H/S/F Superfast IV

H/S/F SUPERFAST IV

Photo © Michele Lulurgas, Patras, 02/01/01

Ship	Superfast IV (1998) ΣΟΥΠΕΡΦΑΣΤ IV	Building Spec.	1998 at Kvaerner Masa Yards, Turku, Finland N° 1341
Call Sign		IMO Number	9158446
GRT	29.067	DWT	5.600
Dimensions	194,3 x 25 x 6,4	Engines	4 Wartsila - Sulzer, 42.240 kW
Speed	28,5 knots, max 30,8	Passengers	1.400
Beds	810 in 222 cabins	Cars	1.000
Lane Metres	1.852	Sister Ships	Spirit of Tasmania II
Registry Port	Patras	Flag	Greek
Former Owners		Former Names
New Owners	TT Line Tasmania 2002à	New Names	Spirit of Tasmania I 2002à
Line

Built in Finland as the sister “Superfast III”, she is on Patras - Ancona line since 1998. On Summer 2000 was also involved on connections fron Ancona to Igoumenitsa and viceversa, due to the big problem caused by the delay of the new Superfast units; along with her sister she performed in the first part of the summer Ancona – Igoumenitsa – Patras – Ancona itineraries, then in the second part was on Ancona – Patras – Igoumenitsa – Ancona, then from 25/09/00 the “Superfast IV” was again on Ancona - Patras line. The ship called back to Igoumenitsa only in 2001, when the twins “Superfast V” and “Superfast VI” were finally delivered, alternating direct services (leaving at 17.00 from Italy and at 21.00 from Patras) to connections via Igoumenitsa (19.30 from Ancona and 17.00 from Patras, calling at 23.00 in Igoumenitsa), sailing on round trips Ancona – Patras – Igoumenitsa – Ancona and Ancona – Igoumenitsa – Patras - Ancona. Another thing to say about the “Superfast IV” was the bad education of the crew: a client of my father’s travel agency has related to us some bad episodes both at the reception and at “A la Carte” restaurant. My opinion about Superfast ships made from several trips in each one of the four ferries is not enthusiast because of the big and usual arrival delays of the ships; however I never had the occasion to find similar episodes; despite of it on “Superfast IV” I found a very kindly receptionist. I still think that Superfast crew need some corrective actions: more than once the chief purser refused to keep my valuables in the ship’s security box, a service advertised in all the brochures. Probably Superfast Ferries management should understand the better quality of the services provided by Blue Star Ferries and moreover by Minoan Lines and adequate themselves to their standard. As of her sister, was sold in summer 2002 to TT Line Australia after a brief spell on Bari services substituting the ferries in refit.

TT LINE SPIRIT OF TASMANIA H/S/F Spirit of Tasmania I – Official TT Line postcard

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