#ManxShipping – Ramsey based Mezeron Freight Services coaster-general cargoship, Silver River (1968/277grt) returned to her Irish Sea 'liner' services in late August, following an extensive survey in a Polish shipyard, writes Jehan Ashmore.
As previously reported during a visit to the Isle of Man earlier this year, the single-ship operators of Silver River were able to confirm to Afloat.ie that she was undergoing a marine class survey work at the Morska Yard in Swinoujscie. On completion of the survey, her repositioning voyage from Poland last month involved an en route call to Falmouth for bunkers before arriving in home waters.
Silver River operates for the only Manx 'cargo' based shipping company which provides two liner routes. One of these is the Belfast-Ramsey service. At time of writing, Silver River is heading outward of Belfast Lough on a routine (Wednesdays) sailing as scheduled from Northern Ireland to the Isle of Man.
Tomorrow she discharges her cargo at the north-east Isle of Man port before loading again for the second liner service, that been Ramsey-Glasson Dock in Lancashire.
Among the cargo carried on board the Ramsey registered classic 1960's veteran 'coaster' is bagged cement, fertiliser and 20-ft (TEU) containers.
It is understood Silver River at almost 45m long is the last of the small old coaster-general cargoships operating a regular service within the boundaries of the Irish Sea. Her re-entry to service now nearing her 50th year is a testament to her German shipbuilders, Schiffswerft Schloemer in Moormerland. She was launched in 1968 as the Seacon.
The return of this rare breed of classic coaster will also be welcomed by followers of such ship port trade activity within Irish and UK waters.
In recognition of her Irish Sea coastal trading, the Isle of Man Post Office last year issued a special Manx Maritime Heritage Series Cover to celebrate the cargo company that has kept the island supplied for three decades since formation in 1983.
During her absence over several months, the larger 67m Isis (1978/674grt) was chartered from Great Glen Shipping based in Fort William, Scotland. Likewise of Silver River, she has a Manx registry of Douglas and is flagged under the UK's Red Ensign.
Following Silver River's return, the former Channel Islands serving Isis that once traded as David Doorman for Alderney Shipping, departed Ramsey for Pennyghael on the Isle of Mull.
