
| Ship identification = {{IMO Number|9080209}}
| Ship status = Sold for scrap<ref name="scrap">[http://www.sjofartstidningen.se/stena-katamaran-till-atervinning/ Stena-katamaran till återvinning]. Sjöfarts Tidningen, 29 April 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2013-05-04}}</ref>
| Ship fate = Scrapped<ref name="scrap">[http://www.sjofartstidningen.se/stena-katamaran-till-atervinning/ Stena-katamaran till återvinning]. Sjöfarts Tidningen, 29 April 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2013-05-04}}</ref>
| Ship notes =
| Ship notes =
}}
}}
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| Ship ramps =
| Ship ramps =
| Ship ice class =
| Ship ice class =
| Ship power = 2{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}[[General Electric]] [[General Electric LM2500|LM2500]]<br>2{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}General Electric [[General Electric LM1600|LM1600]]
| Ship power =*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}[[General Electric]] [[General Electric LM2500|LM2500]]
*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}General Electric [[General Electric LM1600|LM1600]]
| Ship propulsion = [[Combined gas and gas]] (COGAG){{br}}Four [[Kamewa Waterjets|Kamewa]] Type S [[pump-jet|waterjets]]
| Ship propulsion =*[[Combined gas and gas]] (COGAG)
*Four [[Kamewa Waterjets|Kamewa]] Type S [[pump-jet|waterjets]]
| Ship speed =
| Ship speed =
| Ship capacity = 1,500 passengers<br>375 cars<br>800 lane metres
| Ship capacity =*1,500 passengers
*375 cars
*800 lane metres
| Ship crew =
| Ship crew =
| Ship notes =
| Ship notes =
}}
}}
|}
|}
[[File:STA70273.JPG|thumb|right|The '''''Stena Voyager''''' was the world's largest catamaran ferry<ref>
{{cite news
| last = Bowen
| first = David
| title = Forget the tunnel; all the talk on the high seas is of 50mph super ferries. And Britain doesn't make any of them
| newspaper = Independent
| location = London
| pages =
| language =
| publisher =
| date = May 4, 1996
| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/forget-the-tunnel-all-the-talk-on-the-high-seas-is-of-50mph-super-ferries-and-britain-doesnt-make-1345677.html
| access-date = 2016-01-29}}</ref> that provided a high-speed service across the Irish sea. She was scrapped in 2013.<ref name="scrap"/>]]


'''''Stena Voyager''''' was a [[High-speed craft|high-speed ferry]] owned by Stena Line which used to operate on their Belfast–Stranraer service. It was a member of the HSS 1500 class of high-speed ferries developed and introduced by Stena Line from 1996 onwards.
'''''Stena Voyager''''' was a [[High-speed craft|high-speed ferry]] owned by [[Stena Line]] which used to operate on their Belfast–Stranraer service. It was the second of three HSS 1500 class of high-speed ferries developed and introduced by Stena Line from 1996 onwards. The others were ''[[Stena Explorer]]'' and ''[[HSC HSS Discovery|Stena Discovery]]''.


In 2013, ''Stena Voyager'' was sold for scrap. She was towed to [[Landskrona]], [[Sweden]], where she was broken up by [[Stena Recycling]].<ref name="scrap" />
In 2013, ''Stena Voyager'' was sold for scrap. It was towed to [[Landskrona]], [[Sweden]], where was broken up by Stena Recycling, another member of [[Stena Sphere]].<ref name="scrap" />


== Design ==
== Design ==


The vessel was a [[catamaran]], and was designed with the aim of providing a comfortable and fast service.<ref name="DLH">{{cite web | title = The story behind the building of the first Stena HSS | work = Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company | url = http://www.dlharbour.ie/content/stena/hss_story.php|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref> The sailing time between Belfast and Stranraer is 119 minutes.<ref name="Stena">{{cite web | title = Our Ships: Stena Voyager | work = Stena Line | url = http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/our-ships/stena-voyager/|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref>
The vessel was a [[catamaran]], and was designed with the aim of providing a comfortable and fast service.<ref name="DLH">{{cite web | title = The story behind the building of the first Stena HSS | work = Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company | url = http://www.dlharbour.ie/content/stena/hss_story.php | accessdate = 26 December 2009 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20091208023829/http://www.dlharbour.ie/content/stena/hss_story.php | archivedate = 8 December 2009 }}</ref> The sailing time between Belfast and Stranraer was 119 minutes.<ref name="Stena">{{cite web | title = Our Ships: Stena Voyager | work = Stena Line | url = http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/our-ships/stena-voyager/|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref>


Power was provided by four [[GE Aviation]] [[gas turbine]]s in a twin combined gas and gas (COGAG) configuration.<ref name="LL1">{{cite journal |last= MacLennan|first= Graeme|date= 15 December 1993|title= Powerful propulsion for Stena catamaran ferry|journal= Lloyds List|page= p. 6|location= United Kingdom|issn=0144-820X|url= http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/shipyard-week-propulsion-powerful-propulsion-for-stena-catamaran-ferry/20012480596.htm|accessdate= 26 December 2009|quote= The HSS will be propelled by four KaMeWa equal-sized waterjets (two in each hull, and all with steering and reversing heads). These were be powered by two father-and-son configurations comprised in each case of a Kvaerner-General Electric LM2500 and LM1600 gas turbine, driven through Maag combining and splitting gears.}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="GE">{{cite press release |title= GE Marine Engines' LM Gas Turbines Exceed 600,000 Hours Operating Aboard 16 Fast Ferries |work= GE Aviation |date= 2002-09-09 |url= http://www.geae.com/aboutgeae/presscenter/marine/marine_20020909.html |quote= Each semi-swath fast ferry has two LM1600 and two LM2500 gas turbines in a COmbined Gas and Gas (COGAG) turbine configuration.|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref> The vessel employs four Kamewa waterjets for propulsion.<ref name="DNV"/><ref name="LL1"/>
Power was provided by four [[GE Aviation]] [[gas turbine]]s in a twin combined gas and gas (COGAG) configuration.<ref name="LL1">{{cite journal |last= MacLennan|first= Graeme|date= 15 December 1993|title= Powerful propulsion for Stena catamaran ferry|journal= Lloyd's List|page=6|location= United Kingdom|issn=0144-820X|url= http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/shipyard-week-propulsion-powerful-propulsion-for-stena-catamaran-ferry/20012480596.htm|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130127215141/http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/shipyard-week-propulsion-powerful-propulsion-for-stena-catamaran-ferry/20012480596.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 27 January 2013|accessdate= 26 December 2009|quote= The HSS will be propelled by four KaMeWa equal-sized waterjets (two in each hull, and all with steering and reversing heads). These were to be powered by two father-and-son configurations comprised in each case of a Kvaerner-General Electric LM2500 and LM1600 gas turbine, driven through Maag combining and splitting gears.}}</ref><ref name="GE">{{cite press release |title= GE Marine Engines' LM Gas Turbines Exceed 600,000 Hours Operating Aboard 16 Fast Ferries |work= GE Aviation |date= 2002-09-09 |url= http://www.geae.com/aboutgeae/presscenter/marine/marine_20020909.html |quote= Each semi-swath fast ferry has two LM1600 and two LM2500 gas turbines in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) turbine configuration. |accessdate= 26 December 2009 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101211123020/http://geae.com/aboutgeae/presscenter/marine/marine_20020909.html |archivedate= 11 December 2010 }}</ref> The vessel employed four Kamewa waterjets for propulsion.<ref name="LL1"/><ref name="DNV"/>


The HSS class of ferries were designed to allow quick turnarounds at port. A specially designed [[linkspan]] provides ropeless mooring and allows quick loading, unloading and servicing. Vehicles are loaded via two of the four stern doors and park in a "U" configuration. When disembarking, vehicles drive straight off via the other two doors.<ref>{{cite journal |last= King|first= Mike|date= 28 May 2003|title= Ro-Ro: A question of size rather than speed|journal= Lloyds List|page= p. 16|location= United Kingdom|issn=0144-820X|url= http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/a-question-of-size-rather-than-speed/1034683346020.htm|accessdate= 26 December 2009|quote= The HSS concept allows simultaneous discharge and loading through all four sterndoors. Car lanes are located as close as possible to the ship and arranged into four lanes to speed turnround. The linkspan mooring arrangement removes the need for ropes, and passengers, stores, fuel and water are all loaded at the same time, typically cutting loading or unloading times to 10-15 minutes.}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
The HSS class of ferries were designed to allow quick turnarounds at port. A specially designed [[linkspan]] provided ropeless mooring and allowed quick loading, unloading and servicing. Vehicles were loaded via two of the four stern doors and parked in a "U" configuration. When disembarking, vehicles drove straight off via the other two doors.<ref>{{cite journal |last= King|first= Mike|date= 28 May 2003|title= Ro-Ro: A question of size rather than speed|journal= Lloyd's List|page=16|location= United Kingdom|issn=0144-820X|url= http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/a-question-of-size-rather-than-speed/1034683346020.htm|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130127233043/http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/a-question-of-size-rather-than-speed/1034683346020.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 27 January 2013|accessdate= 26 December 2009|quote= The HSS concept allows simultaneous discharge and loading through all four sterndoors. Car lanes are located as close as possible to the ship and arranged into four lanes to speed turnround. The linkspan mooring arrangement removes the need for ropes, and passengers, stores, fuel and water are all loaded at the same time, typically cutting loading or unloading times to 10-15 minutes.}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==


=== Construction ===
=== Construction ===
''Stena Voyager'' was constructed by Finnyards in [[Rauma, Finland|Rauma]], [[Finland]].<ref name="DNV">{{cite web | title = Stena Voyager| work = DNV Echange | publisher = Det Norske Veritas | url = https://exchange.dnv.com/exchange/main.aspx?extool=vessel&subview=summary&vesselid=18236|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last= Mott|first= David|date= 11 May 1994|title= Stena orders fast ferry|journal= Lloyds List|page= p. 18|location= United Kingdom|issn=0144-820X|url= http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/stena-orders-fast-ferry/20012489148.htm|accessdate= 26 December 2009|quote= The order for the 1,500-passenger, 40-knot vessel has gone to Finnyards in Rauma, the yard which won the first two craft, for Stena Sealink last summer.}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Construction commenced in May 1995 and was completed in June 1996,<ref name="DNV"/> before entering service in July 1996.<ref name="Fakta">{{cite web | title = Stena Voyager| work = Fakta Om Fartyg | url = http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/stena_voyager_1996.htm | language = Swedish|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref>
''Stena Voyager'' was constructed by Finnyards in [[Rauma, Finland|Rauma]], [[Finland]].<ref name="DNV">{{cite web | title = Stena Voyager| work = DNV Exchange | publisher = Det Norske Veritas | url = https://exchange.dnv.com/exchange/main.aspx?extool=vessel&subview=summary&vesselid=18236|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last= Mott|first= David|date= 11 May 1994|title= Stena orders fast ferry|journal= Lloyd's List|page=18|location= United Kingdom|issn=0144-820X|url= http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/stena-orders-fast-ferry/20012489148.htm|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130127234119/http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/stena-orders-fast-ferry/20012489148.htm|url-status= dead|archive-date= 27 January 2013|accessdate= 26 December 2009|quote= The order for the 1,500-passenger, 40-knot vessel has gone to Finnyards in Rauma, the yard which won the first two craft, for Stena Sealink last summer.}}</ref> Construction commenced in May 1995 and was completed in June 1996,<ref name="DNV"/> before entering service in July 1996.<ref name="Fakta">{{cite web | title = Stena Voyager| work = Fakta Om Fartyg | url = http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/stena_voyager_1996.htm | language = Swedish|accessdate=26 December 2009}}</ref>


===Career===
===Career===
''Stena Voyager'' spent the majority of her career sailing on her original route between Belfast and Stranraer, apart from short periods covering for her sister ships.<ref name="Fakta"/>
''Stena Voyager'' spent the majority of her career sailing on her original route between Belfast and Stranraer, apart from short periods covering for her sister ships.<ref name="Fakta"/>

When the ''Stena Voyager'' was introduced on the Belfast–Stranraer route it was advertised as having a crossing time of 85 minutes, however this crossing time was not possible due to speed restrictions introduced on [[Belfast Lough]] to prevent the high waves created by the vessel when at speed.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Due to the speed restrictions, the vessel's crossing time was increased to 105 minutes.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}

In 2008, the crossing time was increased to 119 minutes, allowing an 8% reduction in fuel consumption.<ref name="SlowDown">{{cite news | title = Future of fast ferries in doubt as cost of fuel soars | publisher = Times Online | url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article4200087.ece | location=London | first=Ben | last=Webster | date=24 June 2008 | accessdate=4 May 2010}}</ref>


===Incidents===
===Incidents===
On 28 January 2009, a [[truck|lorry]] (carrying [[Iron(II) sulfate|ferrous sulphate powder]]) burst through the stern doors of the ''Stena Voyager'' shortly after departure. Because of this, the ferry had to return to Stranraer. Subsequent sailings were postponed.<ref>{{cite news
On 28 January 2009, a [[truck|lorry]] carrying [[Iron(II) sulfate|ferrous sulphate powder]] burst through the stern doors of the ''Stena Voyager'' shortly after departure. Because of this, the ferry had to return to Stranraer. Subsequent sailings were postponed.<ref>{{cite news
| work = BBC News Online
| work = BBC News Online
| title = Lorry found hanging out of ferry
| title = Lorry found hanging out of ferry
Line 86: Line 101:


===Uncertain future===
===Uncertain future===
During 2010, Stena Line were beginning the process of transfer operations from Stranraer Port to a new port facility at [[Cairnryan]], five miles further north up [[Loch Ryan]] than the previous port. The new port at Old Light House Point will be called Loch Ryan Port. Planning application materials submitted in 2008 stated that a pair of new conventional Ropax ferries operating at {{convert|21|-|24|kn}} would take over all operations on the service, replacing the operations of ''Stena Voyager'' and the traditional ferry {{MS|Stena Caledonia}}. The new pair of vessels would provide a passage time of 2 hours between Scotland and Belfast and be fitted out with "passenger facilities similar to an HSS".<ref name="environment-statement">{{cite book|title=2.5.3 Operation|series=Loch Ryan Port|volume=Environmental Statement|work=Non Technical Summary|url=http://www.lochryanport.co.uk/Non%20Technical%20Summary/Non%20Technical%20Summary.pdf#page=18|first1=Alistair|last1=Davison|author2=Environmental Resources Management Limited|publisher=Stena Line|page=18|date=2008-12-09|accessdate=2010-02-03|place=Edinburgh|quote=two modern RoPax vessels which will replace the HSS (Stena Voyager) and the conventional ferry (Stena Caledonia) which currently operate on the route. ... following characteristics. Speed – 21 - 24 knots ... Passenger facilities similar to an HSS ... daytime crossings of around 2 hours}}</ref> No HSS-compatible linkspan was planned to be provided at the new port.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/future-of-stenarsquos-hss-ferry-service-on-the-line-14322740.html|title=Future of Stena’s HSS ferry service on the line|first=Robin|last=Morton|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=2009-06-02|accessdate=2010-02-03|quote=no provision has been made for HSS docking facilities at a proposed new £70m ferry terminal due to open in 2011 at Loch Ryan Port}}</ref>
During 2010, Stena Line was beginning the process of transfer operations from Stranraer Port to a new port facility at [[Cairnryan]], five miles further north up [[Loch Ryan]]. The new port at Old Light House Point was to be called Loch Ryan Port. Planning application materials submitted in 2008 stated that a pair of new conventional Ropax ferries operating at {{convert|21|-|24|kn}} would take over all operations on the service, replacing the operations of ''Stena Voyager'' and the conventional ferry {{MS|Stena Caledonia}}. The new pair of vessels would provide a passage time of 2 hours between Scotland and Belfast and be fitted out with "passenger facilities similar to an HSS".<ref name="environment-statement">{{cite book|title=2.5.3 Operation|series=Loch Ryan Port|volume=Environmental Statement|work=Non Technical Summary|url=http://www.lochryanport.co.uk/Non%20Technical%20Summary/Non%20Technical%20Summary.pdf#page=18|first1=Alistair|last1=Davison|author2=Environmental Resources Management Limited|publisher=Stena Line|page=18|date=2008-12-09|accessdate=2010-02-03|place=Edinburgh|quote=two modern RoPax vessels which will replace the HSS (Stena Voyager) and the conventional ferry (Stena Caledonia) which currently operate on the route. ... following characteristics. Speed – 21 - 24 knots ... Passenger facilities similar to an HSS ... daytime crossings of around 2 hours}}</ref> No HSS-compatible linkspan was planned to be provided at the new port.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/future-of-stenarsquos-hss-ferry-service-on-the-line-14322740.html|title=Future of Stena's HSS ferry service on the line|first=Robin|last=Morton|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=2009-06-02|accessdate=2010-02-03|quote=no provision has been made for HSS docking facilities at a proposed new £70m ferry terminal due to open in 2011 at Loch Ryan Port}}</ref>


In March 2011, Stena Line announced the ''Stena Voyager'' and her running partners on the Belfast – Stranraer route ([[MS Stena Caledonia|''Stena Caledonia'']] and [[MS Daniya|''Stena Navigator'']]) were to be replaced in Autumn 2011 by the [[MS Stena Superfast VII|''Stena Superfast VII'']] and [[MS Stena Superfast VIII|''Stena Superfast VIII'']] chartered from Estonian ferry operator [[Tallink]].<ref>{{cite web|author=|publisher=Stena Line|date=7 March 2011|accessdate=|title=New ships for Scotland - NI service|url=http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/media/news/newships/}}</ref> ''Stena Voyager'' was widthdrawn from service on 20 November 2011. She was laid up in [[Belfast]] until 2013.
In March 2011, Stena Line announced the ''Stena Voyager'' and her running partners on the Belfast – Stranraer route ([[MS Stena Caledonia|''Stena Caledonia'']] and [[MS Daniya|''Stena Navigator'']]) were to be replaced in Autumn 2011 by the [[MS Stena Superfast VII|''Stena Superfast VII'']] and [[MS Stena Superfast VIII|''Stena Superfast VIII'']] chartered from Estonian ferry operator [[Tallink]].<ref>{{cite web|author=|publisher=Stena Line|date=7 March 2011|accessdate=|title=New ships for Scotland - NI service|url=http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/media/news/newships/}}</ref> ''Stena Voyager'' was widthdrawn from service on 20 November 2011 and was laid up in [[Belfast]] until 2013.


===Scrapping===
===Scrapping===
Line 94: Line 109:
In April 2013, it was reported that ''Stena Voyager'' had been sold for scrapping. She was towed to Landskrona, Sweden, where the vessel was broken up by Stena Recycling.<ref name="scrap" />
In April 2013, it was reported that ''Stena Voyager'' had been sold for scrapping. She was towed to Landskrona, Sweden, where the vessel was broken up by Stena Recycling.<ref name="scrap" />


==On-board facilities==
==In media==
⚫
In 2009, ''Stena Voyager'' appeared in the BBC television series ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]''. [[Jeremy Clarkson]], ostensibly having missed the ferry, tried to leapfrog a [[Renault Twingo]] on the departing ''Stena Voyager''. The car sank into the wash behind the departing ferry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/top-gearrsquos-ferry-daring-stunt-14523106.html|title=Top Gear's ferry daring stunt|date=2009-10-06|work=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=2009-10-19|quote=Top Gear were in Northern Ireland yesterday for their latest madcap stunt — firing a car at the Stena HSS in Belfast}}</ref> Actor [[Ross Kemp]] was supposedly locked in the boot of the car that Clarkson was seen driving.
There were numerous catering facilities on board the ''Stena Voyager'', including a bar, coffee shop, and quick-service restaurant. The "Stena Plus" business lounge was available at an additional cost. Also available were shopping facilities, a video games arcade, and seating areas. Passenger cabins were not available due to the short journey time.<ref name="Stena"/>


== See also ==
In 2008 the ''Stena Voyager'' received a major refit which included a new Stena Plus area, Quiet Lounge and a New York City Nails nail bar with a new Barista Coffee Shop at the rear at the craft along with other upgrades.<ref>{{cite web | title = MJM Group Voyager refit| publisher = MJM Group | url = http://www.mjm-group.com/en_GB/clients/marine/stena-line/hss-voyager}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Figura Stena Voyager Plus Lounge refit| publisher = Figura | url = http://www.figura.com/Projekt/Engelska/interiors/Stena_Voyage_Plus_eng.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Figura Voyager refit| publisher = Figura | url = http://www.figura.com/Projekt/Engelska/interiors/Stena_Voyage_Barista_eng.html}}</ref>
* [[List of multihulls]]

==In media==
⚫
In 2009, ''Stena Voyager'' appeared in the BBC television series ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]''. [[Jeremy Clarkson]], ostensibly having missed the ferry, tried to leapfrog a [[Renault Twingo]] on the departing ''Stena Voyager''. The car sank into the wash behind the departing ferry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/top-gearrsquos-ferry-daring-stunt-14523106.html|title=Top Gear’s ferry daring stunt|date=2009-10-06|work=Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=2009-10-19|quote=Top Gear were in Northern Ireland yesterday for their latest madcap stunt — firing a car at the Stena HSS in Belfast}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1219051/Top-Gear-team-latest-madcap-stunt-family-hatchback-ferry.html|title=Top Gear team in latest madcap stunt as they fire a family hatchback at a ferry|date=2009-10-09|work=Daily Telegraph|accessdate=2009-10-19|quote=the Renault Twingo ... car was fired off the docks in Belfast at a departing Stena high-speed ferry}}</ref> Actor [[Ross Kemp]] was supposedly locked in the boot of the car that Clarkson was seen driving.


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


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[[Category:Ferries of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Ferries of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Ferries of Scotland]]
[[Category:Ferries of Scotland]]
[[Category:Ships built in Finland]]
[[Category:Ships built in Rauma, Finland]]
[[Category:1996 ships]]
[[Category:1996 ships]]
[[Category:Ships of Stena Line|Voyager]]
[[Category:Ships of the Stena Line|Voyager]]
[[Category:High-speed craft]]

Latest revision as of 13:14, 30 April 2023

Stena Voyager leaving Belfast
Stena Voyager departing Belfast
History
NameStena Voyager
OwnerStena Recycling
OperatorN/A
Port of registryLondon
RouteBelfast–Stranraer (GB)
BuilderFinnyards, Finland
Yard number405
Laid downMay 1995
Launched23 February 1996[1]
CompletedJune 1996
In serviceJune 1996–2011
IdentificationIMO number: 9080209
FateScrapped[2]
General characteristics
Class and typeHSS 1500
Tonnage19,638 GT
Length126.6 m (415 ft 4 in)
Beam40.0 m (131 ft 3 in)
Draught4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Installed power
Propulsion
Capacity
  • 1,500 passengers
  • 375 cars
  • 800 lane metres
The Stena Voyager was the world's largest catamaran ferry[3] that provided a high-speed service across the Irish sea. She was scrapped in 2013.[2]

Stena Voyager was a high-speed ferry owned by Stena Line which used to operate on their Belfast–Stranraer service. It was the second of three HSS 1500 class of high-speed ferries developed and introduced by Stena Line from 1996 onwards. The others were Stena Explorer and Stena Discovery.

In 2013, Stena Voyager was sold for scrap. It was towed to Landskrona, Sweden, where was broken up by Stena Recycling, another member of Stena Sphere.[2]

Design

[edit]

The vessel was a catamaran, and was designed with the aim of providing a comfortable and fast service.[4] The sailing time between Belfast and Stranraer was 119 minutes.[5]

Power was provided by four GE Aviation gas turbines in a twin combined gas and gas (COGAG) configuration.[6][7] The vessel employed four Kamewa waterjets for propulsion.[6][8]

The HSS class of ferries were designed to allow quick turnarounds at port. A specially designed linkspan provided ropeless mooring and allowed quick loading, unloading and servicing. Vehicles were loaded via two of the four stern doors and parked in a "U" configuration. When disembarking, vehicles drove straight off via the other two doors.[9]

History

[edit]

Construction

[edit]

Stena Voyager was constructed by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland.[8][10] Construction commenced in May 1995 and was completed in June 1996,[8] before entering service in July 1996.[11]

Career

[edit]

Stena Voyager spent the majority of her career sailing on her original route between Belfast and Stranraer, apart from short periods covering for her sister ships.[11]

Incidents

[edit]

On 28 January 2009, a lorry carrying ferrous sulphate powder burst through the stern doors of the Stena Voyager shortly after departure. Because of this, the ferry had to return to Stranraer. Subsequent sailings were postponed.[12] The cause of the accident was the driver of the lorry failing to park it in gear and to apply the handbrake. The vehicle was insufficiently secured to the ship's deck.[13]

Uncertain future

[edit]

During 2010, Stena Line was beginning the process of transfer operations from Stranraer Port to a new port facility at Cairnryan, five miles further north up Loch Ryan. The new port at Old Light House Point was to be called Loch Ryan Port. Planning application materials submitted in 2008 stated that a pair of new conventional Ropax ferries operating at 21–24 knots (39–44 km/h; 24–28 mph) would take over all operations on the service, replacing the operations of Stena Voyager and the conventional ferry MS Stena Caledonia. The new pair of vessels would provide a passage time of 2 hours between Scotland and Belfast and be fitted out with "passenger facilities similar to an HSS".[14] No HSS-compatible linkspan was planned to be provided at the new port.[15]

In March 2011, Stena Line announced the Stena Voyager and her running partners on the Belfast – Stranraer route (Stena Caledonia and Stena Navigator) were to be replaced in Autumn 2011 by the Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII chartered from Estonian ferry operator Tallink.[16] Stena Voyager was widthdrawn from service on 20 November 2011 and was laid up in Belfast until 2013.

Scrapping

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In April 2013, it was reported that Stena Voyager had been sold for scrapping. She was towed to Landskrona, Sweden, where the vessel was broken up by Stena Recycling.[2]

In media

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In 2009, Stena Voyager appeared in the BBC television series Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson, ostensibly having missed the ferry, tried to leapfrog a Renault Twingo on the departing Stena Voyager. The car sank into the wash behind the departing ferry.[17] Actor Ross Kemp was supposedly locked in the boot of the car that Clarkson was seen driving.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Stena Voyager (9080209)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Stena-katamaran till återvinning. Sjöfarts Tidningen, 29 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-04.
  3. ^ Bowen, David (4 May 1996). "Forget the tunnel; all the talk on the high seas is of 50mph super ferries. And Britain doesn't make any of them". Independent. London. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  4. ^ "The story behind the building of the first Stena HSS". Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company. Archived from the original on 8 December 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  5. ^ "Our Ships: Stena Voyager". Stena Line. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  6. ^ a b MacLennan, Graeme (15 December 1993). "Powerful propulsion for Stena catamaran ferry". Lloyd's List. United Kingdom: 6. ISSN 0144-820X. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2009. The HSS will be propelled by four KaMeWa equal-sized waterjets (two in each hull, and all with steering and reversing heads). These were to be powered by two father-and-son configurations comprised in each case of a Kvaerner-General Electric LM2500 and LM1600 gas turbine, driven through Maag combining and splitting gears.
  7. ^ "GE Marine Engines' LM Gas Turbines Exceed 600,000 Hours Operating Aboard 16 Fast Ferries". GE Aviation (Press release). 9 September 2002. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2009. Each semi-swath fast ferry has two LM1600 and two LM2500 gas turbines in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) turbine configuration.
  8. ^ a b c "Stena Voyager". DNV Exchange. Det Norske Veritas. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  9. ^ King, Mike (28 May 2003). "Ro-Ro: A question of size rather than speed". Lloyd's List. United Kingdom: 16. ISSN 0144-820X. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2009. The HSS concept allows simultaneous discharge and loading through all four sterndoors. Car lanes are located as close as possible to the ship and arranged into four lanes to speed turnround. The linkspan mooring arrangement removes the need for ropes, and passengers, stores, fuel and water are all loaded at the same time, typically cutting loading or unloading times to 10-15 minutes.
  10. ^ Mott, David (11 May 1994). "Stena orders fast ferry". Lloyd's List. United Kingdom: 18. ISSN 0144-820X. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2009. The order for the 1,500-passenger, 40-knot vessel has gone to Finnyards in Rauma, the yard which won the first two craft, for Stena Sealink last summer.
  11. ^ a b "Stena Voyager". Fakta Om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  12. ^ "Lorry found hanging out of ferry". BBC News Online. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009. ... returned to Stranraer in Scotland after a lorry was discovered hanging out the back of the Stena Voyager. The vessel was not long at sea when a loud bang was heard by passengers.
  13. ^ "Report on the investigation of the shift of an articulated road tanker on board the roll-on roll-off high-speed sea service cargo ferry Stena Voyager in Loch Ryan on 28 January 2009" (PDF). Marine Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  14. ^ Davison, Alistair; Environmental Resources Management Limited (9 December 2008). 2.5.3 Operation (PDF). Loch Ryan Port. Vol. Environmental Statement. Edinburgh: Stena Line. p. 18. Retrieved 3 February 2010. two modern RoPax vessels which will replace the HSS (Stena Voyager) and the conventional ferry (Stena Caledonia) which currently operate on the route. ... following characteristics. Speed – 21 - 24 knots ... Passenger facilities similar to an HSS ... daytime crossings of around 2 hours {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  15. ^ Morton, Robin (2 June 2009). "Future of Stena's HSS ferry service on the line". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 3 February 2010. no provision has been made for HSS docking facilities at a proposed new £70m ferry terminal due to open in 2011 at Loch Ryan Port
  16. ^ "New ships for Scotland - NI service". Stena Line. 7 March 2011.
  17. ^ "Top Gear's ferry daring stunt". Belfast Telegraph. 6 October 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2009. Top Gear were in Northern Ireland yesterday for their latest madcap stunt — firing a car at the Stena HSS in Belfast
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