SEALINK-HOLYHEAD
Justin Merrigan
Prinsessan Desirée
Replacing the Earl Siward, the 1971-built Prinsessan Desirée entered service between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire on 9 July 1981. The ship had just completed a stint with B+I Line on the Rosslare - Pembroke service when the Irish company sub-chartered her to Sealink pending delivery of the St David from builders Harland & Wolff.
Prinsessan Desiree
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Aalborg Vaerft A/S, Denmark, 1971.
7037806
1819 tonnes
5.25 metres
123.45 metres
19.60 metres
1400 passengers
230 cars
Stern door
Bow door
Her time on the service was plagued by bad press; passengers finding her rather dated Scandinavian interior to be less than comfortable.
The arrival into service of the St David on 10 August 1981 saw the Swedish ship return to more familiar waters in Gothenburg. There then followed a somewhat nomadic career which included a charter to English Channel operator Sally Line for service between Ramsgate and Dunkerque. In 1993 she was sold to Scandi Lines, becoming their Bohus for service between Larvik and Frederikshavn. In 1999 ownership passed to Color Line.
In 2007 the Bohus remained in service for Color Line, sailing between Sandefjord and Strömstad, a remarkable survivor given her varied career.