MS Polarlys (1995)
The Polarlys between Havøysund and Hammerfest
IMO no. 9107796
The Polarlys (Norwegian for " aurora " ) is a passenger and ro-ro ship of the Hurtigruten ASA, which is used on the Hurtigruten route to the coast of Norway in regular service. Previously there had been two more ships with that name. As the Nordlys and the Midnatsol is named after a natural phenomenon and the Polarlys.
History
Construction and commissioning
On 14 June 1994, the shipping company Troms Fylkes Dampskibsselskap ASA and the shipyard Ulstein Verft AS completed the contract for the construction of a new ship that was to come on the Hurtigruten used. The hull was defined as yard number 223 on the Ulstein Verft AS Ulsteinvik on 1 February 1995 at Kiel. The launch took place on 4 November 1995 and on 23 March 1996, the ship could be delivered. On the same day the ship of the lawyer and politician Ann Kristin Olsen was christened Polarlys.
Use
Immediately after the commissioning undertook the Polarlys a short cruise to the Shetland and Orkney Islands. On April 17, 1996, the ship took the line service on the Hurtigruten and replaced the Nordstjernen.
The Polarlys in Harstad
Machinery and drive
The Polarlys is equipped with a diesel-mechanical propulsion system. It consists of two " father - and - son " drive groups; each includes two nine-cylinder in-line diesel engines of the type Ulstein Bergen BRM -9 ("Father ", built in the direction of travel advance) or Ulstein Bergen - KRG -9 ( "son", aft mounted in direction of travel). The rated speed of the motor is 750 rpm. They work together with centrally arranged reduction gear ( " dual motor gearbox" ) of the type Volda ACG1500/900HV and wave systems each have a variable pitch propeller. The generators ( shaft generators ) of the ship are directly linked to the main engines and were manufactured by Leroy Somer. They make 1,600 kW ("Father " page, main generator ) or 1,550 kW ( " son " page, auxiliary generator ). The pure driving power of the ship was ( 4.500 hp / propeller ) indicated by the yard with 3,600 kW / propeller. When maneuvering two transverse thrusters are used in the bow with an output of 600 kW (approx. 815 hp) and a plant in the rear with an output of 880 kW ( 1,200 hp).
Equipment
The Polarlys has seven decks and offers 737 passengers. There are 482 beds in 225 rooms. The 50 spaces for cars on board can be reached via a side hatch on board. The interior of the vessel is based on the nature of Scandinavia.
The Polarlys has for a ship of its model year and category, the usual amenities and facilities. So there is a restaurant, bistros, lounges, gym, sauna and wellness center on board.