IONIS (ΙΟΝΙΣ)
-Triton Ferries
Built in 1977 (age 47). Registered in Piraeus. Current line: Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos
The legendary ferry IONIS was ordered in 1968 by the Zakynthos-based company Kaparis Shipping. However, due to economic difficulties, she remained incomplete, until she was acquired by Ionian Lines in 1975. She was finally completed in Greece in 1977 and she began service on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line on the Ionian Sea. In 1978 she was deployed on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca-Astakos-Paxoi-Corfu line. The following year, she was deployed on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca-Paxoi-Corfu-Brindisi line. In 1984, following the financial issues of Ionian Lines, she was laid-up in Kefalonia. She was then transferred to the state-owned company Hellenic Coastal Lines in 1985, and she was deployed on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. In 1986 she returned to the the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca-Astakos-Paxoi-Corfu line, while in 1987 she returned to the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca-Paxoi-Corfu-Brindisi line. The unsuccessful years of the company saw the ship being withdrawn from service in 1989. She was chartered by Seven Islands Lines (later known as Lefkaditis Lines), which deployed her on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca-Paxoi-Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Brindisi line. Her charter ended in 1991, and, following a short stint on the inter-Cyclades service, she was laid-up in Elefsina, until 1993, when she was bought by the Zakynthos-based company Tyrogalas Ferries. She was converted to a day ferry in Perama, and she was deployed on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line as well as on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, under the newly-formed Ionian Ferries joint venture, which also included Zante Ferries and occasionally ANEZ. She was converted again in 2007 in Piraeus, receiving side sponsons that were required by her registry. In 2015, with the arrival of the superb FIOR DI LEVANTE of Levante Ferries, Tyrogalas Ferries decided to operate the IONIS on the Saronic Gulf, deploying her on the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros line, under the new Ionis Ferries brandname, named after her. In 2016 she was sold to newly-established Leve Ferries, owned by Leventakis Shipping, thus marking the end of Tyrogalas Ferries' activities in the Greek coastal service. However she remained on the Saronic Gulf, operating exclusively on the Piraeus-Aegina line. Her first and eventually only summer with Leve Ferries was successful, but conflicts regarding debts owed to her previous owners kept the ship laid-up in Salamina for the 2017 summer season, until she was sold to the Neapolis Voion-based company Triton Ferries for service on the Kythira-Antikythira lifeline. Leve Ferries subsequently ceased operations, and the ship, following a refit in Perama, began service for her new owners in late 2017, being deployed on the Piraeus-Gytheion-Kythira-Antikythira-Kissamos line. In 2020 she moved to the Cyclades and was deployed on the Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos line.
PHOTOS (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021):
The IONIS laid-up temporarily in Zakynthos, before returning to service for the high season (7/2012).
The IONIS in Zakynthos (7/2013).
The IONIS having just entered the port of Kyllini (7/2014).
The IONIS maneuvering in Kyllini (7/2014).
The IONIS maneuvering in Kyllini and ready to dock (7/2014).
The IONIS in Piraeus, my first picture of her while she was operating on the Saronic Gulf (7/2015).
The IONIS arriving in Piraeus and ready to maneuver in the E8 gate (7/2015).
The IONIS arriving in Piraeus and ready to maneuver in the E8 gate (7/2015).
The IONIS ready to dock in Piraeus (7/2015).
The IONIS ready to dock in Piraeus (7/2015).
The beautiful IONIS resting in Piraeus (7/2015).
The IONIS having just entered Piraeus (7/2015).
The IONIS having just entered Piraeus (7/2015).
The IONIS having just entered Piraeus (7/2015).
The legendary IONIS undergoing her maneuvering procedure in order to dock in Piraeus (7/2015).
The IONIS leaving the port of Piraeus for her first trip of the day (8/2015).
The IONIS leaving the port of Piraeus, en route to Aegina (8/2015).
The IONIS leaving the port of Piraeus, en route to Aegina (8/2015).
The IONIS leaving the port of Piraeus, en route to Aegina, during her first season on the Saronic Gulf, but the last one under the colours of Tyrogalas (Ionis) Ferries. She returned to the Saronic Gulf in 2016 with her new owners Leve Ferries (8/2015).
My first-ever photo of the IONIS under the ownership of Leve Ferries: Here she has just arrived in Piraeus from Aegina (7/2016).
The IONIS having just entered the port of Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS having just entered the port of Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS seen maneuvering in Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS docking in Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS having just docked in Piraeus (7/2016).
Crossing the legendary IONIS on the Saronic Gulf, as she leaves Piraeus for Aegina (7/2016).
Crossing the legendary IONIS on the Saronic Gulf, as she leaves Piraeus for Aegina (7/2016).
Crossing the legendary IONIS on the Saronic Gulf, as she leaves Piraeus for Aegina (7/2016).
Crossing the IONIS on the Saronic Gulf, as she heads from Piraeus to Aegina (7/2016).
The IONIS on the Saronic Gulf, during her first season operating for Leve Ferries (7/2016).
The beloved and acclaimed IONIS leaving Piraeus for Aegina (7/2016).
The IONIS heading towards Aegina (7/2016).
The IONIS resting in the port of Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS seen from Northern Aegina as she heads for Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS seen from Northern Aegina as she heads for Piraeus (7/2016).
The IONIS approaching the port of Aegina, with the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX of Hellenic Seaways in the background heading for Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS preparing to maneuver in Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just docked in the port of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just docked in the port of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just docked in the port of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS in Aegina awaiting her evening departure to Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS in Aegina awaiting her evening departure to Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS in Aegina awaiting her evening departure to Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS seen in Aegina, awaiting her evening departure to Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS seen in Aegina, awaiting her evening departure to Piraeus (8/2016).
A Greek ship and a Greek sunset: one of the best combinations in the world. The IONIS facing the sun in Aegina (8/2016).
The Saronic Gulf sunset along with the bow of the historical IONIS in Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just left from the dock of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just left from the dock of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just left from the dock of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just departed from the dock of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just departed from the dock of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS having just departed from the dock of Aegina (8/2016).
The IONIS leaves Aegina and heads for Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS approaching the sunset near Aegina as she heads for Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS passes by the beautiful sunset and heads from Aegina to Piraeus (8/2016).
The IONIS in Aegina the following evening, awaiting her final departure of the day (8/2016).
The IONIS leaves Aegina and passes by the sunset, just like she had done the previous evening (8/2016).
Crossing the legendary IONIS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads from Piraeus to Aegina (8/2016).
Crossing the legendary IONIS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads from Piraeus to Aegina (8/2016).
Crossing the legendary IONIS on the Saronic Gulf as she heads from Piraeus to Aegina. This turned out to be my last-ever picture of the ship under Leve Ferries, as the latter ceased operations the following summer, and were forced to sell her to Triton Ferries (8/2016).
The IONIS in Piraeus, in her first summer under Triton Ferries (6/2018).
The IONIS seen in Piraeus (6/2018).
The IONIS resting in Piraeus (8/2018).
The IONIS resting in Piraeus (8/2018).
The IONIS resting in Piraeus (8/2018).
The IONIS seen in Piraeus, in her first summer featuring the new livery of Triton Ferries (7/2019).
The IONIS seen with the Triton Ferries livery printed on her hull (7/2019).
The IONIS seen resting in the port of Piraeus (7/2019).
The IONIS seen resting in the port of Piraeus (7/2019).
The IONIS seen resting in the port of Piraeus (7/2019).
The IONIS seen in Lavrion, during her first season on the Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos line. Picture taken by my mother, to whom I am truly grateful (8/2020).
The IONIS seen departing the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen departing the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen departing the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen leaving the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen leaving the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen leaving the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen heading towards the exit of the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen heading towards the exit of the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS seen heading towards the exit of the port of Lavrion (9/2021).
The IONIS having exited the port of Lavrion and heading towards Kea (9/2021).
The IONIS having exited the port of Lavrion and heading towards Kea (9/2021).