MS European Gateway

Penelope in 2009.
History
Name	Lopi (2013) Penelope (2005-2013) Penelope A (1999-2005) Rostock-Link (1992-1999) Travemünde-Link (1988-1992) Travemünde-Link I (1988) Flavia (1982-1988) European Gateway (1975-1982) European Express (1975) [1]
Owner	Okeanos Naftliaki Trading (1999-2013) R-L Shipping Ltd (1992-1999) Rederi Sea Link AB (1988-1992) Clorinda Maritime (1983-1988) Townsend Thoresen (1975-1982) [1]
Operator	Agoudimos Lines (1999-2013) Mols-Linien (1999) Amber Lines (1998-1999) Scandlines A/S (1997-1998) DSB Rederi (1996-1997) Europa Linien (1992-1996) GT Link (1988-1992) Anco Ferries (1982-1988) Townsend Thoresen (1975-1982) [1]
Port of registry	Piraeus, Greece [1]
Builder	Schichau-Unterweser, Bremerhaven, Germany [1]
Yard number	2256 [1]
Launched	20 December 1974
Maiden voyage	1975
In service	1975 [1]
Out of service	2013
Identification	IMO number:  7400261 [1]
Fate	Scrapped 15 July 2013.
General characteristics
Tonnage	3,335  GT (1975-1980) 4,236  GT (1980-1984) 11,335  GT (1984-Present)
Length	117.76 m (386 ft 4 in) (1975-1980) 133.46 m (437 ft 10 in) (1980-Present)
Beam	20.27 m (66 ft 6 in)
Draft	5.81 m (19 ft 1 in)
Propulsion	2* Stork Werkspoor 9TM410RR
Speed	18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Capacity	Passengers 132 (1975-1980) 326 (1980-1984) 1,100 (1984-Present) Cars - 400

MS European Gateway was a roll-on roll-off (RORO) car and passenger ferry built in 1975, originally owned and operated by Townsend Thoresen. On 19 December 1982, she capsized following a collision with Speedlink Vanguard off Harwich, settling on a sandbank. The ship had 34 passengers and 36 crew at the time. Six people were killed in the capsizing. ^[2] She was subsequently refloated ^[3] and repaired, and served the Greek Islands as Penelope, until 2013 when she was scrapped at the Aliaga breakyards (Turkey) ^[4]

Sister Ships

The European Gateway has three sister ships:

• European Enterprise
• European Trader
• European Clearway

See also

• MS Herald of Free Enterprise - Another ferry owned by Townsend Thoresen which sank.
• Harwich Lifeboat Station for description of The European Gateway Disaster.

References

1. "The Ferry Site - 7400261" . Retrieved 22 September 2011.
2. Russell, Steve (2019-12-19). "Never forgotten: Victims of North Sea disaster off Suffolk" . Retrieved 2021-04-09.
3. video of the operation starts at 8:08 of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_tVSJcEDm4, accessed 30 April 2022
4. "Lopi - Imo 7400261".