The first vessel alongside the quay on the stamp in the Free Port Gazi Magusa, Turkish Cyprus must be the POLLY PIONEER, the name POLLY you can clearly see on the bow of the ship, then a P or R is visible, the only vessel in the fleet of the PPI lines around 1989 with a P or R is the POLLY PIONEER.
Built as a cargo vessel under yard ni 263 by the Busumer Werft at Busum, Germany for account of Per S. Hendriksen P/R, Denmark.
06 May 1977 launched as the MERCANDIAN STAR.
Tonnage 1.599 grt, 1.070 net, 4.084 dwt., dim. 93.30 x 13.80 x 8.51m., length bpp. 85.71m.
Powered by one 18-cyl. B&W Alpha diesel engine, 2.250 hp., speed 12.5 knots.
Cargo capacity 6.262m³ grain, 5.723m³ bale, 122 TEU’s.
Cargo gear, four cranes of 5 ton.
June 1977 completed.
1982 Sold to Rederij Gulf Maritiem Holland, Groningen, Netherlands, and renamed GULF EMPRESS, her call sign under Dutch flag was P.E.L.R.
1985 Sold to Dace Shipping Co. Ltd., Cyprus, renamed MIDIA.
1988 Sold to Golden Pioneer Shipping Corp., Bahamas and renamed POLLY PIONEER.
1992 Sold to U.B. Shipping Ltd., Bahamas, renamed UB PIONEER.
1996 Sold to Seltan Navigation, Bahamas renamed APOLLO PIONEER.
2002 Sold to Arees Shipping Co., Latakia, Syrie and renamed BATOUL A.
2009 as given by http://www.equasis.org Same name and owners, under Bahamas flag, IMO No 7514323.
Tonnage now given as 2.853 grt, 1.775 net.
IMO No. 7514323.
It looks she was built as an open shelterdecker, her tonnage is given as 2.853/1.599 gross, 1.775/1.070 net.
September 2009 owned by Schooner Maritime SA, and renamed ISLAND PRINCESS.
May 2010 owned by Ben Majid Shipping Co SA, Majuro, Marshall Island and renamed BEN MAJID, managed by Silver Ocean Marine, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Under Tanzania flag and registry.
02 May 2011 beached at Gadani Beach , Pakistan for scrapping.
Turkish Cyprus Post 1989 100li sg264, scott258
Source: Scheepvaart 1982 by G.J. de Boer. Marine News. http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz
Turkish Cyprus Post 1989 100Li sg264, scott258.
Source Marine News. Scheepvaart 1983 by de Boer.