Watercraft Philately gives she can be the SANTA REGINA or SAGA STAR, for sure she is not the SANTA REGINA her funnels are quite different as the vessel depict on the stamp. The SAGA STAR looks much more the ship depict.
Built as a ro ro vessel, originally ordered from the Kalmar Varv under yard no 453 by two shipping companies on a 50-50% basis. The two companies were Rederi-Svea and Svelast.
The yard went in bankruptcy and the contract went completely to a shipsbroker: AB (AktieBolag –Ltd) FEAB at Udevalla.
The original ordering price of about 125 million Kroner was corrected upwards to cover the cost.
The Kalmar Vaerft managed to build parts of the after section before the bankruptcy. FEAB, which had already been appointed subcontractor of among other parts also the bow, took over total responsibility.
The stern section launched on 3 May 1981 was towed to a berth at Eriksberg Old Wharf at Gothenburg and the bow section from Marnstrand. Both parts were assembled at Eriksberg drydock, where FEAB had rented space.
Launched under the name SAGALAND. Yard no 153
Tonnage 8.226 gross, 2.785 net, 6.240 dwt., dim. 154.41 x 24.41 x 8.01m. draught 6.3m.
Powered by four 8 cyl. Lindholmen SEMT-Pielstick diesel engines, 18.000 shp, speed 19 knots. Twin screws. Two bow thrusters each 735 kW.
Fuel consumption 60 cubic meter in 24 hours by a speed of 19 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 80 passengers.
15 December 1981 delivered to the Johnsson Line Ab/Svelast of Helsingborg and renamed in SAGA STAR
December 1981 put in the service of the Scandinavian ferry Lines (TT-Saga Linjen) from Helsingborg/Malmö/Trelleborg to Travemünde.
Jan 1983 Sold to Svenska Lastbils Ab, Stockholm. and put in the Trelleborg to Travemünde service.
Jan. 1984 registered by the Swedish owner Swedcarrier Rederi Ab of Helsingborg.
1986 Used only in the services of the TT-Line.
1988 Sold to Compagnie Meridionale de Navigation of Bastia, France, she was chartered by the TT-Line.
From Oct. 1988 until Feb 1989 chartered by the DFDS A/S of Köpenhamn, and used in the service from Bremerhaven-Esbjerg-Cuxhaven_Immingham/ Harwich.
23 Feb. 1989 sailed from Cuxhaven to Marseille where she arrived on 05 March 1989.
03 March 1989 reconstructed by CMR (Cie-Marseille de Reparation), Marseille. Passenger accommodation increased to 170 passengers. She was renamed in GIROLATA.
Used in the service between Marseille and Bastia.
Nov 1990 chartered by the French Government for the transport of troops to Saudi Arabia.
23 August 1993 chartered by the TT-Line, Hamburg, renamed SAGA STAR and used in the service between Trelleborg and Travemünde.
She was transferred by Compangnie Meridionale de Navigation, France to Compagnie Meridonale de Navigation CMN, Bahamas Ltd., Bahamas, registered under Bahamas flag with homeport Nassau. Managed by Star Ferry Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas.
01 June 1995 Used in the ferry service between Trellebog and Rostock for the TR-Line.
July 1997 sold to the TT-Line, Nassau, Bahamas. (Star Ferry Ltd., Nassau, Bahamas.)
From 13 Oct. 2001 used in the service between Trelleborg and Travemünde.
Jan 2002 arrived at the Flender Werft, Lübeck, Germany for a refit, and sold to Conseil Général de Seine Maritime, Dieppe, France, renamed in DIEPPE.
Used in the Transmanche Ferry service between Dieppe and Newhaven.
22 Oct. 2002 ran aground off Newhaven. She was caught in a squall, and grounded on a sandbank for 1 hour.
February 2003 under French flag, with homeport Rouen.
03 July 2004 in collision with the pier in Dieppe, now body injured but vessel got a 50cm hole in her hull.
04 February 2005 in collision with the pier in Dieppe, received damage on her bowdoor.
April 2005 out of service.
01 December 2005 trial arrival at Portsmouth.
November 2006 Sold to Polska Zegluga Baltyska, Panama, renamed BALTIVIA.
29 November 2006 arrived by the yard of Stocznia Remontowa for a refit and painting.
08 January 2007 used in the service between Gdansk and Nynäshamn (near Stockholm.)
12 March 2007 used in the service between Gdansk and Nynäshamn.
January 2007 sold to Abacus Co.Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas not renamed, managed by Polish Baltic Shipping.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2009, same name, owner and manager, IMO No 7931997. Under Bahamas flag with homeport Nassau.
Vietnam 1990 2000d sg1494, scott2162.
Source: Sea Breezes. Mostly a translation from the URL’s, with the help of Mr. W. Hempel of the first part, http://www.faktaomfartyg.crosswinds.net ... d_1981.htm
http://w1.480.telia.com/~u48005576/Ferry.htm
http://www.fortunecity.com/oasis/maurit ... _star.html