OCEAN PEARL cruise vessel

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aukepalmhof
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 am

OCEAN PEARL cruise vessel

Post by aukepalmhof » Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:17 pm

On a recent stamp from the Solomon Isl. issued Aug. 1999 is depict on the 30 c the cruise vessel "OCEAN PEARL", used as a reunion ship in the Solomon Isl. for World War II veterans. In 1992 two sheetlets of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal were issued one of this stamps would have depict the same vessel, but when I received the sheetlets the top stamps of one of the sheetlets was missing, and so far I know that stamp was never issued.

She was built under yard no 383 on the yard of 0/Y Wärtsilä A/B Helsink:i,for Finska Angfartygs A/B Helsinki, as a ferry.
25-08-1966 Launched under the name "FINLANDIA". Tonnage 8.168 BRT, 1.510 dwt., dim. 153.0 x 20.0m Powered by two 9 cyl. geared Sulzer Bros-0/Y diesels, 16.400 bhp, twin screw, speed 22 knots. Passenger accommodation for 270 first, 194 second and 200 tourist class passengers. Could carry also 320 private cars.
1967 delivered to owners.
Used in the ferry service between Helsinki, Copenhagen and Travemunde, her maiden voyage was on 25-05-1967.
1967 Sold to Enzo-Gutzeit O/Y, Helsinki, not renamed. 1978 converted to a cruise vessel, tonnage increased to 10.311 BRT ts.
Accommodation for 576 passengers.
Renamed "FINNSTAR".
Jan 1979 made her first cruise from Helsinki to Copenhagen-Bremerhaven-North Africa, 1980 Laid up, after a strike by the crew for an increase of the wages.
1981 Sold to Loke Shipping Ltd. Bahamas, renamed "INNSTAR" 18-08-1981 Arrived at Aalborg, where she was converted for cruising in the Far East, accommodation for 509 passengers. April 1982 After her conversion was completed renamed in "PEARL OF SCANDINAVIA" tonnage 12456 BRT. Thereafter made cruises from Hongkong and Singapore. Could carry only 437 passengers. 1988 Transferred to Ocean Cruise Line.,(owners are still the same only the company name has changed) she arrived at Singapore 05-01-1988 for extensive refittiting and refurbishment at a cost of over $5,4 million by the Sembawang Shipyard,after completing of this refit renamed in "OCEAN PEARL". . Her passenger accommodation increased to 725 berths. She got a new bow, increasing her length with 4,8m, tonnage given as 12.475 BRT, 7.382 NRT, 1.825 dwt..
1993 She was renamed by Sodimarit S.A., Bahamas in "PEARL" (could not find that she was sold, and I think she has the same owner and only the company has changed name), Homeport Toulon, France. Used as a cruise vessel in Asia.
1995 Sold to PrestIge Cruises N.V.,Bahamas, renamed in "COSTA PLAYA". 1998 renamed in "ORIENTAL PEARL", managed by Mega Wave Int. Ltd., Hongkong, and was used as a gambling ship. August 1999 sold to Costa Crociere S.p.A., Nassau, Bahamas renamed in "JOY WAVE".
November 2000 sold to Eurasia International (China)), Ltd. Partnership, Hong Kong, and registered for Pleasure Road Profits Ltd., Nassau, renamed in GOLDEN PRINCESS.
Used as a casino ship from the port of Hong Kong.
July 2009 sold to Chinese shipbreakers.


Source: Marine News, Great Passengers Ships of the world Voll 6, by Arnold Kludas, Register of Merchant ships completed in 1967. Lloyds Shipping index Oct.1989. Ships Monthly.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/finlandia_1967.htm
Attachments
ocean_pearl_1967_1.jpg
1999 OCEAN PEARL.jpg

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