MV Discovery Sun was the flagship and sole ship of Discovery Cruise Lines, a Miami-based tour operator. She was built at the Orenstein & Koppel shipyard in Lübeck, Germany in 1968 and was renovated in 1995 and then updated in 2000. She was previously named Scandinavian Sun for day cruise operator SeaEscape.

Discovery Sun entering Lucayan Harbor
History
Name
  • Za Dur (2011)
  • MV Discovery Sun (1994–2011)
  • Balanga Queen (1992–1994)
  • Scandinavian Sun (1982–1992)
  • Caribe Bremen (1981–1982)
  • Caribe (1976–1981)
  • Svea Star (1973–1976)
  • Freeport (1973–1974)
  • Freeport I (1968–1973)
  • Freeport (1968)
OwnerDiscovery Cruise Line
OperatorDiscovery Cruise Line
Port of registry
BuilderOrenstein-Koppel und Lübecker Machinenbau, Lübeck, Germany
Yard number658
Launched20 April 1968
Identification
FateScrapped 13 February 2012
General characteristics
Tonnage11,979 GT[1]
Length134 metres (440 ft)
Beam21 metres (69 ft)
Capacity1,210

MV Discovery Sun provided a regular service from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island and acted as a passenger cruise ferry service.

On 20 August 1984, while operating as the Scandinavian Sun, a fire broke as the ship was docking at the Port of Miami. The fire was started by lubricating oil leaking from a diesel generator, and spread through a ladder access way and open passageways to the passenger areas of the ship. One crew member and one passenger were killed, and 57 passengers and crew were injured.[2][3]

Fate

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In September 2011, Discovery Cruise Lines ceased operations, citing high operating costs and lack of profitability.[4] Discovery Sun was subsequently offered for sale, but there was no buyer or charterer. Discovery Sun was broken up for scrap at Chittagong on 13 February 2012.[1]

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Discovery Sun (6815158)". Equasis. Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  2. ^ "Scandinavian Sun Cruise Ship Fire Injures 31". Ocala Star-Banner. AP. 21 August 1984. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  3. ^ Levesque, Paula (8 August 2014). "Today in fire history: a fire onboard a cruise ship resulted in two fatalities and fifty-seven injuries". NFPA Today. National Fire Protection Association. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Discovery Cruise Line to cease operations Sept. 6". Archived from the original on August 30, 2012.