MS Free Enterprise I

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MS Free Enterprise I was a cross-Channel car and passenger ferry built in 1962 in the Netherlands for Townsend Brothers Ferries. It was the first purpose-built ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) vessel for the company and operated on the Dover–Calais route.

In 1965, after the delivery of Free Enterprise II, this ship was renamed Free Enterprise I. She later spent time on the Cairnryan–Larne route (1975–76) and served on standby/layup duties from 1977. In February 1980 she was sold to the Greek Ventouris Group and renamed Kimolos, later becoming Ergina (1993) and Methodia II (1995). In 1997 she was sold to Sinderella NE, Piraeus and renamed Kallisti; she was laid up in 2003 and registered to Ionian Lines Cruises & Ferry in 2005. She was laid up again in 2007, never returned to service, and was scrapped in 2013, being towed to Aliaga.

Key details
- Builder: I.C.H. Holland, Werf Gusto Yard, Schiedam, Netherlands (yard number 424)
- Laid down: 7 August 1961; Launched: 2 February 1962; Completed: April 1962
- Maiden voyage: 22 April 1962
- IMO number: 5120752; Callsign: GIAR
- Length: 96.47 m; Beam: 16.39 m; Draught: 4.08 m
- Tonnage: 3,881 GT; DWT: 450
- Power: 2x 12-cylinder Smit-MAN diesels, 7,360 kW
- Propulsion: Twin-screw; Speed: 18 knots
- Capacity: 850 passengers (1962) increasing to 1,400 later; 120 cars
- Original route: Dover–Calais (1962–1979); briefly Cairnryan–Larne (1975–76)
- Later registry: Dover (1962–1980); Piraeus (1980–2007)

Notable facts
- It was Townsend Brothers’ first purpose-built ro-ro ferry.
- The ship appeared briefly in the 1969 film The Italian Job.
- After a long career, she was scrapped in 2013.