HSC Santorini Palace

The HSC Santorini Palace (ex Highspeed 7, Highspeed 5) is an 85m high speed catamaran operated by Minoan Lines.

Santorini Palace at Santorini.
History
Name
  • (2005–2015): Highspeed 5
  • (2016–2018): Highspeed 7
  • (2018–Present): Santorini Palace
OwnerMinoan Lines (2018–Present)
Operator
Port of registry
Builder
Yard number285
Launched2005-03-20[1]
Completed2005
Maiden voyage2005
In service2005
Identification
Statusin service
General characteristics (as built)[2]
Class and typeAuto Express 85
Tonnage4,913 gt
Length85.0 m (278.9 ft)[2]
Beam21.2 m (69.6 ft)[2]
Draft3 m (9.8 ft)
Depth6 m (19.7 ft)
Installed power4 x Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines[2]
Propulsion4 x KaMeWa 112 s11 waterjets[2]
Speed39 knots (72 km/h; 45 mph)[2]
Capacity
  • 1,160 / 810 passengers (HS7[3] / HS5[2])
  • 105 / 154 cars (HS7[3] / HS5[2])
Crew26 / 24 (HS7[3] / HS5[2])
NotesRenamed Santorini Palace when sold to Minoan Lines (2018); renamed Highspeed 7 after extensive fire damage as Highspeed 5 (2016)

History

The vessel was built as Highspeed 5 by Austal at Henderson, Australia in 2005, on order by Greek ferry operator Hellenic Seaways.[2] She entered service with Hellenic Seaways in July 2005, initially sailing between Piraeus and Cyclades and in later years between Heraklion and central Cyclades. In 2016, after being repaired due to fire, she was renamed Highspeed 7.

In early summer 2018, Highspeed 7 was transferred to Minoan Lines as part of the deal for the sale of Minoan's stake in Hellenic Seaways to Attica Group. She was renamed Santorini Palace and painted in Minoan's colors on June 13, 2018.[4]

Fire incident and change of name to Highspeed 7

On March 23, 2015, while Highspeed 5 was docked at Drapetsona for modification works and inspections, a fire broke out on board that resulted in the death of the chief electrician and the destruction of her bridge and upper decks.[5] In September 2015, the vessel was towed to Fincantieri shipyards in Trieste, where she underwent extensive repairs. During them, the upper car deck was substituted with a passenger lounge, increasing her capacity to 1160 passengers. After being repaired, she was renamed Highspeed 7 and resumed her Heraklion - Cyclades service in mid June 2016.[3]

References
  1. "HIGHSPEED 5". ship-db.de. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  2. "Auto Express 85" (pdf; 760 KB). Austal. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  3. "Highspeed 7 Returns to Piraeus Refurbished, Ready to Begin Summer Service". gtp.gr. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  4. "Santorini Palace: Φόρεσε το νέο όνομα και τα νεα σινιάλα". arxipelagos.com. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  5. "Πυρκαγιά στο Highspeed 5". ellinikiaktoploia.net. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  • Highspeed 5 during a docking maneuver at Paros.
    Highspeed 5 during a docking maneuver at Paros.
  • Highspeed 5 at Paros in 2009.
    Highspeed 5 at Paros in 2009.
  • Highspeed 5 in older colors at Ios.
    Highspeed 5 in older colors at Ios.
  • Highspeed 5 at Piraeus.
    Highspeed 5 at Piraeus.
  • Highspeed 7 at Heraklion.
    Highspeed 7 at Heraklion.
  • Highspeed 7 at Santorini.
    Highspeed 7 at Santorini.
  • Highspeed 7
    Highspeed 7
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