PANAGIA KOIMISIS Tribute and Moments from Back-to-back Trips

Trip: 1 August 2022. From Salamina to Megara and back, with the PANAGIA KOIMISIS of Galaga Shipping Company.

The small double-ended ferry PANAGIA KOIMISIS was built in 2005 in Greece, having been ordered by the Greek company NE Elafonisou, which, as its name states, is based in Elafonisos. She began service on the Pounta-Elafonisos line, thus becoming the first-ever double-ended ferry to operate there. She remained on that service until 2006. In 2007, after she was replaced by the then-newly-acquired landing craft PANAGIA KOIMISIS II (which is currently owned by Antiparos Shipping), she moved to the Arkitsa-Adipsos line on the North Evoian Gulf, where she remained until 2008. In 2009 she was sold to the Greek company Galaga Shipping and she was deployed on the Megara-Salamina line. From 2011 to 2014, she was gone from Greece, as she was chartered to the Abu Dhabi Port Council in the United Arab Emirates, and she operated on the Abu Dhabi-Sir Bani Yas line on the Persian Gulf. During her spell there, she was mostly carrying goods and personnel for the construction of various infrastructure projects on the island of Sir Bani Yas, which is located next to the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, namely Abu Dhabi. After her assignment there was completed, she returned to Greece under Galaga Shipping Company in late 2014, and following a refit in Perama, she returned to the Megara-Salamina line in 2015. In 2016 she operated on the Perama-Salamina line for one season, before once again returning to the Megara-Salamina line in 2017. In 2020 she was chartered to Thassos Link, as a temporary replacement for the company's previous flagship, namely the double-ended ferry STELIOS FILIAGKOS, which had been sold to the Croatian company Jadrolinija in 2019. As the company made an extensive search in order to find a permanent successor, they proceeded to charter the PANAGIA KOIMISIS. She was deployed on the Keramoti-Thassos line, where she stayed for two seasons. After the company deployed their newest acquisition, namely the double-ended ferry PROTOPOROS VI, in late 2021, her charter was ended and she returned to Galaga Shipping Company, being once again deployed on the Megara-Salamina line.

For such a small double-ended ferry (in fact being the second smallest in Greece, after the KYRIAKI of Troiziniaki NE), one can say that the career of the PANAGIA KOIMISIS has been quite lively, as she has had spells across five different services in Greece, in addition to being one of the few double-ended ferries to have left the country in order to operate overseas before eventually coming back. And all of this after having only sailed for 17 years. Therefore, despite her small size, she has proven to be extremely useful for a handful of short-distance services, and as a result she has been extremely versatile. This was shown when she proved to be a useful temporary solution to the void left by Thassos Link while they were trying to find a new ferry after having sold their previous one. Her owners have definitely profited from these assignments, while her role on the Megara-Salamina line fits her perfectly, serving as a double-ended ferry for a very short service and therefore covering it in just five minutes without requiring any maneuvering procedures.

On 1 August 2022, I experienced a very eventful day around Piraeus and Salamina, as it was my first visit to both the port and the island for the 2022 season. After having witnessed several early morning departures and arrivals of various ships of the Greek coastal service in Piraeus, I then proceeded from the latter to Salamina by traveling with the small passenger ship ELENA F of Elena Shipping. With that ship, I arrived in the main port of Salamina, which is Paloukia. From there, I got to take several pictures of the various ships that operate on the Perama-Salamina line. And if that was not enough for that day, I then decided to head to the other primary port of Salamina, which is located in Faneromeni, on the Western part of the island. From there, small ferries link the island with the town of Megara, which is located on the Megara Gulf (itself being the Northern section of the Saronic Gulf) between Athens and Corinth, and which is not far from Elefsina and Agioi Theodoroi. This would be the second time that I would head there, after having gone there back in 2020. Therefore, two years later, I would find myself traveling there again with a new ferry for the first time. For the experience of traveling with the PANAGIA KOIMISIS, I simply headed to Faneromeni for a quick visit, and I got to do two consecutive trips with her (namely from Salamina to Megara and back), so that I could then return to Paloukia in order to then head back to Piraeus. As such, my first two trips with the ship are covered in this post. As such, these were my third and fourth trips along the Megara-Salamina line, with the first one having been from Megara to Salamina on 14 August 2020 with the PANTANASSA of Pantanassa NE, and the second one being my return from Megara to Salamina on that same day with the AIANTAS of Aiantas Ferries Company. These were also my first trips on the Megara-Salamina line with a double-ended ferry, and the PANAGIA KOIMISIS was the first of the many ships on which I traveled for the first time in my life during the 2022 season.

A view of the small PANAGIA KOIMISIS in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. This was her first summer back on the Megara-Salamina line since 2019, after she had spent the previous two seasons under charter to Thassos Link, for whom she operated on the Keramoti-Thassos line.

The PANAGIA KOIMISIS seen in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina, moments before I embarked onboard her for the first time.

Next to the PANAGIA KOIMISIS, I saw one of the three other ships that were operating on the Megara-Salamina line during the 2022 season. Indeed, this was the landing craft ALKYON II of Farmakoris-Villiotis NE. Built in 2018 in Greece, she began operations on the Megara-Salamina line, where she stayed up until 2022, with the exception of the 2019 season, which she spent on the Pounta-Elafonisos line (where her company was, coincidentally, under the Elafonisos Ferry joint venture together with the original owners of the PANAGIA KOIMISIS, namely NE Elafonisou).

I proceeded to embarking onboard the PANAGIA KOIMISIS. Here is a view of her accommodation superstructure, which like most double-ended ferries, is above a wide open garage. She also has side ramps which allow the passengers to take the staircases that lead to the accommodation superstructure. Moreover, in spite of her small size, her accommodation superstructure has three decks, just like most Greek-built double-ended ferries. The lower deck features the indoor lounge area for passengers, the middle deck has the crew cabins and the outdoor areas for passengers, while the upper deck has the ship's bridge. The ship's name is written with the Byzantine lettering. This is due to her being named after the Dormition of the Mother of God in Greek. As a result of her name having a religious meaning, it was written this way, and this feature has been noted with other ships of the Greek coastal service which are also named after individuals or symbols of the Eastern Orthodox Church, such as the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS of ANES Ferries. Above her name, one can also see her IMO number, which is 8735912.

I immediately headed to the lower deck, where I saw the indoor lounge area of the ship. It features several lounge benches and a few tables, with the interior being mostly decorated in blue, which is also the colour of the ship's livery.

I also got to see the ship's fire control plan, which was posted next to one of the doors of the indoor lounge area.

Another view of the indoor lounge area, featuring several blue lounge benches.

The indoor lounge area also featured an icon depicting the Dormition of the Mother of God, after whom she is named. Underneath, it features an offering box in which passengers would donate to the Church of Our Lady of Kato Nisi, which is the name of a small village in Elafonisos, where the ship operated during the start of her career.

Another view of the indoor longe area, which also had a glass cover showing the name of the original owners of the PANAGIA KOIMISIS, written in Greek. This is the full style name of NE Elafonisou, being Lakonian and Kythirian Lines NE Elafonisou. The acronym 'NE' stands for 'Naftiliaki Etaireia', which means 'shipping company' in Greek.

After having seen the ship's indoor areas, I headed to the middle deck in order to see the outdoor area. There, I saw several blue plastic chairs and a few white tables attached to the floor.

Another view of the outdoor area of the PANAGIA KOIMISIS, showing more blue plastic chairs and white plastic tables.

From the middle deck, this was a view of one of the two entry points of the ship, with the side ramps leading passengers to the accommodation superstructure.

While looking further down, I spotted the third out of the four ships that served the Megara-Salamina line during the 2022 season, namely the landing craft KAPTAN STAVROS of Kaptan Stavros NE.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. Built in 1979 in Greece, she was spending her first season on the Megara-Salamina line.

The KAPTAN STAVROS spotted in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. At 43 years old, she is one of the oldest landing craft in the Greek coastal service, but she continues to provide reliable services just like she has done so throughout her lengthy career.

Looking even further down, I got to see the fourth ship that operated on the Megara-Salamina line during the 2022 season, namely the landing craft AIANTAS of Aiantas Ferries Company. She was seen departing the port of Megara in order to head to Salamina.

The AIANTAS seen while undergoing her maneuvering procedure in order to leave the port of Megara.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen while resting in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. She has spent her entire career under Kaptan Stavros NE, having always kept the same name. She first began service on the Arkitsa-Aidpsos line (where the PANAGIA KOIMISIS also used to operate) from 1979 until 2007. After 28 years there, she moved to another service on the North Evoian Gulf, namely on the Glyfa-Agiokampos line, in 2007. After three season there, she moved to the Rion-Antirrion line in 2010. By the 2021 season, she was one of the last landing craft that were still operating on that service, and in 2022 she eventually moved to the Megara-Salamina line.

The AIANTAS now seen heading towards Salamina.

The AIANTAS seen making her way towards Salamina. She was built in 1999 in Greece, and she has spent the bulk of her career on the Megara-Salamina.

At 14:10, we began to leave the port of Faneromeni in Salamina in order to head to Megara. Here is a view of the KAPTAN STAVROS together with the ALKYON II. These are two landing craft that have been 39 years apart from each other, which is quite impressive when you think of it.

A view of the much younger ALKYON II, which was spending her third consecutive season on the Megara-Salamina line, as well as her fourth overall season on that service.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. This had been the second time that I saw her, as the first time had been when I went to Rion on 8 September 2021. This was during her last season on the Rion-Antirrion line, and I had spotted her while heading from Rion to Antirrion with the ORION III of Farmakoris-Villiotis NE (which is a fleetmate of the ALKYON II), as well as during my return leg on that same day with the AGIOS ELEFTHERIOS IV of Feidias NE.

While we were heading towards Megara, the AIANTAS was seen sailing towards the opposite direction.

The AIANTAS seen while heading towards the port of Faneromeni in Salamina.

Crossing the AIANTAS while she is heading towards the port of Faneromeni in Salamina.

The AIANTAS seen once again, as she makes her way towards the port of Faneromeni in Salamina.

The AIANTAS seen about to arrive in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina, with the KAPTAN STAVROS spotted right behind her.

The AIANTAS seen as she is arriving in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina in order to dock next to the ALKYON II.

A view of the port of Faneromeni in Salamina, which features three landing craft. These are the KAPTAN STAVROS and the AKLYON II, which are about to be joined by the AIANTAS. The summer of 2022 marked the first time that the Megara-Salamina had over four ships since the 2018 season, back when there were five ships operating there. These were the PANAGIA KOIMISIS, the AIANTAS, the ALKYON II and her fleetmate and sister ship, namely the ALKYON, along with the landing craft MARILENA of Elafonisos Ferries. The following three seasons only had a three-ship service, before this increased to four this year, due to the addition of the KAPTAN STAVROS.

At about 14:15, we had arrived in Megara, and therefore my first trip with the PANAGIA KOIMISIS was completed.

The PANAGIA KOIMISIS seen in Megara, while unloading passengers and vehicles.

The PANAGIA KOIMISIS seen while docked in Salamina.

The PANAGIA KOIMISIS seen in Megara, just before I proceeded to embarking onboard her for the second time, in order to perform the return leg from Megara back to Salamina.

I embarked onboard the PANAGIA KOIMISIS for a second time. From Megara, I took a picture of the KAPTAN STAVROS which was still docked in Salamina.

The KAPTAN STAVROS was seen departing the port of Faneromeni in Salamina, in order to begin heading towards Megara.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen having departed Salamina.

Next to the KAPTAN STAVROS, I also saw the AIANTAS beginning to leave Salamina as well.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen having left Salamina in order to head to Megara.

At around 14:30, the PANAGIA KOIMISIS began to leave Megara in order to make her return trip. I again saw the AIANTAS as she was leaving the port of Faneromeni in Salamina.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen as we are about to pass by her while she heads towards Megara.

The AIANTAS seen while she leaves the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. Out of the four ships that operated on the Megara-Salamina line during the 2022 season, she has been the one that has had the most experience on the service. Indeed, she operated there from 1999 to 2009, when she then headed to the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line (similarly to the PANAGIA KOIMISIS and the KAPTAN STAVROS). In 2010 she moved to another service on the North Evoian Gulf, namely on the Agios Konstantinos-Agios Georgios Lichados line, where she stayed for three seasons. Since 2013 she has been operating on the Megara-Salamina line once again.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen while making her way towards Megara, during her debut season on the Megara-Salamina line. For the 2022 season, only one landing craft was seen operating on the Rion-Antirrion line, and this was the PANTANASSA which moved there after having spent two years on the Megara-Salamina line. The other landing craft that was operating on the Rion-Antirrion line in 2021 was the NIKOLAOS A of Anatoliotakis NE, which was laid-up in Rion in 2022, although she was sold during that same time to Boufis Shipping Company, for whom she has been renamed ANTONIOS M.

A view of the KAPTAN STAVROS as we are about to pass by her, just as she heads towards Megara.

The KAPTAN STAVROS seen once again, as she is heading towards Megara.

The AIANTAS seen as she undergoes her maneuvering procedure in order to leave Salamina. As I stated previously, I had the chance to travel with her back on 14 August 2020, when I headed from Megara back to Salamina.

The AIANTAS seen while leaving Salamina, during her tenth consecutive season on the Megara-Salamina line.

One last view of the veteran landing craft KAPTAN STAVROS as she heads towards Megara.

The AIANTAS seen while she also heads towards Megara.

The ALKYON II seen in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. This would prove to be one of my final pictures of the ship, as she has recently been sold to the Emirati company Abu Dhabi Maritime, having been renamed AL ALIAH. She is currently undergoing her refit in order to head to the United Arab Emirates of her new career. She is therefore going to head to the same country where the PANAGIA KOIMISIS had previously operated from 2011 to 2014.

The AIANTAS seen as she heads towards Megara, while we are about to dock in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina.

The AIANTAS seen in Salamina, while beginning to head towards Megara. A notable fact to state is that she has a sister ship, namely the OLYMPIOS ZEUS of ANEM Ferries, which operates on the Western Kos-Kalymnos line on the Dodecanese since 2006. She was previously known as the MARGARITA II of Margarita NE, for whom she operated on the Perama-Salamina line (where the AIANTAS occasionally operated during the winter between 1999 and 2009).

One last view of the AIANTAS, as she heads towards Megara, while the PANAGIA KOIMISIS is about to dock in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina.

And this marks the end of my post after having covered the back-to-back trips that I had with the PANAGIA KOIMISIS. I really enjoyed traveling again along the Megara-Salamina after two years, and I was very pleased to have had the chance to do it with that specific ship. Her technical characteristics are more than fitting for this short service, and she is a very nice ship to see in any case. Despite her not being in the spotlight in the same way larger ferries based in Piraeus would be, she still has had a very eventful career as she has been sent across numerous services both in Greece and abroad (on a temporary basis), and this makes her a very useful double-ended ferry for her owners and any operators willing to charter her. These two trips were not the only ones that I had with the ship during the 2022 season, as I also went to travel with her for the third time only three months later, having done so while heading from Megara to Salamina on 5 November 2022. Therefore, she became one of the ships on which I traveled the most times during that special year. After having returned to Salamina, I headed back to the port of Paloukia, in order to make my return trip back to Piraeus. This therefore concluded a full day during which I managed to take over 700 pictures across 11 hours. This was a very special day which I will hardly forget, and which also gave me the perfect prelude for what turned out to be an extremely lively season, as I would go on to sail with various ships of the Greek coastal service to different islands, beginning from the day after my trips with the PANAGIA KOIMISIS. More information will be revealed in the next post!

#panagiakoimisis #galashippingcompany #summer2022 #greece #megaragulf #saronicgulf #aegean #megara #pachi #salamina #faneromeni #alkyonii #farmakorisvilliotisne #kaptanstavros #kaptanstavrosne #aiantas #aiantasferriescompany #tribute #backtobacktrips