M/V Saint Patrick (2)

Aurella was commissioned on 27th May 1972 to a German shipyard located in Hamburg for DM33 millions. Aurella was launched on 17th March 1973, before performing sea trials beginning on 23rd June.

Aurella was delivered to her Finnish owner, Oy SF-Line on 30th June 1973. She was introduced on Viking Line’ Nadendal – Mariahamn – Kappelskär on 3rd July. On 21st September 1973, Aurella suffered from an engine failure that left her without propulsion, and hence grounded on the Åland Islands. Sent on 10th October to Finnboda shipyard, Aurella resumed service after having been repaired on her route.

In September 1981, finding her redundant, Aurella’ owner laid up in Mariehamn, offering her for sale.

On 20th January 1982, Aurella was purchased for $16 millions by the Irish Continental Group and renamed Saint Patrick (2). She was then sent to Droogdok shipyard for refurbishment, including the addition of cabins instead of the seats lounges.

Saint Patrick (2) was introduced on 2nd June 1982 on the Rosslare – Le Havre service.

However, Saint Patrick (2) has been purchased only for service at summers with Irish Continental Line and therefore she has been chartered at winters to other operators. Hence, Saint Patrick (2) has been operated by North Sea Ferries between November 1982 and April 1983, with Saint Killian (2) serving alone the France – Ireland line. Until late-June, she was chartered to another Irish Continental Group’s subsidiary, Belfast Car Ferries, for service between Belfast and Liverpool.

During Winter 1983-1984, Saint Patrick (2) has been chartered to state-owned B&I Line for service between Rosslare and Pembroke Dock, and between Dublin and Liverpool | Holyhead. During Winter 1984-1985, she has been chartered to Belfast Car Ferries and to DFDS Seaways for their Hamburg – Harwich route. For Winter 1985-86, she sailed for DFDS Seaways and for Stena Line. During Winter 1987 - 1988, Saint Patrick (2) was chartered to Belfast Car Ferries.

Chartered to Sealink UK during winter 1989-1990, she has been operated on the Dover – Calais service between October 1989 and March 1990, after having been operated a few days on Sealink’s Cherbourg-en-Cotentin – Southampton service. The following winter, she also served from Dover, although she was chartered by P&O European Ferries.

During Winters 1992-93 to 1994-95, Saint-Patrick (2) was chartered to Tallink, whilst keep spending summers among Irish Ferries’ fleet between France and Ireland. From Summer 1995, Saint Patrick (2) has also served the Roscoff – Rosslare service.

In early-1995, waiting for the delivery of Isle of Innisfree (2), Saint Patrick (2) has served the Dublin – Holyhead route, before joining Saint Killian (2) on the Ireland – France service.

Following Normandy’s expected delivery for early-1997, which was to replace both Saint Killian (2) and Saint Patrick (2) on the Ireland – France service, and also due to strong competition that lead to a drop in Irish Ferries’ figures for the Ireland – France service, Saint Patrick (2) was laid-up in late 1997 and offered for sale.

In 1998, Saint Patrick (2) was chartered to Hellenic Mediterranean Line for five years with a purchase option, and renamed Egnatia (2). She began service between Brindisi and Patras on 24th June. During Summer 2000, she was subchartered to Balear Express and operated as Ville de Sète, between Sète and Palmaune. In 2001, she came back to Ireland, subchartered to Swansea Cork Ferries as City of Cork.

Following Summer 2002, former-Saint Patrick (2) was sold to the Canadian company CTMA and renamed C.T.M.A. Vacancier. She was then introduced on their Montreal – Madeleine Islands service. During Winter 2002-2003, C.T.M.A. Vacancier benifitted from a major overhaul. Therefore, her engines were overhauled, whilst she has been partially rebuilt. For instance, her bridge wings were wrapped to ease operation at cold times when the ship is berthing.

References

• "Mv Saint Patrick II, Past and Present". In Dover Ferry Photos Forum, Goodfellow, R. ; Thornton N. ; Cloke P., 2015. [retrieved 30th August 2015]. Available at www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk ;
• "M/S Aurella (1973)". In Faktamom Fartyg, Tabort M., 2015. [retrieved 24th August 2016]. Available at www.faktaomfartyg.se ;
• "M/F CTMA Vacancier". In The Ferry Site, Koefoed-Hansen, M., 2015. [retrieved 30th August 2015]. Available at www.ferry-site.dk ;
• "Deckplans". In HHV Ferry, HHV Ferry, 2013. [retrieved 24th August 2015]. Available at www.hhvferry.com ;
• "Irish Ferries Ship Postcards". In Simplon Postcards, Boyle, I., 2008. [retrieved 30th August 2015]. Available at www.simplonpc.co.uk.