In 2009 French Polynesia issued a set of two stamps to commemorate Polynesian Firemen. The 140 Fr value shows a small rescue craft. The 70 Fr value shows a fireman on an extended platform overlooking the ferry port where there appear to be 4 vessels moored. The middle vessel, with a pale blue hull, is a good likeness of the MOOREA FERRY with the exception of a row of what appear to be windows on the bridge deck ( possibly artistic licence). MOOREA FERRY does have a flat bow as shown on the stamp ( see links to images below).
Built as the car/passenger ferry under yard No 1838 by : Kochi Jyuko (Eiho Zosen) K.K for Kansai Kyuko Ferry K.K., Japan. 18 December 1985 launched as NEW HIMEJI. Completed March 1986.
Used in the ferry service between Fukuda Port, Sodo Island to Himeji, the passage took around 1 hr. and 40 min.
Renamed MOOREA FERRY in 2001.
MOOREA FERRY runs a regular ferry service between Tahiti and Moorea together with three other ferries one of which, MOOREA EXPRESS, does not appear to carry cars. The other vessels are AREMITI FERRY & AREMITI 5.
I have not confirmed the identities of the other three vessels yet. However, I believe that from left to right are:-
1) AREMITI FERRY
2) MOOREA FERRY
3) AREMITI 5 (the stern deck above the car ramp, however, does not match an image of this ferry. But again, artistic licence ?).
4) Inter-island cargo ship or part of the quay ?
Ship's Details.
Register Number: 02350G
IMO Number: 8518613
Ship Name: MOOREA FERRY
Ex Names: NEW HIMEJI
Call Sign: FOBH
Owner: SOCIETE DE TRANSPORTS INSULAIRES MARITIMES
Connecting District: PAPEETE (PPT)
Flag: FRANCE
Port of Registry: PAPEETE
Gross Tonnage 699
Deadweight: 325 ton
Overall Length: 57.03 m
LPP: 54.01 m
Breadth: 13.01 m
Depth: 4.31 m
Draught: 3.11 m
Freeboard: 1213 mm
Class situation: Classification after const.
Yard N°: 1838
Hull Material: Steel
Nb of Watertight Comp.: 10
Number of Cont. Decks: 1
Tanks
LBC: 3029
Propelling Type: Diesel
Licence: NIIGATA
Date of Build: 01 Jan 1985
Builder: NIIGATA ENGINEERING CO., LTD. Niigata Diesel Engin
Place of Build (country): Niigata (JPN)
Power and rating
Total Power (kW): 2356 kW
Total Power (HP): 3200 HP
Propelling machinery
Internal Combustion Engine: (2) 4T - 6 cyl - 31.00 cm x 53.00 cm at 315 rpm
Electrical installation
Power Voltage: 450 V
Lighting Voltage: 100 V
Frequency: 60 Hz
Diesel Generators: 2 - 350 kVA - 280 kW - 420 HP
Propellers and propellershafts
Propelling system: 2 Screw Propeller Solid CC 5.00 at 315 rpm
Speed of the ship
Speed: 15.6 kn
Capacity of bunkers
Fuel Capacity: 29 m³
Links to MOOREA FERRY images:-
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/mya ... orea+Ferry
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... arbour.JPG
Links to AREMITI 5
http://www.aremiti.pf/aremiti-5/details-aremiti-5/
http://www.ship-technology.com/projects ... miti1.html
Link to AREMITI EXPRESS
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/7428165.jpg
Sources: various internet sites;
French Polynesia 2009 70F sg1111, scott?
Peter Crichton
__._,_.___
