MS Oscar Wilde
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 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner | Tallink (2007–Present) |
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry | Limassol,  Cyprus (2023–Present) |
| Route | Holyhead - Dublin - Cherbourg |
| Ordered | 1 August 2005 |
| Builder | Aker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, Finland |
| Yard number | 1356 |
| Laid down | 30 May 2006 |
| Launched | 23 November 2006 |
| Christened | 23 November 2006 |
| Acquired | 10 March 2007 |
| Maiden voyage | 2007 |
| In service | 12 April 2007 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Fast ropax ferry |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 186.00 m (610 ft 3 in) |
| Beam | 27.70 m (90 ft 11 in) |
| Draught | 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in) |
| Ice class | 1 A Super |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 27 kn (50.0 km/h; 31.1 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
MS Oscar Wilde is a fast Ro-Pax ferry operated by Irish Ferries on the Dublin to Holyhead and Cherbourg routes on charter from Tallink. She was built as the Star at Aker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, Finland for Tallink and entered service on their Helsinki - Tallinn service on 12 April 2007.
History[edit]
Tallink[edit]
Star was the first fast ferry capable of around-the-year service used on the Helsinki–Tallinn route.[1] The green external livery of the ship is according to Tallink promotion material "meant to reflect the environmentally friendly aspects of the ship's design".[2]
Star operated three daily departures from both Helsinki and Tallinn, each crossing taking two hours. In Tallink marketing, Star has often been referred to as "Tallink Star". The ship's planned original delivery date was 5 April 2007, but this was postponed until 12 April 2007, owing to problems with the main engines.[3]
During the COVID-19 outbreak crisis the ship was assigned[4] to a government emergency service between Paldiski, Estonia, and Sassnitz, Germany to ease the transportation of goods between Estonia and Central Europe. Poland had closed its borders and required health declarations from truck drivers which introduced long truck queues on its borders and slowed transportation.
Irish Ferries[edit]
On April 6, 2023, Irish Ferries announced they were chartering the Star from Tallink for 20 months, with possible extensions of 2+2 years, and an eventual possibility of purchase.[5][6] The ship was renamed Oscar Wilde and will initially be positioned on the Rosslare - Pembroke route, replacing the also chartered Greek ferry Blue Star 1.[7]
On 31 January 2024 she was replaced on the route from Rosslare by the Norbay, allowing Oscar Wilde to be deployed from 11 February 2024[8] on the company’s two primary services from Dublin, sailing to Cherbourg in France on one weekend rotation and to Holyhead in Wales for the rest of the week.
Specifications[edit]
The ship's design is heavily based on that of MS SeaFrance Rodin, built by Aker Finnyards for SeaFrance in 2001.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ Tallink press release: Tallink's New Vessel Star Started on Tallinn–Helsinki Route Archived 2007-10-06 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 8. 10. 2007
- ^ Tallink press release: Tallink's New Vessel Named Superstar Archived 2008-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 8. 10. 2007
- ^ Turun Sanomat: M/S Star delayed by a week, retrieved on 29. 3. 2007
- ^ , Tallinki laev Star jätkab Paldiski-Sassnitzi liinil tihedat seilamist, retrieved on 2020-03-25
- ^ "Long-term charter agreement for the shuttle vessel Star". 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Irish Ferries introduces new Cruise Ferry". Irish Ferries. 2023-04-06.
- ^ "Oscar Wilde | Irish Ferries | Rosslare Pembroke". www.irishferries.com. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
- ^ "Stena Line Irish Sea ferry fleet January 2024 updates - niferry.co.uk". www.niferry.co.uk. 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ (in Finnish) FCBS Forum: Tallink tilasi nopeakulkuisen lautan Aker Finnyardsilta, retrieved 8. 10. 2007
External links[edit]
Media related to IMO 9364722 at Wikimedia Commons
- Tallink official website for Star
- (in Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Star (2007)
- Star at marinetraffic.com
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