Final farewell to the European Navigator

Following persistent rumours for several months before hand the European Navigator finally left the P&O fleet on the 1st of February 2003. Since October 2002 the European Navigator's future had been in the balance because P&O Irish Sea seemed to be set to re-introduce the European Mariner back into service on her old route between Larne and Troon. The European Mariner was subsequently chartered to Norse Island Ferries back in October 2002 which saw the European Navigator back in service to Troon after her October refit. At that time there was speculation that the European Navigator was to be chartered to Norfolk Line for their Felixstowe route but this was shelved when the European Mariner was chartered instead.

The return of the European Mariner from charter just before Christmas heightened the speculation that the European Navigator was to go once more. This time the rumour was that she was sold to a Middle Eastern operator and this was duly confirmed on the 15th of January 2003.

The European Navigator makes a fine sight as she enters Larne on the 18th of January 2003. Photo: LFW

The European Navigator was retained for a few weeks to cover the Larne to Fleetwood route while the usual ship European Seafarer was away covering overhauls for the fleet in Dublin and Rosslare. The European Navigator left Larne for the final time on the 1st of February 2003 with the European Seafarer taking over the 3rd of February.

The faithful European Navigator arrived in the port at 0500 after her last inbound trip from Fleetwood and remained on Curran Quay all day while she completed de-storing.

European Navigator at Larne during her last day in the port on the 1st of February 2003.

Final departure from Larne was at 2210. On her way out past the European Leader, which was berthed on Continental Quay, the Leader gave her a final send off with a blast on her hooter. Captain Jones, the final master of the European Navigator, responded by letting the European Navigator's twin hooters sing out for the last time over the port which has been more or less her home since 1989. Her first ever visit was in 1987 when she served as relief ship on Townsend Thoresen's Larne to Cairnryan route as the Viking Trader.

The European Navigator headed for Liverpool where she was dry docked for a hull inspection before final hand over to her new Middle Eastern owners on the 17th of February 2003. The ship was renamed Black Iris and re-registered in Aquaba, with her new owners being confirmed as Arab Bridge / Salam International of Amman, Jordan. The Black Iris joins a nine strong fleet of ships ranging from container ships and tankers to ro-ro vessels.

Thanks to Jim Rice, Steve and Wullie on the Islandmagee Ferry, Gary Andrews and David Fairclough for providing help in completing this final farewell piece on the European Navigator.