BLUE STAR CHIOS Tribute and Moments of Trip

Trip: 2 August 2022. From Piraeus to Patmos, with the BLUE STAR CHIOS of Blue Star Ferries.

The amazing and acclaimed cruiseferry BLUE STAR CHIOS was originally ordered by the famed Greek company Strintzis Lines in 1999, as part of their ambitious newbuilding plan which aimed to have five newly-built ferries delivered to them during the first years of the 21st century. The plans were to have two very large cruiseferries from The Netherlands, namely the SUPERFERRY ATLANTIC and the SUPERFERRY PACIFIC, due to be delivered in 2000 for service on the Adriatic Sea, as well a modern day ferry from South Korea, namely the SUPERFERRY ITHAKI, due to be delivered in 2000 as well but for service on the Ionian Sea. Finally, the other two ferries were planned to be built in Greece (hence they were due to be the first-ever cruiseferries to be built in the country), and they were scheduled for delivery in 2001 for service on the Aegean Sea. The first ship, due to be named SUPERFERRY CHIOS, was projected for service on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line, while the second ship, due to be named SUPERFERRY MYKONOS, was projected to operate on the Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos-Ikaria-Samos line. But just as their construction began in 2000, Strintzis Lines was transferred to Attica Group (which controlled Superfast Ferries, which had been major rivals of Strintzis Lines on the Adriatic Sea during the late 1990s), and this resulted in the creation of Blue Star Ferries. As such, and following some changes in plans in terms of the ships' designs and scheduled operations, the SUPERFERRY CHIOS and the SUPERFERRY MYKONOS were therefore due to be delivered as the BLUE STAR CHIOS and as the BLUE STAR MYKONOS, respectively. In the meantime, the first three ships of the newbuilding plan were all delivered in 2000, with the two Dutch-built sister ships beginning service on the Adriatic Sea as the BLUE STAR 1 and as the BLUE STAR 2, respectively, while the South Korean-built ferry began service on the Cyclades as the BLUE STAR ITHAKI. However, following major delays regarding the delivery of the two remaining ships (along with financial problems experienced by the Hellenic Shipyards in Skaramangkas, where the two ferries were being built), the newbuilding contract was canceled by Blue Star Ferries in 2002. As such the few pieces of the BLUE STAR MYKONOS and the keel of the BLUE STAR CHIOS remained laid-up in Salamina until 2004, when the two newbuildings were sold to another Greek company, namely Hellas Flying Dolphins, for completion.

Following this change in ownership, the BLUE STAR MYKONOS therefore became the NISSOS CHIOS and the BLUE STAR CHIOS became the NISSOS MYKONOS. The latter was completed in 2005 in Greece, and she was delivered to her company, which at the time had changed its name to Hellenic Seaways. The NISSOS CHIOS ultimately began her full construction in 2006, and she was completed in 2007 in the Elefsis Shipyards, being delivered two years after her sister ship. As another large cruiseferry that had been acquired by Hellenic Seaways, namely the ARIADNE, which was due to operate on the Piraeus-Chania line, was still undergoing her conversion in Keratsini throughout the summer season and was therefore not ready time, it was decided that the NISSOS CHIOS was going to operate on the Piraeus-Chania line instead. With her introduction there, she made instant impact in the Greek coastal service. After the ARIADNE eventually entered service later in 2007, the NISSOS CHIOS moved to the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line, whereupon she replaced the NISSOS MYKONOS (which had been operating there since 2005), with the latter heading to the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Ikaria-Samos line. To cap off an incredible debut season, the BLUE STAR CHIOS won the prestigious 'Ship of the Year' award given by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards for 2007, which the NISSOS MYKONOS had also won the prior year. In 2008, her itinerary was changed to the Piraeus-Tinos-Chios-Mytilene line. In 2009 she was operating on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Chios-Mytilene line. In 2010 she was again on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene only. In 2012 she collided with the port pier of Tinos, and she missed a large part of the summer season. She was subsequently repaired in Syros and she returned to service a month after the incident. In 2013 she spent a part of the summer on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Ikaria-Samos line in order to replace the NISSOS MYKONOS, which had suffered minor damages from a fire incident. She then returned again on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line. In 2014, as a result of financial issues experienced by Hellenic Seaways, she sadly left Greece, being chartered to the Spanish company Baleària. She was initially deployed on the Algeciras-Ceuta-Tangier Med line on the Alboran Sea. In 2015 she was deployed on the Dénia-Palma-Ibiza line on the Balearic Sea, while in 2016 she was inserted on the Valencia-Mostaganem line. In 2017 she was deployed on the Almería-Málaga-Melilla line. After four extremely successful seasons in Spain, she returned to Hellenic Seaways and, fortunately, back to Greece. After a refit, she was first deployed in 2018 on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line on the Cyclades, thus taking over the successful service that had been performed during the previous season by the NISSOS SAMOS. However, due to the takeover of Hellenic Seaways by Attica Group during that same year, her itinerary was reshuffled and she was instead deployed on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ikaria-Fournoi-Astypalaia-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes-Karpathos-Castellorizon lifeline on the Dodecanese, as well as on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line (where she had been operating at the start of her career). She would therefore become the main ship operating on the Dodecanese lifeline, thus taking over the service previously covered during the summers of 2016 and of 2017 by the BLUE STAR PAROS of Blue Star Ferries. In 2019 she was deployed on the Piraeus-Ikaria-Fournoi-Astypalaia-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes-Kasos-Karpathos-Castellorizon lifeline, as well as on the Piraeus-Chios-Sigri line. In 2020, following some changes to the fleet of Attica Group, it was announced that she would be transferred back to her first-ever owners, namely Blue Star Ferries, and she was renamed BLUE STAR CHIOS. As a result of this, she finally began to carry the livery of the latter company almost two decades after she was originally supposed to do so. The same thing happened for the NISSOS MYKONOS, which joined Blue Star Ferries as the BLUE STAR MYCONOS. Under her new livery, the BLUE STAR CHIOS continued to operate on the Piraeus-Ikaria-Fournoi-Astypalaia-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes-Kasos-Karpathos-Castellorizon lifeline and on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Chios-Sigri line, which she was still covering as of 2022.

Fifteen years after she began service in Greece, the BLUE STAR CHIOS is widely regarded as one of the best ships to have ever operated in the country. Her impressive design, just like that of her sister ship, has made a distinguishable ferry on the Aegean Sea, and she has won much acclaim for her services there. Just like it is the case with the BLUE STAR MYCONOS, the BLUE STAR CHIOS is considered to be the greatest piece of work created by the Greek shipyards, and she still remains the most impressive passenger ship to have been built in the country which has been associated the most with shipping for so many centuries. Both ships are a testament of what Greek shipbuilders are capable of realising, and they have both played a prominent role in establishing Hellenic Seaways as the most dominant company on the Northeast Aegean Sea over the past 15-20 years, in addition to serving as two of the company's most valuable ferries until they joined Blue Star Ferries. A further recognition of their success is the fact that they became the first two ships of the Greek coastal service to win the prestigious 'Ship of the Year' award given by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards. In the case of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, during her spell under Hellenic Seaways, she became the best ship to operate in Chios and in Mytilene, and her introduction there precipitated the downfall of NEL Lines, which had been serving these islands without any serious competition for over 30 years. Even while she was unfortunately gone from Greek waters for about four years, her spell in Spain with Baleària was also seen as a success, as she helped the company in its successful expansion plans during the past decade, and she showed that Greek ferries had the required credentials to operate abroad. Since her return to Greece, she has been become a true workhorse, as she would begin operations on the highly-demanding and busy (in terms of ports served) Dodecanese lifeline, while also operating across various services of Hellenic Seaways and then of Blue Star Ferries on the Aegean Sea, when her fleetmates would be undergoing their annual winter refits. Her versatility has therefore made her an important member of the fleet of Blue Star Ferries. While she is no longer regarded as flagship the same way she was under Hellenic Seaways, due to being one of many amazing ships owned by Blue Star Ferries, she is still a major contributor for the company, and her operations on the Dodecanese are highly regarded by the passengers traveling to these islands on a frequent basis.

On 2 August 2022, just one day after spending several hours in Piraeus (most notably during the morning) and in Salamina for the first time during the 2022 season, including two trips (sailing from Piraeus to Salamina and back) with the small passenger ship ELENA F of Elena F Shipping and two more between Salamina and Megara with the double-ended ferry PANAGIA KOIMISIS of Galaga Shipping Company, I was now planning to perform a major trip in order to discover a new region in Greece for the first time. Indeed, with my parents, we organised a trip to the Dodecanese, whereupon we would be visiting the islands of Patmos, Arkioi, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Symi and Rhodes, over 11 days. As such, I would not only be seeing these islands for the first time in my life, but I would also have the chance to finally enjoy trips along that beautiful area of the Aegean Sea, while also getting to see numerous ships of the Greek coastal service for the first time ever. As our first stop for this trip was Patmos, we saw that the best way to reach the island that day was with the BLUE STAR CHIOS, which would be sailing there directly (as Ikaria, Fournoi and Astypalaia were not part of her scheduled itinerary that day). Therefore, a major dream of mine was to become a reality, as I had always hoped to travel onboard the BLUE STAR CHIOS ever since I was a child and from the moment that I saw her for the first time from a Hellenic Seaways magazine that had been given to me by my mother only a few months after the vessel began service in 2007. Even though she was now with Blue Star Ferries, I still expected to experience a wonderful trip with one of the best ferries of the Greek coastal service. This trip was also historic for various reasons. Besides obviously being my first-ever trip to Patmos and to the Dodecanese in general, it would also become the longest trip that I would be doing along the Aegean Sea in terms of distance (surpassing the previous record for the trips that I did between Piraeus and Santorini). It was also my first-ever trip with a Greek-built cruiseferry, as well as my second trip with a ship that received the 'Ship of the Year' award by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards (following the high speed ferry WORLDCHAMPION JET of Sea Jets, which won the award in 2019, and with which I performed back-to-back trips between Piraeus and Syros on 20 September 2020, and also from Piraeus to Ios on 22 July 2021), Furthermore, she became the fifth ship of Blue Star Ferries on which I traveled, and my trip with her was the first one that I did with a ship from that company outside of the Cyclades.

A view of the BLUE STAR CHIOS in Piraeus, just moments before I embarked onboard her for the first time ever. She was seen in the E1 gate in Piraeus, which is the usual departure spot for ships operating on the Dodecanese. It is the one located the furthest from the city centre of Piraeus, and it is also the one that is the closest to the port's entrance point. This was the ship's third consecutive season of operations under Blue Star Ferries (her first-ever owners as the successors of Strintzis Lines, before they canceled her contract after which her ownership was transferred to Hellenic Seaways), as well as her fifth consecutive summer on the Dodecanese lifeline, where she has been operating for most of the time after she returned to Greece in 2018, following her spell under charter to Baleària.

The BLUE STAR CHIOS spotted in Piraeus, during the summer of 2022, which she once again spent on the Dodecanese lifeline. Every Saturday during the high season, she would also operate on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Chios-Sigri line, thus serving the Cyclades and the Northeast Aegean Sea. She has been performing this additional service since 2019, while Mykonos was added to the itinerary in 2020. She is therefore the only ship of the Greek coastal service to operate in the ports of Mesta (in Chios) and in Sigri, which is the second largest port of the island of Lesbos, after Mytilene.

The BLUE STAR CHIOS seen in the port of Piraeus just before our embarkation. In addition to featuring a banner celebrating the 20 years since the establishment of Blue Star Ferries (which she acquired in 2021), a new banner stating 'Sailing together to the sustainable side of life' was added above her Blue Star Ferries insignia. This was a sustainability campaign advertisement which was added on most ships of Attica Group (which includes Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways).

The BLUE STAR CHIOS seen docked in Piraeus. For the 2022 season, she was one of three ships owned by Blue Star Ferries that operated on the Dodecanese, together with the BLUE STAR 2 (which has been operating there since 2005) and the Ro-Ro carrier BLUE CARRIER 1 (which began operations for the company in 2019).

Upon embarking the ship for the first time, I got to see her well-known reception desk area, with the prominent floor markings that give a nice circle-shaped design.

A view of the ship's deckplan. She has nine decks in total. Decks 1 to 5 are dedicated to the ship's garage, with Deck 5 also having a few cabins. Deck 6 features most of the lounge areas as well as the reception desk, the ship's onboard shop and the self-service restaurant. Deck 7 features most of the ship's cabins as well as the first outdoor sun deck and bar (known as the Panorama Bar), while Deck 8 and Deck 9 feature the outdoor deck areas (in addition to crew cabins).

A view of the central lounge area located in Deck 6, just behind the reception desk. It features most of the ship's aircraft-style seats, which is where we stayed for most of the trip.

Near the area where the aircraft-style seats were located, one could see an alley leading towards the front section lounge area (which is where one can find the Business Class area). There, we can see several purple lounges and tables right next to the windows, which give passengers a nice view of the sea during the trip.

Another view of the alley featuring the purple lounges facing the ship's windows, together with the onboard shop on the right side of the picture.

Moving more forward, this is another view of the small lounge area located on the starboard side of the ship, as seen in Deck 6.

In the central section and just beside the reception desk in Deck 6, there is a modern bar called Central Bar serving various coffees, soft drinks and snacks for passengers.

A view of the Café Greco area located in the central section of Deck 6. There, one can find a much smaller bar serving coffees, soft drinks and snacks, as well as a few brown chairs and small white tables.

At the other side of the alley leading from the central lounge to the Business class area (known as the Ionia Lounge), one finds the ship's self-service restaurant area, whose tables are shown in this picture. The space is wide enough to accommodate many passengers willing to have a meal during the trip, and the area is very modern and passenger-friendly in general.

Another view of the ship's self-service restaurant area, with the walls next to the windows featuring various lamps of different colours attached on them.

Moving towards the front section after having passed by the ship's self-service restaurant area, we then enter the Ionia Lounge, which features a large lounge area preceding the Business Class area. It also features the Ionia Bar, with a bar that is managed by the Greek coffee chain Everest.

The best view I could get of the Business Class area located in the Ionia Lounge, featuring aircraft-style tickets facing the ship's front-section windows.

Another view of the aircraft-style seats located in the Business Class area in the Ionia Lounge.

After seeing the indoor areas of Deck 6, I proceeded to Deck 7, where I saw the small lounge area which features more aircraft-style seats. This area was known as the Golden Lounge, and it was once also used for business-class passengers.

One of the alleys leading to the passenger cabins in Deck 7. The BLUE STAR CHIOS has a total of 74 cabins, with 252 berths available. This is one of the main differences one finds between the ship and the BLUE STAR MYCONOS, as the latter only has 31 cabins. The additional number of cabins found on the BLUE STAR CHIOS was due to Hellenic Seaways having built the ship specifically for the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line that was being served overnight. This number of cabins also proved to be beneficial for the lengthy trips that the ship would begin performing on the Dodecanese lifeline.

Another view of an alley leading to the passenger cabins of Deck 7.

A view of an emergency plan that was found on Deck 7. Interestingly, the instructions are written not only in Greek and in English, but also in French and in Spanish, with the latter having potentially been from the time during which she was on charter to Baleària from 2014 to 2018.

After having explored the ship's indoor areas, it was now the time to head outdoors. At the ship's stern section, Deck 6 also features a small outdoor sun deck with a few tables and blue chairs available to passengers.

A view of the sun deck cover of Deck 6 as seen from Deck 7, with the Greek flag located on top.

A view of the sun deck bar located in the aft section of the ship on Deck 7. Known as the Panorama Bar, it also serves ice cream and it is surrounded by several tables and chairs that are for passengers planning to stay outdoors during the trip.

Another view of the sun deck area located in the aft section of Deck 7, featuring more tables and chairs for passengers to enjoy a nice time outdoors.

A view of the outdoor alley located on the starboard side of the ship on Deck 7, with the passenger cabins and the Golden Lounge next to it.

I then headed up in order to see the outdoor areas of Deck 8, where I got to see another sun deck area located around the ship's stern section.

A wider view of the sun deck area located on Deck 8, which maintained the blue theme for the plastic chairs on which passengers could sit.

An outdoor alley seen on the ship's port side on Deck 8, which connects the aft section with the crew cabins. It also passes between that side's lifeboats and the ship's funnel.

A view of the outdoor alley of Deck 8, as seen from the ship's starboard side. It watches over the outdoor alley of Deck 7, itself located underneath the ship's lifeboats. While heading towards the front section of the ship, one can also see her impressive funnel, whose design is very similar to those found on many ships of Blue Star Ferries and most generally on cruiseferries that were built from the late 1990s onwards.

Another view of the outdoor alley on Deck 8, also showing the crew cabins as seen from the exterior, in addition to the ship's bridge.

Just as I finished exploring the outdoor areas of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, I then looked towards the entrance of the port of Piraeus, where I spotted the high speed catamaran SPEED CAT I of Alpha Lines just as she had made her way through between the two lighthouses of the port.

The SPEED CAT I seen having just entered the port of Piraeus. She is one of many high speed craft that operate on the Saronic Gulf, as she serves the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Spetses line.

As the SPEED CAT I had entered the port of Piraeus, she was being followed by another notable ship. Indeed, it was the fleetmate of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, namely the BLUE STAR PATMOS of Blue Star Ferries, which was also making her way back to the port.

The SPEED CAT I seen after she entered the port of Piraeus. She was built in 2002 in France, and she first arrived in Greece in late 2020, after having been bought by the then-newly-established Greek company Alpha Lines. After a refit in Salamina, she began service on the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Spetses line in 2021.

The SPEED CAT I seen in Piraeus, during her second season since beginning service for Alpha Lines. The latter is owned by the legendary Agapitos family, which has been present in the Greek coastal service for more than six decades. Most notably, Antonios Agapitos used to operate Agapitos Lines until most of that company's ships were acquired by Minoan Flying Dolphins, and he also served as the CEO of Hellenic Seaways (the former owners of the BLUE STAR CHIOS) for many years, including up until their acquisition by Attica Group in 2018.

Another view of the SPEED CAT I as she starts to make her way towards her docking spot in Piraeus.

The SPEED CAT I seen once more as she heads towards her docking spot in the port of Piraeus. Since she began service on the Saronic Gulf, I have traveled with her three times. The first time was on 9 September 2021 while heading from Poros to Piraeus. I then had two trips with her this year, going from Piraeus to Hydra on 24 September 2022 before performing the return leg the following day.

The SPEED CAT I seen after having entered the port of Piraeus. Her introduction has so far been very successful, as her speed and impressive indoor amenities have made her a very reliable ship for the islands that she serves. She notably made Alpha Lines become the first serious challenger to the dominance of Hellenic Seaways on the Saronic Gulf after many years.

One last view of the SPEED CAT I as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus.

After having seen the SPEED CAT I heading towards her docking spot, I was now paying attention to the BLUE STAR PATMOS, just as she prepares to enter the port of Piraeus.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen taking one final turn just before she is due to enter the port of Piraeus. She was built in 2012 in South Korea, and she is the youngest ship in the fleet of Blue Star Ferries. She was delivered one year after her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the BLUE STAR DELOS.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen as she makes her way towards the entrance of the port of Piraeus.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen ready to enter the port of Piraeus. Since 2015, she has been operating on the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini-Anafi line on the Cyclades, with a few more islands being added in between, such as Donousa, Amorgos and Astypalaia from 2015 to 2017, and Ikaria and Samos in 2020. She performs the service from Piraeus to the Cyclades during the late afternoon, whereas the BLUE STAR DELOS serves the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line (although she does serve Ios during the summer) by departing Piraeus during the morning.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen right before entering the port of Piraeus. Before she moved to the Cyclades, she also operated on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line, where she was deployed for the first three years of her career, just like the BLUE STAR CHIOS had done so in 2007, as the NISSOS CHIOS under Hellenic Seaways. As such, the two ships used to be competitors on the Northeast Aegean Sea for the first two seasons of the BLUE STAR PATMOS in Greece, as the NISSOS CHIOS left in 2014 to operate in Spain. They were also going to be competitors in 2018, when the NISSOS CHIOS was initially deployed on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line before Hellenic Seaways was acquired by Attica Group during that same year. Almost eight years after initially operating together on the same service as competitors, the two ships became fleetmates in 2020.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen in Piraeus, just before entering the port. Just like the BLUE STAR CHIOS five years before her, her entry to service was met with much acclaim, and she also had a very successful spell on the Northeast Aegean Sea. She then became a major asset for her company on the Cyclades, where she has been operating successfully for the past seven years.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen as she enters the port of Piraeus.

Another view of the BLUE STAR PATMOS as she enters the port of Piraeus, thus completing her return leg from the Cyclades.

The great BLUE STAR PATMOS seen after she entered the port of Piraeus. Since the end of the 2016 season, she has been the ship that would operate for most of the winter season on the Dodecanese lifeline. Since 2018, the BLUE STAR CHIOS has been serving it during the summer season, while the BLUE STAR PATMOS would be operating on the Cyclades. She is currently operating on the Dodecanese lifeline once again, having been deployed there since September.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS spotted in Piraeus, as she heads towards her docking spot.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen in Piraeus, about to pass in front of her fleetmate (and former rival), namely the BLUE STAR CHIOS. She notably bears the name of the island to which we were heading, namely Patmos.

The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen once more as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus. While the BLUE STAR CHIOS became the fifth ship of Blue Star Ferries onboard which I traveled, the first one had been the BLUE STAR PATMOS. Indeed, my first-ever trip with her was on 7-8 July 2015, while heading from Piraeus to Santorini. Since then, I have traveled with her three more times. These were on 10 July 2017 while going from Santorini to Ios, on 26 July 2018 while sailing from Naxos to Paros, and on 12-13 July 2019 while heading from Piraeus to Santorini.

Following the BLUE STAR PATMOS, the next ship seen entering the port of Piraeus was the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX of Hellenic Seaways, therefore a former fleetmate of the BLUE STAR CHIOS back when the latter was still known as the NISSOS CHIOS. Just like the SPEED CAT I, the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX also operated on the Saronic Gulf, as she was deployed on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line ever since she began her career in Greece in 1993.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX seen having entered the port of Piraeus. Throughout her career in Greece, she operated under Ceres Flying Dolphins (1993-1999), Minoan Flying Dolphins/Hellas Flying Dolphins (1999-2005) and Hellenic Seaways (since 2005). She remains the youngest active hydrofoil in the Greek coastal service.

Another view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX in Piraeus. At the time this picture was taken, she was spending her last active days on the Saronic Gulf under Hellenic Seaways. Indeed, just a few days after my trip with the BLUE STAR CHIOS, the ship was replaced by the three newly-built aero high speed catamarans that her company had ordered, namely the AERO 1 HIGHSPEED, the AERO 2 HIGHSPEED and the AERO 3 HIGHSPEED. These brand new vessels succeeded the aging hydrofoils on the Saronic Gulf, although the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX continued to operate during the summer season. The FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX and her other fleetmate, namely the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, were however sent for lay-up in Perama, and their future remains uncertain.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX seen after having entered the port of Piraeus, during one of her final days of service under Hellenic Seaways before she was replaced by the newer aero high speed catamarans ordered by her company (which were also the first newbuildings to be delivered to them since the BLUE STAR CHIOS herself, back when she began service for them in 2007 as the NISSOS CHIOS). As a result of her withdrawal from service she completed thirty straight summer seasons on the Saronic Gulf, which had been among the longest active streaks on that specific area.

A few minutes after witnessing the arrival of the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX, I now saw a ship heading towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. Indeed, that was the high speed ferry SUPERRUNNER JET of Sea Jets, which was leaving in order to head to the Western Cyclades.

The SUPERRUNNER JET seen as she leaves the port of Piraeus. She was spending her second season with Sea Jets, which she joined in 2021 after having previously operated as the SUPERRUNNER under Golden Star Ferries. During the summer of 2022, she was deployed on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line on the Western Cyclades, where she was deployed for the first time since 2016.

The SUPERRUNNER JET seen as she makes her way towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. She performed her service on the Western Cyclades together with the TERA JET, which would depart Piraeus during the morning. The SUPERRUNNER JET would perform the exact same service, but she would sail from Piraeus during the afternoon.

The SUPERRUNNET JET seen as she leaves Piraeus. Built in 1999 in Italy, she first arrived in Greece in 2009, as the SPEEDRUNNER IV for Aegean Speed Lines. She operated for the latter until late 2016, when she was sold to Golden Star Ferries. Under that company, she was deployed on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line on the Cyclades as the SUPERRUNNER during the 2017 season. She joined Sea Jets in 2021, and during her debut season she operated across various services for the company on the Sporades, on the Northeast Aegean Sea and on the Cyclades.

The SUPERRUNNER JET seen while she heads towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. This was the first summer that I got to see her with the livery of Sea Jets. That same company acquired her sister ship and former fleetmate under Aegean Speed Lines, namely the SPEEDRUNNER III, this year. The latter ship was renamed SPEEDRUNNER JET and she was deployed on the Siteia-Kasos-Karpathos-Chalki-Rhodes line on the Dodecanese during the 2022 season. Therefore, after having previously started operations for Aegean Speed Lines (which ceased operations this year) together during the 2009 season, both ships are now back under the same ownership following their respective sales to Sea Jets.

The SUPERRUNNER JET about to exit the port of Piraeus. I also had the chance to travel with her in the past, having done so back when she was still known as the SUPERRUNNER under Golden Star Ferries, while heading from Ios to Mykonos on 17 June 2018.

Another view of the SUPERRUNNER JET just before she exits the port of Piraeus.

The SUPERRUNNER JET seen having just exited the port of Piraeus and beginning to sail at full-speed towards the Western Cyclades. This is a region that she known very well, as she spent most of her years under Aegean Speed Lines there, most specifically from 2009 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2016. Her spell there was extremely successful, and therefore her return this year brought back some fond memories to the residents of Serifos, Sifnos and Milos.

Just as the SUPERRUNNER JET was seen exiting the port of Piraeus, the double-ended ferry ACHAEOS of 2way Ferries was seen entering after having returned from Aegina.

The ACHAEOS seen about to enter the port of Piraeus. Built in 2006 in Greece, she has been operating on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line on the Saronic Gulf since 2014. Before that, she had spent her debut season in 2006 on the Piraeus-Aegina line, before heading to the Igoumenitsa-Corfu line on the Ionian Sea later in that same year. She remained there until 2013, while she also had a small stint abroad between 2011 and 2012, when she was chartered to the Italian company Blunavy for service on the Piombino-Elba line.

The ACHAEOS seen just before she entered the port of Piraeus.

The ACHAEOS seen having just entered the port of Piraeus, during her ninth consecutive season on the Saronic Gulf, and tenth overall when taking into account her debut season in 2006.

The ACHAEOS seen having entered the port of Piraeus, while the SUPERRUNNER JET is making her way towards Serifos.

The ACHAEOS seen having entered Piraeus and making her way towards her docking spot. She is one of three ships owned by 2way Ferries which operate on the Saronic Gulf. The other two are the conventional double-ended ferry POSIDON HELLAS and the conventional ferry APOLLON HELLAS. All of them operate under the Saronic Ferries joint venture, which includes their company together with Nova Ferries. Hellenic Seaways also used to be part of that joint venture until 2016, when they sold their last conventional ferry that was operating on the Saronic Gulf, namely the APOLLON HELLAS, to 2way Ferries.

The ACHAEOS seen as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus. I have so far traveled with her on 14 different occasions between Piraeus and Aegina. One of these trips, most specifically the one that I did on 19 July 2016, has been fully covered. This year, I traveled with her three times, while heading from Aegina to Piraeus and back on 23 August 2022, followed by another trip from Aegina to Piraeus just one week later, namely on 30 August 2022.

One last view of the ACHAEOS as she is seen proceeding towards her docking spot in Piraeus.

The departure of the SUPERRUNNER JET and the arrival of the ACHAEOS in Piraeus were just one small description of the significant traffic that was noticed in the port in the few minutes preceding the departure of the BLUE STAR CHIOS. Indeed, another departure was witnessed, namely that of the small passenger ship ELENA F of Elena F Shipping. The latter operates on the Piraeus-Salamina line, serving the ports of Kamatero and Paloukia.

The ELENA F seen as she also heads towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. Built in 1998 in Greece, she has spent her entire career so far on the Piraeus-Salamina line, except for the 2013 season, which she spent on the Glyfa-Skiathos line on the Sporades.

Another view of the ELENA F, just as she is about to exit the port of Piraeus. Just one day before taking this picture, I had the chance to travel with her twice, while heading from Piraeus to Salamina and back.

Towards 15:00, it was finally the turn of the BLUE STAR CHIOS to depart the port of Piraeus in order to begin her lengthy trip along the Dodecanese lifeline. As she began to leave from the E1 gate, I was able to take a better picture of a notable cruiseferry, namely the ARIADNE of Hellenic Seaways, which had been docked next to us the whole time.

A view of the ARIADNE, which is a former fleetmate of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, as they both began service for Hellenic Seaways during the same year, most specifically in 2007. The ARIADNE notably replaced the BLUE STAR CHIOS (then known as the NISSOS CHIOS) on her first two services on two different occasions, first on the Piraeus-Chania line in late 2007, and also on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line in 2014 (when the NISSOS CHIOS began her charter to Baleària).

As we continued to head towards the exit of the port of Piraeus, I also had the chance to look at the E2 gate. There, I spotted two more former fleetmates of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, as they are both owned by Hellenic Seaways. These were the cruiseferry NISSOS RODOS, which has been operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line (where the BLUE STAR CHIOS had once operated under Hellenic Seaways) since 2018, along with the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX, which was also seen departing the port just minutes after having previously docked.

Another view of the great ARIADNE, which was also operating on the Dodecanese during the 2022 season, as she was on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Santorini-Samos-Patmos-Leros-Kos-Symi-Rhodes line. She began this service in 2021, when she returned to Greece after she had also been under charter overseas. Indeed, just as the ex-NISSOS CHIOS had returned to Hellenic Seaways in 2018, the ARIADNE joined the Italian company Tirrenia Di Navigazione and she stayed with them for three seasons.

The ARIADNE seen as she head towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. The ship was one of the three cruiseferries of Attica Group that operated on the Dodecanese during the 2022 season, together with the BLUE STAR CHIOS and the BLUE STAR 2. These three ships were also serving the area during the 2021 season.

The ARIADNE seen while docked in Piraeus. Since entering service for Hellenic Seaways in 2007, her career in Greece has been rather unstable, despite her tremendous amenities and her impressive size. Her stay on the Piraeus-Chania line was brief, and she has had numerous charters, notably to ANEK Lines from 2008 to 2009, to Algérie Ferries every summer season between 2009 and 2013, and to Tirrenia Di Navigazione from 2018 to early 2021. The only time during which she found a permanent role under Hellenic Seaways was from late 2013 until early 2018, when she was operating on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line after replacing the ex-NISSOS CHIOS. And so far, she has managed to spend two years on the Cyclades and on the Dodecanese.

Another view of the NISSOS RODOS alongside the departing FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX. Interestingly, the former used to operate on the Dodecanese, as her was operating on the Piraeus-Paros-Kos-Rhodes line during the 2010 season (this was after she had undergone a conversion into a passenger ferry after having previously operated for Hellenic Seaways as a Ro-Ro carrier). She has been operating on the Northeast Aegean Sea since 2015.

The ARIADNE, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful ships of the Greek coastal service, seen once more as she is resting in Piraeus.

Another view of the ARIADNE, during her second season since her return to Greece, as well as during her second consecutive season on the Dodecanese.

A view of the ARIADNE along with the NISSOS RODOS in Piraeus. Both ships were built in Japan, and they first arrived in Greece during the mid 2000s. Unlike the BLUE STAR CHIOS (then known as the NISSOS CHIOS), they struggled to find permanent roles under Hellenic Seaways at the start of their careers in Greece, and they were instead chartered several times to different operators. Their fortunes changed during the mid 2010s, when they were both deployed on the Northeast Aegean Sea. They are now two former fleetmates of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, although they all continue to collaborate together as they are all under the control of Attica Group.

A final view of the ARIADNE, the much-appreciated former fleetmate of the BLUE STAR CHIOS, as we have now exited the port of Piraeus.

Right after we exited the port of Piraeus, I saw the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX as she was also beginning to sail at full-speed following her own departure. She was now seen heading back to Aegina.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX seen once more, as she heads towards Aegina. Just a few days after taking this picture, her career under Hellenic Seaways came to an end. It will be interesting to see where she will end-up, as she is still relatively young as a hydrofoil. Considering that some vessels of her type which are over 40 years old and still sailing, she will most likely find a new role in the near future.

Just as we were beginning to sail along the coast of Attica, there was yet another ship seen approaching the port of Piraeus. This time, it was the landing craft ANTIGONE that operates under the Saronic Ferries joint venture (being jointly owned by Nova Ferries and 2way Ferries). She was making her debut season on the Saronic Gulf, serving the Piraeus-Northern Aegina line (serving the port of Souvala).

The ANTIGONE seen while making her way towards the port of Piraeus. She had been originally acquired by her current owners in 2019, and she spent three years undergoing a conversion in order to begin her current service on the Saronic Gulf. She is considered to be one of the most modern landing craft in Greece, and her service to the port of Souvala in Northern Aegina was met with much acclaim during her debut season.

A view of the ANTIGONE while she heads back to Piraeus. She became the first ferry to serve Souvala in Northern Aegina since 2019, back when the landing craft MENEKRATIS of Kerkyra Lines had been chartered to Saronic Ferries in order to operate on that very same service. The ANTIGONE was built in 2010 in Greece, and she was previously known as the POSEIDONAS of Farmakoris-Villiotis NE. Under the latter she operated on the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line on the North Evoian Gulf from 2010 to 2018, with the exception of the 2011 season, which she spent on the Rion-Antirrion line.

A nice view showing two ships operating on the Saronic Gulf about to meet each other outside of Piraeus. These are the ANTIGONE, which had just been introduced to service on the area, along with the veteran hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX, which was spending her final days of service on the Saronic Gulf after almost three decades there.

Another view of the ANTIGONE as she is about to enter the port of Piraeus.

The BLUE STAR CHIOS and the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX were not the only ships that had exited the port of Piraeus. Indeed, the SPEED CAT I was also seen having exited and sailing at full-speed in order to serve the islands of Poros, Hydra and Spetses.

After having sailed for more than an hour, we had now reached the end of the coast of Attica and passed by the separation of Cape Sounion and the Cyclades. There, I spotted another ship making her way back to Piraeus. This was the high speed ferry TERA JET of Sea Jets, which, as stated previously, was operating on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line together with the SUPERRUNNER JET.

The TERA JET seen making her way back to Piraeus after having served the Western Cyclades during the morning and the early afternoon.

The impressive TERA JET seen as she sails at full-speed back to Piraeus. This was her first summer of operations since 2019, as she had missed the 2020 season and the 2021 season after being left out of the plans of Sea Jets. She was reactivated this year in order to operate on the Western Cyclades.

Another view of the TERA JET as she is heading towards Piraeus. Built in 1999 in Italy, she joined Sea Jets in 2014, and she became the company's flagship. She spent her first two seasons on the Heraklion-Cyclades service, while from 2017 to 2018 she had a much-acclaimed spell on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line (with Andros being also added in 2018). In 2019 she operated on the Piraeus-Paros-Ios-Santorini line, where she was also very successful.

The TERA JET seen as she sails back to Piraeus, in order to complete her service for the day on the Western Cyclades.

One last view of the TERA JET as she sails back to Piraeus, during what was deemed to be a very satisfactory comeback season for her.

About 30 minutes after seeing the TERA JET, we spotted another ship of Sea Jets, namely the high speed ferry WORLDCHAMPION JET, near the island of Kea. She was also heading back to Piraeus after having served the Cyclades.

The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen as she sails back to Piraeus. Built in 2000 in Australia, she began service for Sea Jets in 2019, being deployed on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line with much success. In 2020 she was operating on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, while since 2021 she has been serving the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line.

One more view of the amazing WORLDCHAMPON JET, as she sails back to Piraeus at full-speed. As stated previously, in 2019 she became the first ship of the Greek coastal service to win the 'Ship of the Year' award given by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards since the BLUE STAR CHIOS had won hers back in 2007.

After almost five hours of sailing, we had now passed by Mykonos, which meant that were shifting from the Cyclades to the Dodecanese just before the sunset.

Another view of Mykonos after we had sailed past the famous island of the Cyclades.

Another impressive view of the island of Mykonos during the wonderful sunset of the Aegean Sea, towards 20:30.

The BLUE STAR CHIOS kept on sailing beyond the Dodecanese in order to head towards Patmos. This was a view of the sea towards 21:00.

The beautiful waters of the Aegean Sea seen during sunset, as we were an hour away from arriving to Patmos.

After a bit more than seven hours of sailing, towards 22:15, we had arrived in Patmos. Therefore, I had officially made my first visit to an island of the Dodecanese. Here is a picture of the ship shortly after she docked in the island's port, where she stayed for a few minutes before her subsequent departure to Leipsoi and the other islands of the Dodecanese lifeline.

And this therefore marks the end of that historic first trip that I did to the Dodecanese. If the previous day in Piraeus and in Salamina had not been exciting enough in terms of seeing numerous ships of the Greek coastal service, this trip was just the beginning of a wonderful journey which took me to several new islands for the first time in my life. And there could not have been a better way for me to start this trip on the Dodecanese than by sailing with one of my favourite Greek ferries. The BLUE STAR CHIOS is truly a gem for the Aegean Sea, and she continues to be noted as a proud achievement of the Greek shipyards (despite the numerous setbacks that she faced along with her sister ship prior to the completion of her construction), being the most successful passenger ship that they have ever built. Her trip with her was very relaxing and I was really happy that I got to see what she looked like beyond the pictures of the Internet. She remains a ship that kept in high standards, and, despite her busy schedule along the very demanding Dodecanese lifeline, she performs this service with ease and she therefore serves as a vital ship for several islands that are extremely far from mainland Greece. It was a fantastic experience to sail onboard her for the first time, and fortunately I would find myself traveling with her again just eight days later, while heading from Symi to Rhodes. I was now ready to explore the Dodecanese, starting with the beautiful island of Patmos, and I was looking forward to seeing and traveling with many new ships over the next few days, many of which will appear in the next Blog posts that I will publish.

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