HOVERSPEED GREAT BRITAIN built 1990

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aukepalmhof
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HOVERSPEED GREAT BRITAIN built 1990

Post by aukepalmhof » Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:33 pm

The hovercraft depict on the Gambia issues of 1997 5d shows us the HSC HOVERSPEED GREAT BRITAIN, she was the fastest ship to cross the North Atlantic in 1990 from New York to Falmouth U.K.
Built as RO-RO ferry-catamaran under yard No 025 by International Catamarans Tasmania Pty. Ltd, (Incat Tasmania), Hobart, Tasmania for Hoverspeed Ltd. Nassau, Bahamas.
22 February 1989 laid down.
27 January 1990 launched under the name CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
Tonnage 3,003 grt, 201 dwt, dim. 74.00 x 26.00 x 2.40m, length bpp. 71.0m.
Powered by four Ruston 16R K270 diesel engines, 14, 592 kW, speed 35 knots.
Capacity for 450 passengers and 80 cars.
April 1990 first trials.
May 1990 delivered to owners, under the name HOVERSPEED GREAT BRITAIN.

The ship left Hobart, Tasmania, on 07 May 1990, crossing the Australian channel with its crew of 10 in a record time of just under 24 hours via Strait Magellan, Rio de Janeiro, Nassau she arrived on 11 June 1990 in New York.
19 June 1990 she sailed from New York to Falmouth in an attempt to win the Hales Trophy (Blue Ribbon).
After a crossing of 3 days 7 hours 54 minutes she arrived in Falmouth and she was the fastest ship that has been crossing the North Atlantic.

14 August 1990 her maiden voyage in the ferry service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, she stayed in this service till 06 January 1991.
02 June 1991 in the service between Dover – Calais/Boulogne.
From December 1992 till March 1993 chartered by Ferrylineas Argentines SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina, at that time she was transferred to the Argentina flag. Used in the service between Buenos Aires and Colonia.
March 1993 again under the British flag and in various ferry services from the U.K. to Ireland or French ports.
April 2004 chartered by Emeraude Jersey Ferries and in August 2004 renamed in EMERAUDE GREAT BRITAIN.
February 2005 charter ended, and the same month chartered by Aegean Speed Lines, Piraeus, Greek.
22 April 2005 Renamed in SPEEDRUNNER 1.
19 May 2005 in the ferry service between Piraeus – Serifos, Sifnos and Milos and now and then also to Paros.
July 2006 got a fire in one of the main engines, she stayed in service with only 3 engines which were thereafter not so reliable more.
26 March 2008 sold to Pancreatian Maritime Co, Piraeus (Alpha Ferries) Greek. Renamed in SEA RUNNER. Used in the service between Santorini to Crete.
2010 She was arrested.
July 2011 transferred to Speed Maritime Inc. Piraeus and renamed in COSMOS JET. In service again in Greece.
08 September 2011 laid up with engine problems in Heraklion.
23 September 2011 towed to Keratsini were she was laid up.
April 2015 Renamed in HIGH SPEED JET.

2021 She is in service, her latest position was Germany, owned by Kalan Shipping Ltd., Athens, same name, Imo No 8900000

Gambia 1997 5d sg2705, Scott 1947c
Source: https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/hoverspeed ... n_1990.htm
https://www.miramarshipindex.nz and internet.
Attachments
HoverSpeed_Great_Britain.jpg
1997 SEACAT Wonders-of-the-World (1).jpg

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