NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:56 pm
Built as a ferry pax/ro-ro under yard No 176 by Ulstein-Hallo A/S, Ulsteinvik, Norway for Troms Fylkes Dampskibsselskap A/S, Tromsø, Norway.
22 May 1982 launched as the MIDNATSOL. (Midnight Sun)
Tonnage 4,131 grt, 1,301 dwt. Dim. 108.62 x 16.50 x 6.35m. Length bpp 96.0m.
Powered by two 16-cyl. Normo-Bergen diesels, 4,170 kW., two controllable pitch propellers, maximum speed 17.5 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 166 bunked passengers and 410 seated passengers.
Could carry 44 cars
26 November 1982 delivered to owners.
05 December 1982 maiden voyage in the Hurtigruten service between Bergen and Kirkenes.
March 1988 refitted by Motorwerke Bremerhaven, Germany.
Passenger capacity for 310 bunked passengers.
14 March 1988 again in service.
1994 During the winter underwent a refurbishment by Haugesund Mekaniske Verksted.
19 January 2003 renamed in MIDNATSOL II.
08 April 2003 sailed on her last voyage in the Hurtigruten service from Kirkenes.
15 April 2003 arrived at Bergen.
16 April 2003 sailed from Bergen to Fiskerstrand Verft AS, Fiskarstrand (Ålesund) where she was laid up.
04 July 2005 in service, renamed LYNGEN and underwent a refurbishment by Fosen Mekaniske Verkstad, where after she again was used in the Hurtigrut service.
March 2006 registered by the Hurtigruten Group ASA, Narvik, Norway.
September 2007 sold to Lindblad Expedition, Bahamas and on 18 October 2007 taken oven by the new company.
19 October 2007 arrived by Gotaverken Cityvarvet, Gothenburg to be rebuilt in an expedition passenger ship for Arctic or Antarctic waters.
13 January 2008 sailed from Gothenburg to Las Palmas, Canary Islands were she underwent further rebuilding by the Astican Shipyard.
June 2008 renamed NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER. Under Bahamas registry.
Tonnage 6,471 grt, 1,942 nrt, 1.302 dwt. Length 112m, length bpp. 97.88m, draught 4.74m.
Accommodation for 148 passengers.
She has now educational and entertainment facilities including a chart room, library, observation lounge.
A fleet of 36 kayaks, a remote operated vehicle capable of diving to 300 metres and 14 zodiac launch tenders.
Mostly used for expedition cruises to the Antarctic or Arctic waters.
2013 In service owned by Lex Explorer LLC, managed by Lindblad Expeditions Inc., Seattle. IMO No 8019356.
Mozambique 2013 175.000mt sg?, scott? In margin of sheet on the right, the other ship is the KONTIO and the vessel depict on the stamp is one of the ACS650 class, the lead ship was the NORILSKIY NIKEL and I believe she is depict.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/midnatsol_1982.htm Wikipedia.
22 May 1982 launched as the MIDNATSOL. (Midnight Sun)
Tonnage 4,131 grt, 1,301 dwt. Dim. 108.62 x 16.50 x 6.35m. Length bpp 96.0m.
Powered by two 16-cyl. Normo-Bergen diesels, 4,170 kW., two controllable pitch propellers, maximum speed 17.5 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 166 bunked passengers and 410 seated passengers.
Could carry 44 cars
26 November 1982 delivered to owners.
05 December 1982 maiden voyage in the Hurtigruten service between Bergen and Kirkenes.
March 1988 refitted by Motorwerke Bremerhaven, Germany.
Passenger capacity for 310 bunked passengers.
14 March 1988 again in service.
1994 During the winter underwent a refurbishment by Haugesund Mekaniske Verksted.
19 January 2003 renamed in MIDNATSOL II.
08 April 2003 sailed on her last voyage in the Hurtigruten service from Kirkenes.
15 April 2003 arrived at Bergen.
16 April 2003 sailed from Bergen to Fiskerstrand Verft AS, Fiskarstrand (Ålesund) where she was laid up.
04 July 2005 in service, renamed LYNGEN and underwent a refurbishment by Fosen Mekaniske Verkstad, where after she again was used in the Hurtigrut service.
March 2006 registered by the Hurtigruten Group ASA, Narvik, Norway.
September 2007 sold to Lindblad Expedition, Bahamas and on 18 October 2007 taken oven by the new company.
19 October 2007 arrived by Gotaverken Cityvarvet, Gothenburg to be rebuilt in an expedition passenger ship for Arctic or Antarctic waters.
13 January 2008 sailed from Gothenburg to Las Palmas, Canary Islands were she underwent further rebuilding by the Astican Shipyard.
June 2008 renamed NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER. Under Bahamas registry.
Tonnage 6,471 grt, 1,942 nrt, 1.302 dwt. Length 112m, length bpp. 97.88m, draught 4.74m.
Accommodation for 148 passengers.
She has now educational and entertainment facilities including a chart room, library, observation lounge.
A fleet of 36 kayaks, a remote operated vehicle capable of diving to 300 metres and 14 zodiac launch tenders.
Mostly used for expedition cruises to the Antarctic or Arctic waters.
2013 In service owned by Lex Explorer LLC, managed by Lindblad Expeditions Inc., Seattle. IMO No 8019356.
Mozambique 2013 175.000mt sg?, scott? In margin of sheet on the right, the other ship is the KONTIO and the vessel depict on the stamp is one of the ACS650 class, the lead ship was the NORILSKIY NIKEL and I believe she is depict.
http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/midnatsol_1982.htm Wikipedia.