THE VORTIGERN STORY PART TWO: LINDOS LINES' MILOS EXPRESS 1988-1999 © matt@hhvferry.com See also: The complete 1985 Vortigern deckplan On board Vortigern - general |
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After completing her final period of Sealink relief on 31 March 1988, Vortigern was sold to Lindos Lines of Greece and renamed Milos Express. Destined for a new career linking the Milos and other Western Cyclades islands with the Greek mainland port of Piraeus, the ship actually made a maiden call in Milos on her delivery voyage, still in basic Sealink British Ferries livery. Showing off the new ship to the islanders, the former Vortigern's new master brought her into harbour to be greeted by a car headlight flashing reception all along the shore line. For her new owners, the ship was somewhat rebuilt at the stern to provide additional covered deck space and more cabin accommodation (the former duty free shop being the main area converted for this purpose). Otherwise however, the internal layout was largely unchanged although it was subject to various refurbishments as time went by. The Milos Express spent eleven and a half very happy years with Lindos Lines, becoming a well-known and popular sight amongst islanders until, in late 1999, the small independent operation was acquired by the new and fast-expanding Hellas Ferries. |
ABOVE & BELOW: Two views of the Milos Express at Piraeus in the 1990s. In the image above, NEL Line's legendary Spero (ex-Sappho) can be seen on her berth in the background. Pictures courtesy Antonis Lazaris. |
BELOW: In this close-up view, the characteristic Sealink funnel is evident, but appears slightly different at first sight as various canopies have been built around its base, making the visible structure somewhat shorter. |
BELOW: The best years of her career: the Vortigern as Milos Express. Picture courtesy Antonis Lazaris |