Corsica Marina Seconda, 30 May 2009

Corsica Marina Seconda

IMO 7349039
Built 1974, Rickmers Werft Bremerhaven, West Germany
Tonnage 12 035 GT
Length 120,78 m
Width 21,60 m
Draft 5,90 m
1 500 passengers
74 beds
480 cars
790 lane metres
2 MaK diesels, combined 10 356 kW
2 propellers
1 bow thruster
Speed 19,5 knots

Corsica Marina Seconda was built as one of four freight-oriented ferries ordered by Stena Line from Rickmers Werft in West Germany with the epxress purpose of chartering out the ships when completed. Delivered on 1 October 1974 as Stena Nautica, already on the same day the ship passed under charter to Marine Atlantic of Canada and was renamed Marine Nautica for service on Canada's east coast. In 1979 Marine Atlantic bought the ship outright.

In 1986, coinciding with the delivery of Marine Atlantic's new purpose-built ferry Caribou, the Marine Nautica was sold to Tourship group, owners of the Mediterranean ferry operator Corsica Ferries. Renamed Corsica Marina II, the ship entered service on Corsica Ferries' Livorno-Bastia -route. In 1999 her name was amended into Corsica Marina Seconda.

Photographs below are from the morning of 30 May 2009, showing the Corsica Marina Seconda departing Livorno for Bastia, hot on the heels of the same company's Mega Express Four. Photogaphed from onboard MSC Sinfonia. Click on the image(s) to view full size.

Low morning sun reflecting on the ship's hull. Port of Livorno in the background.

The ship's boxy exterior might actually have been improved a bit with the addition of side sponsons, as they break up the monotonous white expanse of the ship's side a bit.

Rear view. While the ship's general shape might be a bit unattractive, the 70's-style funnel with it's large smoke deflector is completely kickass in terms of design. Unsurprising when you know the ship was designed by Knud E. Hansen A/S.

Heading out to their respective destinations, Mega Express Three leading and Corsica Marina Seconda following.