Stena’s Belfast – Heysham ro-ro Stena Scotia
STENA SCOTIA returned to the Irish Sea last week, initially to release her sister-ship STENA HIBERNIA for dry docking, before replacing STENA PERFORMER on the Belfast to Heysham run so she can return to owner Seatruck Ferries after her own dry docking. In these pictures by regular contributor Scott Mackey we get a rare glimpse inside a vessel which normally only gets seen by freight drivers and her own crew. STENA SCOTIA and her slightly younger sister STENA HIBERNIA were delivered in 1996 to Norfolk Line by Japan’s Miho Zosen of Shimizu, Japan. With thanks to Scott Mackey and the crew of STENA SCOTIA.
STENA SCOTIA viewed from the approach to her berth at Belfast VT1. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Approaching STENA SCOTIA at VT1, Belfast. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Approaching the open stern door of STENA SCOTIA at VT1, Belfast. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Looking forward at STENA SCOTIA's funnel. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Looking aft at STENA SCOTIA's funnel. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA SCOTIA's distinctive funnel. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
The purifier part of STENA SCOTIA's exhaust gas scrubber system. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Looking aft over the weather deck of STENA SCOTIA . Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Looking aft over the weather deck of STENA SCOTIA . Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Looking down and aft at the weather deck from the Portside of STENA SCOTIA. Belfast's Victoria Terminal 1 can be seen to the right of the picture. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
The open deck on Stena Line's STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA SCOTIA lifering showing her home port of Vlaardingen in The Netherlands. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA SCOTIA hallway. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA SCOTIA's passenger lounge area. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Passenger lounge area, STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA SCOTIA's passenger dining area. This is part of the same room as the lounge. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Passenger dining area, STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Crew Mess, STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Ceremonial axe bearing STENA SCOTIA's. original name MAERSK EXPORTER. Japanese shipbuilders traditionally make an axe for each vessel which they build which is presented to the owner. The axe is then used to cut the rope which releases the traditional bottle of champagne to break on the bow of the vessel prior to launch. Copyright © Scott Mackey
The bridge, STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
The bridge, STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Looking aft from the starboard bridge wing, STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
Starboard bridge wing, STENA SCOTIA. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA PRECISION viewed from STENA SCOTIA. STENA PRECISION left the Stena Line fleet at the end of August '18 to be replaced by STENA FORERUNNER on a temporary basis. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA PRECISION viewed across the bow of STENA SCOTIA. STENA PRECISION and her sister STENA PERFORMER return to owner Seatruck at the end of August '18. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
STENA HIBERNIA seen in Belfast Dry Dock from her sister STENA SCOTIA which recently returned to the Irish Sea to release her sister for dry docking before replacing STENA PERFORMER on the Belfast - Heysham route. Copyright © Scott Mackey.
All photographs are Copyright © Scott Mackey unless otherwise explicitly stated.
