NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a ferry (pax ro-ro) under yard No 176 by Ulstein-Hatlo Verkstad A.S, Ulsteinvik, Norway for Troms Fylkes Dampskibsselskap (TFDS).
01 July 1981 keel laid down.
22 May 1982 launched as the MIDNATSOL, christened by Elisabeth Giæver.
Tonnage 4,131 grt, 2,116 net, 1,301 dwt, dim. 108.6 x 16.5m. length bpp. 96.0m.
Powered by 2 Normo-Bergen 16-cyl. KVM-16 diesels engines, 6,400 bhp, twin shafts with controllable pitch propellers, speed 17.5 knots. During trial reached a speed of 19 knots.
Two bow thrusters each 400 hp.
Capacity for 410 passengers (166 berths)
1 cargo hold with a cargo port on the starboard side.
Could carry 35 vehicles, and up to 22 TEU’s containers.
1 crane of 15 ton on the afterdeck.
26 November 1982 completed and handed over to owners.
Homeport Tromso.

05 December 1982 maiden voyage was from Bergen northbound to Kirkenes near the Russian border.
Was kept in this service during her career under Norway flag.
1987 She sailed to Motorwerke Bremerhaven in Germany for conversion, which was completed in March 1988.
Tonnage increased to 6,167 grt, 2,210 net, 776 dwt, length increased to 112m.
Passenger accommodation increased to 505 passengers (322 berths).
1995 She underwent a major refurbishment with new furniture.
January 2003 her named was changed to MIDNATSOL II, after a new ship entered service as MIDNATSOL.
After a layup period at a shipyard near Ålesund she was sent to the Fosen Mechanical workshop in Risa to get her again in service.
24 September 2005 she was renamed LYNGEN, and thereafter used as a relief ship in the Hurtigruten service.
March 2006 after a merger she was transferred to the new company Hurtigruten ASA, not renamed.
10 October 2007 she arrived in Bergen for her last ferry voyage in Norway.
2007 Sold to Lindblad Expeditions and renamed in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER, under Bahamas flag with homeport Nassau.

13 January 2008 she left Gothenburg for the Astican Shipyard in Las Palmas, Canary Islands to be converted in an expedition ship.
After conversion her tonnage is given as 6,471 grt, 1,942 net, 1,302 dwt. Dim. 112 x 16.5 x 885m., draught 4.74m.
Accommodation for 148 passengers in 81 cabins.
She carries kayaks and Zodiac motorized landing craft for use for the passengers when at anchor.
She is now used as an expedition ships world wide, many times to the Arctic and Antarctic waters.

2013 In service IMO No 8019356, owned by Lex Explorer LLC and managed by Lindblad Expeditions.
Bahamas registry.

Uruguay 2012 37p sg?, scott?

Source: Various web-sites. Marine News. Det Norske Veritas. Wikipedia.