HSC Champion Jet 3
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The Champion Jet 3 is a high-speed catamaran ferry owned and operated by Seajets. Launched in 1997, she was initially chartered out as a civilian ferry, then became the first large catamaran to enter military service when she was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Jervis Bay from 1999 to 2001.
In 2002, she returned to civilian use, chartered to the Italian company TRIS. From 2004, she was chartered by SpeedFerries for its Dover to Boulogne-sur-Mer service. Renamed SpeedOne and later purchased outright by the company, she operated on this route until French authorities impounded her in late 2008, as the SpeedFerries had failed to pay taxes. SpeedFerries was placed into administration shortly after, and the ferry was laid up until 2010, when she was purchased by Condor Ferries for operations between the Channel Islands and St Malo as Condor Rapide. She was then sold in 2021 to Spanish operator Trasmapi as Incat 045. Having failed to enter service with Trasmapi, she was sold to Seajets in 2023, and currently operates in the Aegean Sea as Champion Jet 3.
Regular Routes
Sept 29th - Oct 31st
Sept 15th
July 21st - 14th Sept
June 6th - 20th July
April 4th - June 5th
History
Constructed by Incat in Hobart, Australia and named Incat 045, the 86-metre (282 ft) catamaran was launched in November 1997. She was chartered out to Spirit of Tasmania between 14–27 July 1997 as a ferry across Bass Strait, then was returned to the shipyard. In May 1999, the catamaran was chartered by the Australian government for logistics and transport operations. The ship was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Jervis Bay, becoming the first large catamaran in military service.
The ship was primarily used as a troop and equipment transport between Darwin and Dili in support of the International Force for East Timor peacekeeping operation. Jervis Bay was decommissioned on 11 May 2001, resuming her original name. In 2002, Incat 045 was chartered to Italian ferry company TRIS and sailed between Genoa and Palau, Italy under the marketing name of Winner until the collapse of the company later that year.
SpeedFerries
Following the collapse of TRIS, the ferry was laid up in Portland, England until 2004. The ferry was chartered by SpeedFerries, renamed HSC SpeedOne, and registered in Dover, England. The ferry was assigned to operate between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer in France.
On 28 December 2007, SpeedOne collided with the Prince of Wales Pier in Dover, ripping a hole in the side of the ferry. No passengers were aboard at the time, and the damage was repaired for the ship to resume operations on 31 December.
On 6 November 2008, SpeedOne was detained in Boulogne-sur-Mer in a dispute over non-paid harbour duties and taxes. SpeedFerries was placed into administration on 13 November, and services were cancelled. The ferry was detained until 20 November, when she left France and sailed to Tilbury, where she was laid up awaiting charter.
On 11 May 2009, HSC SpeedOne was renamed Sea Leopard. In the early summer of 2009 the vessel was given a single voyage dispensation and moved from Tilbury to A&P. Falmouth to undergo repairs and reactivation, where she remained for around three months. On completion of works, including a full overhaul on all four main engines, she returned to Tilbury in September 2009 to await sale.
Condor Ferries
On 26 March 2010 it was announced that the vessel had been purchased by Condor Ferries and renamed Condor Rapide, replacing Condor 10 on the Guernsey / Jersey to St. Malo route.
Condor Rapide transported both vehicles and foot passengers between the Channel Islands and France and due to the higher ramp capacity, larger freight vehicles are able to use ro-ro services that were previously unavailable on a daily scheduled basis.
Trasmapi
Upon Condor's announcement of the introduction of the larger Condor Voyager, Condor Rapide was sold to Spanish ferry operator Trasmapi in 2021. After departing Poole in July 2021, the vessel sailed to Vigo to be laid up, and was renamed Incat 045.
However, the Port Authority in Algericas refused docking permission for the vessel and it remained laid up for many months. The vessel never entered service throughout its ownership under Trasmapi.
Seajets
In August 2023, it was announced that Seajets, had purchased the vessel to operate services for its fast ferry network in Greece, with it renamed as Champion Jet 3.
Sister ships
External links
- Media related to IMO_9161560 at Wikimedia Commons