ST. HELENA
Shipbuildervessel built by
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)
Date31 October 1990
Object NamePASSENGER AND CARGO VESSEL
MediumSTEEL
ClassificationsShip
Object numberABDSHIP002687
Keywords
Yard Number: 1,000
Official Number: 8716306
Subsequent Names: MNG TAHITI (2018) St. HELENA (2019)
Fate: still extant (2023)
Propulsion: Motor
Description: Passenger and cargo vessel, cargo deck foreward, accomodation midships and aft.
Owners:
1990: St. Helena Line Ltd (managed by by Curnow Shipping until 2001 then Andrew Wier Shipping until 2018)
04/2018: Tahiti Shipping Ltd., as arsenal to counter piracy in the Gulf and Horn of Africa
10/2018: St. Helena LLC, as a mobile base for e-Extreme rally events
General History:
This was the last vessel built in Aberdeen.
As of June 2003, the vessel sailed to Cape Town and St Helena from Portland, Dorset rather than Cardiff.
"The 128 berth passenger and cargo vessel was due to be retired in July 2016, due to an island airport that was due to open in June 2016.
The last sailings of the vessel will include a rare visit to the UK. Voyage 242 will see the vessel visit London, sailing under Tower Bridge and be moored alongside HMS BELFAST from 5th to 14th June.
She will be at anchor in St. James Bay for five days in July before arriving in Cape Town on 15th July. This was to be the end of her service but due to issues with the airport, RMS ST. HELENA is expected to continue in service until September 2016."
"The RMS ST. HELENA arrived in St Helena for the last time on January 29, 2018. As Britain’s last working postal ship, she sailed to the remote islands of St Helena delivering mail to 4,500 residents for nearly three decades.
ST. HELENA now has a commercial airport, so the purpose-built ship is no longer needed. Renamed MNG TAHITI, the 103-meter (340-foot) ship is being readied by her new owner MNG Maritime to become a floating armory working in the Gulf of Oman. She will deliver security guards and weapons to vessels sailing through the region and is expected to be operational in her new role in the next few months".
(Source: maritime-executive.com)
In 2019 the ship had been refitted to act as a mobile hub for the race events of the Extreme E electric SUV racing series. It is used to carry all equipment, including the cars, to the race locations.
Below is a schedule of what were supposed to be the final few voyages of the St Helena, helpfully supplied by a visitor to Aberdeen Maritime Museum in May of 2024.
VOYAGE 242
Cape Town Departure Saturday 07/05/16
St Helena Arrival Thursday 12/05/16
Departure Saturday 14/05/16
Ascension Arrival Tuesday 17/05/16
Departure Tuesday 17/05/16
St Helena Arrival Friday 20/05/16
Departure Sunday 22/05/16
Ascension Arrival Tuesday 24/05/16
Departure Tuesday 24/05/16
Tenerife Arrival Tuesday 31/05/16
Departure Tuesday 31/05/16
Vigo Arrival
Departure
Tilbury Arrival Sunday 05/06/16
VOYAGE 243
Tilbury Departure Tuesday 14/06/16
Tenerife Arrival Sunday 19/06/16
Departure Sunday 19/06/16
Ascension Arrival Sunday 26/06/16
Departure Sunday 26/06/16
St Helena Arrival Tuesday 28/06/16
Departure Friday 01/07/16
Ascension Arrival Sunday 03/07/16
Departure Monday 04/07/16
St Helena Arrival Wednesday 06/07/16
Departure Sunday 10/07/16
Cape Town Arrival Friday 15/07/16
VOYAGE 244
Cape Town Departure Monday 18/07/16
St Helena Arrival Saturday 23/07/16
Departure Monday 25/07/16
Ascension Arrival Wednesday 27/07/16
Departure Thursday 28/07/16
St Helena Arrival Saturday 30/07/16
Departure Sunday 31/07/16
Cape Town Arrival Friday 05/08/16
VOYAGE 245
Cape Town Departure Saturday 20/08/16
St Helena Arrival Thursday 25/08/16
Departure Saturday 27/08/16
Ascension Arrival Monday 29/08/16
Departure Monday 29/08/16
St Helena Arrival Thursday 01/09/16
Departure Friday 02/09/16
Cape Town Arrival Wednesday 07/09/16
VOYAGE 246
Cape Town Departure Friday 09/09/16
St Helena Arrival Wednesday 14/09/16
Departure Friday 16/09/16
Ascension Arrival Sunday 18/09/16
Departure Sunday 18/09/16
St Helena Arrival Wednesday 21/09/16
Departure Thursday 22/09/16
Cape Town Arrival Tuesday 27/09/16
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