Leaving Havøysund passing NORDKAPP

In route: 03-12-1982 - 19-01-2003
Owner: A/S Troms Fylkes Dampskibsselskap - Tromsø
Built: Ordered November 1980; keel laid July 1981; in water and baptized 22-05-1982; completed 11-26-1982; In route 03-12-1982
Shipyard: Ulstein Hatlø A/S - Ulsteinvik
Construction number: 176
Dimensions: 108.62 x 96.04 x 16.50 x 8.84 x 4.60 m.
Tonnage: 4,131 GRT; after 1988, 6,167 GRT; 774 dwt
Call signal: L.L.M.H.
Lloyds/IMO: 8019356
Machines: 2x four-stroke V16 cylinder Ulstein/Bergens type KVMB-16, 250x300 each coupled to an adjustable propeller; 2 generators 650 kW/380 V/50 Hz; 1 generator 385 kW/380 V/50 Hz; 2 Ulstein bow thrusters type 90.TV each 400 apk
Power: 6,400 apk; 4,708 kW
Speed: 18.75 knots
Passengers: 410; 190 cages; after 1988, 505 passengers; 346 cages
Purchased: New construction for 150,000,000 NOK
Removed: Renamed MIDNATSOL II on 15-04-2003

Details: Baptized by Elisabeth Giæver.
In 1987/1988 rebuilt for 40,000,000 NoK at Motorenwerke Bremerhaven and delivered 14-03-1988.
Aground in Risøyhamn in April 1993.
Aground in Berlevåg on 11/16/1993.
Rebuilt and adapted in 1995.
Laid up on 16-04-2003 at Fiskarstrand Værft A/S - Fiskarstrand (Ålesund) and offered for sale.
On 05-02-2005 to Croisière Transboréale - Quebec but the purchase was canceled. On 04-07-2005 renamed LYNGEN and rebuilt at Fosen Mekaniske Verstad A/S and deployed again in the Hurtigrute.
In March 2006 as owner Hurtigruten Group ASA – Tromsø.
In September 2007 as owner Hurtigruten ASA – Tromsø.
Sold to Lindblad Expedition - Nassau in September 2007 and transferred to the new shipping company on 18-10-2007 and renamed NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER.
Renovations started on 19-10-2007 in Göteborg; arrived in Las Palmas on 20-01-2008 for further renovation.