Last 17th May, 2023 we issued an article regarding the towage of SPEED JET by tug DUKE II in the Mediterranean Sea last October – https://maltashipphotos.com/aerial-photography-duke-ii-towing-high-speed-craft-speed-jet-06-10-2022/
And today we have for you readers the history of this lovely Austal Built AUTO EXPRESS 82…
Built in 1996 as FELIX I for the Danish Ferry Operator Scandlines AB as yard number 52, she was launched on 1st October 1996 after her keel was laid down a year earlier on 1st August 1995.
She entered Grand Harbour, Malta during her delivery voyage on Sunday 1st December 1996 at 1652 hrs.
And left on Tuesday 3rd December at 1345 hrs bound to the Scandinavia.
With 82.3 metres as loa she can achieve the speed of nearly 40 knots (74 km/h). Her capacity is 156 cars and 650 passengers.
In 2002 she was reflagged to Panama (PAN) and renamed CROAZIA JET operating for Aliscafi SNAV based at Messina, Sicily, Italy and served on the Adriatic route between Ancona and Split.
On 9th February , 2015, she started operating the route between Nueva Esparta and Anzoátegui states in Venezuela for the company Conferry.
And in 2022 she was acquired by the Greek company Seajets of which MSPAP had the opportunity to photograph her from the Air. ( As per client’s request ).
