Gibraltar, Jersey and the Solomon Islands issued stamps to commemorate “Operation Raleigh” of the four-year trans global expedition program of the SIR WALTER RALEIGH and ZEBU.
These two ships sailed from London on 11 October 1984 for this world discovery voyage.
The Scientific Exploration Society was formed to give young adults from different backgrounds and nationalities a unique opportunity to build their leadership skills through work on scientific, community and adventurous projects under arduous conditions worldwide.
The SIR WALTER RALEIGH was a former German fishing vessel.
Built as a stern trawler under yard No 900 by the AG Weser Werk Seebeck, for Cranzer Fishdampfer AG, Hamburg.
04 June 1965 launched under the name HAMBURG.
Tonnage 1.599 ton gross, dim. 269 x 44.75 ft.
One 12-cyl Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz diesel, 3.000 b.h.p. speed 15 knots, one pitch propeller.
02 October 1965 delivered to owners. Fishing No. HH 329.
1967 Sold to Norddeutsche Hochsee Fisherei A.G., Bremerhaven, renamed DANASBANK, most probably named after a fishing ground off the southern west coast of Greenland (Marine News 1985/630).
Fishery No. BX 710.
1970 Sold to Fischfangges M.B.H. FMS Danasbank, Bremerhaven renamed DORTMUND, managed by “Nordsee” Hochseefisherei GMBH.
30 January 1974 Sold to Vickers Oceanic Ltd., Barrow, U.K., renamed VICKERS VIKING.
She was converted in a dive mother ship and research vessel.
1979 Sold to Scottish Oceanics Ltd., Barrow renamed BRITISH VIKING.
Details then given as 1.898 gross, 732 net, 990 dwt., dim. 83.6 x 13.6 x 8.3m, draught 5.5m, length bpp. 72.4m.
1981 Sold to B.U.E. Ships Ltd., not renamed.
1982 Sold to J.Marr & Sons Ltd., U.K. renamed SWANELLA.
1984 Sold to Scientific Exploration Society, refurbished to an expedition ship by Globe Engineering Ltd., to include a scientific laboratory, diving support equipment, a hospital, landing craft a gyrocopter, rough-terrain vehicles and inflatable boats. Her task was to support many of the land base expeditions with supplies and carry out independent scientific research. Managed by Marr.
04 September 1984 renamed in SIR WALTER RALEIGH.
09 January 1987 overhauled at Fremantle and thereafter used as a cruise vessel during the America Cup Finale in Fremantle.
1988 Renamed in SIR TRISTAN.
1990 Sold to Trinity House, U.K. renamed TRINITY EXPLORER.
1991 Sold to Marine Exploration Ltd., U.K. renamed MARINE EXPLORER.
2000 Owners given as Eidesvik Shipping, U.K. Homeport given as Plymouth.
14 March 2001 when alongside at Harwich she had an accident with one of her lifeboats, in which two people slightly were injured. http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources/df ... 504237.pdf
2005 Sold and managed by Mercury Shipmanagement SA, Athens, Greece, renamed MARINE EX.
Tonnage given as 2.198 gross, 659 net, 990 dwt.
Under Panama flag, call sign H9FH
2008 In service under same name.
IMO No. 6515928.
Gibraltar 1988 32p and 44p sg 602/3.
Solomon Islands 1985 $1 sg 561.
Merchant Ships world built Vol. XIV. Marine news. Navicula. Watercraft Philately Vol 35 page 69.
Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1965. Erik Matzinger.