The Stena Hengist

The Stena Hengist on passage to Boulogne. © Sealink Stena Line

A regular visitor to Holyhead's dry dock as the Hengist over the years, it was not until January 1992 that she had an opportunity to operate in service to Dun Laoghaire. By this time the ship, renamed Stena Hengist, was at the very end of her UK career, the Folkestone - Boulogne service having closed on New Year's Eve 1991. 

She did come close to spending a few weeks at Holyhead as the second ship during the summer of 1981, pending the late delivery of the St David from Belfast. However Dover protested and Holyhead had to make do with first, the Earl Siward (ex-Dover), and then the chartered Prinsessan Desiree. 

The Stena Hengist operated just one round trip per day in Irish service while the Stena Cambria and the Stena Hibernia underwent their annual overhauls. Released from Holyhead she then moved to the Stranraer - Larne run for further overhaul cover. On 14 March 1992 the Stena Hengist operated her last sailing under the Sealink flag, just three months short of the 20th anniversary of her entry into service at Folkestone.