Veteran ships of the world

[ombugge]

A veteran catamaran fast ferry bites the dust (maybe?):

The catamaran “Buenos Aires Express”, in its stage with Colonia Express

This is the old “Sleipner”, construction number 37 of the Westermoen Hydrofoil A/S shipyard, in Mandal (Norway), commissioned by the company P/R Sleipner (controlled by Det Stavangerske Dampskisselskab), based in Stavanger.
In June 1974 it was released on the Stavanger-Bergen fast line. In 1976 it suffered an accident in Haaskru, although it could be refloated and repaired and from November 1987 and for a year and a half it held the name “Tranen”.
Type Westmaran 95, the catamaran “Rápido de Formentera” -or “Buenos Aires Express”, if you prefer- is a ship of 251 gross tons and 220 dead weight tons, in a hull of 29.13 m length -27, 80 m long between perpendiculars–, 9 m wide and 1.43 m deep. She has a capacity for 180 passengers and is powered by two French-made SACM UD30 diesel engines and 3,600 horsepower, which allowed her to maintain a speed of 26 knots, although in sea trials she reached 32 knots. IMO code 7396381.

The catamaran “Buenos Aires Express”, moored in Carmelo, pending it’s destiny.

Source: https://www.puentedemando.com/el-veterano-buenos-aires-express-pendiente-de-destino/

Update:
The next catamaran with the same name had an accident in 1999 at nearly the same location as the older Sleipner in 1976.
This accident ended more tragically, with the loss of 16 lives:

Sleipner-ulykken – Store norske leksikon

Radio communication from the accident in 1999:

[English subtitles] MS Sleipner Mayday Call