HSC Dublin Swift
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates
| Script error: No such module "InfoboxImage". Dublin Swift in August 2018 Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities". |
Dublin Swift is a high-speed catamaran built in 2001 by Austal as a passenger and vehicle catamaran ferry. After conversion to a Maritime Prepositioning ship the vessel was chartered by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command until January 2018 as WestPac Express. It was then converted for civilian use as a passenger ferry by Irish Ferries and renamed Dublin Swift.
History
After a demonstration in 2001, Austal signed a three-year lease with Military Sealift Command for the WestPac Express.[1][2][3]
In March 2011, the WestPac Express was deployed as part of the US response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[4] In recognition of this service, Admiral Mark Buzby presented the ship’s crew with United States Merchant Marine Outstanding Achievement Medal at a ceremony on board the ship in Yokohama, Japan.[5] The lease was renewed successively until the end of 2017.[6][7]
In April 2016 WestPac Express was sold to Irish Continental Group, who continued to lease it to the Military Sealift Command until the end of 2017.[7][8][9]
With its charter to the US Navy completed, in January 2018 WestPac Express arrived in Belfast for refurbishment at Harland & Wolff to replace the Jonathan Swift on Irish Ferries' Dublin to Holyhead route.[10][11][12] It entered service in April 2018.[13][14]
Follow on orders
With a design based on the WestPac Express, Austal USA built 10 Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport vessels for use by the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Coast Guard with a further two on order.[15][16]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ US Military Breakthrough Austral 3 July 2001
- ↑ Austal Secures Landmark Ferry Contract with United States Military Austral 31 January 2002
- ↑ WestPac Express Austal
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ US Military Signs New Charter for Austal High Speed Vessel Defpro
- ↑ US Navy extends Austal charter The West Australian 6 October 2014
- ↑ a b WestPac Express completes 16 year charter Defence Connect 11 January 2018
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Irish Ferries Owner Acquire Fast-Ferry for $13.25m Afloat 15 April 2016
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ News in brief Ships Monthly April 2018 page 10
- ↑ First look: Dublin Swift, the new fast ferry to Holyhead Irish Times 14 May 2018
- ↑ Austral Awarded Joint High Speed Vessel Contract Austal 14 November 2008
- ↑ Austal Delivers Expeditionary Fast Transport the USNS Burlington (EPF 10) to the US Navy Austal 16 November 2018
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
Template:FerriesIrishSea Script error: No such module "Military navigation".