On 6 October 1923, she was handed over to the Government of the newly established Republic of Turkey and her name was changed to Bosporus 71. In 1954 her name was changed again to Halas 71, meaning deliverance.
The Halas was used as a passenger ferry on the Bosporus for 65 years. She was the largest ferryboat with a capacity of 1053 passengers in summer and 961 passengers in winter. She was popular with school children especially during the summer holidays when she was their favourite picnic boat.