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DISCOVERY
20,216 grt, DISCOVERY WORLD CRUISES, 600 passengers
Built 1971 as Island Venture, Norwegian Cruiseships A/S, renamed 1972 Island Princess, Fearnley & Eger, Oslo, 1974 bought by P&O, same name, 1999 renamed Hyundai Pungak, Hyundai Merchant, 2001 bought by present owners renamed Platinum, renamed 2002.
DOULOS
Leith, July 2004
Constructed in 1914, the MV DOULOS is the world's oldest active ocean going passenger ship. During her lengthy career, she has sailed under four distinct names:
i) as Medina was described as one of the most modern and largest steamship operating on the Atlantic coast (of America) freighting goods, commissioned into service by the US Coast Guard during WW2;
ii) Acquired 1948 by the Panamanian company, Naviera San Miguel SA, she was renamed the ROMA (1949) and converted into a passenger ship with cabins for 287 people and dormitories for another 694 people. As 1950 was the Roman Catholic Holy Year, the ship was used to transport pilgrims to
i) iii) In 1952 she was sold to Giamcomofu Andrea (Lines Costa) and renamed Franca C. At first sailing between
iv) 1970 bought by Gute Bücher für Alle e.V. (Good Books for All) and named Dolous taking up her present role:
'The MV DOULOS visits port cities throughout the world, supplying vital literature resources, encouraging inter-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, promoting greater global awareness, providing practical aid and sharing a message of hope in God wherever there is opportunity.
It has been announced that she will be replaced in this role at the end of the current season (Summer 2008)
EXPLORER
2,398gt, Built 1969. GAP Shipping Co Ltd, (Nov 2004), ex Linbald Explorer 1969 -85), Society Explorer (1985 – 1992).
'One of the best known expedition cruise ships in the world, the MV Explorer has a history dating back to the early 1970's when under the wing of Lindbald Travel she was the first custom-built expedition ship. Ownership has changed over the years but all her owners have maintained her to a very high standard. She is a small ship that has sailed to every corner of the world, making many nautical 'firsts', including the first transit by a cruise vessel of the infamous North West Passage, and the first visit to the Russian Far East.'
Leith ~ 17th May 2007
