MS Clipper Ranger

MS "Clipper Ranger" is a ferry built in 1998, currently in service with Seatruck Ferries on the Liverpool - Dublin route.

History

MS "Lembitu" was built by Astilleros de Huelva and launched in 1998 for the Estonian Shipping Co., Tallinn. She was named after Lembitu of Lehola, a 12th century Estonian leader. On 20 April 1998 she was chartered by P&O European Ferries for use in the Irish Sea. On 2 September 1998 she was chartered by Dart Line for use on the Dartford - Vlissingen route and renamed "Dart 7" in January 1999. On the 15 September 1999 she was chartered by International Atlantic Line for use on the Southampton - Bayonne route and renamed "Lembitu" once again. In November 1999 she was chartered by Okänt Rederi for use between Marseille and North Africa. In March 2000 she was chartered by P&O Irish Sea Freight for use on the Liverpool - Dublin route, and renamed "Celtic Sun". In October 2001 the charter ended and she reverted to the name "Lembitu" once again, being chartered by Norse Merchant Ferries for use on the Heysham - Dublin route. In December 2001 she returned to Estonian Shipping Co., ans was put into service on the Tallinn - Helsingfors - Rostock route. She was then in service with Scandlines on the same route. In January 2005 she was chartered by Channel Freight Ferries for use on the Southampton - Radicatel route. In March 2005 she was chartered by Norse Merchant Ferries for use on the Belfast - Heysham route. In April 2005 she was sold to Elmira Shipping of Piraeus, Greece and in the same month was registered under the Maltese flag for Challenge Shipping Ltd., Valletta, Malta, being renamed "RR Challenge" at the same time. In 2005 she was chartered by Seatruck Ferries for use on the Heysham - Warrenpoint route. She was sold to Attica Enterprise of Piraeus in September 2005 and purchased by Seatruck on 1 October 2005, being renamed "Challenge" at the same time. She was registered to Challenge Shipping Co. Ltd on behalf of Clipper Denmark A/S on 13 February 2008.cite web | url = http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/lembitu_1998.htm| publisher = Fakta om Fartyg| title = M/S LEMBITU| accessdate = 2008-03-28|language =Swedish ] The "Challenge" is due to be renamed to "Clipper Ranger".

External links

* [http://members.lycos.nl/kashunja/Lembitu.htm Photos] of the ship under various names.

References