Darnia

Built in 1977 as the Stena Topper this ship was immediately acquired by British Rail for Stranraer - Larne service.  Renamed Darnia she was a sister to the Stena Timer which would see service at Holyhead during 1979 and 1980.

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As a freight carrier she offered accommodation for just 75 passengers, however in 1982 she was converted to carry up to 412 passengers. Additional superstructure was fitted immediately forward of her funnel and gave her a reputation for being somewhat tender.



A regular visitor to Holyhead's drydock during the late 1970's and early 1980's, it was not until the St Columba was disabled by an engine room fire at the end of January 1990 that the Darnia would see service on the Dun Laoghaire crossing. The ship was far from successful in service at Holyhead and she made only two round trips over a five day period due to gales.



Following the sale of Sealink to Stena Line in 1990, the Darnia was sold to Nordström & Thulin AB, Stockholm, being renamed Nord Neptunus in April 1991. She was sold again in 1997, this time to New Neptune Shipping Co Ltd, Tallinn, Estonia and renamed Neptunia.

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The ship was registered in 2000 to Neptunia Navigation Ltd, Valetta, Malta and then re-registered to Falcon Marfreight, Gibraltar.  This brought her back to UK waters operating a joint venture service between Folkestone and Boulogne for Falcon Freight and Sea Containers' subsidiary Hoverspeed.

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After service in Guadeloupe she was laid up at Port-de-France, Martinique in November 2006 with engine defects.  She was sold in July 2007 to Turkish shipbreakers.