The wonderful former Norwegian Hurtigruten classic coastal passenger/cargo vessel Nordstjernen called to the Isle of Man capital of Douglas this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Nordstjernen, built in 1956 as part of the Hurtigruten's coastal fleet, is a rare survivor of a vintage class of ships that is notably still operational at 69 years old. On board the small cruise ship, with guests totaling just 150 (originally 400), enjoy genuine wood-paneled interiors throughout an old-world ambiance and charm with brass fixtures and intimate lounges. Outside are also beautifully polished teak decks, of which four are for passengers of the 2,191 gross ton ship.
After decades in service visiting the stunning fjords along Norway’s long and rugged coast, Nordstjernen was withdrawn in 2012 and was the oldest operational ship in history. As such, the veteran vessel that same year was granted a protected heritage status by the Norwegian government through their Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage.
Nordstjernen, however, remained in service as the ship was sold in 2013 to Vestland Classic, which had continued to charter the ship to its former owner for seasonal cruises along Norway.
Up to last year it had operated also for Hurtigruten on cruises to Spitsbergen, the largest and the only permanently populated island of the Svalbard archipelago in northern Norway, located in the Arctic Ocean.
Such cruises are no longer possible, as the classic ship’s open lifeboats are no longer permitted in the Norwegian Arctic. In addition, due to the ship’s protected heritage status, replacement of these lifeboats is not allowed.
The current cruise was based out of Warnemünde, Germany, which is where the classic ship was built by Blohm & Voss, Steinwerder, Hamburg.
Also alongside at Douglas Harbour’s Victoria Pier was berthed HMS Mersey (P283) having departed from Portsmouth Naval Base.
With both berths occupying the outer pier, the Isle of Man Steam Packet’s reserve ropax Ben-My-Chree was anchored in Douglas Bay. The ropax had previously made a nighttime sailing from Heysham, England.
