TEV Rangatira

{{Excessive citations|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox ship | display_title = |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = | image_caption = }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = | flag = | name = *''Rangatira'' (1972–1986) *''Queen M'' (1986–1990)<ref name=NZMaritime>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzmaritime.co.nz/r4.htm |last=Castell |first=Marcus |title=The Turbo Electric Vessel Rangatira of 1971 |publisher=The New Zealand Maritime Record |date=2003–2005 |access-date=29 May 2013 |archive-date=14 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914030656/http://www.nzmaritime.co.nz/r4.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> *''Carlo R'' (1990–2001)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *''Alexander the Great'' (2001–2005)<ref name=BlueStar>{{cite web |url=http://bluestarline.org/rangatira.html |title=Union Steam Ship Company's T.E.V. "Rangatira" |work=Blue Star on the Web |date=3 February 2012 |access-date=29 May 2013 |archive-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108062016/http://bluestarline.org/rangatira.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | namesake = *(1972–1986): [[Māori language|Māori]] for *"chief, wellborn, noble" *(2001–2005) [[Alexander the Great]] | owner = *[[Union-Castle Line#Predecessor lines|Union Steam Ship Company]] (U.K.) Ltd, London(1972–1986)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Searoyal Ferries]] (1986–1990)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Rodriquez Group/Alimar]] (1990–2001)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Oberon Cruise Line]] (2001–2005)<ref name=BlueStar/> | operator = *Union Steam Ship Co of NZ (1972–1976)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Marlines Ferries]] (1986–1990) *[[Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation|COTUNAV]] (1990–92)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Alimar]] (1993)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Horizon Sea Lines]] (1994)<ref name=NZMaritime/> | registry = *{{flagicon|UK|civil}} [[Port of London|London]] (1972–1986)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *{{flagicon|Cyprus}} [[Port of Limassol|Limassol]] (1986–1988)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *{{flagicon|Panama}} (1988–1989)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *{{flagicon|Malta}} [[Valletta]] (1989–2005)<ref name=NZMaritime/> | route = *[[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]] – [[Lyttelton Harbour|Lyttelton]] (1972–1976)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Tunis]] – [[Port of Genoa|Genoa]]/[[Marseille-Fos Port|Marseille]] (1990–1993)<ref name=NZMaritime/> *[[Ancona]] – [[Çeşme]] (1994)<ref name=NZMaritime/> | ordered = 15 May 1969<ref name=NZMaritime/> | builder = [[Swan Hunter]],<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=BlueStar/><ref name=NZCoastal>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzcoastalshipping.com/steamerexpress.html |title=Steamer Express |work=New Zealand Coastal Shipping |date=2003–2009 |access-date=29 May 2013 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222170921/http://www.nzcoastalshipping.com/steamerexpress.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Wallsend]], England | original_cost = | yard_number = 33<ref name=BlueStar/> | laid_down = 2 April 1970<ref name=NZCoastal/> | launched = 23 June 1971<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> | completed = 1971 | maiden_voyage = 28 March 1972<ref name=NZMaritime/> | acquired = | in_service = 28 March 1972<ref name=NZMaritime/> | out_of_service = 16 August 1995<ref name=NZMaritime/> | homeport = [[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]] (1972–1976) | identification = {{IMO Number|7111731}}<ref name=NZMaritime/> | fate = Scrapped in 2005. | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | type = *[[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry *(1972–76; 1986–95)<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> *[[Barracks ship|accommodation ship]] (1977–82)<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> *[[barracks ship]] (1982–83)<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=BlueStar/> | tonnage = *{{GRT|9387.26}}<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=BlueStar/><ref name=NZCoastal/> *4,030.{{NRT|69}}<ref name=NZMaritime/> | displacement = | length = {{convert|500|ft|4|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=NZCoastal/> or {{convert|152.63|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name=BlueStar/> | beam = {{convert|22.08|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name=BlueStar/> | draught = {{convert|5.284|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name=BlueStar/> | depth = | decks = six<ref name=NZCoastal/> | ramps = stern only<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> | power = | propulsion = *[[turbo-electric transmission]];<ref name=NZMaritime/> *twin [[Propeller (marine)|screw]];<ref name=NZMaritime/> [[bow thruster]]s<ref name=NZCoastal/> | speed = *{{convert|18.26|kn|km/h}} average;<ref name=NZMaritime/> *{{convert|22.25|kn|km/h}} maximum<ref name=NZMaritime/> | capacity = as built: 768 passengers<ref name=NZMaritime/> (later reduced to 733);<ref name=NZCoastal/> 200 vehicles<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> | troops = about 1,200 (1982–83)<ref name=NZMaritime/> | crew = 123<ref name=NZMaritime/> | sensors = | armament = *(1982–83): *4 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]<ref name=NZMaritime/> | aircraft_facilities = *(1982–83): *heavy-duty [[helicopter deck]] on A-deck<ref name=NZMaritime/> | notes = twin [[rudder]]s;<ref name=NZCoastal/> [[Stabilizer (ship)|fin stabilisers]]<ref name=NZCoastal/> }} }} '''TEV ''Rangatira''''' was a [[roll-on/roll-off]] vehicle and passenger ferry launched in 1971 for the [[Union Company|Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> She was the world's last surviving passenger ship with steam-powered [[turbo-electric transmission]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> (Modern turbo-electric ships, including {{RMS|Queen Mary 2}} and {{sclass|Millennium|cruise ship}}s such as ''[[Celebrity Millennium]]'', have [[gas turbine]]s.)

''Rangatira'' had a varied existence, including serving as an accommodation ship and [[barracks ship]] between 1977 and 1983. The Union Company sold her in 1986 and she returned to being a ferry. From 1986 onwards, she passed through a succession of owners who renamed her three times and registered her under three different [[Flag of convenience|flags of convenience]]: as '''''Queen M''''' in 1986,<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> '''''Carlo R''''' in 1990<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> and '''''Alexander the Great''''' in 2001.<ref name=BlueStar/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

After a failed attempt to convert the vessel into a [[cruise ship]]<ref name=NZCoastal/> she was scrapped in 2005.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

==Name== ''[[Rangatira]]'' is [[Māori language|Māori]] for "chief (male or female), wellborn, noble". The 1971 ship is at least the sixth to carry the name. The first ''Rangatira'' was in service between Great Britain and New Zealand by 1857. The second was an iron-hulled steamship built in 1863 and wrecked in 1880.<ref name=NZMaritime/> The third was a [[Shaw Savill Line]] steamship built in 1890 and sold and renamed in 1909. The fourth was a Shaw Savill Line steamship built in 1909 and wrecked in 1916. The fifth was the Union Company ferry {{ship|TEV|Rangatira|1931}}, a turbo-electric ship that was in service from 1931 to 1967.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

==Building and delivery== The Union Company ordered the new ''Rangatira'' from [[Swan Hunter]] of [[Wallsend]], England on 15 May 1969.<ref name=NZMaritime/> She was launched on 23 June 1971 by [[June Blundell]] and undertook initial [[sea trial]]s on 20 September<ref name=NZCoastal/> or 20 December.<ref name=NZMaritime/> Her completion was delayed by an industrial dispute at Swan Hunter<ref name=NZCoastal/> so she was fitted out at [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]],<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> England. She was delivered to Union Steam Ship Company (UK) Ltd in January 1972<ref name=NZCoastal/> and sailed from England on 16 February carrying a cargo of motor cars.<ref name=NZCoastal/> On 18 March she reached Wellington, New Zealand and discharged her cargo.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

The new ''Rangatira'' had turbo-electric transmission, with twin [[turbo generator]]s and electric propulsion motors built by [[Associated Electrical Industries|AEI]] of [[Manchester]]. In addition she had [[bow thruster]]s for easier berthing.<ref name=NZCoastal/> Compared with the more common reduction gearing between [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbines]] and [[Propeller (marine)|propeller]] shafts, turbo-electric transmission has lower [[energy conversion efficiency]] and an inferior [[power-to-weight ratio]]. But it gives quicker manoeuvrability, being able to change propeller speed more quickly and also give full power astern if needed.

''Rangatira'' was built with capacity for 768 passengers<ref name=NZMaritime/> (159 fewer than her predecessor {{ship|TEV|Wahine}}) and 200 vehicles.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> ''Rangatira''{{'}}s overnight cabins included one 6-berth, one 10-berth and one 12-berth dormitories.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

==New Zealand ferry== The new ''Rangatira'' was to work the {{convert|200|nmi|km|adj=on}} "Steamer Express" route between [[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]] on the [[North Island]] and [[Lyttelton Harbour|Lyttelton]] on the [[South Island]], replacing the ''TEV Wahine'' that had been wrecked in [[Cyclone Giselle]] in 1968.<ref name=NZMaritime/> On 28 March 1972 she made her first voyage from Wellington across [[Cook Strait]] and along the South Island east coast to Lyttelton.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/><ref>New Ferry for NZ ''[[Australian Transport]]'' May 1972 page 45</ref> On this first trip she carried a full complement of 768 passengers.<ref name=NZCoastal/>

As soon as the new ''Rangatira'' was in service, the TEV ''Maori'' was withdrawn and work began to strip her of equipment.<ref name=NZCoastal/> However, on 18 September ''Rangatira'' developed a serious fault with her [[Port and starboard|port]] turbine, reached Wellington at reduced speed two and a half hours late<ref name=NZCoastal/> and had to be taken out of service for repairs.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> The ''Maori'' was quickly re-equipped and on 20 September was returned to service until ''Rangatira''{{'}}s repairs were complete and she able to resume duty on 16 October.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

On 19 June 1973 ''Rangatira'' damaged her port rudder and propeller while berthing at Lyttelton.<ref name=NZCoastal/> She was taken out of service for repairs, drydocked at Wellington on 20 June and returned to service on 2 July.<ref name=NZCoastal/>

On 30 October 1973 ''Rangatira'' was ''en route'' from Lyttelton to Wellington when her [[Port and starboard|starboard]] turbine suffered damage to a thrust bearing and a rotor.<ref name=NZCoastal/> She reached Wellington over two hours late but was repaired and returned to service on 2 November.<ref name=NZCoastal/>

===Financial losses, subsidy and withdrawal=== For almost a decade the Steamer Express route had lost traffic between the North and South islands to its competitors. In 1962 [[New Zealand Railways Department|New Zealand Railways]] had introduced its [[Interislander|Cook Strait]] rail ferries on the {{convert|55|nmi|km|adj=on}} route between Wellington and [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]], offering a much shorter sea crossing for freight and cars. Domestic aviation between the two islands was also expanding and becoming more affordable, especially after the [[New Zealand National Airways Corporation]] introduced [[Boeing 737-200]] aircraft in 1968.

Before the loss of the ''Wahine'' in 1968, the ''Maori and the Wahine'' were used to provide a regular two-ship overnight service between Wellington and Lyttelton with one ship departing from each port every night and arriving early the next day at the other port. Following the loss of the ''Wahine'', the ''Maori'', and after 1972 the ''Rangatira'', provided a single ship service with a night crossing in one direction followed by a day crossing in the opposite direction. The day crossings proved to be very unpopular with passengers and the less frequent and irregular service was unpopular with both passengers and freight shippers. The perception created by the loss of the ''Wahine'' that the Lyttelton to Wellington ferry service was a less safe option hastened the decline of passenger numbers.

''Rangatira''{{'}}s long route and the high fuel consumption of her turbo-electric propulsion made her uncompetitive from the start. Running her on the Steamer Express resulted in substantial losses, which by 1974 were at a rate of [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]4 million a year.<ref name=NZMaritime/> On 1 July 1974 the [[Ministry of Transport (New Zealand)|NZ Ministry of Transport]] [[Chartering (shipping)|chartered]] ''Rangatira'' for six months in order to keep the service running, and on 16 February 1975 the ministry renewed her charter for 12 months.<ref name=NZMaritime/> In the 12 months to 31 January 1976 ''Rangatira'' earned NZ$6.3 million but had cost NZ$10 million to operate.<ref name=NZMaritime/> on 3 March 1976 Ministry of Transport renewed the charter "for a short period" until a more affordable replacement ship could be brought into service.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

''Rangatira'' worked the Steamer Express for four and a half years. In that time she made 2,096 crossings and carried a total of 832,260 passengers and 139,656 vehicles.<ref name=NZCoastal/> However, that meant that her average loading per crossing was only 397 passengers<ref name=NZMaritime/> (just over half capacity) and 67 vehicles (about one-third capacity).

On 14 September 1976 ''Rangatira'' left Lyttelton on her last inter-island crossing, reaching Wellington the next day.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> She was not replaced on the route: her withdrawal was the end of the Steamer Express service.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

==Oil industry accommodation ship== The Union Company hoped to sell ''Rangatira'' and thought it more likely to find a buyer for her in Europe than in New Zealand. Therefore, on 17 September 1976 she left Wellington to return to Britain to be laid up. She sailed ''via'' [[Papeete]] on [[Tahiti]] and through the [[Panama Canal]], reaching [[Falmouth, Cornwall]], England on 17 October.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

===Loch Kishorn=== In 1977 a Norwegian company, Sea Truck Trading of [[Stavanger]], chartered ''Rangatira'' to be an [[Barracks ship|accommodation ship]] in for workers building an [[oil platform]] at the [[Loch Kishorn#Kishorn Yard|Kishorn Yard]] in [[Loch Kishorn]], Scotland.<ref name=NZMaritime/> ''Rangatira'' was not an ideal accommodation ship, as her cabins were designed for overnight use rather than long-term residence.<ref name=NZMaritime/> However, modifications for her new function were limited to alteration of her [[cafeteria]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> Then she left Falmouth on 12 March, reaching Loch Kishorn on 14 March.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

''Rangatira'' was in use in Loch Kishorn until May 1978.<ref name=NZMaritime/> She visited Glasgow to be [[Marine surveyor|surveyed]] in October–November 1977 and again on 25 May 1978, when her charter to Sea Truck came to an end.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> On 18 March 1978 in Loch Kishorn the coastal tanker ''BP Springer'' collided with her, causing minor damage.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

===Sullom Voe=== ''Rangatira'' was then repaired and altered for a four-year charter as an accommodation ship for the building of the [[Sullom Voe Terminal]] in the [[Shetland Islands]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> For this charter she was more thoroughly adapted. All her cabins were converted to single berths, a gymnasium and indoor games facilities for [[snooker]] and [[table tennis]] were installed and television lounges were built on her upper car deck.<ref name=NZMaritime/> ''Rangatira'' reached Sullom Voe on 2 October.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

On 9 May 1981, Queen [[Elizabeth II]] officially opened Sullom Voe terminal, and afterwards dined aboard ''Rangatira''.<ref name=NZMaritime/> The ship then returned to Falmouth to be laid up again, arriving on 5 July.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

The Union Company again sought a client to charter ''Rangatira''. Negotiations for her to be an accommodation ship for [[Pemex]], Mexico's state-owned oil company, fell through.<ref name=NZMaritime/> Then [[Blue Star Line]] entered negotiations for ''Rangatira'' to become a cruise ship off the coast of Africa, under the management of the Curnow Shipping Company which at the time ran {{RMS|St Helena|1989|6}} that served [[Saint Helena]] and [[Ascension Island]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> This would have involved replacing her steam turbines with [[Marine propulsion#Reciprocating|diesel engines]] and a complete refit of her accommodation.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

==Falkland Islands barracks ship== On 2 April 1982 [[1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands|Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands]], and between 7 April and 12 May elements of a [[British logistics in the Falklands War|UK Task Force]] left Britain for a [[Operation Sutton|counter-invasion of the islands]]. ''Rangatira'' underwent [[sea trial]]s for the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|UK Ministry of Defence]], which on 15 May 1982 chartered her for possible service as a [[hospital ship]].<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=BlueStar/> This was later changed to service as a [[barracks ship]].<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=BlueStar/>

''Rangatira'' went to [[HMNB Devonport|HM Naval Base Devonport]],<ref name=NZMaritime/> England where she was modified for war service. This included fitting [[underway replenishment]] equipment for [[Fuel oil#Bunker fuel|bunkering]] at sea, adding a helicopter deck to her A-deck strong enough for a [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook]], and arming with four [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]] on her upper decks.<ref name=NZMaritime/> Her accommodation was increased to about 1,200 people, with each two-berth cabin being increased to six berths.<ref name=NZMaritime/> Her upper car deck was again remodelled, this time with three [[Mess#United Kingdom|mess]] decks, a sergeants' mess and a lecture theatre.<ref name=NZMaritime/> Her lower car deck was equipped with 14 freezer containers, holding enough food to feed 1,200 people for six months.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

[[P&O]] arranged ''Rangatira''{{'}}s crew,<ref name=NZMaritime/> appointing Blue Star Management to manage her.<ref name=BlueStar/> Her senior officers were drawn from the Union Company and the remainder were from Blue Star Line.<ref name=NZMaritime/> A Naval Party was also embarked under the nomenclature NP2070, consisting of Radio Operators, airmen, gunners and engineers. She sailed from [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]], England on 19 June and reached [[Port Stanley]] in the Falklands on 11 July,<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=BlueStar/><ref name=NZCoastal/> where she spent the next 14 months as a barracks.

On 26 September 1983<ref name=BlueStar/><ref name=NZCoastal/> ''Rangatira'' left Port Stanley and on 18 October she arrived back at HMNB Devonport, where her Ministry of Defence equipment was removed.<ref name=NZMaritime/> She then went to [[Harland & Wolff]] in [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland who refitted her.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> On 29 March 1984<ref name=NZMaritime/> she left Belfast and on 30 March she arrived back in Falmouth, where she was laid up again.<ref name=BlueStar/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

==Mediterranean ferry== In 1986 ''Rangatira'' was sold to Searoyal Ferries, which was founded by Panayotis J Marangopoulos of Greece.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> She was overhauled and then on 3 November 1986 the [[platform supply vessel]] ''Vigen Supplier'' towed her out of Falmouth.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> Searoyal renamed her ''Queen M'' and registered her in [[Port of Limassol|Limassol]] under the [[Cyprus|Cypriot]] [[flag of convenience]].<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> She was operated by a Searoyal subsidiary, Marlines Ferries.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> However, after only a few months Marlines laid her up at [[Port of Piraeus|Piraeus]] in Greece from 8 September 1987.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/> On 9 March 1988 while still laid up she suffered slight damage when the cement carrier ''Victory V'' collided with her.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

''Queen M''{{'}}s route was across the [[Adriatic Sea]] between [[Ancona]] in Italy and [[Patras]] on the [[Peloponnese]] ''via'' [[Igoumenitsa]] in [[Epirus]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> She worked this route for the three years 1987–89,<ref name=NZMaritime/> apparently only in the busy tourist months of each year. In 1988 Searoyal re-registered ''Queen M'' in [[Panama]], another flag of convenience.<ref name=NZCoastal/> In 1990 the company announced that it would extend her route to Turkey, but instead it sold her.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

The ship was bought by the Rodriquez Group of [[Messina]] in [[Sicily]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> She was renamed ''Carlo R'' and registered in [[Valletta]] under the [[Malta|Maltese]] flag of convenience.<ref name=NZMaritime/> Rodriquez Group's ferry-operating subsidiary Alimar chartered her to the [[Tunisia]]n state-owned ''[[Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation]]'' (CTN or COTUNAV) for the summers of 1990, 1991 and 1992, with whom she worked the [[Tunis]] – [[Port of Genoa|Genoa]] and Tunis – [[Marseille-Fos Port|Marseille]] ferry routes.<ref name=NZMaritime/> COTUNAV did not renew her charter for the 1993 season, so Alimar ran her between Tunis and Italy.<ref name=NZMaritime/> In 1994 Alimar chartered ''Queen M'' to Horizon Sea Lines of Greece who ran her between Ancona and [[Çeşme]] on the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]] coast of Turkey.<ref name=NZMaritime/>

In 1995 Egnatia Line planned to charter ''Carlo R'' for a route across the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] linking [[Trapani]] in Sicily with [[Port of Livorno|Livorno]] and [[Port of Naples|Naples]].<ref name=NZMaritime/> However, Rodriquez Group was now in financial difficulties so Egnatia Line did not proceed with the charter.<ref name=NZMaritime/> Instead from June 1995<ref name=NZCoastal/> she made a few Adriatic crossings between [[Bari]] and Patras<ref name=NZMaritime/> or Igoumenitsa.<ref name=NZCoastal/> On 16 August 1995 arrived in Naples for repairs,<ref name=NZCoastal/> after which she remained there laid up.<ref name=NZMaritime/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

By 2000 Rodriquez Group was bankrupt and a Neapolitan court had seized the ship for the company's debts.<ref name=NZMaritime/> The court had her surveyed, and the [[marine surveyor]] valued her at about NZ$2.5 million.<ref name=NZMaritime/> In August 2001 she was still laid up at Naples<ref name=NZMaritime/> but in October she was sold by auction.<ref name=NZCoastal/>

==Fate== The buyer was Oberon Cruise Line, which renamed her ''Alexander the Great'' and planned to have her converted into a [[cruise ship]].<ref name=NZCoastal/> She was towed to [[Bijela, Montenegro]], where she arrived on 23 December 2001 to be converted at the Bijela Adriatic Shipyard.<ref name=BlueStar/> In January 2004 she was still in the shipyard, the planned conversion never materialised and by this time the ship was in very poor condition.<ref name=NZCoastal/>

On 12 January 2005 the Greek tug ''Hellas'' towed her out of Bijela, arriving on 20 January at [[Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard|Aliaga]] in Turkey.<ref name=NZCoastal/> She was to have been sold to an Indian [[ship breaking]] company to be broken up at [[Alang Ship Breaking Yard|Alang]] in [[Gujarat]], but the deal fell through.<ref name=NZCoastal/> Instead by 29 January she had been beached at Aliaga and was broken up.<ref name=BlueStar/><ref name=NZCoastal/>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rangatira, TEV}} [[Category:Cook Strait ferries]] [[Category:Ferries of Italy]] [[Category:Naval ships of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Ships built by Swan Hunter]] [[Category:Ships of the Union Steam Ship Company]] [[Category:Steamships of Cyprus]] [[Category:Steamships of Italy]] [[Category:Steamships of Malta]] [[Category:Steamships of New Zealand]] [[Category:Steamships of Panama]] [[Category:Turbo-electric steamships]] [[Category:1971 ships]]