Gibraltar issued in 1988 a stamp of 22p, which depict two vessels. The vessel on the left is the British passenger liner CANBERRA the vessel on the right is according the Norwegian Captain Gunnar Oera the Norwegian catamaran GIBLINE I. Capt. Oera was the last Norwegian captain on the vessel, before he was relieved by a British captain.
She was built under yard No. 75 by Westamarin Varv, Mandal, Norway for Haanes Shipping, Norway.
Tonnage 321 gross, 217 net, dim. 31.5 x 9.7m.
Powered by two Avco Lycoming TF40S waterjet turbines, speed 30 knots.
Passengers 238.
1980 Delivered to owners.
May 1980 chartered by the British Condor Ferries and named CONDOR 6, used in the service between Jersey, Guernsey to St Malmo, France.
She proved unsuitable for the Channel island services and she was returned November 1980 to her owners.
After she returned to Norway she was laid up at Mandal. Renamed in GIMBLE BELLE.
1983 Haanes shipping got bankrupt, and the vessel returned to the builder.
1983 Engines replaced by two MTU NE 83 diesels each 2.050 bhp., speed 30 knots.
1985 Sold to JKL Shipping, Harstad, Norway and renamed in GIBLINE I.
Chartered by the Gibline in Gibraltar and used in the services from Gibraltar to Tanger and the Port of M’Diq both in Morocco.
13 May 1986 she was transferred to British flag, with homeport Gibraltar.
1991 Sold to Fast Ferries, Siam, Bangkok, Thailand, renamed JET CRUISE I
Used in a 50-minute service between Phuket to Ko Phi Phi.
05 August 2006 Sold to Ferry Line Public Ltd., Thailand not renamed.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2008, same owner and flag, call sign HSJR, IMO No. 7808023.
Gibraltar 1988 22p sg 589, scott 525, the larger ship on the left of the stamp is the CANBERRA, see index for her details.
Source: Log Book Vol 20 page 259. http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/condor_6_1980.htm. Some web-sites.
Ships Monthly May 2004.