HSC Viking

The HSC "Viking", yard number 6000, is a high-speed craft (HSC) operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. She is currently operating the Isle of Man - Liverpool route, returning from repairs on 16 March, 2007, with "Snaefell" taking over her Irish duties. She is the second Steam Packet vessel to carry the name.

ervice history

She first entered services between Dover and Calais for Sea Containers subsidiary Hoverspeed in 1997, named HSC "SuperSeaCat Two" before moving to the Irish Sea in 1998 primarily for service between Liverpool and Dublin but also for Isle of Man Steam Packet services between Liverpool and Douglas. The vessel returned to Hoverspeed in 1999 to reopen the Newhaven-Dieppe route which had been closed by P&O Stena Line earlier that year. Her place on the Irish Sea was taken by her sister, "SuperSeaCat Three". In 2000 she once again sailed on the Irish Sea, this time between Heysham and Belfast but again returned to Hoverspeed this time for service between Dover and Calais or Ostend operating alongside 2 of her 3 sisters. After spending some time laid up in Portsmouth she returned to service on the Newhaven-Dieppe run before being chartered to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company which had by then been sold by Sea Containers.

Current service

Her primary route is currently Liverpool-Douglas but she also operates from the Island to Belfast and Dublin. It was rumoured she may be renamed "Viking" for the 2008 season and now confirmed by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's CEO Blog on the 7th of January, 2008 [ [http://www.steam-packet.com/SteamPacket/Book-Now/A-word-with-Woodward A word with Woodward - Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Ferry Services ] ] . "SuperSeaCat Two" went into Cammell Laird in January 2008, and re-emerged the next month, as the "new" "Viking" and the new black hull, with the new Company logo applied.

"Viking" will be replaced by "Incat 050" from the 2009 season onwards, and will be handed back to her owners Sea Containers who will be selling the vessel, as "Viking" is currently advertised for sale.

References