DODEKANISOS PRIDE Tribute and Moments of Trip

Trip: 5 August 2022. From Patmos to Leros, via Leipsoi, with the DODEKANISOS PRIDE of Dodekanisos Seaways.

The high speed ferry DODEKANISOS PRIDE was built in 2005 in Norway. She was the second ship in the history of the Greek company Dodekanisos Seaways (previously known as Dodekanisos Speedways), being delivered five years after her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the DODEKANISOS EXPRESS. She joined the latter on the inter-Dodecanese lifeline, being deployed on the Rhodes-Symi-Kos-Kalymnos-Leros-Leipsoi-Patmos line, where Dodekanisos Seaways had become an established player ever since beginning operations in 2000. The DODEKANISOS PRIDE also became the company's flagship, a role that she still maintains to date. Despite a difficult first season, she also went on to become one of the most valuable ships of the Dodecanese, and she has been widely praised for her extremely reliable and speedy service, including during the winter. In 2007 she operated on the Rhodes-Symi-Chalki-Tilos-Nisyros-Kos-Kalymnos-Leros-Leipsoi-Patmos-Agathonisi lifeline, while in 2013 she also began to serve the Rhodes-Castellorizon line during the summer. In 2015 she began to connect the Dodecanese with the Northeast Aegean Sea, as she was deployed on the Rhodes-Symi-Chalki-Tilos-Nisyros-Kos-Kalymnos-Leros-Leipsoi-Patmos-Arkioi-Agathonisi-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos lifeline. In 2021 she was inserted on the Rhodes-Symi-Chalki-Tilos-Nisyros-Kos-Kalymnos-Astypalaia-Leros-Leipsoi-Patmos-Arkioi-Agathonisi-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos lifeline, in addition to the Rhodes-Castellorizon line.

Having now spent almost two decades on the Dodecanese, the DODEKANISOS PRIDE has become one of the most beloved ships to operate there, and she therefore clearly justifies the name she bears. She has been lauded for providing an effective connection of some of Greece's most remote islands between themselves and also with larger islands such as Rhodes or Kos. Being one of the few high speed craft in Greece that operate during the whole year and not only during the peak tourist season in the summer, her services during the winter have made her a vital part of these islands' daily life, and they rely heavily on her in order to ensure their daily connection. In addition, just like her sister ship, she has been praised for the punctuality of her services, as well as for the professionalism of her crew, with her company being one of the best examples of a well-run local family-owned venture. For all these reasons, the ship has been affectionately nicknamed 'The Maritime Subway of the Dodecanese', due to her continuous services linking all the islands between them. Since 2015, she has also been effective in connecting the Dodecanese with the Northeast Aegean Sea, thus enabling passengers to visit the beautiful islands of Ikaria, Fournoi and Samos without needing to wait for the larger ferries that connect these islands with Piraeus but which only perform such legs every other day. Her successful deployment there was a major reason why Dodekanisos Seaways won the 'Passenger Line of the Year' awarded by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards for 2015, making it the first time in their history that they earned this prize. Thanks to the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, the DODEKANISOS EXPRESS and the conventional ferry PANAGIA SKIADENI (which joined the company in late 2011), Dodekanisos Seaways has remained one of the most reliable companies on the Dodecanese, maintaining a strong competitor against the likes of Blue Star Ferries or other local companies such as ANEK Sea Lines and Saos Ferries.

The summer of 2022 was one that gave me several great moments in terms of shipspotting and traveling, including discovering new islands and seeing several ships of the Greek coastal service for the first time. One of these new explorations was that of the Dodecanese, to which I made my maiden appearance together with my parents. Spending 10 days in seven different islands of the region, I was fortunate to see unique places for the first time ever, as well as getting to travel with new ships, some of which I had never even seen before. The trip began on 2 August 2022, when we headed from Piraeus to Patmos while sailing with the BLUE STAR CHIOS of Blue Star Ferries. We spent two nights on that wonderful island, while we also performed a daily cruise that saw us visiting the small remote islands of Arkioi and Marathi. In the morning of 5 August 2022, we were planning to head to the next island that was part of our itinerary, namely Leros. We would go on to spend the whole day on the latter before then making our way to Kalymnos on that same evening. In order to therefore spend as much time as possible in Leros according to the available ships that would link it to both Patmos and Kalymnos, we therefore decided to travel with the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, as she was making the Southbound leg between Patmos and Leros at a convenient hour for us. By sailing with the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, this would mark my second trip to the Dodecanese, following the one that I had done three days prior with the BLUE STAR CHIOS. It was also my first-ever trip between two islands of the Dodecanese, my first-ever trip with a high speed craft on the Dodecanese, my first-ever trip with a ship of Dodekanisos Seaways, as well as my first-ever trip onboard a high speed ferry on an area outside of the Cyclades. In addition, it was also, logically, my first-ever trip to Leros.

Towards 10:30, the DODEKANISOS PRIDE was seen arriving in the port of Patmos, after having sailed from Arkioi. This was her eighteenth straight season on the inter-Dodecanese lifeline, where she has spent her entire career so far.

The DODEKANISOS PRIDE seen after having arrived in Patmos, just before she began her maneuvering procedure so that we could embark onboard her for the first time ever.

The DODEKANISOS PRIDE seen while making her way towards her docking spot in the port of Patmos.

The DODEKANISOS PRIDE, which has become a much-acclaimed ship on the Dodecanese, seen just before her maneuvering procedure in Patmos.

A view of the DODEKANISOS PRIDE just before she began her maneuvering procedure in Patmos.

The DODEKANISOS PRIDE now seen beginning her maneuvering procedure in Patmos.

The DODEKANISOS PRIDE seen quickly performing her maneuvering procedure in order to dock in Patmos.

The DODEKANISOS PRIDE seen about to complete her maneuvering procedure in order to dock in Patmos.

The DODEKANISOS PRIDE seen having finished her maneuvering procedure and now about to dock in the port of Patmos.

A view of one of the two funnels of the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, which features the beautiful logo of Dodekanisos Seaways. It depicts the Dama dama deer, which is one of the symbols of the island of Rhodes, which is where the company is based. The Rhodian deer is a notable part of the island's history and culture, and this is also highlighted by the fact that a statue of a deer stands over the column located near the famous port of Mandraki, where the legendary Colossus of Rhodes once stood several centuries ago.

Just as the DODEKANISOS PRIDE was docking in Patmos, I got to see another ship arriving to the port. Indeed, that was the conventional ferry NISSOS KALYMNOS of ANEK Sea Lines, which had arrived from Leipsoi.

A view of the NISSOS KALYMNOS while she also arrived in Patmos. Built in 1988 in Greece, she has also become a major part of the history of the Greek coastal service on the Dodecanese. Indeed, she has spent her entire career under ANEK Sea Lines (being their first-ever ship) and on the inter-Dodecanese services. She spent her first 15 years literally linking all the islands of the archipelago between them and with Samos, back when she was serving the Samos-Agathonisi-Farmakonisi-Arkioi-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Astypalaia-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Symi-Rhodes-Castellorizon lifeline. In 2003, after the DODEKANISOS EXPRESS had established herself as a successful ship on the Southern section of the inter-Dodecanese lifeline, the NISSOS KALYMNOS saw her services being reduced to the Norther section of that same lifeline, being deployed on the Samos-Agathonisi-Farmakonisi-Arkioi-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Astypalaia lifeline. Just like the two high speed ferries of Dodekanisos Seaways, this ship has also played a crucial role in maintaining the connection of all these islands by sea during both the summer and the winter. She is particularly regarded as a symbol for Kalymnos, which is the island after which she is named and also the one in which her company is based.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen after having arrived in Patmos. She was performing the Northbound leg of her long itinerary, after having sailed from Leipsoi, and she would then be heading from Patmos to Arkioi. She was therefore sailing in the opposite direction of the DODEKANISOS PRIDE.

A view of the NISSOS KALYMNOS in Patmos, during what was her thirty-fifth consecutive season on the Dodecanese, as well as her twentieth consecutive season on her current service.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen just before performing her own maneuvering procedure in the port of Patmos. Her company's name can easily be confused with that of the more well-known Greek company ANEK Lines. However, the 'K' in both names stand for different islands. Indeed, ANEK Lines refers to Crete (as the acronym stands for 'Anonymi Naftiliaki Etaireia Kritis', literally meaning 'Anonymous Shipping Company of Crete'), while ANEK Sea Lines refers to Kalymnos as the acronym stands for 'Anonymi Naftiliaki Etaireia Kalymnou', literally meaning 'Anonymous Shipping Company of Kalymnos'). Both companies are among the few surviving public companies whose shareholders are the residents of the islands on which they are based, although they have both experienced managerial and financial issues over the past 15 years.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen as she is beginning her maneuvering procedure in Patmos. Despite the various problems faced by her company as a result of poor management (notably highlighted by numerous controversies regarding the provision of new main engines, which were finally installed on the ship in 2009 after many years of planning) and financial difficulties, the ferry has remained an integral part of the inter-Dodecanese lifeline, and her crew has continued to be one of the most respected ones in Greece.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen while maneuvering in Patmos.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen while she continues to undergo her maneuvering procedure in Patmos. Her company also owns another ship, namely the small high speed boat KALYMNOS DOLPHIN, which was built in 2010 and which operates on the Western Kos-Kalymnos-Pserimos line, therefore linking the last two islands with the port of Mastichari in Kos. Previously, this service was performed from 2003 to 2009 by the original KALYMNOS DOLPHIN, which is today the FREEDOM II of Hydra Lines. Additionally, the company used to operate two ships there, having previously owned the small high speed boat KALYMNOS STAR from 2006 until 2020, when that ship sadly sank near Koufonisi while heading to Perama for her annual winter refit, at only 14 years old.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen as she completes her maneuvering procedure just before docking in Patmos.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen once again, as she completes her maneuvering procedure just before she began docking in Patmos.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS now seen just before docking in Patmos.

The veteran ferry NISSOS KALYMNOS seen as she is docking in Patmos.

The NISSOS KALYMNOS seen in Patmos, moments before she finally docked in the island's port.

Just as I took a picture of one of the funnels of the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, I decided to do the same with the port side funnel of the NISSOS KALYMNOS. It is painted in the company's dark blue colours, and it features the logo of ANEK Sea Lines. The latter is a lyre, which is also used as a logo by the Municipality of Kalymnos.

After having witnessed the arrival of the NISSOS KALYMNOS, it was time to proceed to embarking onboard the DODEKANISOS PRIDE for the first time.

We proceeded to embarking through the ship's small garage, where the crew greeted us. Overall, the ship can carry up to nine vehicles, and for that specific leg of her long trip back to Rhodes, we happened to be the only ones that had a car that had to be loaded onboard.

In front of the garage (which is located in the aft section) is the main indoor lounge area, which is where most passengers stay during the trip. It features several rows of grey-blue aircraft-style seats.

A view of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the ship, featuring several aircraft-style seats, with all of them having their top covered with the logo of Dodekanisos Seaways.

Another view of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck towards the front section of the ship, featuring more aircraft-style seats as well as a television screen.

A view of the indoor lounge area on the ship's port side, towards the front section. In the wall located in front of the first row on the left, one can see a map of all the islands that are served by Dodekanisos Seaways. It is noteworthy to state that all of them are served by the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, being the only ship of the company that performs this.

Towards the central section of the indoor lounge area, the ship featured a small bar, which served coffee, soft drinks and various snacks.

Not far form the ship's bar was a narrow storage area featuring a few bottles along with a distribution box. On the latter, one could see two stickers, with the top one showing the logo of Dodekanisos Seaways, while the one right underneath featured the DODEKANISOS PRIDE and the DODEKANISOS EXPRESS under their previous liveries (which they changed in 2020), along with the names of the various islands they serve on the Dodecanese. The fact that Arkioi, Ikaria, Fournoi and Samos (as well as Astypalaia) are not mentioned suggests that this sticker dates from before the 2015 season, when the DODEKANISOS PRIDE began serving these islands for the first time.

Not far from the staircase which leads to the upper deck that features the ship's outdoor deck, one can see a portrait of the late Georgios Spanos, who was the founder of Dodekanisos Seaways, when he was a child. His upbringing and rise to becoming one of the most beloved shipowners of the Dodecanese is one of the most remarkable stories that I have ever read. Born into poverty in Rhodes in 1950, he made his first earnings by selling pumpkin seeds and chewing-gum near the port of Rhodes, as shown in the picture. He then proceeded to founding one of the first supermarkets on the island, from which he generated enough money in order to make his dream of deploying passenger ships on the Dodecanese a reality in 2000. Having acquired three ships, he became a revered figure not only in Rhodes, but also on all other islands of the Dodecanese. He unfortunately passed away in 2019, but his legacy lives on, as he continues to sail everyday onboard his beloved ship, namely the DODEKANISOS PRIDE. The company is now being managed by his son, namely Christos Spanos. His path has been truly inspiring, and I hope that one day I will be able to make my dream in Greece a reality in the same way he did.

After having seen the indoor areas of the ship in the lower deck, I proceeded to the upper deck, whereupon I saw the aft section featuring numerous orange plastic chairs on which passenger could stay for the duration of the trip.

A view of the outdoor deck alley on the ship's port side, which is not accessible to passengers. It features the crew cabins on the right side, as well as some of the vessel's life-rafts.

A view of the outdoor deck alley from the ship's starboard side, with a portion of the bridge at the top being visible as well.

At around 10:40, the DODEKANISOS PRIDE began to leave Patmos in order to head to Leipsoi and then to our destination, namely Leros. Here is a view of the NISSOS KALYMNOS, which was still loading passengers and vehicles prior to her own departure for Arkioi.

A view of the NISSOS KALYMNOS in the port of Patmos. She has recently experienced a few misfortunes, as on the evening of 28 November 2022 she ran aground in the small island of Telendos next to Kalymnos, and she had serious damages to the lower parts of her hull as a result of this accident. She has since gone to Piraeus for repairs, and she is due to head for her second drydock in the Vassiliadis Drydock in the next few days. Her company continues to make efforts to have the ship reactivated very soon, so that she can continue to serve her lifeline during the winter, when the islands' inhabitants need her the most.

One last view of the NISSOS KALYMNOS as we exited the port of Patmos. I would then find myself traveling with her for the first time in my life about 10 hours after taking all these pictures, as she was the ship onboard which we embarked in order to head from Leros to Kalymnos on the same evening that we did our trip with the DODEKANISOS PRIDE.

After just 25 minutes of sailing following our departure from Patmos, we had reached the port of Leipsoi. This was my first time seeing the island, although we did not visit it at all.

A view of the port of Leipsoi, which is located in the main town of the island, itself known as the Chora (as it is the case with most islands of the Aegean Sea). The latter is shown to have a very picturesque landscape. I hope that I will get the chance to visit that island that way, in the same way I got to see seven islands of the Dodecanese during my trip there with my parents.

After a short stay in Leipsoi, we immediately sailed towards Leros, which we reached by heading to the port of Agia Marina. The latter is located in the Northern part of the island, and it is usually served by small ships that operate the inter-Dodecanese lifeline. The other major port of Leros is that of Lakki, which is located in the Southern part of the island, and it is notably served by the larger ferries such as those of Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. Here is a view of the DODEKANISOS PRIDE shortly after completing my first-ever trip with her.

Next to the DODEKANISOS PRIDE was another ship that had also arrived in Leros from Patmos, namely the small ferry PATMOS STAR of Patmos Star Ferries. Built in 1991 in Greece, she has been owned by her company since 2005, and she operates a local service along the Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros line.

Another view of the PATMOS STAR in the port of Agia Marina in Leros. She has also been a much-appreciated local ship on the Dodecanese, as she ensures the daily connection of Leipsoi with both Patmos and Leros. Before joining Patmos Star Ferries in 2005 (owned by the Gryllis family), she had previously been operating on the Saronic Gulf, as the ELVIRA under the now-defunct Greek company Kriaras Shipping. During her 14 years there, she operated on the Piraeus-Northern Aegina-Poros line, serving the port of Agia Marina in Aegina. Since then, she has continued to serve a port called Agia Marina, being the one that is found in Leros.

And this therefore marked the end of a short, but very enjoyable trip onboard a wonderful ferry which has been considered a symbol on the Dodecanese. I was more than happy to have completed my first-ever inter-Dodecanese trip onboard a ship that clearly knows how to define the pride of the Dodecanese. Indeed, the DODEKANISOS PRIDE is a very nice ferry, with comfortable indoor areas as well as a nice outdoor deck that enables passengers to have a nice view of the sea while the ship is sailing at full-speed. Despite her having one of the busiest schedules in Greece due to the many ports that she serves everyday, the DODEKANISOS PRIDE always performs her services dutifully, thanks in large part to her excellent crew. She has helped establish Dodekanisos Seaways as a top company on the Dodecanese, and she still carries the foundations and the legacy of her beloved late owner, namely Georgios Spanos. For many years now, there have been rumours suggesting that the company is looking to order a third catamaran similar to the DODEKANISOS EXPRESS and the DODEKANISOS PRIDE, but so far nothing has come fruition. But even so, with two very effective small high speed ferries and the recently-refurbished PANAGIA SKIADENI, Dodekanisos Seaways still provides excellent services at very high standards. Having completed my first trip of that day in the best way possible, I was now ready to enjoy my brief stay in the beautiful island of Leros together with my family.

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