A Look Inside: Stena Europe (October 2019) | Stena Line

Stena Line’s multi-purpose ferry STENA EUROPE recently returned to service between Rosslare and Fishguard.  She had been absent from her route for a number of months due to life extension work.  This was completed in Tuzla (Turkey) and Liverpool.  

Regular contributor Scott Mackey visited the ship last week and sent the following images.  Scott’s Stena Europe Flickr album can be viewed here.   Please note that this is a very image heavy page with over 100 photographs of Stena Europe as she has returned from life extension.  

Although the galleries are mobile friendly, viewing on a computer using a broadband connection is advised.

Exterior Photos

A look at the external appearance of STENA EUROPE, post life extension. The most obvious visible change is the removal of the life raft derricks on her boat deck. These are no longer necessary as a modern MES (Marine Evacuation System) has been installed. As a result the boat deck has a much less cluttered look. During her time in Turkey STENA EUROPE‘s hull was stripped back to bare metal and a fresh coat of paint applied both above and below the waterline.

Vehicle Decks

The big change to the vehicle decks is that full height freight can now be accommodated on both sides of the main vehicle deck.

Stena Europe Interior Photos

Inside the vessel was generally in very good condition before she left for life extension with her interior in the current Stena Line corporate style. With this in mind, many of the changes inside are subtle. A Hygge lounge has been added behind the show bar, however, and some areas reconfigured to improve the passenger experience. New glazing has also been fitted throughout the vessel.

The new Hygge Lounge

One of the most obvious changes during STENA EUROPE‘s absence is the addition of a Hygge Premium “Recline Lounge”. The concept, which was first tried on STENA SUPERFAST VII and STENA SUPERFAST VIII, has now made it to the Southern Corridor vessel. A place in the Hygge lounge can either be booked in advance, or on the day at the guest services desk.

The Bridge (and It’s Wings)

A look at the bridge of STENA EUROPE showing some of the modern systems installed on the vessel. We also get a look at the open bridge wings, a feature that is becoming increasingly rare with most vessels now specified with enclosed wings.

Out On Deck (including the new MES system)

Much has changed the outside deck of STENA EUROPE since she was first constructed. As mentioned above, the most recent addition is the modern MES system which has allowed the removal of the derricks which gave the outside deck a slightly cluttered appearance. This takes the form of an inflatable chute (a similar concept to that used on aircraft) and rafts. The system is supplied by Survitec Group‘s RFD subsidiary and is the same type as used on some of the latest cruise ships. Additional self-inflating free fall rafts are also fitted.

Additional images of STENA EUROPE can be found at Scott Mackey’s Stena Europe Flickr album.  Scott’s Flickr page also has thousands of images from ferries across Europe.  This feature would not have been possible without Scott Mackey generously contributing his photographs, and the crew of STENA EUROPE who facilitatied his visit.

All photos are Copyright © Scott Mackey. Text by Steven Tarbox