After almost four decades of Irish Sea cargo-ship service, Mezeron’s Silver River, which carried break-bulk, vehicles, and containers, left its shipowners’ homeport of Ramsey, Isle of Man, for the final time.
The coaster was built in 1968 at Oldersum, Germany; it is that nation from which the veteran vessel was bound, with its destination of Buesum as Isle of Man Today reported. The small ship at just 327 deadweight tons (dwt) arrived to the North Sea port yesterday (19 Nov), where it will begin the next chapter of its long-running career.
The 45 m single-decker Silver River had been up for sale with Dutch brokerage Dick van der Kamp Shipsales B.V. with an asking price of $330,000 / €300,000
Its second-hand replacement, the much larger 64 m short-sea trader, Snaefell River of 1,100 dwt, arrived to Ramsey just after last Christmas.
Commenting on Facebook, Steve Walton, managing director at Mezeron, said, ‘This vessel has faithfully served the island through many challenging times. He added, ‘The crew and team have always gone above and beyond to ensure the island’s needs are met. ‘Fair winds and following seas, Silver River.’
The vessel that replaced Silver River had something of a checkered past, as Afloat previously reported, because of its grounding when named CEG Orbit. The incident as it happened took place on the Isle of Man, north of Ramsey at Cranstal; it was refloated with the aid of a tug and in the following year was renamed as the Leila.
More from the island newspaper on the domestic shipping scene.
