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BEN LUI
BEN LUI
BEN LUI

BEN LUI

Shipbuilder (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1907 - 1976)
Associated (trawler, built 1953)
Date1953
Object NameFISHING VESSEL
MediumSTEEL
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 152' 8" x breadth 28' 2" x depth 14' 1"
Gross Tonnage: 473 ton
Object numberABDSHIP000181
About MeYard: John Lewis & Sons.
Yard Number: 236
Official number: 183845
Subsequent Names: RONGOS (1967), STRILOS (1987) LAMU (2002)

Propulsion: Motor
Description: Trawler, with cruiser stern, part riveted, part welded.

Owners:
1953: Richard Irvin & Sons Ltd, registered at Aberdeen, fishing number A715
1967: Jens Rong, Bergen.
1972: Brarns R. Bendiksen, Tromso, Norway.
1977: Bjarne R. Bendiksen, Tromso.
1981: P/R Rongos Karr Misje & Co. Bergen.
1987: Kare Misje & Co. Rederi A/S.
2002: Lamu Research Vessel Company Ltd, Powys Yacht Management, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda.

General History:
12/06/1953: Trials: on test bed 12 June, at sea in Aberdeen Bay 1 September.
28/10/1953: Sailed to Peterhead.

BEN LUI was built in 1953 for Richard Irvin of Aberdeen as a distant far trawler to fish the waters of Iceland or the Barents Sea. BEN LUI fished off the port and starboard sides of the vessel. BEN LUI had a distinctive sloping funnel structure aft of wheelhouse.

In 1987, owned by Kare Misje & Co. Rederi A/S and converted from fishing to research/diving support vessel, adding a forward thrust and stern thrust. A new main engine (made by A/S Winchman, Rubbestadneset, Oil Engine 2SA 4cy 300 x 450 1,000BHP (736KW) was also installed. Port and starboard sides at hte deck housing were covered in, a new wheelhouse was instllaed one decik higher up. Simon Mokstar, Stavanger, Norway became the new owners in 1987.

In 2002 she was renamed LAMU for Lamu Research Vessel Company Ltd, Powys Yacht Management, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda as a diving support vessel. Derrick and winch added of 5 ton.
As of 2003, this vessel is now a yacht. Brought from its former home in Norway to the Caribbean it was converted from a whaling vessel to a luxury yacht.

Motor Yacht Lamu
"LAMU (formerly BEN LUI) is a 50.84m (166.80ft) motor yacht, custom built in 1953 by John Lewis & Sons. This luxury vessel's sophisticated exterior design and engineering are the work of John Lewis & Sons. Her exterior is styled by the John Lewis & Sons team who are also responsible for the entire engineering package. Her exterior is styled by the John Lewis & Sons team who are also responsible for the entire engineering package.
LAMU has a steel hull and superstructure with a beam of 8.60m (28.22ft) and a 4.66m (15.29ft) draft".
(source: superyachts.com)

Note: Engine number 308, by John Lewis & Sons, Doxford.
Lloyd's Register for 1972 records the length as 166'10".
New engines 1980: 1x 2 stroke 4 cylinder Wichmann Motofabriek, 1 oil engine driving 1 fixed pitch propeller.
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Black and white photograph of the collier Ballyrory (903) at Hall Russell
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