She was ordered to replace the Stena Normanica on the Fishguard – Rosslare route; instead she entered service alongside the St Columba on the Holyhead – Dún Laoghaire route[3] In 1985 the St David was transferred to Dover to operate a joint service with RMT to Ostend.

The St David was renamed Stena Caledonia and returned to the Irish Sea, this time to the Stranraer – Larne route.

Work included the addition of a duck tail sponson to the stern and a bulbous bow.

In 2009, her 29th year of service, the Stena Caledonia returned to Cammell Laird for a £1.8 million refit.

She left Belfast for the last time on 3 July 2012 en route for Indonesia via Gibraltar & Suez Canal.

The Port Link is the last of four similar ships built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast for Sealink between 1979 and 1980.

A detailed difference among the four vessels is the use of railings rather than solid bulwarks on the St David and Galloway Princess.

The vessel was smaller than her sisters, with the bridge one deck lower, at the front of the passenger accommodation.

The vessel featured a bow rudder (like her sister St Anselm) for manoeuvrability in harbour.