Kista Dan

(Risaloweska RI-130a)

Notes: Built as Kista Dan for J. Lauritzen A/S for trade to east coast of Greenland. With a hull strengthened for navigation in ice and reversible-pitch propeller, she alternated from the Arctic to the Antarctic with the season. Chartered by the Australian Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) 1953-57, she helped establish the Davis and Mawson stations. She was the first vessel to be painted bright red for visibility in arctic conditions. Carried two Auster aircraft for survey work. Later sold to Karlsen Shipping and renamed Martin Karlsen; used for survey work and trading to NE Canada. Purchased jointly by insurance firm Marsh & McLennan and C.T. Bowring & Co in 1979, and renamed Benjamin Bowring for use in the Transglobe Expedition. Sold in 1983 to Halba Shipping and renamed Arctic Gael, but laid up. Resold to Freighters & Tankers Ltd and renamed Olimpiakos with intention of being converted to a yacht for the Greek shipowner John Goulandris. Laid up permamently at Greek island of Kos, she was sold once more in 1997 to Polar Ventures for use in pollution control in Antarctic waters. However, her material condition was too poor, and she was sold to a Turkish breakers yard in 1998 for scrapping.