"Arlequín Rosa", a Little-Known Double-Ended Ferry from Flebasa

Older than the vessel "Arlequín Rojo", the "Arlequín Rosa" was similar in concept but different in appearance. In this case, it was also a double-ended ferry with two independent bridges, and its maritime aesthetic was less graceful and more outdated, as can be seen in the accompanying images. During its time in Spain, it sailed very little: some trips in the summer of 1992, according to Vicente Costa Navarro, as it spent the rest of the time moored at the port of Burriana, where some spare parts were cannibalized, as noted by José Torres Tur.

Construction number 777 from the Dubigeon shipyard, Nantes-Chanenay (France), it entered service in July 1959 under the name "Saint Brevin" and was intended to connect the cities of St. Nazaire and Mindin, in the Laira estuary. After the construction of the bridge that rendered it unnecessary, it was moored in October 1975 and two years later moved to the port of La Rochelle, being renamed "L’Aunisien" and flying the flag of the Societe D’armement de L’Quest (SAO), based in Nantes.

In 1985, it re-entered service between La Pallice and Ile de Ré, where it remained for three years until the bridge opened in May 1988. It then entered a period of mooring that lasted until 1991, when it was acquired by Flebasa Lines, being registered in Spain and inscribed in the naval registry of Algeciras with the new name "Arlequín Rosa".

As mentioned, its time in service with Flebasa was very limited. In November 1999, it was towed by the tugboat "Facal Diecisiete" from its mooring in the port of Burriana to Lisbon, where it was scrapped. We appreciate any additional contributions regarding the Spanish period of this vessel from our kind readers.

Weighing 911 gross tons, it measured 64 m in overall length –58 m between perpendiculars– and 15.6 m in beam. It had the capacity for 440 passengers and 45 cars and was powered by two twelve-cylinder Poyaud diesel engines, each producing 882 horsepower, driving a Voith-Schneider system, and when new, it maintained a speed of 11 knots. IMO Code 8226131.

In its early years at sea, it sailed under the name "Saint Brevin"

The construction of modern bridges ended its essential purpose

It was a vessel of simple construction and very efficient in its task

"Arlequin Rosa" moored next to "Rolón Oro" (embargoed) and the catamarans "Leopardo" and "Eyra", from Cats Line

Photos: Frank Lose, fjordfaehren.de and Vicente Costa