Wikiwand AI

Bentago Express

Incat HSC catamaran From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bentago Express is a high-speed vehicle and passenger roll-on/roll-off ferry built in 2000 by the Australian shipyard Incat. Initially entering service as the Benchijigua Express, she was renamed Bentago Express in 2004. The ship is a twin sister to another long-standing member of the Fred. Olsen fleet, the Bencomo Express.

Name
  • (2000–2004): Benchijigua Express
  • (2004–present): Bentago Express
OwnerFred. Olsen Express (Canaria de Buques Rápidos)
OperatorFred. Olsen Express
Port of registrySanta Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Quick facts History, Name ...
Bentago Express in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
History
Name
  • (2000–2004): Benchijigua Express
  • (2004–present): Bentago Express
OwnerFred. Olsen Express (Canaria de Buques Rápidos)
OperatorFred. Olsen Express
Port of registrySanta Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Route
  • Las Palmas – Morro Jable (until Dec 2024)
  • Los Cristianos – Valverde (El Hierro) (Dec 2024–present)
Builder
Yard number55
Launched2000
Completed2000
Acquired2000
Maiden voyage2000
In service2000
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class & typeIncat 96m Wave Piercing Catamaran
Tonnage
  • 6,348 GT
  • 665 DWT
Length95.47 m (313 ft 3 in)
Beam26.16 m (85 ft 10 in)
Draft3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
Installed power4 × Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines
Propulsion4 × Lips waterjets
Speed38.0 knots (70.4 km/h; 43.7 mph) (service) 40.0 knots (74.1 km/h; 46.0 mph) (max)
Capacity
  • 880 passengers
  • 230 cars
NotesSister ship to Bencomo Express.
Close

Service

The catamaran, the fifth of a series of six sister units, was launched on 20 December 1999 at the Incat Tasmania Pty shipyard in Hobart with the name Benchijigua Express and delivered on 6 January 2000 to Fred. Olsen Express, for which she entered service on 28 January on the routes between Los Cristianos and San Sebastián de la Gomera.[1]

In November 2004, in view of the entry into service of the new Benchijigua Express, which was to be joined on the route, it was renamed Bentago Express.[2] In 2008 it was then transferred to the connections between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Agaete.[3]

On January 7, 2021, it ran aground during maneuvers to enter Agaete due to bad weather. However, the incident created a leak in the hull, and the catamaran was promptly evacuated. [4]After a week, on January 14, the Bentago Express was refloated and towed to Agaete, where the vehicles in the garage were unloaded. It was subsequently transferred to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and repaired.[5][6]

Sister ships

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks