Sealink-Holyhead: Stena Ships

Stena Lynx III

The Stena Lynx III moves to the Salt Island terminal to take her first passenger sailing to Dun Laoghaire in her new role, 15th March 2010. © Ronnie Roberts

Transferred to the Irish Sea from the English Channel in December 1998 the Stena Lynx III's first task before taking up station at Fishguard was to provide overhaul relief for the HSS Stena Explorer on the Holyhead - Dun Laoghaire service. Still wearing the colours of P&O Stena Line from her Newhaven - Dieppe service, the 81 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran became the largest Incat-built craft to operate on the 57 miles crossing.

Fresh from charter to P&O Stena Line, the Stena Lynx III in service at Holyhead in 1999. © John Lewis.

One year later, after her first season in service at Fishguard, the Stena Lynx III returned to service at Holyhead, again providing overhaul relief for the Stena Explorer. This however was the last time the craft would see service on the central corridor until a new operational strategy was adopted by Stena Line in 2010 to address the high cost of HSS operation in an age of expensive fuel.

Stena Lynx III and the Stena Leader in drydock at Belfast, February 2010. © Capt Dave Eccles

Replacing the Stena Explorer during the off peak periods in 2010, the smaller craft allowed for a significantly more cost effective operation and an opportunity to return the Dun Laoghaire route to profit. The Stena Explorer meanwhile was rostered to return for the peak summer season from 28th June to 5th September. During this period the Stena Lynx III took up a summer fast craft service between Fishguard and Rosslare.

The Stena Lynx III arrives at Holyhead from drydock in Belfast. © Ronnie Roberts

Returning to the Stena Lynx III from the Stena Explorer was Capt Simon Mills who delivered the craft from Hobart, Tasmania to the UK in 1996. During the craft's voyage a 14 year-old stowaway was found onboard by Capt Mills during an inspection of the aft mooring decks. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs he discovered the stowaway, Bnym Abdrah who described an amazing escape from Somalia.

His mother had been killed in fighting and he had lost contact with his father. Initially he had stowed away in the cargo hold of an aircraft which took him to Djibouti. While there he saw the Stena Lynx III and swam out to the ship.

As a precaution against stowaways and pirates, all exterior doors are locked on delivery voyages and this voyage was no exception. As a result, the young boy had to ensure several hours clinging to the mooring deck in four metre seas at 35 knots before being discovered. When found, he was suffering from exposure however he recovered quickly once he was offered dry clothing and hot food.

Once in the UK, Bnym applied for political asylum. This was the third time he had stowed away and the second time he had reached Europe. The incident, which occurred in the Red Sea, received international media coverage when it was announced on arrival in Dover.

Rounding the Admiralty Pier at Holyhead. © Ronnie Roberts

On completion of her Fishguard season the Stena Lynx III returned to lay-up at Dun Laoghaire. However on this occasion there would be no return to Holyhead service and in a further reduction of Stena Line fast ferry services the craft was offered for sale. The sale of the craft coincided with Stena's decision to cull services on the Dun Laoghaire route. Standing down on 12th September 2011, the Stena Explorer is not scheduled to service on the historic link until April or May 2012.

Above and below: Final days at Dun Laoghaire, the Sunflower 2, ex-Stena Lynx III, awaits departure to Korea. © Paul Murphy