MS Arrow

MS Arrow is a 7,606 GT Ro-Ro ferry built by Astilleros de Huelva SA, Huelva, Spain in 1998 as Varbola for the Estonian Shipping Company, Tallinn. During a charter to Dart Line she was renamed Dart 6, reverting to Varbola when the charter ended. In 2005, she was sold to Malta and renamed RR Arrow. In 2007, she was sold to Seatruck Ferries, Heysham and renamed Arrow. On 28 April 2014 Arrow began operating for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company on a three-year charter. During the summer of 2014, while not required in Steam Packet Company service, the vessel was temporarily sub-chartered to operate between Jersey (Channel Islands) and Portsmouth (England). She resumed services in the Irish sea in the winter.[3]

MS Arrow docked at St Helier
History
Name:
  • Varbola (1998–99)
  • Dart 6 (1999–2005)
  • RR Arrow (2005–07)
  • Arrow (since 2007)
Owner:
  • Estonian Shipping Company (1999–2005)
  • Elmira Shipping & Trading (2005–07)
  • Seatruck Ferries (since 2007)
Operator:
Port of registry:
  • Tallinn, Estonia (1998–2005)
  • Valletta, Malta (2005–2012)
  • Douglas (since 2012)
Route:
  • Dartford–Vlissingen (1998–99)
  • Heysham–Dublin (1999-2003)
  • Dartford–Dunkerque/Vlissingen (2003)
  • Liverpool–Belfast (2003-04)
  • Heysham–Dublin (2004-05)
  • Portsmouth–Jersey–Guernsey (2005-06)
  • Warrenpoint–Heysham (since 2009)
Builder: Astilleros de Huelva SA, Huelva
Yard number: 571
Launched: August 1998
Identification:
General characteristics
Class and type: R-class[1]
Tonnage:
Length: 122.32 m (401 ft 4 in)
Beam: 19.80 m (65 ft 0 in)
Draught: 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in)
Installed power: Two Wärtsilä 9R32 diesel engines, 7,400 kW (9,900 hp)
Speed: 16 knots (18 mph)[2]
Capacity:
  • 12 passengers
  • 65 trailers[1]

Description

Arrow is a RO-RO ferry, a sister ship to Clipper Ranger, Helliar and Hildasay.

She is 122.32 metres (401 ft 4 in) long, with a beam of 19.80 metres (65 ft 0 in) and a draught of 6.20 metres (20 ft 4 in). She has a total of 1,057 metres (1,156 yd) lane capacity, which means she can carry 88 trailers, with provision for 12 passengers. She is powered by two Wärtsilä 9R32 diesel engines, which produce a total of 7,400 kilowatts (9,900 hp), giving her a speed of 17 knots (31 km/h).[4]

History

Varbola was built by Astillerors de Huelva, Huelva, Spain as yard number 571.[4] She was built for Estonian Shipping Company, Tallinn. On 26 August 1998, she was chartered to Dart Line, Dartford for use on the Dartford–Vlissingen route. Varbola was renamed Dart 6 in January 1999. In September 1999, the charter ended and she reverted to Varbola. In October 1999, she was chartered to Merchant Ferries for use on the Heysham–Dublin route. In January 2003, Varbola was chartered to Dart Line for use on the Dartford–Vlissingen and Dartfort–Dunquerque routes. In May 2003, she was chartered to Norse Merchant Ferries for use on the Liverpool–Belfast route, transferring to the Heysham–Dublin route in April 2004.[4]

On 18 July 2005, Varbola was sold to Elmira Shipping & Trading, Piraeus and renamed RR Arrow. She was reflagged to Malta. On 23 December 2005, she was chartered to Condor Ferries for use between Portsmouth, Jersey and Guernsey. The charter ended on 14 January 2006, following which she entered service with Norfolk Line. On 30 October 2007,[4] she was sold to Seatruck Ferries for €15,000,000.[5] The ship was renamed Arrow in November. Following further service with Norfolk Line she was laid up at Liverpool in May 2009. Arrow re-entered service with Seatruck on 20 October 2009 on the Heysham–Dublin route.[4]

In May 2012 and 2013 Arrow was chartered to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for the Isle of Man TT. In October 2013 the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company confirmed the charter of Arrow on a long-term basis which commenced on 28 April 2014 with a purchase option.[6]

In April 2015 Arrow was called in to cover freight traffic as the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company fast craft Mannanan was out of service for nearly a week and the Ben-My-Chree was required to carry as many passengers as possible.[7]

On 18 March 2016, Arrow was called in to cover freight services to the Channel Islands for Condor Ferries as regular vessel, the Commodore Clipper, was covering routes for the Condor Liberation as the latter vessel was undergoing repairs.[8]

On 25 June 2020, while under subcharter to NorthLink Ferries, Arrow ran aground at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour. She was freed by harbour tugs and continued to the quayside.[9]

References
  1. "The Seatruck Fleet". Seatruck Ferries. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  2. "Seatruck R Series" (PDF). Seatruck Ferries. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  3. "ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY'S NEW FREIGHT VESSEL TO BEGIN OPERATIONS". Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  4. "M/S VARBOLA" (in Swedish). Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  5. "Ships for sale - ship sale and purchase". Shiplink. Archived from the original on 8 October 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  6. "Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Secures Freighter On Long-Term Charter". Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. http://www.condorferries.co.uk/destinations/sailing-updates.aspx
  9. "Investigation after freight ferry runs aground at Aberdeen harbour". BBC News. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
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