The ship had been laid up pretty much since 1995 when Ventouris Sea Lines went bankrupt. She was brought back into service for two glorious Indian Summers in 1999 and 2000 but was laid up again, latterly in Elefsis, in 2001. The last of her generation, the final survivor of all the beautiful pre-ro-ro Oostenders, she deserved a better fate than this but her condition and the economic climate conspired against all efforts at preservation, either in Greece or back in Belgium.
Here we recall the ship in her earlier days, as one of the fine fleet of Dover-Oostende passenger and early vehicle ferries.
In her final years of lay up, the ship was an increasingly decrepit sight and it was sadly clear that there would be only one final journey, no matter the personal feelings of the Ventouris family for the ship or the efforts of enthusiasts to preserve her.
Images of the Georgios Express being towed away from Elefsis in her funeral cortege can be seen here on Dimitris and Manos Photosite.
Thanks a lot for your excellent wor for “Roi Baudouin”/”Georgios Express”.
We love very much this ship.
We made an efford to be converted to Floating Maritima Museum, but we didn’t manage to do anyting.
Unfortunately only virtual voyages are possible like this one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W7ZYDaxrSY
Ook mede gevaren , als scheepselectricien.
Ook mee gevaren als scheepsrlectricien.