HSC Condor 10
Encyclopedia
The HSC Condor 10 is a 74m fast catamaran
ferry
formerly operated by Condor Ferries
but now operating in Pusan, South Korea.
Yards in Tasmania
, Australia
as Condor Ten but was renamed Condor 10 shortly after. She entered service with Condor Ferries between Weymouth and the Channel Islands in April 1993 replacing the smaller passenger only Condor 9. With Condor 10, Condor Ferries captured a significant share of the Channel Island passenger market which resulted in the closure and sale of British Channel Island Ferries
which operated from Poole in 1994. Condor 10 continued to operate for Condor Ferries until October 1994. In December of that year she arrived in New Zealand
on charter to Tranz Rail
for the Interisland Line service. For this service the ship carried the marketing name The Lynx but her official name remained as Condor 10. After completing her first successful summer season in New Zealand, Condor 10 returned to the Northern Hemisphere
to operate for Viking Line
under the marketing name of Viking Express 1. This began a pattern of the ship operating under charter in both hemispheres for their respective summer seasons which lasted until 1999. Condor 10 returned to New Zealand again for the 1995/1996 summer season before heading north once again this time on charter to Stena Line
for their Fishguard-Rosslare service. After further service in New Zealand Condor 10 was expected to return to Condor Ferries in 1997 for a new service between Weymouth and St Malo via Guernsey but Holyman required the ship for their new Holyman Sally service between Ramsgate
and Dunkirk. This service was not successful and only lasted until October 1997. After yet another season of operating in New Zealand in late 1997 early 1998 the ship returned to Weymouth where she was laid up until being required by Tranz Rail one final time. After 1999 Condor 10's place on the Lynx service was taken by Condor Vitesse
. After her service on the Interisland Line she was briefly chartered by TT-Line (Australia) for service between Devonport
and Melbourne
after the M/S Spirit of Tasmania was forced to be laid up for repairs due to fuel contamination after which Condor 10 was laid up at the Incat
Yards in Hobart
in 1999.
After years of lay up Condor 10 was refurbished in 2002 for use once again by Condor Ferries, she was delivered to them in Poole
where she was prepared for service. She was placed on the St Malo-Channel Islands run replacing the Condor 9 once again. Condor's use of the Condor 10 on the St Malo-Channel Islands route and their aggressive marketing and fare structure for the service was one of the reasons for the decline of Emeraude Lines
which eventually closed down.
Condor 10 remains on the St Malo-Channel Islands service to this day but can occasionally be seen in Weymouth when she is laid up for the winter, her place taken by one of the larger Condor fastcraft.
In 2010, Condor 10 had been replaced by the HSC SpeedOne, which will be renamed Condor Rapide. This new ship is similar to the existing ships Condor owns.
On Fri 24th and Sat 25th September 2010, Condor 10 was brought back into service to cover the Weymouth/CI routes whilst Condor Vitesse is undergoing repairs to two of her four engines.
Once the Vitesse was repaired, Condor 10 was once again retired and remained in Weymouth Port. In September 2011 Condor 10 was sold, and taken by an experienced team to Pusan in South Korea on a 25 day journey, where she now operates on an internal ferry route under the name 'Blue Wing'.
Shop
Other Facilities
There are also two other 74m hulls built by Incat but show clear differences to the standard 74m design ships above. These are:-
Catamaran
A catamaran is a type of multihulled boat or ship consisting of two hulls, or vakas, joined by some structure, the most basic being a frame, formed of akas...
ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
formerly operated by Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries
Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the Channel Islands.-Recent history:...
but now operating in Pusan, South Korea.
History
Condor 10 was built in 1992 at the IncatINCAT
INCAT is a part of Tata Technologies Limited, a company in the Tata Group and operates in the field of Automotive Industry providing Engineering and Design solutions. The company took over a much larger player in the field namely INCAT, a Europe based company, in 2005...
Yards in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
as Condor Ten but was renamed Condor 10 shortly after. She entered service with Condor Ferries between Weymouth and the Channel Islands in April 1993 replacing the smaller passenger only Condor 9. With Condor 10, Condor Ferries captured a significant share of the Channel Island passenger market which resulted in the closure and sale of British Channel Island Ferries
British Channel Island Ferries
British Channel Island Ferries was a ferry operator who ran services between the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.-Channel Island Ferries:...
which operated from Poole in 1994. Condor 10 continued to operate for Condor Ferries until October 1994. In December of that year she arrived in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on charter to Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail
Tranz Rail, formally Tranz Rail Holdings Ltd , was the main rail operator in New Zealand from 1991 until it was purchased by Toll Holdings in 2003.- Formation :...
for the Interisland Line service. For this service the ship carried the marketing name The Lynx but her official name remained as Condor 10. After completing her first successful summer season in New Zealand, Condor 10 returned to the Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
to operate for Viking Line
Viking Line
Viking Line is a Finnish shipping company that operates a fleet of ferries and cruiseferries between Finland, the Åland Islands, Sweden and Estonia. Viking Line shares are quoted on the Helsinki Stock Exchange...
under the marketing name of Viking Express 1. This began a pattern of the ship operating under charter in both hemispheres for their respective summer seasons which lasted until 1999. Condor 10 returned to New Zealand again for the 1995/1996 summer season before heading north once again this time on charter to Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators, with ferry services serving Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Stena Line is a major unit of Stena AB, itself a part of the Stena Sphere, a grouping of Stena AB,...
for their Fishguard-Rosslare service. After further service in New Zealand Condor 10 was expected to return to Condor Ferries in 1997 for a new service between Weymouth and St Malo via Guernsey but Holyman required the ship for their new Holyman Sally service between Ramsgate
Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...
and Dunkirk. This service was not successful and only lasted until October 1997. After yet another season of operating in New Zealand in late 1997 early 1998 the ship returned to Weymouth where she was laid up until being required by Tranz Rail one final time. After 1999 Condor 10's place on the Lynx service was taken by Condor Vitesse
HSC Condor Vitesse
The HSC Condor Vitesse is a 86m fast catamaran ferry operated by Condor Ferries.-History:Condor Vitesse was built in 1997 at the Incat Yards in Tasmania, Australia as Incat 044 but was not ordered by any ferry company. She was sent to Europe and arrived in July 1997 at Portland and was later moved...
. After her service on the Interisland Line she was briefly chartered by TT-Line (Australia) for service between Devonport
Devonport, Tasmania
-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...
and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
after the M/S Spirit of Tasmania was forced to be laid up for repairs due to fuel contamination after which Condor 10 was laid up at the Incat
INCAT
INCAT is a part of Tata Technologies Limited, a company in the Tata Group and operates in the field of Automotive Industry providing Engineering and Design solutions. The company took over a much larger player in the field namely INCAT, a Europe based company, in 2005...
Yards in Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
in 1999.
After years of lay up Condor 10 was refurbished in 2002 for use once again by Condor Ferries, she was delivered to them in Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
where she was prepared for service. She was placed on the St Malo-Channel Islands run replacing the Condor 9 once again. Condor's use of the Condor 10 on the St Malo-Channel Islands route and their aggressive marketing and fare structure for the service was one of the reasons for the decline of Emeraude Lines
Emeraude Ferries
Emeraude Ferries was a shipping company which operated vehicle and passenger ferries between the french city of Saint-Malo and the Channel Islands. The company ceased trading in May 2006 following strong competition and difficulties in finding a suitable vessel for the 2006 season.-History:Emeraude...
which eventually closed down.
Condor 10 remains on the St Malo-Channel Islands service to this day but can occasionally be seen in Weymouth when she is laid up for the winter, her place taken by one of the larger Condor fastcraft.
In 2010, Condor 10 had been replaced by the HSC SpeedOne, which will be renamed Condor Rapide. This new ship is similar to the existing ships Condor owns.
On Fri 24th and Sat 25th September 2010, Condor 10 was brought back into service to cover the Weymouth/CI routes whilst Condor Vitesse is undergoing repairs to two of her four engines.
Once the Vitesse was repaired, Condor 10 was once again retired and remained in Weymouth Port. In September 2011 Condor 10 was sold, and taken by an experienced team to Pusan in South Korea on a 25 day journey, where she now operates on an internal ferry route under the name 'Blue Wing'.
Regular Routes
- Weymouth-GuernseyGuernseyGuernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
-JerseyJerseyJersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
-Guernsey-Weymouth April 1993 - October 1994. - WellingtonWellingtonWellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
- PictonPicton, New ZealandPicton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001...
December 1994 - April 1995. - HelsinkiHelsinkiHelsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
-TallinnTallinnTallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
June - September 1995. - Wellington - Picton November 1995 - April 1996.
- FishguardFishguardFishguard is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, with a population of 3,300 . The community of Fishguard and Goodwick had a population of 5043 at the 2001 census....
- RosslareRosslare EuroportRosslare Europort is a modern seaport located at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland, near the southeastern-most point of Ireland's coastline, handling passenger and freight ferries to and from Wales and France....
May - October 1996. - Wellington - Picton December 1996 - April 1997.
- RamsgateRamsgateRamsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...
- Dunkirk May - October 1997. - Wellington - Picton December 1997 - March 1998, December 1998 - July 1999.
- MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
- DevonportDevonport, Tasmania-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...
September 1999. - St Malo-JerseyJerseyJersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
-GuernseyGuernseyGuernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
March 2002 - June 2010.
Onboard facilities
Bars and Restaurants- Café - Main Deck.
Shop
- Duty Free Shop
Other Facilities
- Club Lounge - Upper Deck.
Sister ships
- Emeraude France
- Speedrunner 1
- SnaefellHSC SnaefellThe HSC Snaefell, now HSC Master Jet is an Incat WPC74 , owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The vessel was the first fast craft to bear a Manx name. She is also the sixth vessel to bear the name...
- Pescara Jet
- Al Huna I (originally Seacat Scotland)
- Mandarin (originally Stena Sea Lynx 1)
There are also two other 74m hulls built by Incat but show clear differences to the standard 74m design ships above. These are:-
- Patricia Olivia - Modified passenger accommodation and forward windows.
- Atlantic III - Has the appearance of an Incat 78m design.