North Sea ferry veteran of Falklands War heading for scrapyard on last voyage

Falklands veteran Norland is on her final voyage, along with sister ship Norstar, to India, where they will be broken up.

The only North Sea ferry to carry troops in the Falklands conflict, Norland was handed over to work for an Italian ferry company eight years ago.

For the many who travelled on North Sea ferries over the years her scrapping will stir nostalgic memories – as well as of those perilous days nearly 30 years ago.

Brian Rees, from P&O Ferries said: "It was nothing short of a miracle that she survived the Falklands when you see how close the bombs were – someone must have been watching over her that day."

At 12,988 tonnes, Norland and Norstar were the largest ferries in the world when launched by North Sea Ferries in 1974.

In 1982 the Norland was requisitioned to carry 1,000 men of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment.

The ship finally got back to Hull on February 1, 1983.

They were sold to SNAV for the Naples to Palermo service, renamed Sicilia and Campania respectively. They are expected in India on November 1.