HSC SeaCat Rapide

=History=

SeaCat Rapide was built in 1996 as "Condor 12". For her first season she operated alongside Condor 10 on Condor Ferries Channel Island services. In 1997 the vessel became "Holyman Rapide" and operated on the English Channel. When Hoverspeed bought the Holyman group, the Holyman Rapide became known as "Rapide" and transferred to Hoverspeed's English Channel Routes.

In March 2001 Rapide moved up from the English Channel to Sea Containers Irish Sea services between Liverpool and Dublin. She had a reputation of being "flogged to death" by Holyman Ferries and needed much work on her engines.

For March 2002 the Rapide was deployed between Belfast and Heysham, however following a disastrous fire on Wednesday 21 August 2002 on the 0700 Belfast-Heysham service when a fire was reported in the Port Engine room at 0800 and was 'promptly extinguished' the service never reopened after that date.

The Rapide lay alongside the lay-up berth in Belfast before finally getting repaired by March 2003. With SeaCat Scotland moving to the English Channel in November 2002, this meant the Belfast to Troon route needed a vessel, as it had been operated by HSC Seacat Isle of Man, which needed to return to her Manx services.

On Monday 1 November 2004 Rapide had completed the Belfast to Troon service with the 1545 sailing ex Belfast returning from Troon at 1930.

Finally, the Rapide left Belfast for the final time on Monday 8 November 2004 at 1620, bound for Sunderland.

For 2005 Rapide was deployed, as "Seacat Rapide", between Dover and Calais for Hoverspeed, however as the Company closed on Monday 7 November 2005 the Rapide was laid up at Tilbury.

In June 2006 Rapide left the UK probably for the last time bound for a new career in Spain for Balearia.