M/V Saint Patrick (1)

Saint Patrick was ordered in 1972 by the freshly-created company Irish Continental Line to operate a new France – Ireland service. Saint Patrick was introduced on 29th May 1973 on their Rosslare – Le Havre service. Following the purchase of Saint Killian in 1978, Saint Patrick became redundant at winters and was therefore chartered to other operators. Therefore, she was chartered to Normandy Ferries during Winter 1979, and to B&I Line the following winter.

In 1981, prior to the delivery of Saint Patrick (2), purchased to offer greater capacity on the France – Ireland service, Saint Patrick (1) became useless to Irish Continental Line. Therefore, she was transferred to a freshly-established subsidiary of Irish Continental Group, Belfast Car Ferries and allocated on their Belfast – Liverpool service as Saint Columb (1). In 1989, Saint Columb (1) was sold to an Irish Bank. During winter 1987 – 88, Saint Columb (1) was chartered to B&I Line.

Shortly after, Saint Columb (1) became being inadequate to the Belfast – Liverpool service, mainly owing to the increase of technical issues, but also due to the increase of the weight of cars and lorries, limiting her actual capacity, also impacted by the increasing number of freight customers, needing more room than cars. Therefore, Saint Columb (1) was laid up in Le Havre in October 1990 whilst the company was dissolved.

A few weeks later, Saint Columb (1) was sold to Arkadia Lines, and renamed Dimitros Express. Renamed Poseidon Express (2) in 1996, she was sold to Hellas Ferries in 1999. Her name changed to Express Poseidon on 1st January 2000.

In May 2005, her name was shortened to Express P. when she was sold to an Indian scrap yard, which beached her on the Alang beach shortly after for demolition.