OLYMPIOS ZEUS Tribute and Moments of Trip
- Alexandros Vrailas
- Jan 14, 2023
- 9 min read
Trip: 7 August 2022. From Kalymnos to Kos (calling in the port of Mastichari), with the OLYMPIOS ZEUS of ANEM Ferries.
The landing craft OLYMPIOS ZEUS was built in 1999 in Greece, as the MARGARITA II for the Greek company Margarita NE. Being the second ship in the history of the company, following the 1962-built landing craft MARGARITA, she was the latter's successor. Indeed, the original MARGARITA had ended her service on the Perama-Salamina line in 1997, after reaching the mandatory 35-year age limit for landing craft operating on passenger services. The MARGARITA II was therefore inserted on the Perama-Salamina line, where she remained until 2006, when her company ceased operations (they had already sold the MARGARITA in 2004 to the Cypriot company Wave Dance Shipping Company, for whom she has been performing cruises based in Paphos as the WAVE DANCER I, and I did have the chance to see that ship in 2020 when I was in Cyprus). Later in that same year, the MARGARITA II was sold to ANEM Ferries, which is based in Mastichari in Western Kos (with ANEM standing for 'Anonymi Naftiliaki Etaireia Mastichariou', literally meaning 'Anonymous Shipping Company of Mastichari'). She was renamed OLYMPIOS ZEUS, and she was bought in order to enhance the services provided by the company on the Western Kos-Kalymnos line on the Dodecanese, whereupon they links Kalymnos with the port of Mastichari in Kos (in the Northwestern section of the island, which is much further away from the main town and port). These had previously been covered by the small ferry ATROMITOS (today the OINOUSSAI III of Oinoussian Friends Association) and the small passenger ship APOLLONIO (today operating for Aeolos Cruises which is based in Agios Nikolaos in Crete), which were both sold in 2006 to their current owners. The OLYMPIOS ZEUS began her current service in 2007, and she has since been providing the only ferry connection between the port of Mastichari and Kalymnos.
Just like the NISSOS KALYMNOS of ANEK Sea Lines, the OLYMPIOS ZEUS is a lesser known but very important ship for the Dodecanese. She performs a small local service that is essential in maintaining the daily connection of the Northwestern section of Kos with Kalymnos, while being operated by a shipping company that is managed by the local community of Mastichari. She operates on her service throughout the entire year, only being off for just a few days a year while she undergoes her annual winter refit. She is just what the Western Kos-Kalymnos line needs, providing an adequate garage capacity that is far superior to that of her predecessor. Since 2012, she has been the only ship that is owned by her company, as they previously also had the landing craft OLYMPIOS APOLLON which was linking Mastichari with other islands of the Dodecanese and of the Northeast Aegean Sea, being for 22 years on the Samos-Fournoi-Ikaria-Leipsoi-Kalymnos-Western Kos line until she was sold to the Lebanese Delegation to the United Nations (she has since returned to Greece, as she is the current AGIOS GERASIMOS II of Lixouri NE since 2016). But the services seem to have paid-off, as ANEM Ferries is currently building a small conventional ferry that is expected to begin service on the Dodecanese next year.
After having arrived in Kalymnos just after midnight on 6 August 2022 with the NISSOS KALYMNOS, as part of my trip to the Dodecanese with my parents, our next stop was the large and beautiful island of Kos. We due to head there in the morning of 7 August 2022. While we considered taking a ship directly to the island's main port, we had booked a hotel in Mastichari, so it therefore made more sense to perform the short service to the latter's port with the OLYMPIOS ZEUS. It was therefore a great opportunity to have a trip onboard her for the first time. It would mark my third-ever inter-Dodecanese trip, as well as my first one of that kind with a landing craft. It was also my first trip with a landing craft on the Dodecanese as a whole, and also my first-ever trip with a landing craft on the Aegean Sea beyond the Saronic Gulf and the Cyclades. It was also my first trip with a landing craft for the 2022 season.
A view of the OLYMPIOS ZEUS in the port of Kalymnos, just a few moments before I proceeded to embarking onboard her for the first time.
The OLYMPIOS ZEUS seen docked in Kalymnos, during her sixteenth consecutive summer under ANEM Ferries and on the Western Kos-Kalymnos line.
While the OLYMPIOS ZEUS is the only ferry that operates on the Western Kos-Kalymnos line, she is not the only ship that performs this service. Indeed, two small high speed boats were also operating there during the 2022 season. One of them was the ILIAS T of Lafasi Maritime Company. Built in 2011 in Greece, she has spent her entire career so far linking Kalymnos with the port of Mastichari in Kos.
The ILIAS T seen in the port of Kalymnos, during her eleventh consecutive season on the Western Kos-Kalymnos line.
A view of one of the two funnels of the ILIAS T, showing her company's logo. Besides that ship, Lafasi Maritime Company also owns the small high speed boat APOLLON II, which was built in 2018 in Greece, and which spent the 2022 season on the Kos-Bodrum line, thus linking the island with Turkey.
Another view of the ILIAS T in Kalymnos, just before I proceeded to embark onboard the OLYMPIOS ZEUS.
While looking further down in the port of Kalymnos, I got to see another small passenger ship, albeit one that was laid-up. Indeed, this was the KOSTAKIS of the now-defunct Greek company Zagorianos Cruises. The latter ceased operations in 2015, and the ship has remained idle in Kalymnos ever since.
The KOSTAKIS seen in Kalymnos, where she has remained laid-up for almost 8 years. She was built in 1983 in Greece, being one of the first slightly larger small passenger ships to begin cruises on the Dodecanese. Always based in Kos, she was on the Kos-Kalymnos-Platy-Pserimos line until 2000, when she was performing cruises on the Kos-Bodrum line until 2015.
We proceeded to embarking onboard the OLYMPIOS ZEUS. Here is a view of her accommodation superstructure, which is a classic one found on Greek landing craft, being located at the ship's aft section.
A closer view of the accommodation superstructure of the OLYMPIOS ZEUS, as seen from the side alley linking it to the garage from the port side. It features two decks, with the lower one having the bridge and the indoor lounge area, while the upper one has an outdoor sun deck where passenger can stay during the trip.
A view of the indoor lounge area of the OLYMPIOS ZEUS, featuring several rows of blue lounges facing one another, as well as a small bar in the background.
In the indoor lounge area, I also got to see a frame displaying a nice painting of an old sailing ship with the Greek flag being at the top of her aft mast.
After having seen the indoor lounge area of the ship, I headed outdoors, doing so through an alley covering the length of the accommodation superstructure on the starboard side.
A view of the side alley on the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure as seen from the port side. Moving forward leads to the ship's bridge.
The ship's garage seen from the first deck of the accommodation superstructure, with the front section having the standard design found on Greek landing craft.
I then proceeded to the upper deck of the accommodation superstructure, which had the outdoor sun deck that was previously mentioned, in addition to several blue benches and the ship's funnel and aft mast.
At around 08:30, we began to leave the port of Kalymnos. Here is another view of the KOSTAKIS, while she awaits her fate. Once a very popular ship for tourists on the Dodecanese during the 1980s and the 1990s, she is now left abandoned with no plans to resume service in the near future.
The ILIAS T seen while resting in Kalymnos. She performs the service from the latter to Mastichari in just 30 minutes, whereas the OLYMPIOS ZEUS covers it in one hour.
While heading towards the exit of the port of Kalymnos, I got to see another laid-up ship. Indeed, it was the landing craft EIRINI K of Kipreos Cargo Lines, which has had a lengthy career in the Greek coastal service since she was built in 1966. Since 2021, however, her company has ceased operations.
The ILIAS T, which was the only active Greek ship seen in Kalymnos during that morning besides the OLYMPIOS ZEUS, seen while she is resting.
The ILIAS T spotted in the port of Kalymnos.
Another view of the ILIAS T while she remains docked in Kalymnos.
Besides the OLYMPIOS ZEUS, there was also one small cruise ship that was docked in Kalymnos. Indeed, this was the ATHENA of Grand Circle Cruise Line. Having performed cruises on the Aegean Sea for many years, her small size enables her to visit some of the lesser known Greek islands, beyond the more popular ones on the Cyclades.
The EIRINI K seen laid-up in Kalymnos. She was built in 1966 in Greece, and she was originally the AGIOS NIKOLAOS of Hermes Shipping Company. She operated for them on the Rafina-Marmari-Nea Styra line from 1966 to 1980, and on the Rion-Antirrion line from 1980 until 2001. She then had a short stint on the Saronic Gulf from 2002 to 2005 under Kelessidis-Koukianakis Shipping, and, following four years of lay-up in Elefsina, she was bought in 2009 by Kipreos Cargo Lines, which is based in Kalymnos. Being renamed EIRINI K, she operated as a Ro-Ro carrier across the entire Aegean Sea, serving the Cyclades, the Northeast Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese and Crete (in addition to Evoia from late 2014 to 2017). Her long career therefore makes her one of the most experienced ships in the Greek coastal service, having been present there for more than five decades.
The EIRINI K seen while laid-up in Kalymnos. After having operated uninterruptedly for 12 years under Kipreos Cargo Lines, the company stopped providing operations for freight transport on the Aegean Sea. It remains to be seen what the future hold for this historic landing craft, which has so far stood the test of time during her career in Greece.
At around 09:30, the OLYMPIOS ZEUS had reached the port of Mastichari in Kos. A tiny pier awaited us, next to which I was able to spot the wooden pirate-themed passenger ship BYRON of Saroukos Cruises.
The BYRON seen while docked in the port of Mastichari in Kos. Built in 1995 in Greece, she is one of many ships of her type that perform cruises on the Dodecanese, with many companies based in Kos and in Kalymnos providing such pirate-themed cruises for passengers visiting both islands.
The BYRON seen in the port of Mastichari in Kos, while the OLYMPIOS ZEUS prepares to dock next to her. She performs daily cruises on the Kos-Kalymnos-Platy-Pserimos line.
Another view of the BYRON while she is docked in the port of Mastichari in Kos. Her owner, namely Saroukos Cruises, is a family-run company managed by Drosos Saroukos, who originates from Kalymnos. He has built and operated about 20 ships throughout the past four decades, including the BYRON and the BLACK PEARL.
The BYRON seen once more in the port of Mastichari in Kos, while the OLYMPIOS ZEUS has docked and is ready to disembark her passengers and her vehicles.
After disembarking from the OLYMPIOS ZEUS, I managed to quickly take a picture of the small high speed boat KALYMNOS DOLPHIN of ANEK Sea Lines, which is the second ship of her type that operates on the same service that we just covered, together with the ILIAS T. She however also serves the island of Pserimos, so she therefore serves the Western Kos-Kalymnos-Pserimos line. Built in 2010 in Greece, she replaced the original KALYMNOS DOLPHIN (today the FREEDOM II of Hydra Lines) and she has since remained on her current service. She is also one of the two ships currently operating for ANEK Sea Lines, together with the NISSOS KALYMNOS which operates on the Samos-Agathonisi-Farmakonisi-Arkioi-Patmos-Leipsoi-Leros-Kalymnos-Astypalaia lifeline.
This concludes this Blog post, which covered a short but very enjoyable trip on the Dodecanese, as I was able to make my first visit to Kos by sailing onboard the reliable landing craft OLYMPIOS ZEUS. She performs her service dutifully and she has become a reference point for the port of Mastichari. Her short service ensures a perfect alternative for passengers seeking to travel between both Kalymnos and Kos, without needing to only serve the latter's main port. Unfortunately, just ten days my trip with her, the OLYMPIOS ZEUS suffered a major engine failure which kept her off service for the remainder of August 2022. But she has thankfully been repaired, and she continues her service to this day. I am now looking forward to seeing her company expand its services, once their ferry under construction (which is planned to be named OLYMPIOS ERMIS) is ready for service. Being looked after by a nice small local company, the residents of Kalymnos and of Mastichari can clearly rely on a loyal-serving landing craft and a future very modern newly-built conventional ferry ready to connect them again with some other islands of the Dodecanese, just like the first ship of ANEM Ferries, namely the ex-OLYMPIOS APOLLON, had done so from 1990 to 2012.
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