MS Arrow

Career
Name:	Varbola (1998-99) Dart 6 (1999-2005) RR Arrow (2005-07) Arrow (since 2007)
Owner:	Estonian Shipping Company, Tallinn (1999-2005) Elmira Shipping & Trading, Piraeus(2005-07) Seatruck Ferries Ltd Heysham (since 2007)
Operator:	Dart Line (1998-99) Merchant Ferries (1999-2003) Dart Line (2003) Norse Merchant Ferries (2003-05) Arrow Maritime Co Ltd, Valletta (2005) Condor Ferries (2005-06) Norfolk Line (2006-07) Seatruck Ferries Ltd (since 2007)
Port of registry:	Tallinn (1998-2005) Valetta (since 2005)
Route:	Dartford - Vlissingen (1998-99) Heysham - Dublin (1999-2003) Dartford - Dunkerque / Vlissingen (2003) Liverpool - Belfast (2003-04) Heysham - Dublin (2004-05) Portsmouth - Jersey - Guernsey(2005-06) Warrenpoint - Heysham (since 2009)
Builder:	Astilleros de Huelva SA, Huelva
Yard number:	571
Launched:	August 1998
Out of service:	May 2009 - October 2009
Identification:	IMO number: 9119414 MMSI Number 215951000 Callsign 9HGF8
General characteristics
Tonnage:	7,606 GT 2,282 NT 5,758 DWT
Length:	122.32 m (401 ft 4 in)
Beam:	19.80 m (65 ft 0 in)
Draught:	6.20 m (20 ft 4 in)
Installed power:	Two Wärtsilä 9R32 diesel engines, 7,400 kilowatts (9,900 hp)
Speed:	17 knots (31 km/h)
Capacity:	12 passengers, 88 trailers

Arrow is a 7,606 GT Ro-Ro ferry which was built by Astilleros de Huelva SA, Huelva, Spain in 1998 as Varbola for the Estonian Shipping Company, Tallinn. During a charter to Dart Line she was renamed Dart 6, reverting to Varbola when the charter ended. In 2005, she was sold to Malta and renamed RR Arrow. In 2007, she was sold to Seatruck Ferries, Heysham and renamed Arrow. The ship is currently in service with Seatruck.

Description

Arrow is a RO-RO ferry, she is 122.32 metres (401 ft 4 in) long, with a beam of 19.80 metres (65 ft 0 in) and a draught of 6.20 metres (20 ft 4 in). She has a total of 1,057 metres (1,156 yd) lane capacity, which means she can carry 88 trailers, with provision for 12 passengers. She is powered by two Wärtsilä 9R32 diesel engines, which produce a total of 7,400 kilowatts (9,900 hp), giving her a speed of 17 knots (31 km/h).^[1]

History

Varbola was built by Astillerors de Huelva, Huelva, Spain as yard number 571.^[1] She was built for Estonian Shipping Company, Tallinn. On 26 August 1998, she was chartered to Dart Line, Dartford for use on the Dartford - Vlissingen route. Varbola was renamed Dart 6 in January 1999. In September 1999, the charter ended and she reverted to Varbola. In October 1999, she was chartered to Merchant Ferries for use on the Heysham - Dublin route. In January 2003, Varbola was chartered to Dart Line for use on the Dartford - Vlissingen and Dartfort - Dunquerque routes. In May 2003, she was chartered to Norse Merchant Ferries for use on the Liverpool - Belfast route, transferring to the Heysham - Dublin route in April 2004.^[1]

On 18 July 2005, Varbola was sold to Elmira Shipping & Trading, Piraeus and renamed RR Arrow. She was reflagged to Malta. On 23 December 2005, she was chartered to Condor Ferries for use between Portsmouth, Jersey and Guernsey. The charter ended on 14 January 2006, following which she entered service with Norfolk Line. On 30 October 2007,^[1] she was sold to Seatruck Ferries for €15,000,000.^[2] The ship was renamed Arrow in November. Following further service with Norfolk Line she was laid up at Liverpool in May 2009. Arrow re-entered service with Seatruck on 20 October 2009 on the Heysham - Dublin route.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "M/S VARBOLA" (in Swedish). Fakta om Fartyg. http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/varbola_1998.htm. Retrieved 23 November 2009. 
2. ^ "Ships for sale - ship sale and purchase". Shiplink. http://www.shiplink.info/images/sale2007_11.htm. Retrieved 23 November 2009. 

External links

• Current position of Arrow