ELENA F Tribute and Moments of Trip

Trip: 1 August 2022. From Piraeus to Salamina, with the ELENA F of Elena F Shipping.

The small passenger ship ELENA F was built in 1998 in Greece for the Greek company Elena F Shipping, which is owned by the Filiagkos family. Based in Salamina, the latter has been linking the island with Piraeus since 1967, the year during which they initially deployed the then-newly-built sister ships (which were part of the numerous 'Koulouriotika' sister ships that were built in the 1960s and 1970s) ELENI F and DIMITRIOS F on the Piraeus-Salamina line. The former operated for Elena F Shipping until 1981, when she was sold to Panou Shipping for service as the MOSCHOS EXPRESS on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line on the Saronic Gulf, where she remained for 20 years until being sold to Mitsoulis Cruises in 2001. She still operates for them, as the IONIAN DOLPHIN, as she performs daily cruises on the Syvota-Antipaxoi-Paxoi-Corfu line on the Ionian Sea. As for the DIMITRIOS F, she continued to operate on the Piraeus-Salamina line until the arrival of the then-newly-built ELENA F in 1998, after which she was retired. Since then, the company has kept the ELENA F on the Piraeus-Salamina line, operating in the ports of Kamatero and Paloukia in just 45 minutes. She has remained there for the larger part of career, except for the 2013 season, when she spent the summer on the Glyfa-Skiathos line on the Sporades. This stay proved to be very brief, as she subsequently returned to the Piraeus-Salamina line once the summer concluded. She has since remained there, providing the service along with the two small passenger ships of Broufas Vessels. Apart from her daily sailings to Salamina, the ship has also made some cruises to Spetses during the summers of 2011 and 2012. She has also made successful summer cruises to the islands of Aegina, Agistri and Poros in 2012, and from 2014 to 2022.

Having spent many years on the Piraeus-Salamina line, the ELENA F has become one of the most frequent vessels calling at the main port of Athens, and she has been the driving force of the Filiagkos family for more than two decades. They have since expanded their services on the Perama-Salamina line, where they operate the double-ended ferry AGGELIS F (built in 2022), which had succeeded their first ship, namely the original AGGELIS F that operated for them from 2019 until her sale the following year to the Kuwaiti company Ikarus United Marine Services. In addition, they have frequently used the ELENA F for daily summer cruises on other islands of the Saronic Gulf (as mentioned previously), thus making the ship a versatile worker along the area.

After having spent the early morning of 1 August 2022 in the port of Piraeus as part of my maiden appearance to the port for this year's summer, my next step was to head to Salamina in order to see even more ships along the way. This has become a yearly tradition since 2018, as I have traveled several times between Piraeus and Salamina in order to experience a nice trip onboard the island's small passenger ships, while also getting to see numerous ships of the Greek coastal service in Piraeus, Salamina, and the adjacent ports of Drapetsona, Keratsini and Perama by which we pass during such trips. My first experience had been on 3 July 2018, when I traveled from Piraeus to Salamina with the GEORGIOS BROUFAS II of Broufas Vessels. Following this, I performed several trips in the years that followed, while the first time that I traveled with the ELENA F was on 5 August 2021, while heading from Salamina back to Piraeus. However, during that trip, my camera had issues with its battery, and even though I took pictures with my smartphone, these were of poor quality and therefore I did not consider them worthy of featuring in a Tribute post (which I would usually write following my first-ever trip with a ship of the Greek coastal service). As such, I had to wait for the opportunity to travel again with the ship, and fortunately this happened on the same day that I made my first appearance in Piraeus for 2022. This was therefore my second trip with the ELENA F, and my third overall with a ship owned by the Filiagkos family. Indeed, the first trip had been on 3 August 2019, while heading from Perama to Salamina with the original AGGELIS F. It was also my first trip from Piraeus for the 2022 season, as well my first trip of the year on the Saronic Gulf.

After having spent four hours in the port of Piraeus witnessing the various departures and arrivals that occurred during the morning, I had now reached the E8 gate, which is where the ships serving the Saronic Gulf dock. This is also the case for the small passenger ships that operate on the Piraeus-Salamina line. As I arrived there, I saw the ELENA F having returned to Piraeus from Salamina, and about to begin her maneuvering procedure.

The ELENA F was seen approaching the E8 gate in Piraeus, where the conventional double-ended ferry POSIDON HELLAS of 2way Ferries was already docked. Built in 1998 (the same year as the ELENA F) in Greece, she has spent her entire career on the Saronic Gulf.

The ELENA F seen just before beginning her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus. This has been her ninth consecutive season on the Piraeus-Salamina line since she returned there following her sole season on the Glyfa-Skiathos line in 2013.

A view of the ELENA F, which was returning from Salamina.

The ELENA F seen while undergoing her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus.

The ELENA F seen during her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus.

Another view of the the ELENA F during her maneuvering procedure in Piraeus. As stated previously, she has been the third ship to have operated for the Filiagkos family on the Piraeus-Salamina line since 1967.

After the ELENA F docked in Piraeus, I proceeded to embarking onboard her for the second time ever. This is a picture of her lower deck, where the ship's indoor lounge area is located. It features several blue lounges facing towards the windows.

While heading towards the front section of the indoor lounge area, one can see a small replica model of the ELENA F, which is a unique feature amongst the ships that operate on the Piraeus-Salamina line.

The upper deck of the ELENA F features the ship's outdoor sun deck area, which has various white benches for passengers willing to stay outside during the trip, as well as the ship's bridge.

A view of the alley on the starboard side leading towards the bridge. It also features a white bench that is facing towards the sea.

After I had embarked onboard the ELENA F, and before our departure to Salamina, I saw the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XVII of Hellenic Seaways about to dock. Earlier during the day, she had been docked on the E7 gate as there was not enough space for her in the E8 gate. When it was her turn to begin her first trip of the day, she therefore shifted to the latter in order to load her passengers.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII seen as she shifts towards the E8 gate in Piraeus. Built in 1984 in Georgia (then part of the Soviet Union), she has spent her entire career on the Saronic Gulf, namely on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII seen as she is about to dock in the E8 gate in Piraeus. As stated in my previous Blog post, she was spending her last active days under Hellenic Seaways, as she was replaced (along with her sister ships) just a few days after this picture was taken by the newly-built aero high speed catamarans that her company ordered for the Saronic Gulf, namely the AERO 1 HIGHSPEED, the AERO 2 HIGHSPEED and the AERO 3 HIGHSPEED. These new state-of-the-art vessels, which were larger and more comfortable vessels, in addition to being environmentally-friendly, and they replaced the aging and outdated hydrofoils. As a result, she was sent for lay-up in Perama, with her future remaining uncertain.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII was seen docking in front of another hydrofoil serving the Saronic Gulf, namely the FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I of Aegean Flying Dolphins. Built in 1981 in Georgia (then part of the Soviet Union), this ship has been owned by her current company since 2008. She was spending her first season on the Saronic Gulf since 2019.

Another view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, after she finished docking in the E8 gate in Piraeus.

The FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I seen docked in Piraeus. For the 2022 season, she operated on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line together with her fleetmate, namely the FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA. In the previous season, she had operated on the Volos-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos line on the Sporades, where she had also spent the first 24 years of her career. Back then, she was known as the FLYING DOLPHIN XIV under Ceres Flying Dolphins, and she operated for them from 1981 until her company was taken over by Minoan Flying Dolphins in 1999. The latter was renamed Hellas Flying Dolphins in 2002, before being rebranded as Hellenic Seaways in 2005. The ship departed the company during that same year, however, as she was sold to Paxos Flying Dolphins in order to operate on the Corfu-Paxoi line as the PAXOS FLYING DOLPHIN. After three years on the Ionian Sea, she joined Aegean Flying Dolphins in 2008.

A few moments later, the FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I began to leave Piraeus. In the meantime, another hydrofoil of Hellenic Seaways, namely the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX, was seen returning to the port.

The FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I seen as she is leaving Piraeus. Since joining Aegean Flying Dolphins, she has operated for them on the Dodecanese (2008-2009) and on the Saronic Gulf (2010-2011, for just a couple of trips in 2016, and then in 2019 and in 2022), while from late 2020 until the end of the 2021 season she was deployed on the Sporades. During the latter spell, she performed the service with the third hydrofoil of the company, namely the FLYING DOLPHIN ERATO, which has been operating there since 2014. Between late 2011 and 2019 (except for a few days in 2016), she had been laid-up in Perama due to having reached 30 years of service, which implied a mandatory retirement from Greek waters. After this restriction was lifted, she made a brief comeback in 2016 and then a full comeback in 2019. During that summer, she operated on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Methana-Poros line.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XIX seen heading towards her docking spot in Piraeus. She was built in 1983 in Georgia (then part of the Soviet Union), and she was spending her third consecutive season on the Saronic Gulf, while serving the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII seen once again as she is docked in the E8 gate in Piraeus.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XIX seen as she arrives in Piraeus just as the FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I is leaving.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XIX seen docking while the FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I is leaving Piraeus. Both ships used to be fleetmates back when they were both owned by Ceres Flying Dolphins and then by Minoan Flying Dolphins and later Hellas Flying Dolphins. During their spell as fleetmates under both former owners, they were operating on the Sporades simultaneously. The FLYING DOLPHIN XIX then moved to the Saronic Gulf in 2004, and the following year the company was rebranded as Hellenic Seaways, by which time the ex-FLYING DOLPHIN XIV (which is today the FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I) had departed the fleet in order to join Paxos Flying Dolphins.

A view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX during her third consecutive season since being reactivated by Hellenic Seaways. Indeed, from 2012 until 2019, the ship was laid-up in Perama after she ran aground in the small islet of Metopi while sailing between Aegina and Agistri. Although she was deemed a constructive total loss, she was eventually repaired and refurbished by her company, and she resumed service on the Saronic Gulf in 2020.

The FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I seen while departing the port of Piraeus.

The FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I seen while she is about to leave the port of Piraeus.

Another view of the FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I, while she begins to proceed towards the exit of the port of Piraeus in order to head to Aegina and Agistri.

While the FLYING DOLPHIN VENUS I was leaving, the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX was seen about to dock in front of her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XIX seen having just docked in Piraeus, in front of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. Both ships belong to the famed Kolkhida-class of hydrofoil built in the former Soviet Union, of which the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX is the lead ship.

The FLYING DOLPHIN XIX seen in Piraeus together with the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. When the aero high speed catamarans arrived just a few days after this picture was taken, the hydrofoils began to be phased-out of their service on the Saronic Gulf, although the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX continued to operate for the remainder of the summer season. The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII and the third hydrofoil of the company, namely the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX, were immediately sent for lay-up, and it appears unlikely that they will ever enter service again under Hellenic Seaways. It is therefore probable that the company is waiting for an interested buyer for these ships to emerge during the winter.

As it was now 11:00, it was the time for the ELENA F to begin her trip to Salamina. However, we were not the only ones that were planning to leave Piraeus during that time. Indeed, the high speed ferry THUNDER of Fast Ferries was also seen leaving the port, in order to begin her service on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos line on the Cyclades, which she was serving for the second consecutive season.

As the ELENA F began to leave Piraeus, I had one last view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX together with the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII.

I then proceeded to the starboard side of the ELENA F in order to take a picture of the POSIDON HELLAS. The latter operates on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Methana-Poros line, under the Saronic Ferries joint venture (which includes 2way Ferries and Nova Ferries).

Next to the POSIDON HELLAS was another conventional ferry operating on the Saronic Gulf, namely the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries. As I just stated under the previous picture, her company is part of the Saronic Ferries joint venture, together with 2way Ferries.

The PHIVOS seen docked in Piraeus, during her eighteenth consecutive season on the Saronic Gulf. Built in 1980 in Spain, she joined Nova Ferries in 2004. After undergoing a major conversion which lasted for a whole year, she began service on the Saronic Gulf in 2005, serving the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros-Hydra line until 2007, when she operated solely on the Piraeus-Aegina line. Since 2014 she has been on the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros line.

While we were departing, I was able to take a picture of the high speed ferry SUPERRUNNER JET of Sea Jets. Built in 1999 in Italy, she was spending her second season with her company. Before that, she was known as the SUPERRUNNER of Golden Star Ferries, being owned by them from late 2016 until 2021, and also as the SPEEDRUNNER IV of Aegean Speed Lines from 2009 until late 2016.

A view of the SUPERRUNNER JET in Piraeus. As I stated it in my previous post, this was the first time that I saw the ship under her current owners. For the 2022 season, she operated on the Western Cyclades, serving the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line, which she performed together with her fleetmate, namely the TERA JET.

The SUPERRUNNER JET seen while docked in Piraeus. It was the first time that she operated on the Western Cyclades since her last season under Aegean Speed Lines in 2016, back when she was on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos-Folegandros-Sikinos line just before her sale to Golden Star Ferries. Aegean Speed Lines continued to operate there with their last remaining ship, namely the SPEEDRUNNER III (a sister ship of the SUPERRUNNER, which had joined the company in 2009 as well), until she was also acquired by Sea Jets this year. She was renamed SPEEDRUNNER JET and she was deployed on the Siteia-Kasos-Karpathos-Chalki-Rhodes line on the Dodecanese for the 2022 season. As such, both sister ships were once again reunited after operating for different owners for almost 6 years.

From the starboard side of the ELENA F, I was then able to take pictures of two ships that operate in Crete, namely the KRITI II of ANEK Lines and the BLUE GALAXY of Blue Star Ferries. Both ships were built in Japan, and they also spent many years on the Adriatic Sea at the start of their careers in Greece. Moreover, they used to be fleetmates, back when the BLUE GALAXY was also operating for ANEK Lines as the LEFKA ORI, from 1999 until 2012. She has been in service for Blue Star Ferries since 2015.

The KRITI II seen in Piraeus. She operates on the Piraeus-Heraklion line, where she was spending her first season since 2020 (after having spent the 2021 season under lay-up in Perama). She had also operated there from 2001 to 2011, and from 2015 to 2020.

The BLUE GALAXY seen right behind her former fleetmate, namely the KRITI II. Built in 1992 in Japan, she was bought by ANEK Lines in 1999. After being converted in Perama and being renamed LEFKA ORI, she was deployed on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Trieste line from 2000 to 2004, and then on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Venice line from 2005 to 2011. After the Greek financial crisis began to severely impact the Greek coastal service, the ship was taken out of the plans of ANEK Lines and she was chartered in 2012 to the South Korean company Jeju Cruise Line. However, she never operated for them, and she returned to Greece in late 2013. She eventually underwent a refit from late 2014 onwards, after which it was announced that she had joined Blue Star Ferries. After being renamed BLUE GALAXY, she was deployed on the Piraeus-Chania line in 2015. She has since remained on this service.

Next to the KRITI II and the BLUE GALAXY, I got to see another Japanese-built ferry with previous experience on the Adriatic Sea and in Crete. Indeed, this was the Ro-Pax ferry OLYMPUS of Sea Speed Ferries. Unlike the other two ships, however, she was spending the summer of 2022 under lay-up, after her company ceased operations following its failure to deploy the ship on the Kasos-Karpathos lifeline for which she had received a subsidised contract. Due to technical and operational issues, she did not perform a single service there and therefore the lifeline was reassigned to the PREVELIS of ANEK Lines, which had been operating there since 2009.

A nice view of three Japanese-built ferries, namely the KRITI II, the BLUE GALAXY and the OLYMPUS. All three of them spent the early 2000s on the Adriatic Sea, before heading to the Aegean Sea later in their careers, with the KRITI II being the first to do so in 2001.

Another view of the PHIVOS along with the POSIDON HELLAS. Both ships have been operating on the Saronic Gulf for many years, and they have become two of the most acclaimed ferries to have operated there.

Another view of the SUPERRUNNER JET which is docked in Piraeus while awaiting her afternoon departure in order to operate on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos line. In addition to this being her first season on the Western Cyclades since 2016, this was her seventh overall season operating there. Indeed, this was where she spent her first four seasons under Aegean Speed Lines, as well as her final two seasons under the latter.

The SUPERRUNNER JET seen once again in Piraeus. I notably had the chance to travel with her once, back when she was still known as the SUPERRUNNER under Golden Star Ferries, whereupon I traveled from Ios to Mykonos on 17 June 2018.

As the ELENA F was beginning to head towards the exit of the port of Piraeus, there was a bit of traffic right ahead. Indeed, I spotted the landing craft ANTIGONE that operates under the Saronic Ferries joint venture (being jointly owned by Nova Ferries and 2way Ferries) having returned to the port, while the THUNDER was also seen departing.

The SUPERRUNNER JET was seen alongside one of her fleetmates, namely the AQUA JEWEL, which operates under the Sea Jets Ferries division. The latter operates on the Piraeus-Gytheion-Kythira-Antikythira-Kissamos lifeline since 2020.

A view of the ANTIGONE as she is heading towards her docking spot while we begin to head towards the exit of the port of Piraeus. Built in 2010 in Greece, she was spending her debut season under the livery of Saronic Ferries, for whom she began operations on the Piraeus-Northern Aegina line, serving the port of Souvala.

The AQUA JEWEL seen docked in Piraeus next to the SUPERRUNNER JET. She was built in 2003 in Greece, and she previously had stints under Alpha Ferries (2003-2010) and NEL Lines (2010-2014) on the Cyclades, until she was laid-up in 2014 following a severe engine failure. She remained inactive until 2017, when she was acquired by Sea Jets. She spent her first season with them on the inter-Cyclades lifeline (where she had also been assigned when operating for NEL Lines), before spending two summers under charter to Atlântico Line for service on the Azores Archipelago. She made a full return to Sea Jets in 2020, when she was inserted on the Peloponnese-Kythira-Antikythira lifeline, whereupon she replaced the IONIS of Triton Ferries, which had been operating there since 2017.

The SUPERRUNNER JET and the AQUA JEWEL seen together in Piraeus. Both ships have had many years of experience on the Cyclades during their careers.

The SUPERRUNNER JET seen as she is docked in Piraeus, during her second season with Sea Jets. Besides the SPEEDRUNNER JET, she has two other sister ships, which are also owned by Greek companies. Indeed, these are the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED of Hellenic Seaways (which spent the 2022 season under charter to Africa Morocco Link on the Gibraltar Strait) and the SANTA IRINI of the newly-established company Panellenic Lines, which made her debut this year in Greece, serving the Heraklion-Santorini line. As a result, all four sister ships of the MDV 1200-class, which were built between 1997 and 1999 in Italy for the now-defunct British conglomerate Sea Containers, are now based in Greece. The first three were already there since 2009, and this year they were joined by the SANTA IRINI (previously the ALMUDAINA DOS of the Spanish company Trasmediterránea from 2008 to 2022).

The ANTIGONE seen as we are about to cross her inside the port of Piraeus.

We then began to pass by the FESTOS PALACE of Minoan Lines, which operates on the Piraeus-Milos-Heraklion line.

The ANTIGONE seen as she proceeds towards her docking spot in Piraeus. Before she began her career on the Saronic Gulf, she was originally the POSEIDONAS of the Greek company Farmakoris-Villiotis NE, serving the Aidipsos-Arkitsa line on the North Evoian Gulf in 2010 and from 2012 to 2018, as well as the Rion-Antirrion line in 2011. She was laid-up in Salamina in 2018 after a sale overseas did not materialise, and she was ultimately acquired by the Saronic Ferries joint venture the following year. She underwent three years of conversion in Perama and in Keratsini, during which she was renamed ANTIGONE. She finally made her long-awaited debut this year on the Piraeus-Northern Aegina line.

The ANTIGONE seen as she heads towards her docking spot in Piraeus. During her lengthy conversion, she notably acquired a grey livery under the Saronic Ferries banner.

Another view of the SUPERRUNNER JET and of the AQUA JEWEL in Piraeus.

The SUPERRUNNER JET and the AQUA JEWEL watch as the ANTIGONE is about to pass by them in order to dock in Piraeus.

A view of the FESTOS PALACE as she is resting in Piraeus.

As we kept heading towards the exit of the port of Piraeus, we passed by the cruiseferry NISSOS SAMOS of Hellenic Seaways, which operates on the Piraeus-Psara-Oinousses-Chios-Mytilene line on the Northeast Aegean Sea.

The NISSOS SAMOS seen in Piraeus, during her seventh season under Hellenic Seaways. She was built in 1988 in Japan, and she first began service in Greece as the IONIAN QUEEN under Endeavor Lines (who also used to own the OLYMPUS), serving the Adriatic Sea from 2005 until her company ceased operations in 2012. She was then laid-up in Patras for three years, until she was sold to Hellenic Seaways in late 2015. After being renamed NISSOS SAMOS and undergoing a extensive conversion in Perama, she began service in 2016 on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene-Limnos-Thessaloniki line on the Northeast Aegean Sea. She then had a successful season on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Santorini line on the Cyclades in 2017, before she moved to her current service in 2018.

While nearing the exit of the port of Piraeus, the BLUE STAR 2 of Blue Star Ferries was seen docked in the E1 gate. Built in 2000 in The Netherlands, she has been based on the Dodecanese since 2004. During the 2022 season, she was operating on the Piraeus-Syros-Amorgos-Patmos-Leros-Kalymnos-Kos-Symi-Rhodes line, on which she has been mostly based since 2018.

The BLUE STAR 2 seen while resting in Piraeus. She was one of the three passenger ships of Attica Group that linked Piraeus with the Dodecanese during the 2022 season, the others being the BLUE STAR CHIOS of Blue Star Ferries and the ARIADNE of Hellenic Seaways. In addition, some of the main islands of that area were also being served by the Ro-Ro carrier BLUE CARRIER 1 of Blue Star Ferries.

The BLUE STAR 2 spotted in Piraeus, where she had returned during the early morning.

Another view of the NISSOS SAMOS while she remains docked in Piraeus.

The BLUE STAR 2 seen once more in Piraeus, just before we exited the port. It is noteworthy to state that this was the second season during which she was without her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the BLUE STAR 1, which has been on charter to Irish Ferries since 2021.

At about 11:15, we had finally made her way out of Piraeus and we began to sail towards Salamina. After we had exited, I got to see the THUNDER that was beginning to sail at full-speed in order to start her trip on the Cyclades.

The THUNDER seen as she is sailing at full-speed following her exit from the port of Piraeus. She was built in 1998 in Australia, and she has been owned by Fast Ferries since 2019. She underwent two years of conversion in Perama before she began service on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos line in 2021.

The THUNDER seen once more while she heads towards Syros. She is notably the first-ever high speed craft to have been under the ownership of Fast Ferries. She is, however, the second one to have operated for the company, with the first one being the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED of Hellenic Seaways, which had been chartered to Fast Ferries during the summer of 2019. That ship's successful season on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos line was a major reason why the company proceeded to buying the THUNDER later in that same year.

While Salamina is technically the closest inhabitable island located near Piraeus and Athens, the island that is actually the closest in geographic terms is the island of Psyttaleia. The latter is considered to be uninhabitable, but it does employ a workforce on a daily basis as it houses the largest sewage treatment plant in Europe. These workers, together with the relevant vehicles and materials, are transported every day by the landing craft PSYTTALEIA II of Psyttaleia Shipping, which is seen in this picture.

The PSYTTALEIA II seen in her namesake island, and which she is about to depart. She was built in 2000 in Greece, and she has spent her entire career linking Psyttaleia with Piraeus, which she serves by docking in a small pier in Drapetsona.

The PSYTTALEIA II seen undergoing her maneuvering procedure while she is departing Psyttaleia.

The PSYTTALEIA II seen while she is departing Psyttaleia.

The PSYTTALEIA seen completing her maneuvering procedure in order to leave Psyttaleia.

The PSYTTALEIA II seen once more, as she begins to head towards Drapetsona.

Just after having passed by Psyttaleia, I encountered the small passenger ship GEORGIOS BROUFAS of Broufas Vessels. She also operates on the Piraeus-Salamina line, being one of the two ships serving it since 2020, with the other being the ELENA F.

The GEORGIOS BROUFAS seen while heading from Salamina to Piraeus. She was built in Greece in 1997, hence just one year before the ELENA F. Furthermore, she has had a very similar career path as the latter, having spent all but one season of her career on the Piraeus-Salamina line. Indeed, in 2016, she operated on the Ios-Sikinos-Folegandros line on the Cyclades, before heading back to her usual service the following year.

The GEORGIOS BROUFAS seen while heading towards Piraeus. She is the ship with which I have done the most trips so far between Piraeus and Salamina. Indeed, my first trip with her was on 14 August 2020, while heading from Piraeus to Salamina. I then had two trips with her in 2021 (both from Piraeus to Salamina), and two more in 2022 (one from Piraeus to Salamina on 30 September 2022, followed by one from Salamina to Piraeus just one week later).

After passing by Drapetsona and Keratsini, where I saw the container terminal and the PCTC terminal, we were now passing by Perama. There, I spotted the Tsangarinos Shipyard, where I saw two ships that have been laid-up there for many years. These were the high speed ferry KALLI P of Idomeneas Lines and the conventional ferry ZAKYNTHOS I of Kefalonian Lines. These two ships have been inactive since 2015 and since 2018, respectively.

Next to them was the Psarros Shipyard, where I saw another laid-up ship. Indeed, that was the one-day cruise ship ANNA MARU of Hydraïki Cruises. Built in 1993 in Greece, she has been operating on the Saronic Gulf since 1994 and for Hydraïki Cruises since 2003. She performed successful cruises under the latter on the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Aegina line from 2003 to 2009. After the 2010 summer season, which she spent on the Sporades, she was deemed to surplus requirements by her company, and she was laid-up in Elefsina in 2011 and then in Perama (at the Psarros Shipyard) from 2012 to 2016. She returned to service in 2016 on the Floisbos-Hydra-Poros-Aegina line in order to replace her fleetmate, namely the PLATYTERA TON OURANON, which was undergoing her own refit, before being laid-up again in 2017 after the latter was inserted back to service. However, in late 2018, the ANNA MARU returned to the Floisbos-Hydra-Poros-Aegina line, once again replacing the PLATYTERA TON OURANON, but she was laid-up once more in Perama in 2020.

While looking further down, I noticed that a ship of the Greek coastal service was on drydock at the PIRAEUS II Drydock, which is known as the Small Perama Drydock, as part of the three floating drydocks that are located in Perama. There, I saw the Ro-Ro carrier KAPETAN CHRISTOS of Sourmelis NE, which was undergoing repairs at the time, following an accident during which she ran aground in Kea on 18 July 2022. After spending a few days on drydock, she returned to her usual service, whereupon she links Elefsina with the Cyclades.

Another view of the ANNA MARU, which remains laid-up in Perama while awaiting her fate. Since 2010, she has only operated for three seasons, and therefore she remains a spare vessel under Hydraïki Cruises.

Another view of the KAPETAN CHRISTOS as she is on drydock at the PIRAEUS II Drydock. Built in 1970 in Germany, she was acquired by Sourmelis NE in 2016. Since 2021, she has been operating primarily on the Elefsina-Kea-Andros-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line.

The KAPETAN CHRISTOS seen once more while she is on drydock at the PIRAEUS II Drydock.

I then began to see the Perama Ship Repair Zone. There, I spotted a ship for the first time, namely the high speed ferry CAT I of Magic Sea Ferries. She has been owned by this company since 2019, and she was due to finally begin service for them this year, but technical troubles prevented her from doing so, and therefore she spent another summer of inactivity, having failed to operate since the 2011 season (back when she was operating for NEL Lines as the ALKIONI).

The CAT I seen in Perama, while still undergoing her refit under Magic Sea Ferries. Built in 1994 in Japan, she first arrived in Greece in 2006, as the ALKIONI for the now-defunct Greek company Eagle Ferries, but over the following four years she spent time under lay-up and under charter for service on the Red Sea. She then joined NEL Lines in 2010, and she operated for them on the Sporades for two seasons before spending seven years of lay-up. In 2019 she was bought by Magic Sea Ferries, who have performed a slow and lengthy refit on her for the past three years. She was due to operate this year on the Agios Konstantinos-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos line on the Sporades, but as stated previously she failed to be deployed there. Hopefully she will finally resume service next season.

A bit further down, I got to see two cruiseferries of ANEK Lines, namely the EL. VENIZELOS and the KRITI I.

The KRITI I seen in Perama, where she has remained under lay-up. She was replaced this year by the KRITI II (which herself had been laid-up in Perama in 2021), after having been operating on the Piraeus-Heraklion line since late 2010. She was deemed to surplus requirements, and it is uncertain if and when she will return to service for ANEK Lines.

The EL. VENIZELOS and the KRITI I were seen alongside another ferry, which was undergoing a major conversion in Perama Ship Repair Zone. Indeed, this was the ANDROS QUEEN of Golden Star Ferries, which was bought this year by the company in order to begin service for them during the 2023 season.

The ANDROS QUEEN (here seen while undergoing her conversion) seen alongside the EL. VENIZELOS and the KRITI I in Perama.

The EL. VENIZELOS and the KRITI I seen laid-up in Perama. The former has not returned to service since she was replaced by the ELYROS on the Piraeus-Chania line in 2020. As for the latter, since her return to ANEK Lines after having spent three years under charter to the Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci from 2017 to 2020, she only operated for one season, most specifically on the Piraeus-Heraklion line in 2021.

After having passed by the Perama Ship Repair Zone, I got to see the terminal from which ferries and small passenger ships depart in order to head to Salamina. There, I saw two ships having left Perama in order to head to Salamina, namely the small passenger ship BOB SFOUGKARAKIS of Kavouris Shipping Company and the double-ended ferry EMPEDOKLIS of Aianteiaki NE.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen having departed Perama. Built in 2016 in Greece (following many years of delays during her construction), she has so far spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line.

The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS seen having started sailing towards Salamina. Built in 2008 in Greece, she has been operating on the Perama-Salamina line since 2016. Before that, she had also been operating on the Piraeus-Salamina line, although she was serving the port of Selinia, as opposed to the ports of Kamatero and of Paloukia which are served by the ELENA F.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen while sailing towards Salamina, after having left Perama.

In Perama, I got to see three more double-ended ferries that were docked. These were the FANEROMENI of Panagia Faneromeni, the AGIA BARBARA of Karnesis-Lalousis NE and the AGIOS ELEFTHERIOS IV of Feidias NE.

The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS seen as she is heading towards the port of Paloukia in Salamina, just like it was the case for the ELENA F.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen once again as she is making her way towards Salamina.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen as she is sailing towards Salamina. Originally, her owners wanted to deploy her on the Piraeus-Aegina line, but this never happened due to delays in her construction. Ultimately, when the latter was completed in 2016, she was deployed on the Perama-Salamina line.

The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS seen as she heads to Salamina. For the 2022 season, she was the only small passenger ship that was operating on the Perama-Salamina line, as all the other ships of her type were eventually laid-up or sold to other owners.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen once again as she is following us on our way to Salamina.

The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS seen as she is also heading towards Salamina.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen once more as she is following us in order to head to Salamina.

Just as we were approaching Salamina, I got to see another double-ended ferry that operates on the Perama-Salamina line, which was seen heading towards the port of Perama. This was the KONSTANTINOS K of Salaminia Ferries-K Star.

The KONSTANTINOS K seen as she heads from Salamina to Perama. She was built in 2009 in Greece, and she is one of the two ships that are owned by Salaminia Ferries-K Star, with the other being the double-ended ferry MATOULA K, which was built in 2006. Both ships serve the Perama-Salamina line.

The KONSTANTINOS K seen as she makes her way towards Perama. This was her first season back on the Perama-Salamina line, after she had spent last season on the Rion-Antirrion line. She had also operated there back in 2016. Other than these two seasons, as well as the 2015 season which she spent on the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line on the North Evoian Gulf, she has been operating on the Perama-Salamina line for her whole career.

The KONSTANTINOS K seen once again, as she makes her way towards Perama.

The KONSTANTINOS K seen while she heads towards Perama, after having left Salamina.

After having passed by the KONSTANTINOS K, I was able to have a better view of the port of Paloukia in Salamina, which features several double-ended ferries and small passenger ships that link the island with Perama.

A view of the port of Paloukia in Salamina, which featured numerous double-ended ferries that operate on the Perama-Salamina line. The service is provided by two joint ventures, namely the Agios Nikolaos Lines joint venture and the traditional Salamina Ferries joint venture.

At the corner of the main pier of the port of Paloukia in Salamina, I notably got to see five double-ended ferries, namely the IOANNIS THIRESIA of Theotokos NE, the AGGELIS F of Filiagkos NE, the THEOMITOR of Athinais Lines, the PROTOPOROS X of Tsokos Lines and the PANAGIOTIS D of Evia Ferries.

Another view of the port of Paloukia in Salamina, where the BOB SFOUGKARAKIS was seen heading towards her docking spot.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen once more as she heads towards her docking spot in the port of Perama in Salamina.

The imposing EMPEDOKLIS seen while she continues to head towards Salamina.

The EMPEDOKLIS seen while heading towards the main ferry docking spot in the port of Paloukia in Salamina.

I then got to see four more double-ended ferries that operate on the Perama-Salamina line, namely the ALEXANDROS M of Boufis Shipping Company, the CHRYSA of Farmakoris-Villiotis NE, the GLYKOFILOUSA IV of Panagia Glykofilousa NE and the DIMITRIOS P of Dimitrios P NE.

Another view of the IOANNIS THIRESIA, along with the AGGELIS F, the THEOMITOR, the PROTOPOROS X and the PANAGIOTIS D. As stated at the start of this post, the AGGELIS F is also owned by the Filiagkos, having started service for them after her construction was completed in 2022.

One final view of the EMPEDOKLIS as she heads towards her docking spot, just like we were heading towards ours.

Another view of the IOANNIS THIRESIA along with th much younger AGGELIS F.

The IOANNIS THIRESIA seen alongside the AGGELIS F. The former was built in 2004 in Greece, and she has spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line.

Another view of the ALEXANDROS M, together with the CHRYSA, the GLYKOFILOUSA IV and the DIMITRIOS P.

The IOANNIS THIRESIA seen resting in Salamina. Her company has another double-ended ferry, namely the THEOTOKOS, which has been on the Rion-Antirrion line since 2021.

The port of Paloukia in Salamina seen once again, featuring many double-ended ferries.

I then had the chance to see the GLYKOFILOUSA V of Panagia Glykofilousa NE. She was built in 2017 in Greece, just like her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the GLYKOFILOUSA IV.

The impressive GLYKOFILOUSA V seen in Piraeus. Since she began her career in 2017, she has always been on the Perama-Salamina line.

The ALEXANDROS M seen docked in Salamina next to the CHRYSA. She was built in 2000 in Greece, and she was originally known as the KONSTANTINOS for Konstantinos ANE. She operated for them until 2010, when they ceased operations. She was bought in 2011 by Boufis Shipping Company, and she was renamed ALEXANDROS M. Despite her company being based in Spetses (and most notably owning the landing craft KATERINA STAR which operates on the Kosta-Spetses line), she has continued to operate on the Perama-Salamina line, while having also spent time on the Rion-Antirrion line in 2016 and in 2020.

The ALEXANDROS M seen in Salamina, during her twelfth season with Boufis Shipping Company, which was also her second straight season on the Perama-Salamina line since she returned there in 2021, after having spent the 2020 season on the Rion-Antirrion line.

The ALEXANDROS M seen in Salamina along with the CHRYSA. The latter was built in 2017 in Greece, and she has spent all her career so far on the Perama-Salamina line, with the exception of the 2020 season, when she was also on the Rion-Antirrion line at the same time as the ALEXANDROS M.

While the ELENA F was preparing to head towards her docking spot, I spotted some of the small passenger ships that were previously on the Perama-Salamina line. One of them was the PETROULA of Petroula Speedline.

Another small passenger ship that was operating for many years on the Perama-Salamina line seen in the port of Paloukia in Salamina, namely the SALAMIS EXPRESS I of Salamis Express.

The ALEXANDROS M seen once again while resting in Salamina.

The ALEXANDROS M seen in Salamina. During her spell as the KONSTANTINOS, she was also on the Perama-Salamina line, although she also spent the 2003 season on the Rion-Antirrion line.

The SALAMIS EXPRESS I seen in her namesake island. She was built in 1996 in Greece, and she originally performed the service on the Piraeus-Salamina line for the first four years of her career, therefore she was operating there at the time of the introduction of the ELENA F in 1998. She then headed to the Perama-Salamina line in 2000, and she stayed there for 15 years. She returned to the Piraeus-Salamina line in 2016, although this time she served the the port of Selinia, thus she was the successor of the BOB SFOUGKARAKIS when the latter was deployed on the Perama-Salamina line during that year. The SALAMIS EXPRESS I also operated there in 2017, before returning to the Perama-Salamina line in 2019.

The PETROULA seen in Salamina as well. She has been operating on the Perama-Salamina line since 2017, although she also spent the summer of 2018 on the Piraeus-Salamina line (serving the port of Selinia as well).

The SALAMIS EXPRESS seen as we are about to dock beside her. She has been laid-up since 2020, and her future remains uncertain ever since.

After 50 minutes since leaving Piraeus, we had finally completed the trip to Salamina at around 11:50. Here is the ELENA F in the port of Paloukia in Salamina, after I had disembarked from her.

One last view of the ELENA F in Salamina, after I finished my trip with her.

And this therefore concludes the first trip of 2022 on the Saronic Gulf and on the Aegean Sea, with the ELENA F giving me the chance to see Salamina for the first time during that year. It was a wonderful experience, as I got to see various ships along the way, from Piraeus to Psyttaleia, Perama and Salamina. Passing by these ports always gives a shipping enthusiast like me the chance to enjoy the areas due to them being filled with so many ships of the Greek coastal service, with all of them having different reasons to be there (some make calls there regularly, others undergo conversions, and others are laid-up). Seeing them with the ELENA F makes it even more special, as she has been a prominent ship in Salamina, where she continues to write the long and successful history of the Filiagkos family, which has been serving the island for over 55 years. I would go on to enjoy some time on the island, by heading to its other main port, namely that of Faneromeni, which is located in the Western part of Salamina, and to which I had not been since 2020. Stay tuned for more content coming soon.

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