BLACK PRINCE

[shipstamps]

Built as a passenger car ferry under yard No 561 by the Lübecker Flender-Werke, Lübeck, Germany for Fred Olsen & Co., Kristansand, Norway.
14 May 1966 launched under the name BLACK PRINCE, one sister the BLACK WATCH.
Tonnage 9.499 grt, 5.272 net, 2.995 dwt. Dim. 141.64 x 20.02 x 6.10m., draught 3.01m.
Powered by two 18-cyl. Ottensener Pielstick diesels, 16.740 bhp, speed 22.5 knots, twin controllable pitch propellers.
Passenger accommodation for 698.
About 10 coaches and 100 cars could be carried.
Cargo capacity 215.146 cubic feet including 3.371 m³ reefer space.
October 1966 delivered.

During the summer months she was used after delivery in the service between Kristiansand, Norway to Harwich U.K. or Kristiansand and Amsterdam. Then she could carry 698 passengers, in 213 cabins and on sleeperette chairs. Crew 132.
During the winter months used in the service from London to the Canary Islands, with 350 one class passengers and a total crew of 174.
Her return voyage she carried tomatoes and other fruits from the Canary Islands, and even her car deck were used for the transport of tomatoes, the car deck could be cooled down to 8 degree Celsius.
1970 Transferred to Fred. Olsen Co & Det Bergenske D/S (BDS), Norway for service between Norway to the U.K. of the Netherlands.
May 1970 till September 1970 used in the service from the Bergenske Dampskipsselskab from Bergen-Stavanger to Newcastle, and renamed VENUS.
During the winter season in service as a cruise vessel from Rotterdam to the Canary Islands, renamed BLACK PRINCE.
From 1971 till 1983 under the name VENUS used for the BDS service Norway to U.K. in the summer months, and during the winter months for Fred Olsen as a cruise vessel from Rotterdam to the Canary Islands under the name BLACK PRINCE.
22 May 1973 got a fire in her engine room, which did give damage to the engines.
1982 till 1986 used or chartered by the DFDS, Denmark for the service between Bergen-Stavanger to Newcastle during the summer and during the winter between Esbjerg and Newcastle.
22 May 1985 used by the Norway Line for the service between Bergen and Newcastle.

October 1986 refitted in a cruise vessel by Oy Wärtsilä Ab, Åbo, Finland. And sold to Vinta Mar Co. Inc. (Fred Olsen manager), Philippines.
Accommodation for 527 passengers. Has not more a car deck.
Tonnage 11.209 grt. 4.072net, 900 dwt.
12 February 1987 after her refit delivered to new owners.
28 February 1987 used in the cruise trade from Southampton to Mediterranean and North Africa.
1990 When Fred Olsen used the BLACK PRINCE in the summer in the service between Göteborg and Köpenhamn, the Swedish and Danish seamen union protested against the ship for using low paid Philippine crews in this service, which did give the owners many problems by entering the two ports, and she had to make calls at Oslo for provision.

The same year transferred to Fred Olsen & Co., Hvitsen, Norway and registered in the Norsk International Shipsregister (NIS).
January 2001 Transferred to Bahama flag with homeport Nassau.
03 March 2002 she grounded on a sandbank while departing from Casilda, Cuba. The passengers were taken off and she was refloated 07 March with tug assistance apparently without damage.
2004 She experienced engine difficulties in the Canary Islands and went to Germany for repairs resulting in the cancellation of a number of cruises.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2005, registered owner Ganger Rolf & Bonheur, managed by Red Band both in Oslo. IMO No 6613328, call sign C6RS2, still under Bahama flag. (Most probably was she transferred in 2001 already to Ganger Rolf & Bonheur, when she grounded in 2002 he is given as owner.)

Gibraltar 2005 sg?

Marine News 2002/300. 2004/396 Illustrert Norsk Skipsliste 1982. Register of Merchant Ships completed in 1966. Merchant Ships world built 1966. http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/black_prince_1966.htm

[aukepalmhof]

09 May 2009 sold to Servicious Acuaticos de Venezuela CA (SAVECA) for delivery in October 2009.

09 September 2009 she made her last cruise for Fred Olsen.
November 2009 renamed in PRINCE and the same day she left Southampton bound for Venezuela.
December 2009 Renamed in OLA ESMERALDA with the intention to make cruise voyages to the islands in Venezuela, but a license was declined by the Government of Venezuela. Sailing under Venezuelian flag with homeport La Guaira.
January 2010 chartered by an oil company in Mexico and used as an accommodation vessel.
The same year chartered after the earthquake by the U,N. to use as a hotelship in Haiti.
27 October 2012 arrived at the Ozema River, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic..
13 April 2013 transferred to Panama flag.
October 2013 scrapped at Santo Domingo..