[14] Stena Explorer had spent the majority of her career sailing on her original route between Holyhead and Dún Laoghaire.

Due to increasing world price of oil the Stena HSS had her crossing time extended to around 119 minutes in a bid to trim her fuel bill.

Stena have decided to make the Holyhead – Dún Laoghaire service a seasonal route following the sailing on 13 September 2011.

Stena Explorer returned on 20 December for 12 days of sailings from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead and her 2014 season ran from 9 April – 9 September 2014.

The owner, Karadeniz Holding, had converted it into an "earthquake-resistant" floating office, research space and alternative power generator for the community of Istanbul.

[1] In April 1998, members of the Real IRA attempted to transport two cars loaded with nearly 1000 lbs of explosive each into the UK on board Stena Explorer, however they were intercepted and arrested at Dun Laoghaire port.

Whilst going astern (reversing) into dock at her berth in Holyhead, a fire was detected in her auxiliary (generator) engine room in the port pontoon.

Knowing that just-completed checks showed that fire doors (lasting at least one hour) were closed, permission to shut off the engine in question was (correctly) denied by the Master of the Ship until final approach line-up with the Linkspan was confirmed.

[23] In October 2004, Stena Explorer had to turn back to port after a wave damaged the ship's hull 30 minutes into its voyage out of Holyhead.

On 15 February 2006, while on her journey to Holyhead, Stena Explorer struck a submerged object and was holed beneath the waterline.