HSS Stena Explorer leaves Holyhead for the final time

Emotional farewell to the final HSS 1500 craft

HSS Stena Explorer, the sole remaining HSS 1500 craft, left Holyhead yesterday, towed stern first by Tschudi’s anchor handing tug, Bluster. She was assisted from her berth by the local tugs St David and Afron Cefni, with assistance from Liverpool based Smit Waterloo. As Holyhead tradition dictates, the Last Post was played as she set sail.

Once clear of Holyhead’s inner harbour, HSS Stena Explorer (now renamed One World Karadeniz with a home port of Monrovia) was handed over to Bluster, which is currently towing the Aker-built vessel to the Turkish port of Yalova.

One World Karadeniz, the former Stena Explorer, leaves Holyhead under the tow of Bluster. This view is similar to that of Stena Voyager being towed from Belfast, also stern first, by the tug Agat in 2013. Copyright © Gary Davies/Maritime Photographic.

Whilst it is presently unclear what the future will hold for One World Karadeniz, there are a number of shipyards at Yalova, and the port is relatively close to the previously reported destination of Istanbul. Stena Explorer is of course (currently) the final ferry to sail between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire. The journey from Holyhead to Yalova is expected to take around 17 days in total.

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