MS Benchi Express
| {{Infobox ship begin|display title=MS Benchi Express}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Benchi_Express.jpg |Ship caption=Benchi Express }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header= |Ship country=Spain |Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Spain|civil}} |Ship name=Benchi Express |Ship owner=Fred Olsen, S.A |Ship operator=Fred. Olsen Express |Ship registry= |Ship route= San Sebastián de La Gomera - Playa Santiago - Valle Gran Rey |Ship ordered= |Ship builder=Drassanes Dalmau |Ship original cost= |Ship yard number= |Ship way number= |Ship laid down= |Ship launched=June 2017 |Ship completed= |Ship christened= |Ship acquired=September 2017 |Ship maiden voyage= |Ship in service= |Ship out of service= |Ship identification=*Call sign: EARP
|Ship status=In service |Ship notes= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Ship class= |Ship length={{convert|28.70|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|9.00|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draught= |Ship draft= |Ship depth= |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship power=*2 Caterpillar C32 ACERT, |Ship propulsion= |Ship speed={{convert|19|kn|lk=in|abbr=on}} |Ship notes= }} |
Benchi Express is a catamaran ferry operated by the Spanish-Norwegian shipping company Fred. Olsen Express for local transport connecting ports on the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands). It was delivered to Fred. Olsen in September 2017 and has been operating the route between the towns of San Sebastián de La Gomera, Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey since then. The ship was purpose-built for this route by Drassanes Dalmau, based in Arenys de Mar (Barcelona).
{{Location map+
| Spain Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
| width =
| caption = Towns served by Benchi Express
| alt =
| relief = yes
| places =
{{Location map~
| Spain Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
| label = San Sebastián
| label_size = 70
| position = right
| marksize = 6
| link = San Sebastián de La Gomera
| lat_deg = 28.0876
| lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 17.1077
| lon_dir = W
}}
{{Location map~
| Spain Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
| label = Playa Santiago
| label_size = 70
| position = bottom
| marksize = 6
| link = Playa Santiago
| lat_deg = 28.0261
| lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 17.1981
| lon_dir = W
}}
{{Location map~
| Spain Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
| label = Valle Gran Rey
| label_size = 70
| position = left
| marksize = 6
| link = Valle Gran Rey
| lat_deg = 28.0795
| lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 17.3331
| lon_dir = W
}}
}}
Design and construction
The Benchi Express is a passenger transport catamaran, purpose-built in Arenys de Mar by Drassanes Dalmau for Fred. Olsen Express. The construction is entirely of composite material. The vessel is {{convert|28.70|m}} long and {{convert|9.00|m}} wide, making it the smallest ship in the Fred. Olsen Express fleet, and can reach speeds of {{convert|19|kn|lk=in}}.
The ship is powered by two Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesel engines capable of providing a combined power of 2,134 kW.
The Benchi Express can transport up to 250 passengers on two decks: the main deck has a capacity of 150 passengers while the upper open-air deck can hold another 100 passengers. The upper deck can be covered if required. There is also space for eight bicycles or motorcycles.
Predecessors
Fred. Olsen Express first operated the local La Gomera route connecting San Sebastián, Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey between 2009 and 2012 using another ferry, also called Benchi Express. This vessel was {{convert|40|m}} long, could transport 300 passengers and had a cruise speed of over {{convert|30|kn|lk=in}}. The ferry also connected the island's capital, San Sebastián, to the town of Los Cristianos in Tenerife, thus serving as a sea link between the two islands.{{cite web |url=https://www.eldiario.es/canariasahora/economia/Benchi-Express-Fred-Olsen-Gomera_0_309370244.html |title=El 'Benchi Express', de Fred. Olsen, comenzará a operar en La Gomera la próxima semana |date=2009-03-18 |language=Spanish |trans-title=Fred. Olsen's 'Benchi Express' will begin operating in La Gomera next week |access-date=2019-04-09 |website=eldiario.es }}{{cite web |url=http://www.diariodeavisos.com/2012/01/el-%E2%80%98benchi-express%E2%80%99-suspendera-su-servicio-indefinidamente-en-febrero/ |title=El 'Benchi Express' suspenderá su servicio indefinidamente en febrero |language=Spanish |trans-title='Benchi Express' will suspend its service indefinitely in February |date=2012-01-14 |access-date=2019-04-09 |website=Diario de Avisos |last=Gutiérrez |first=Juan Jesús }}
References
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Benchi Express (ship, 2017)}}
- [https://www.astillerosdalmau.com/es/2631297/embarcaciones/Pasaje/Catamaranes-Pasaje/250-Pasajeros-BENCHI-EXPRESS.htm Benchi Express information from Drassanes Dalmau]
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