Aranui 3
{{for|this passenger-cargo ship's 2015 replacement|Aranui 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox ship begin|display title=ital}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Aranui 0557 1000.jpg |Ship caption=Aranui 3 at anchor in the Marquesas, November 2009 }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header= |Ship country= France, Cayman Islands |Ship flag= {{Shipboxflag|France|civil}} {{Shipboxflag|Cayman Islands|civil}} |Ship name=* 2003–2016: Aranui 3
|Ship owner=* 2003–2016: Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime
|Ship operator=* 2003–2016: Aranui Cruises
|Ship registry=* 2003–2016: Papeete, French Polynesia
|Ship route= |Ship ordered= |Ship builder=Severnav shipyard, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Romania |Ship original cost= |Ship yard number=170 |Ship way number= |Ship laid down= |Ship launched=9 March 2002 |Ship renamed= |Ship completed=24 December 2002 |Ship christened= |Ship acquired= |Ship maiden voyage= |Ship homeport= |Ship in service= |Ship out of service= |Ship identification=* {{IMO Number|9245354}}
|Ship fate= |Ship status=In service |Ship notes= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type=* 2003–2016: Passenger-cargo ship
|Ship tonnage=*{{GT|7,325}} |Ship displacement= |Ship length={{Convert|117|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{Convert|17.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draught={{Convert|5.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship depth={{Convert|9.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship decks=8 |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship ice class= |Ship power= |Ship propulsion={{Convert|3840|kW|abbr=on}} MaK 8M32 engine |Ship speed={{Convert|15|kn|lk=in}} |Ship capacity= 2003–2016: 208 passengers |Ship crew= |Ship notes= }} |
MV Aranui 3 was a dual passenger-cargo ship that operated between Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. With a homeport of Papeete, French Polynesia, Aranui 3 was registered as a passenger ship under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), for international operation. She was constructed in Romania and entered service in 2003 with Compagnie Polynesienne de Transport Maritime (CPTM).{{cite web |url= http://www.marine-marchande.net/Flotte/A-E/Aranui3.htm |title=Aranui 3 |work=Marine marchande |year=2016 |accessdate=20 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023101356/https://www.marine-marchande.net/Flotte/A-E/Aranui3.htm |archive-date=23 October 2019}}
Apart from supplying cargo to the six ports in the Marquesas Islands, Aranui 3 also operated a passenger service and tourist cruise, as Aranui Cruises, within its 14-day itinerary. It also called at the islands of Rangiroa and Fakarava in the Tuamotu Islands.
The ship ended her French Polynesia voyages on 4 December 2015 and was replaced by the Aranui 5 for the 12 December 2015 inaugural sailing. Aranui 3 was sold by CPTM to M2 Vessel Ltd, under the management of Al Seer Marine, Abu Dhabi, and converted to the superyacht support ship M2.{{cite ship register|register=E|id=9245354|shipname=M2|access-date=2024-04-20}}{{cite news |last1=Spicknell |first1=Sophie |title=The world's largest yacht support vessels |url=https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/largest-yacht-support-vessels |access-date=20 April 2024 |work=Superyacht Times |date=7 August 2023 |location=Amsterdam}}
References
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