Abel Tasman (ship)
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[edit] M/S Abel Tasman
The Abel Tasman was the first ferry of the TT-line (Tasmania) - a passenger/vehicle ferry that was built at HDW Nobiskrug, Rendsburg, Germany for the TT-line (Germany) as the Nils Holgersson (3) for the Travemünde - Trelleborg route in 1975 along whith her sister Peter Pan (2). In 1975 the Australian National Line (ANL) announced they would be pulling out of the Bass Strait run, so the Federal Government gave the Tasmanian Government the capital required to buy a suitable ferry. This turned out to be the Nils Holgersson (3) from the TT-line (Germany), which also came with an option to buy her sister ship Peter Pan (2) one year later (which never came to pass).
The Abel Tasman first went back to her builder's yard for a refit, and for a large box-like structure to be added to the stern of the ship. She left Rendsburg on 22/4/85 but two days later she was stopped by an industrial dispute with the stewards. She first went to Brunsbuttel but had to continue through the Kiel Canal and into Kiel where she docked. The Tasmanian Government sent police to West Germany to end the dispute and get the ship underway but on arrival the police were powerless in West Germany so the Tasmanian Government had to change laws to empower them to resolve the problem and she resumed her trip and left Kiel on 18/5/85. She then sailed to Australia, going straight to Devonport and not via Queensland and New South Wales as had been planned. She started on the Devonport-Melbourne route on 1/6/85 from Melbourne.
In 1993 she was laid up following the arrival of the much larger Spirit of Tasmania. In 1994 she was sold to Ventouris Ferries and re-named the Pollux. In 1995 she was again sold, this time to Maritime Co. of Lesvos and operated by Nel Lines, re-named Theofilos for the Pireaus-Chios-Mytilini route with calls sometimes in Thessaloniki and Limnos, since 2006 there is also occasionally a stop in Mykonos
[edit] Sister ship
In 1986 the Peter Pan (2) was renamed Robin Hood to free the name for the larger Peter Pan (3) (later Spirit of Tasmania). In 1987 she was sold to Minoan Lines and re-named Fedra. In 2004 she was transferred over to Hellas Ferries, then sold to Sea Hawk Marine, operated by COMANAV. Later that year she was re-named Guido for a short time. She was then bought by Messrs, Funtots, S.A.(El Salam Maritime) and re-named Ouzoud, she now operates under COMANAV on the 48 hour route from Genua (Italy) - Tanger (Morocco)
[edit] Technical specifications
Built: Werft nobiskrug, Rendsburg, in 1975
Gross tonnage: 12,528
Net tonnage: 6,903
Length: 148.9 m.
Width: 23.3 m.
Draught: 5.5 m.
Machinery: 2 pielstick diesels of 15,300 hp.
Speed: 21 knots
Passengers: 1,800
Cabin berths: 712
Vehicle capacity: 470 cars.
Vehicle access: bow and stern
Former names: Nils Holgersson 1975-1985, Abel Tasman 1985-1993, Pollux 1994-1995, Theofilos 1995.
Sister ship(s): : Peter pan 1974-1985, Robin Hood 1986-1987, Fedra 1985-2004, Guido 2004, Ouzoud 2004
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Ships of Bass Strait
- Apostolos Kak's photos of Theofilos
- COMANAV photos of Ouzoud
- Photos of Tasmanian ferries
 Australian ferries |
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| Abel Tasman | Australian Trader | Empress of Australia | MV Sorrento | MV Queenscliff | Spirit of Tasmania | Sydney Ferries | Brisbane CityCat & Cityferry |
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