HSC Condor Rapide

This article details the service of the Incat 045 catamaran in Europe, from 2002 onwards. For her previous civilian and military service, see HMAS Jervis Bay .

HSC Condor Rapide is a fast ferry operated by Condor Ferries.

Launched in 1997, she was initially chartered out as a civilian ferry, then became the first large catamaran to enter military service when she was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as from 1999 to 2001.

In 2002, the catamaran was sent to Europe on charter, operating with Italian company TRIS for during that year, before being chartered by SpeedFerries for their Dover to Boulogne-sur-Mer service. Renamed HSC SpeedOne, she operated on this route until she was impounded by French authorities in late 2008, as the company had failed to pay taxes. SpeedFerries was placed into administration shortly after, and the ferry was laid up until 2010, when she was purchased by Condor Ferries and renamed Condor Rapide.

Construction and early operating history

Constructed by Incat in their Tasmanian shipyard and named Incat 045, the catamaran was launched in November 1997. She was chartered out to TT-Line for a short period as a ferry between Victoria and Tasmania, then was returned to the shipyard. In May 1999, the catamaran was chartered by the Australian Government for logistics and transport operations. The ship was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as , becoming the first large catamaran in military service.

The ship was primarily used as a...
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