Built as a passenger liner under yard No. 1884 by Cantiere Riunite dell’Adriatico, Monfalcone, Italy for Costa Armatori SpA (Linea C), Genoa.
21 November 1964 launched under the name EUGENIO C.
Tonnage 30.567 grt, 7.810 dwt, dim. 217.5 x 29.3 x 8.80m. (draught)
Powered by two sets geared steam turbines, De Laval-Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico, 55.000 shp., twin screws, speed 27 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 178 first, 356 second and 1.102 tourist class.
Fitted out with a double set of Denny Brown stabilizers and fully air conditioned.
22 August 1966 delivered. She was designed by Nicoló Costanzi.
31 August 1966 she sailed for her maiden voyage from Genoa, to Buenos Aires, the first eight years she was used in this service, making calls at Naples, Cannes, Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Montevideo and Buenos Aires, but made also regular cruise voyages.
After the passenger service to the River Plate ended, she was used only for cruising.
1987 Transferred to Costa Crociere S.p.A. and for 18.8 USA$ rebuilt in a cruise vessel, passenger accommodation for 1.603 passengers in one class, crew 424.
Renamed in EUGENIO COSTA.
Tonnage 32.753 gross, 15.851 net, 7.682 dwt.
Used for cruise voyages from Genoa in the Mediterranean, Nordsea and world cruises.
1996 Port of registry changed to Monrovia, and managed by Prestige Cruise MV, a subsidiary of Costa Line.
1997 Sold to Lowline (PSA) Ltd., U.K.a English partner of the Costa Line, and renamed EDINBURGH CASTLE.
17 November 1997 she suffered a complete black out when in about a position 10 miles west of St Michael’s (37 39N 25 25W). Taken in tow by the salvage tug FOTIY KRYLOV and arrived 19 November 1997 at Ponta Delgada. At that time she was underway from a dry-dock in Genoa to New York where she was expected to serve as a gambling ship during the winter months.
She had severe boiler problems in the Azores, towed to New York for repair, and after arrival at New York, during a routine lifeboat test, one of the lifeboat turned over. The plan was to use her for a one night gambling ship, chartered by Manhattan Cruises, but I am not sure she ever was chartered by that company.
Later she had cabin flooding and electrical failure and a legionnaire disease scare.
Generator problems saw cancellation not only of voyages for Direct Cruises but also a world cruise for the Japanese Peace Boat organization was canceled.
When Lowline demised, her ownership was transferred to Cammell Laird.
2000 Sold to Big Red Boat (Two) Ltd., Bahamas and renamed BIG RED BOAT II.
But when this company collapsed in 2000 she returned to her former owners Cammell Laird. But this owner collapsed also and the BIG RED BOAT II was laid up at Freeport, Bahamas.
May 2004 she sailed under the name RED BOAT under her own power to the shipbreakers in Alang, India.
Netherlands Antilles 1989 155c sg 984, scott 611
Source: South Atlantic Seaway by Bonsor. Marine News 1998/ 49, 96, 147,529,719. 1999/ 470, 664. 2001/35. 2004/492. Great Passenger ships of the World Volume 6 by Arnold Kludas.