Sealink-Holyhead: St Columba's Red Sea Twilight

St Columba's Red Sea Twilight

The former St Columba at work in the Cyclades in 2004. © Tasos Papanastasiou

Having operated in Greek waters since 1997, the Express Aphrodite was withdrawn at the end of the 2005 season and laid up at Drapetsona. There was a plan to install a large number of cabins for a longer crossing, but this was abandoned as the cost was too high and it was thought that she would not see service in 2006. Greek shipowner Mr Kostas Agapitos was said to be keen to purchase her for service in Greek waters, although that was thought unlikely being a competitor of the owners, Hellenic Seaways.

The Express Aphrodite in drydock on 20th July 2006 and below, two days later she is seen berthed at Piraeus about to re-enter service. © Nikos Thrylos

A crankshaft failure in the Express Santorini (ex-Chartres) in July 2006 caused much disruption to services on the Piraeus - Paros - Naxos - Ios - Santorini chain, but there was one bright side. When it became apparent that the Express Santorini would miss the busiest time of the year Hellas Ferries reactivated the Express Aphrodite and returned her to service in a smart new livery not dissimilar to her original British Rail scheme. The ship was first drydocked at Perama's floating dock before taking up the schedules to the Greek Islands.

The Express Aphrodite looking resplendent in colours reminiscent of her British Rail days. © Tasos Papanastasiou

Season's end and an uncertain future - the Express Aphrodite at the end of 2006. © Above: Apostolis Kaknis, below: Nikos Thrylos.

The former St Columba was finally sold by Hellenic Seaways to Namma Shipping Lines on 2nd February 2007. The ship left Greece for the last time on 24th April 2007.

Flying the Panamanian flag and renamed Masarrah the former St Columba prepares to leave Perama for a new career on the Red Sea 30 years after her first arrival in Holyhead. Note her old 'Verandah' windows have been uncovered. This was of course the location of the discotheque and later the Duty Free shops. © Nikos Thrylos

Through direct cross-marketing with sister-company Mawaddah International for Hotel and Umrah Services, Namma Shipping Lines provides passenger ship service between the Red Sea fronts of both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The ship commenced operations on short distances such as Dhiba - Safaga and Jeddah –Portsudan. It would appear that most of 2010 was spent in lay up at Suez but a return to service seems to have been made late in that year as can be seen by Brian Crocker's photos below. Let us hope she has some years left in her yet.