HSC SuperSeaCat Three

HSC "SuperSeaCat Three" is a fast ferry capable of carrying passenger and cars operating for SuperSeaCat between Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia. She was built in 1999 at Fincantieri, Riva Trigoso, Italy, for Sea Containers Ltd.

History

"SuperSeaCat Three" was the third mono-hulled fast ferry to be built for Sea Containers. She was initially set in traffic between Liverpool, England and Dublin, Ireland. In 2000 Dublin was switched to Douglas, Isle of Man. The following year SuperSeaCat Three started operating between Dover, England and Calais, France.sv icon [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/superseacat_three_1999.htm Fakta om Fartyg: HSC "SuperSeaCat Three" (1999)] , retrieved 12. 10. 2007]

Since the year 2000 Sea Containers had operated HSC "SuperSeaCat Four" between Helsinki and Tallinn, marketed as a part of their Silja Line brand. The route was highly profitable and in 2003 It was decided that SuperSeaCat Three should join her sister in that service. Due to the Baltic Sea freezing during winter, the service could not be operated between January and April each year, so the ship spent those month laid up. For the summer season of 2005 a third ship, HSC "SuperSeaCat One" was added to the service. [sv icon [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/superseacat_one_1997.htm Fakta om Fartyg: HSC "SuperSeaCat One" (1997)] , retrieved 12. 10. 2007]

In late 2005 Sea Containers decided to sell their ferry operations, including the profitable Silja Line. However, the company that bought Silja Line, Estonian ferry operator Tallink, already operated several fast ferries (as well as traditional ferries) between Helsinki and Tallinn. As a result they could not take over the SuperSeaCats as that would have given them a dominant market position on the route. Hence Sea Containers decided, despite their earlier decision, to continue operating "SuperSeaCat Three" and "Four" under the SuperSeaCat brand. [fi icon [http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/historia/uudet_tuulet_puhaltavat.htm Valkeat laivat: Uudet tuulet puhaltavat] , retrieved 12. 10. 2007]

On October 12 2007 the "SuperSeaCat Three" collided with HSC "Tallink AutoExpress 2" in Tallinn harbour. Due to strong winds the "SuperSeaCat Three" was assisted by a tug, but this could was not enough to prevent the collision. No passengers were harmed, but the "SuperSeaCat Three" tore a meter-long hole on the side of the "AutoExpress 2". [fi icon [http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/uutinen.asp?id=1444510 Ilta-Sanomat: SuperSeacat ajoi päin Tallinkin AutoExpressiä] , retrieved 12. 10. 2007] [fi icon / en icon [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=11799.msg88296#msg88296 FCBS Forum: SuperSeaCat Three osui Tallink AutoExpress 2:een] , retrieved 12. 10. 2007]

References

ee also

* Super SeaCat

External links

* [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/superseacat_three_1999.htm SuperSeaCat Three at Fakta om Fartyg] (in Swedish)