 MS Superfast VI in Patras, Greece.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | list error: <br /> list (help) 2001—2013: Superfast VI 2013—present: Bimini Superfast [1] |
| Owner | list error: <br /> list (help) 2001—2010: Attica Group 2013—present: Genting Group[1] |
| Operator | list error: <br /> list (help) 2001—2010: Superfast Ferries 2013—present: Bimini Superfast Ltd[1] |
| Port of registry | list error: <br /> list (help) Patras,  Greece2013—present: Panama,  Panama[1] |
| Route | list error: <br /> list (help) 2001-2013: Patras-Igoumenitsa-Ancona 2013-present: Miami-Bimini |
| Builder | HDW, Kiel, Germany |
| Yard number | 356[1] |
| Launched | 11 March 2000[1] |
| Acquired | 6 February 2001[1] |
| Maiden voyage | 2 March 2001[1] |
| In service | 2 March 2001[1] |
| Identification | IMO number: 9198927[1] |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics (as built)[1] | |
| Class and type | Superfast V class fast ropax ferry |
| Tonnage | 32,728 GT[1] |
| Displacement | 6,420 t DWT |
| Length | 203.90 m (669 ft 0 in)[1] |
| Beam | 25 m (82 ft 0 in)[1] |
| Height | 40.0 |
| Draught | 6.80 m (22 ft 4 in) |
| Decks | 10 |
| Installed power | list error: <br /> list (help) 4 × Wärtsilä-Sulzer NSD ZA V40S diesels combined 46000 kW |
| Propulsion | list error: <br /> list (help) 2 propellers 3 bow thrusters 1 stern thruster |
| Speed | Service28.9 knots (53.52 km/h; 33.26 mph)[1] |
| Capacity | list error: <br /> list (help) 1608 passengers 842 berths 712 cars 1926 Lane meters[1] |
MS Bimini Superfast is a fast ropax ferry operated by by Resorts World from Miami to their Bimini bay Resort and casino. Built in 2001 as Superfast VI by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel, Germany for Attica Group's subsidiary Superfast Ferries, she was sold to her current owners in 2013.[1]
Concept and construction edit
The Superfast VI was built at HDW in Kiel for Superfast Ferries' Adriatic Sea services, along with her sister ship Superfast V. She was the second ship in the third pair of ropax ferries built for Superfast Ferries from various yards in Northern Europe. She was ordered in July 1998, alongside sister ship MS Superfast V and another pair for Baltic sea services, Superfast VII and VIII[2] She was launched from dry dock on 11 March 2000 and was due to be delivered at the end of July 2000, but after many moths of delays due to technical problems, she was delivered to Superfast Ferries on 6 February 2001.[1] After many moths of delays due to technical problems, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) was forced to pay hefty penalties due to the late delivery.[3]
Service history edit
2001-2013: Superfast VI edit
Superfast VI entered service on 2 March 2001 on Superfast Ferries Patras—Igoumenitsa-Ancona route.[1] In March 2013 the Superfast VI was sold to Genting Group, she was handed over to her new owners on 6 April 2013.[1]
2013 onwards: Bimini Superfast edit
After Genting Group took over their new ship, she was renamed Bimini Superfast.[1] She departed Patras and sailed to Malaga in Spain for remodeling. After a few weeks she departed Malaga and sailed to USA for final fitting out works to be completed. Bimini Superfast was due to begin service on the 6 June 2013 but the US Coast Guard did not approve the ship to sail in US waters, due to deficiencies with the crew and the ship, even though it had been sailing in Europe for many years with no compliance issues. After several weeks of work, the US Coast Guard gave Bimini Superfast final clearance to sail. [4] On 20 June 2013 she finally made her first crossing from Miami to Bimini. Once in Bimini, passengers disembark to visit Resorts World Bimini Bay Resort and Casino. Currently the ship anchors off the Bimini coast, and passengers are ferried to the island by tender, until the construction on the pier and terminal on the island is complete.[5] [6] Part of the business plan of Genting for the Bimini Superfast was to carry out evening gambling and party cruses to nowhere, but due to visa issues with the hotel staff being foreign nationals, the US government has ruled that they can no longer offer these cruises, as the passengers never set foot in anther country. As a consequence Bimini Superfast completed her last cruise to nowhere on 18 November 2012. [7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Asklander, Micke. "M/S Superfast VI (2001)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2014-01-4.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "ATTICA GROUP HISTORY". Attica Group. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Lulurgas, Michele. "H/S/F SUPERFAST VI". ADRIATIC AND AEGEAN FERRIES. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Coast Guard clears Bimini Superfast Ferry for operations". USA Coast Guard. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Inaugural cruise of Bimini Superfast". thebahamasweekly.com. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Resorts World Bimini Superfast Makes Inaugural Voyage". tribune242. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Genting gambling cruises hit rough waters". Miami Herald Business. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
External links edit
Category:Ferries of the United States Category:Ships built in Kiel Category:2001 ships 05