Blue Star 1 (ΜΠΛΟΥ ΣΤΑΡ 1) Fast Facts
| Current Name: Blue Star 1 (ΜΠΛΟΥ ΣΤΑΡ 1) | Previous Names: N/A |
| Shipyard: van der Giessen -de Noord [NL], #979 | IMO Number: 9197105 |
| Current Operator: Blue Star Ferries | Current Route: Rosslare [IE] - Pembroke Dock [GB] (from April 2021) |
| Length Overall: 176.095 m | Beam: 26.2m |
| Passenger Capacity: 1,890 (for Blue Star Ferries) / 1,500 (for Irish Ferries) | Vehicle Capacity: Approx. 1,745 lane metres of freight (4.9m free height) or 780 cars |
| Tonnage: 29,858 gt | Sister-ships: Blue Star 2 |
Overview of Blue Star 1
BLUE STAR 1 is an Attica Group-owned fast Ro-Pax ferry which presently sails on Irish Ferries’ Rosslare – Pembroke Dock service. She is expected to leave the Irish Ferries fleet during 2023 to return to Blue Star Ferries service. BLUE STAR 1 was delivered by van der Giessen- de Noord in 2000. Prior to 2021, she mainly operated for Blue Star Ferries on services within Greek waters and between Greece and Italy. She was originally ordered by Strintzis Lines as SUPERFERRY ATLANTIC, though during the design process was known as SUPERFERRY EUROPE. BLUE STAR 1 is expected to return to Blue Star Ferries during June 2023 when her charter to Irish Ferries expires. Irish Ferries will replace BLUE STAR 1 on the Rosslare – Pembroke Dock service with OSCAR WILDE (ex STAR)
Strintzis had signed a letter of intent for the vessel as far back as 1995, but only placed a firm order in 1998. A second identical ship, SUPERFERRY PACIFIC (originally SUPERFERRY STRINTZIS), was also ordered.
Strintzis Lines was acquired by Attica Enterprises (now Attica Group) during construction of the two new ships at van der Giessen. Consequently, Strintzis services were rebranded as Blue Ferries (for existing older tonnage) and Blue Star Ferries (for new tonnage).
The names of the new Dutch-built ships were thus changed to BLUE STAR 1 and 2. Attica also appointed a new Greek interior architect (AM&A) to the project. This meant major changes were made to the interior design of the vessels, which would be the flagships of the new company, just a month before launch. Prior to this the interior was to be designed by the shipyard’s own preferred designer, Claus P. Horn.
From April 6 2021, BLUE STAR 1 has served Irish Ferries’ Rosslare – Pembroke Dock route.
Design and Construction
BLUE STAR 1 was largely designed in-house by the van der Giessen-de Noord shipyard where she was built. She was the first vessel to be built on a new long and narrow fast hull-form developed by the shipyard. The yard had developed this hull-form in an attempt to capitalise on a new trend of operators ordering fast conventional tonnage. The only other ship built to this hull-form at the yard would be BLUE STAR 2, BLUE STAR 1‘s sister, however. Previous ferries built at the same shipyard, such as NORBANK, BEN-MY-CHREE, ISLE OF INNISFREE (now KAITAKI), etc had been built on variations of a hull design developed for the Via Mare series of freight focused Ro-Paxes.
The van der Giessen shipyard employed modular construction methods on the two new Blue Star Ferries with large sections wheeled rather than lifted into place in the large covered construction hall.
The extensive use of modular construction meant that BLUE STAR 2 was already well underway when BLUE STAR 1 was launched from the single slipway at the shipyard. Once the first vessel was launched the sections for the second were simply moved into place and welded together. As a result, BLUE STAR 2 was in the water just three months after her sister.
Unlike many large ferries built in recent decades, BLUE STAR 1 and her sister were launched from a slipway rather than floated out in a building dock. She is powered by four MAN B&W Diesel engines which deliver just under 60,000 BHP, enough to propel the ship to over 27 knots in service.
The original interior design plans were made by Claus P. Horn at the yards request but were replaced with a design by Attica’s favoured architect Apostolos Molindris & Associates (AM&A) just one month prior to the launch of the ship. AM&A was also responsible for the interior of most of Attica’s Superfast Ferries new-builds, and similarities between the series exist.
BLUE STAR 1 has a single sister-ship, BLUE STAR 2. The sister-ships were the only fast Ro-Pax ferries to be built by Van der Giessen-de Noord. Their design, like that of most other VGN-built ferries, is an in-house yard design.
Previous Northern European service
Between January 2007 and September 2008, BLUE STAR 1 served Superfast Ferries’ Rosyth – Zeebrugge route. Apart from that spell, her entire operation career has been spent in the Mediterranean on a variety of different routes.
Irish Ferries
From early-March 2021, BLUE STAR 1 was strongly rumoured to have been chartered by Irish Ferries. On March 24, BLUE STAR 1 was photographed at Piraeus receiving Irish Ferries branding. Prior to her arrival at the Perama ship repair zone for maintenance work in early March she had been laid up since September 2020. The ship relocated to nearby Piraeus on March 20.
On March 26, 2021 Irish Ferries announced that BLUE STAR 1 would be introduced on the Rosslare – Pembroke Dock route during April. The ship replaced ISLE OF INISHMORE which was redeployed to a new Dover – Calais service. BLUE STAR 1 took over from ISLE OF INISHMORE on April 6, 2021 and has been chartered for up to two years.
BLUE STAR 1 normally crosses between Rosslare and Pembroke at a speed of 20-22 knots. This can be achieved using just two of her four main engines. On occassion, BLUE STAR 1 has made up for delays by running at increased speed. She is presently the fastest conventional ferry in service in the British Isles. She will be replaced during June 2023 by OSCAR WILDE, the former STAR of Tallink
Blue Star 1 Passenger Facilities
The public facilities are mainly housed on Deck 7. Deck 8 is mostly dedicated to cabins while Deck 9 is a crew deck. For a more detailed look onboard BLUE STAR 1, see our dedicated look inside feature here.
Public Deck (Deck 7)
- a la Carte Restaurant (in use as a lounge space in Irish Ferries service)
- Self-service Restaurant (Boylans Brasserie in Irish Ferries service)
- ‘Roma’ Cafe & Bar (Cafe Lafayette in Irish Ferries service)
- 2 x Air Seat Lounges
- Observation Lounge & Bar
- Gift Shop
- Flocafe Bar (Not accessible in Irish Ferries service)
- Entrance Lounge
- Yacht Club (Club Class in Irish Ferries service)
- Wi-fi
- Reception Desk
Cabin Deck (Deck 8)
A total of 176 cabins are housed on Deck 8, including;
- Luxury outside cabins
- Standard outside cabins
- Inside cabins
- Cabins for persons with special needs
- Pet friendly cabins
Additionally, the Atrium Bar is also on Deck 8. This area is not accessible to passengers in Irish Ferries service.
Crew Deck (Deck 9)
- Crew areas
- First aid
- Kennels
- Limited number of passenger cabins (not in use for Irish Ferries)
Blue Star 1 Technical Data
BLUE STAR 1 was built for speed rather than efficiency at a time when oil prices were much lower than at present. Consequently, Irish Ferries usually sails her at a speed of 20-22 knots, significantly lower than that she was designed for. As this speed can be achieved using half of the installed power, significant fuel savings are made.
| IMO Number | 91971051 |
|---|---|
| Callsign | SWET1 |
| Classification | Lloyds Register of Shipping 100A1:ROLL-ON ROLL-OFF CARGO AND PASSENGER SHIP LMC UMS2 |
| Interior designer | Apostolos Molindris & Associates (AM&A) |
|
Contract date | July 1998 |
| Keel Laying | 1 June, 19993 (Completed 12.05.2000)4 |
Certification | Lloyds Register 100A1:ROLL-ON ROLL-OFF CARGO AND PASSENGER SHIP5 (Attica Group) |
| Operator | Irish Ferries |
| Vessel Management | Blue Star Ferries SA6 (Attica Group) |
| In service | June 2000 (Ancona – Brindisi – Patras) for Blue Star Ferries |
| Usual Route | Pembroke Dock [GB] – Rosslare [IE] |
| Length Overall | 176.095 m7 |
| Length BP | 160.575 m8 |
| Draught | 6.45 m9., each producing 11,120 kW running at 428 rpm. Each pair of engines drives a single KaMeWa 5.4m diameter propeller at 144 rpm via a two input one output reduction gearbox10. Two KaMeWa 1,200 kW transverse bow thrusters7 Three MAN 6L28/32 auxiliary engines7 Blohm + Voss fin stabilisers7 |
| Access Equipment | Hamworthy KSE11 (now part of Wärtsillä) Package includes 2 x wide stern ramps for vehicles10 (30 x 6.2m)7, 1 x 2.2m wide stern ramp for foot passengers10, 1 x titlable ramp from main deck to upper deck (46.3.3m)7, 1 x tiltable ramp to lower hold (21 x 3m)7, 1 x folding bow vehicle ramp, clamshell bow doors. BLUE STAR 1 is built for single level through loading but is prepared for simple conversion to dual-level through loading should it be required in the future. |
| Power (Max) | 44,480 kW (59,650 BHP)10 |
| Design Speed | 27 kts710 |
Passenger Capacity | Up to 1,600 passengers as built1210 Later increased to 1,890 passengers13 Limited to 1,500 by Irish Ferries1415 |
| Crew | 112 (as designed)7 |
| Passenger Cabins | 161 cabins providing 430 berths (as-built)7((IHC Merwede Blue Star 1 + 2 data sheet))) 192 cabins (post January 2007) |
Vehicle capacity | Up to 780 cars or 1.718 lane meters of freight* (* figures quoted by Blue Star Ferries) Upper Vehicle Deck (Deck 5): 895 lane metres with 4.9 m free height7, 3.10 m lane width10. Main Vehicle Deck (Deck 3): 890 lane metres with 4.9 m free height((Shippax Designs 00, 2000. Blue Star 1. p.131)), 3.10 m lane width10. Lower hold (Deck 2): Up to 100 cars with 3.0 m free height7. Total lane length 485 m, lane width 2.2 m10. |
| Flag state (port) | Piraeus (Greece)16 |
| Previous Names | N/A BLUE STAR 1 was originally to have been named SUPERFERRY ATLANTIC but this was changed prior to launch. Known as SUPERFERRY EUROPE (with the sister called SUPERFERRY STRINTZIS) during the design process. |
Other Articles About This Ferry
- Equasis.org. 2021. Equasis. [online] Available at: <https://www.equasis.org/EquasisWeb/restricted/ShipInfo?fs=Search> [Accessed 25 December 2021]. [↩] [↩]
- Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].)
Building Yard van der Giessen -de Noord B.V., Netherlands #976 ((Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].) Concept Design van der Giessen -de Noord B.V.
Strintzis LinesConstruction Cost NLG 180 million (approx. US$73m) ((Shippax Designs 00, 2000. Blue Star 1. p.131 [↩] - Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].)
Launch 18 December 1999 Delivery 06 June, 2000 ((Investegate.co.uk. 2000. Investegate |Strintzis Lines Ship Announcements | Strintzis Lines Ship: Delivery of New Vessel etc. [online] Available at: <https://www.investegate.co.uk/strintzis-lines-ship–bsmd-/rns/delivery-of-new-vessel-etc/200006080701458199L/> [Accessed 27 January 2022]. [↩] - Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].)
Hull Number
976 ((Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].) ((IHC Merwede Blue Star 1 + 2 data sheet [↩] - Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].)
Owner Blue Star Ferries ((Equasis.org. 2021. Equasis. [online] Available at: <https://www.equasis.org/EquasisWeb/restricted/ShipInfo?fs=Search> [Accessed 26 December 2021]. [↩] - Equasis.org. 2021. Equasis. [online] Available at: <https://www.equasis.org/EquasisWeb/restricted/ShipInfo?fs=Search> [Accessed 26 December 2021]. [↩]
- Shippax Designs 00, 2000. Blue Star 1. p.131 [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
- Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].)
Beam
25.7 m (moulded) ((Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].) ((IHC Merwede Blue Star 1 + 2 data sheet [↩] - Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].)
Gross Tonnage
29,858 ((Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].) DWT 4,500 ((Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021].) Number of decks 10 Machinery
Four MAN B&W 8L58/64 marine-Diesel engines((Shippax Designs 00, 2000. Blue Star 1. p.131 [↩] - IHC Merwede Blue Star 1 + 2 data sheet [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩] [↩]
- Shippax Guide 01, 2001. Onboard Report, p.18 [↩]
- Investegate.co.uk. 2000. Investegate |Strintzis Lines Ship Announcements | Strintzis Lines Ship: Delivery of New Vessel etc. [online] Available at: <https://www.investegate.co.uk/strintzis-lines-ship–bsmd-/rns/delivery-of-new-vessel-etc/200006080701458199L/> [Accessed 27 January 2022]. [↩]
- Attica-group.com. n.d. BLUE STAR 1. [online] Available at: <https://www.attica-group.com/en/our-fleet/15-blue-star-ferries-fleet/2133-blue-star-1,-2.html> [Accessed 27 January 2022]. [↩]
- Irishferries.com. n.d. Blue Star 1 | Passenger Ferry | Rosslare Pembroke. [online] Available at: <https://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/ships/bluestar1/> [Accessed 28 January 2022]. [↩]
- Gleeson, C., 2021. New Rosslare-Pembroke Dock ferry will be fastest of its kind. [online] The Irish Times. Available at: <https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/new-rosslare-pembroke-dock-ferry-will-be-fastest-of-its-kind-1.4520765> [Accessed 28 January 2022]. [↩]
- Classdirect.lr.org. 2021. LR Class Direct. [online] Available at: <https://classdirect.lr.org/assets/LRV38723/details> [Accessed 26 December 2021]. [↩]
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