Search this site

Trip: 19 July 2021. From Piraeus to Aegina, with the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII of Hellenic Seaways. The hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XVII was built in Georgia (then part of the Soviet Union) in 1984, after having been ordered by the Greek hydrofoil company Ceres Flying Dolphins. The latter, which had been established in 1975, became one of the most innovative comapnies of the 1970s, as it successfully introduced hydrofoils on the Saronic Gulf and later on the Sporades, with the islands on both areas encountering unprecedented passenger traffic as a result of trips lasting much shorter than with the conventional vessels of the time. Because of this successful start, the company had found itself with a fleet of 15 hydrofoils by the 1981 season, with all of them under the iconic 'Flying Dolphin' brandname. To further expand its services, the company ordered hydrofoils belonging to the Kolkhida-class in 1983. This was in sharp contrast to the other hydrofoils, which belonged to the smaller Kometa-class. The Kolkhida-class featured more modern and larger hydrofoils, which could hence accommodate more passengers. To that end, they ordered two new hydrofoils, the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII and the sister ship FLYING DOLPHIN XVIII. The latter was introduced on the Sporades, while the former was deployed on the Saronic Gulf, on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line, where she went on to spend her entire career. The company kept growing, eventually reaching a fleet of 28 small hydrofoils, three larger hydrofoils known as the 'Mega Dolphins' and two high speed catamarans by 1998. However, in 1999, Ceres Flying Dolphins was transferred to Minoan Flying Dolphins, which became Hellas Flying Dolphins in 2002 and then was renamed Hellenic Seaways in 2005. Despite these changes, the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII remained on the Saronic Gulf, always on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line. Even though she was supposed to be retired in 2014 because of the completion of her 30 years of service, Hellenic Seaways was granted a one-year extension for both her and the FLYING DOLPHIN XVIII. Then, even though her service was due to end in 2015, the hydrofoil was again granted an indefinite extension, allowing her to continue her operations on the Saronic Gulf. As a result of the introduction of newer high speed vessels in Greece, combined with the fact that most hydrofoils were aging and were underperforming from a technical perspective, as well as the mandatory forced retirement of these vessels at age 30 (up until 2015), and a few saw their careers end abruptly due to experiencing accidents while sailing or while undergoing their refits, Hellenic Seaways found itself with only three hydrofoils in 2012, and all of them deployed on the Saronic Gulf: the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, the FLYING DOLPHIN XVIII and the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX, the youngest of all hydrofoils as she was built in 1993. In 2019, the company's hydrofoil fleet changed as the FLYING DOLPHIN XVIII was destroyed by a fire while she was undergoing her refit, which led to her being scrapped at the end of the year. As a result, the company reactivated the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX, another Kolkhida-class hydrofoil which was built in 1983 and which joined Ceres Flying Dolphins in 1986, which had been taken out of service in 2012 after she had grounded off in the islet of Metopi (located between Aegina and Agistri) and had remained laid-up in Perama. After undergoing an extensive repair and refit, she returned to service on the Saronic Gulf in 2020, joining the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII and the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX. The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII seen docked in Piraeus in the morning of 19 July 2021, on the same day that I got to travel with her. So this is a quick overview of the career of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, which has been providing an uninterrupted service on the Saronic Gulf for almost four decades. She is currently the longest-serving hydrofoil in Greece, as well as the longest-serving passenger ship on the Saronic Gulf. Only the one-day cruise ship COSMOS of Evermore Cruises has operated for a longer period than her on the Saronic Gulf (almost 50 years), although she has been only performing cruises since 1984 (the year in which the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII was built). She is currently the third oldest ship of Hellenic Seaways, after the ferry EXPRESS PEGASUS (built in 1977, although likely to be sold for scrap soon) and the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX (built in 1983). Despite encountering more frequent technical issues in the past few years as a result of her aging engines, she nevertheless continues to provide stable service on the Saronic Gulf and to serve the islands during the busy high season, when more trips occur. Hellenic Seaways is however planning to soon replace her and her fleetmates, as it announced in early 2021 that it proceeded to order three newly-built high speed catamarans in Norway, which are scheduled to enter service during the 2022 season. Hence, one wonders whether this will mark the end of the much-acclaimed 'Flying Dolphins', or whether they will continue to operate somewhere else or under another capacity in the future. As I knew that the 2021 season would likely be the last one for the three hydrofoils of Hellenic Seaways (although the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX can provide additional service due to having underwent a significant refurbishment only a year ago), I had hoped to travel with at least one of them in order to enjoy them as much as I could before their pending retirement. On the occasion, I finally got to write a Tribute Post for a hydrofoil, something which I had not done in the past due to their small sizes and limited amenities, as well as the fact that they are usually fully crowded so their indoor areas cannot be seen adequately. Despite the hydrofoil having been around way before I was born, I never happened to travel with her until 7 August 2019, while heading from Aegina to Piraeus. I then performed three trips with her in 2021, all of them while heading from Piraeus to Aegina. My second trip, on 19 July, is the one covered in the post. I went from Aegina (where I had been spending some time during my vacation) to Athens and then headed back to the island on the same day. I had reached Piraeus with the ACHAEOS of 2way Ferries, and then had, as I did not have a car with me, the chance to travel with the passenger-only hydrofoils as well. And this happened to be with the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. Overall, I have traveled with only three hydrofoils of Hellenic Seaways: the FLYING DOLPHIN XV (now the SANTA of Greek-Albanian company Ionian Seaways, the subsidiary of Ionian Cruises) back in 2007, the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIX in 2017 and the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII in 2019 and 2021. I have also traveled several times with the FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA of competing operator Aegean Flying Dolphins (in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021). As I arrived in Piraeus during the evening in order to make my way back to Aegina, I spotted the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries. Built in 1980 in Spain, she began operating in Greece in 2005, when she was introduced by her company on the Saronic Gulf. She first served the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros-Hydra line, before being restricted to the Piraeus-Aegina line from 2007 to 2013. Since the establishment of the Saronic Ferries joint venture in 2014 (which includes Nova Ferries and 2way Ferries, and also used to have Hellenic Seaways), she has been operating on the Piraeus-Aegina-Methana-Poros line. Next to the PHIVOS was one of the surprises of the summer. Indeed, it was the landing craft ELENI of Kerkyra Seaways, which was deployed on the Piraeus-Aegina line for the 2021 season. Built in 1993 and having been operating on the Igoumenitsa-Corfu line on the Ionian Sea since 2005, she was called to replace the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS of ANES Ferries, which was sent to operate on the Sporades, as her fleetmate operating there, the SYMI, experienced a severe engine failure which caused her to miss the rest of the summer season. As ANES Ferries had no other ship to replace the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS on the Piraeus-Aegina line, the ELENI was called. She provided very good service, as she was the first landing craft to serve the line in 14 years. I also happened to see the small passenger boat ELENA F of Elena F Shipping, which operates on the Piraeus-Salamina line. The ELENA F seen in Piraeus. Built in 1998 in Greece, she has spent her entire career on the Piraeus-Salamina line, except during the 2013 season, when she was deployed on the Glyfa-Skiathos line on the Sporades. Facing the E8 gate in Piraeus was the much-acclaimed high speed ferry WORLDCHAMPION JET of Sea Jets. Owned by the latter since late 2018, she entered service in 2019 on the Cyclades, quickly experiencing massive success as she became the fastest ferry in Greece. She spent her debut season on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line, followed by an extended service on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line in 2020, and then by serving the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line in 2021. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen in Piraeus, after she had returned from the Cyclades. Following her debut season in 2019, she won the 'Ship of the Year' award given by Lloyd's List, at the 2019 Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards. In front of the WORLDCHAMPION JET was her fleetmate, the TERA JET. While being a major asset for her company, she was kept out of their plans during both the 2020 and 2021 summer seasons, the latter of which she spent in Piraeus. Her last service had been on the Piraeus-Paros-Ios-Santorini line in 2019. The WORLDCHAMPION JET and the TERA JET, the two best ships of Sea Jets, seen together in Piraeus. I then got to see the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX of Hellenic Seaways, a sister ship and fleetmate of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. This was her second season in service on the Saronic Gulf since she was reactivated following her accident in Metopi back in 2012. A view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX, which, like all hydrofoils of Hellenic Seaways, serve the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen resting in Piraeus, during her third summer under Sea Jets. I traveled with her on 20 September 2020 for the time, while heading from Piraeus to Syros and back on the same day. As such, she became the fastest ship on which I ever traveled. I also got the chance to embark onboard her in 2021, as I traveled from Piraeus to Ios with her just three days after taking this picture. Another view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX in Piraeus. She is the lead ship of the Kolkhida-class, as she was its first-ever ship to enter service back in 1983, when she operated on the Odessa-Yalta line under Black Sea Shipping Company-Noroflot. She was bought by Ceres Flying Dolphins in 1986, and was deployed on the Sporades. She moved to the Saronic Gulf in 2004, just a year before her company at the time, Hellas Flying Dolphins, was rebranded as Hellenic Seaways. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen in Piraeus during the evening, during what was yet another summer for her on the Cyclades. The ELENA F and the FLYING DOLPHIN XIX, two different kinds of ships serving the Saronic Gulf, seen together in Piraeus. A bit further down was the cruiseferry FESTOS PALACE of Minoan Lines, which operates on the Piraeus-Milos-Heraklion line since 2020. She was formerly the EUROPA PALACE under Minoan Lines from 2002 to 2012, before she was chartered to Italian company Tirrenia Di Navigazione as the AMSICORA from 2012 to 2018. After returning to Minoan Lines and being renamed MYKONOS PALACE in 2018, she was deployed on the Piraeus-Chania line, before being renamed FESTOS PALACE in 2020. After seeing all these ships, the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII had returned to the port of Piraeus and was heading towards her docking spot. The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII having just returned to Piraeus, shortly before I embarked onboard her. The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII approaching her docking spot in Piraeus. The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII about to dock in Piraeus, with the WORLDCHAMPION JET and the TERA JET right behind her. The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII now ready to dock in Piraeus, in preparation of her subsequent departure for Aegina. A view of the upper deck of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, which houses the ship's bridge. Right underneath the bridge's windows, the hydrofoil's name is mentioned. Here is a view of the main indoor area of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, which pretty much only features several rows of aircraft-style seats. Overall there are 130 seats, as this is the maximum passenger capacity for hydrofoils of the Kolkhida-class. Another view of the indoor area of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. The seats were certainly refurbished at some point during the 2010s. Towards 19:00, we began to leave the port of Piraeus in order to head towards Aegina. The trip was very quick, as it usually is when embarking onboard such ships. There were no weather issues, and the trip was very smooth altogether. After just 45 minutes, the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII had arrived in Aegina and was now disembarking her passengers. The FLYING DOLPHIN XVII seen in Aegina, right after having completed my trip with her. Another view of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII in the port of Aegina, as she begins to load passengers in order to then head to Agistri. While I was walking around the port, I then spotted the conventional double-ended ferry POSIDON HELLAS of 2way Ferries, which was returning to Aegina from Agistri. The POSIDON HELLAS is seen heading towards her docking spot in Aegina. Built in 1998, she has spent her entire career so far on the Saronic Gulf, just like it has been the case for the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. She was first deployed under Poseidon Consortium Shipping on the Piraeus-Aegina-Poros-Hydra-Spetses line, before her company was taken over by Minoan Flying Dolphins (later Hellas Flying Dolphins) in 1999. As a result, she became a fleetmate of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, as she entered service under the Saronikos Ferries division, on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Methana-Poros-Hydra-Spetses line. Her company was rebranded as Hellenic Seaways in 2005, hence she remained a fleetmate of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. In 2008 she saw her service restricted to the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Methana-Poros line, and she remained with Hellenic Seaways until 2015, when she was sold to her current owners, 2way Ferries. The POSIDON HELLAS, formerly a fleetmate of the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII, seen about to maneuver in Aegina. This was her seventh consecutive summer under 2way Ferries, which is part of the Saronic Ferries joint venture. The POSIDON HELLAS approaching her docking spot in Aegina. When she was built in 1998, she became the first-ever conventional double-ended ferry in the history of the Greek coastal service. The POSIDON HELLAS seen in Aegina. During the summer of 2021, she established a new impressive record regarding my traveling experience. Indeed, I was onboard her for a total of six times during that summer (3 times from Piraeus to Aegina and 3 times from Aegina to Piraeus), which broke the record previously held by the PHIVOS, on which I had traveled four times during two different summers (2007 and 2019). My first-ever trip with her under her current owners was on 16 August 2016, while heading from Aegina to Piraeus. Another view of the POSIDON HELLAS, which has provided excellent service throughout her entire career on the Saronic Gulf. The POSIDON HELLAS approaching the dock of the port of Aegina. One last view of the POSIDON HELLAS right before she docked in Aegina. And this concludes my Blog post regarding my trip from Piraeus to Aegina with the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. It was quick and efficient, and it was a good opportunity for me to provide you with pictures of her indoor areas and to finally write a Tribute Post covering a hydrofoil. Despite her age, the ship was very nice altogether, and completed her trip on time. I then got to travel onboard her again two other times during the summer, once on 1 August and one last time on 1 September. It now remains to be seen what the future will hold for her, as Hellenic Seaways expects the arrival of the new high speed catamarans which will replace 'the current older technology', which refers to the three hydrofoils. A sale to another company could be an option, otherwise she might face the possibility of remaining laid-up in the company's ship repair area in Perama, as it has been the case for two of her retired former fleetmates (the FLYING DOLPHIN X since 2008 and the FLYING DOLPHIN XXIII since 2010). Hopefully the former will occur and not the latter. In any case, as I knew that her end was coming up, I really tried to enjoy seeing her and photographing her (as well as traveling with her), as hydrofoils, despite their age and their need to be replaced, remain a huge part of my childhood memories in Aegina. #flyingdolphinxvii #hellenicseaways #atticagroup #summer2021 #greece #saronicgulf #aegean #piraeus #aegina #phivos #novaferries #eleni #kerkyraseaways #elenaf #elenafshipping #worldchampionjet #terajet #seajets #flyingdolphinxix #festospalace #minoanlines #posidonhellas #2wayferries #tribute

Trip: 23 July 2018. From Piraeus to Naxos, via Paros, with the BLUE STAR DELOS of Blue Star Ferries. The cruiseferry BLUE STAR DELOS was ordered by Blue Star Ferries, along with her sister ship, the BLUE STAR PATMOS, at the Daewoo Shipyards in South Korea for construction and service on the Aegean Sea. The two ships were built in the same shipyards where Blue Star Ferries had ordered ferries in the past, namely the BLUE STAR ITHAKI (now the FUNDY ROSE of Canadian company Bay Ferries Limited) in 2000 and the BLUE STAR PAROS and the BLUE STAR NAXOS in 2002. The BLUE STAR DELOS was completed in 2011 (after several delays which caused her to miss the 2011 summer season), and began service on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, while the BLUE STAR PATMOS was completed in 2012 and was deployed on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line (though she was also inserted on the Cyclades since late 2014). Among the youngest and most reliable ferries in the Greek coastal service today, the BLUE STAR DELOS has been hailed as, ever since she began her operations, the best day ferry in Greece. Over the past seven years, the BLUE STAR DELOS found herself to be permanently operating on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line (though she does not serve Ios during the summer), and operates throughout almost the entire year, despite her having a smaller vehicle capacity and a smaller amount of cabins compared to her sister ship. She leaves Piraeus in the early morning, arrives in Santorini in the afternoon, and returns to Athens' main port during the late evening. Her service is widely acclaimed and has practically never been halted due to technical issues. The BLUE STAR DELOS seen departing the port of Paros, in late July 2018. After having already traveled with her sister ship in two different occasions, I finally had the opportunity to travel with her for the first time ever. Indeed, when my parents arrived in Greece for the summer (I had already been there since early June as I had an internship with the shipping company V-Ships Greece), we had planned to spend a six-day trip together with my siblings before our annual stays in Zakynthos and in Aegina, as you are now very familiar. The previous summer had seen us in Sifnos, while the summer of 2018 was marked by a visit to the islands of Naxos and Paros. Indeed, we were in Naxos between 23 July and 26 July, and then in Paros from 26 July to 29 July. Hence, we were due to leave Athens very early in the morning in order to reach Naxos before the afternoon. This trip marked my first-ever trip with this ship, my first-ever trip from Piraeus to Naxos, the third ferry from Blue Star Ferries on which I have traveled (after the BLUE STAR PATMOS and the BLUE STAR PAROS), my first-ever early morning trip from Piraeus to the Cyclades (and the second-ever from the Attica region to the Cyclades, as I had done a trip from Rafina to Ios with the SUPERFERRY of Golden Star Ferries over a month prior to this trip). Moreover, I had now officially traveled with both the two Daewoo sister ships that were the last cruiseferries to have been delivered to a Greek coastal service company to date. The trip began in an unconventional manner. Indeed, while we were heading from Central Athens to the port of Piraeus, there was a huge traffic on the road between Phaliron and Piraeus (mainly due to useless the construction of the tram in that area, which has made one lane out of three unavailable, and due to the many ship departures from the port occurring between 06:30 and 08:30). Luckily, my father managed to find a shortcut which allowed us to pass by all vehicles waiting on the line. We managed to board the ship just one minute before her departure, which was at 07:25! I am not joking when I am saying that, as soon, as our car entered the ship, her ramp closed and we began to leave Piraeus! As a result of this, I was unable to take pictures from the ships that were in the port at the time of our departure, as it took time for us to have the car maneuvered in the garage and then to find seats inside the ship's indoor areas. Hence, I could only take pictures after we had exited the port. As soon as I headed towards the ship's outdoor area in her stern section, I saw that we had left Piraeus, and that we were being followed by her fleetmate, the BLUE STAR PAROS, which had departed Piraeus in order to begin her daily service on the Piraeus-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos line. Behind her is the NISSOS MYKONOS of Hellenic Seaways, also preparing to exit the port. We then immediately passed by the cruise ship CELESTYAL CRYSTAL of Celestyal Cruises (formerly known as Louis Hellenic Cruises, or just Louis Cruises), which had also exited Piraeus and was heading towards her usual destinations, which include the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Turkish coast. As there were not any other ships to see for the time being, I decided to explore the ship's indoor areas and amenities. The crowded sun deck outdoor area in Deck 6, which is the first deck used for passenger amenities. The other ones are Deck 7 and Deck 8. The area has several modern chairs and even a few lounges. It is under the exact same structure as the BLUE STAR PATMOS. The area also features, as it is the case with the BLUE STAR PATMOS, an outdoor bar and café area, operated by Flocafé Espresso Room. It offers coffee, water, soft drinks and small snacks. The ship's deckplan. It follows the same pattern as the BLUE STAR PATMOS. She has 9 decks: Decks 1 to 5 are dedicated to the ship's garage and engine rooms, Decks 6, 7 and 8 to passenger areas, and Deck 9 to the ship's bridge. Like her sister ship, the BLUE STAR DELOS has aircraft-style seats occupying the sides of each passenger indoor area. This part is located on the narrow starboard side of the ship, and is located on Deck 7. A view of the wider aircraft-style seat area at the port side of Deck 7. The floorplan of the BLUE STAR DELOS, which is posted next to the lifts (located at the front section of the ship). This is one is also located in Deck 7. The lifts are all covered by advertisements, which are either showcasing Attica Group and Blue Star Ferries, or sunscreen brand Frezyderm, as it is the case here. The staircase area, located near the lifts, allowing passengers to walk from deck to deck. Here, we are at the intersection of Deck 6 and Deck 7. We are now in Deck 6, which also has aircraft-type seat areas on both sides (rooms AK1, AK2 and AK3). In the middle section, there are a few nice chairs and tables, as well as the ship's onboard store, ran by Hellenic Travel Shops. It features a wide range of products, namely clothes, bags, jewelry, beauty products and small gadgets. Further towards the middle section of Deck 6, the ship has a large restaurant and canteen area, which is managed by Goody's Burger House, a very famous fast food chain in Greece. Very popular amongst passengers traveling with her, these restaurants are also found on other Blue Star Ferries-owned ferries, such as the day ferries BLUE STAR PAROS (as you saw it during my trip with her) and the BLUE STAR NAXOS, but also on the larger sister ships BLUE STAR 1 and BLUE STAR 2, which perform even longer trips and sail during both day and night. Even more forward, I had the chance to take a quick picture of the Business Class Lounge area, which has more space, a wall decorated with a picture showing wood-sticks, nice-looking chairs, and a large bar. It is located right underneath the bridge. The ship's iconic front-side windows are seen at the back of the picture. A view of the Business Class Lounge area from the ship's port side. It shows the nice chairs and lounges, and the ship's frontside windows. Moreover, the passengers sitting in the lane located around the windows are circled by rectangular glasses decorated with white straight lines. Another view of the staircase leading to the various decks of the ship. They are very modern, as suggested by the glass and the overall design. The alley located between the Goody's Burger House restaurant and the indoor area near the stern on Deck 6. At the side is another aircraft-style seat area, while the central part has a wall with a big and beautiful painting showing a large amount of seabirds flying next to a coast. A very modern and artistic approach to the ship. The Economy Class Lounge area right next to the ship's reception, featuring lounges and white chairs. The walls are decorated with small white columns. The ship's very modern reception desk, which is very similar to the one that the BLUE STAR PATMOS has. Next to the reception desk and right before exiting the area in order to go outside, one can see another seating area, which features white chairs and tables that are the same as the ones seen in the area between the restaurant and the reception area. The wall, which is circular, has a drawing of a green frog swimming below water. This drawing is different to the one the BLUE STAR PATMOS has, as she has a goldfish instead. Next to the reception desk, passengers are greeted by a welcome sign made out of yellow 3D letters laying on the floor. The BLUE STAR PATMOS has a similar sign as well. The BLUE STAR DELOS was the first ship in the history of the Greek coastal service to have such a welcome sign. This feature quickly became iconic and many tend to assimilate the ship with this sign. The ship's floor welcome sign, alongside a compass drawn on the floor which covers the whole welcoming area. Between the reception desk and the welcome sign, the BLUE STAR DELOS has a small kid's corner (the room with the windows showing red stickers of a buoy, a ship and a submarine), an online booking and Sea Smiles (Attica Group's loyalty programme offered to passengers) refill machine, as well as a telephone and an ATM machine. The ship's indoor lounge area located near the door leading to the outdoor sun deck. Another view of the crowded sun deck outdoor area. The sun deck outdoor area located in Deck 7. In Deck 8, there is an alley accessible to passengers. It is leads to a small outdoor lounge area which also has a TV screen. Next to it we can find the ship's lifeboats. Between this alley and the one located on the opposite side, there is an indoor area which has 24 cabins for passengers. These are rarely used however, as the ship operates generally throughout the day. One of the ship's four lifeboats, located next to Deck 8. The outdoor lounge area that I previously mentioned, located towards the front section of the ship. This area also features a Flocafé bar, much larger than the one located in the stern sun deck area of Deck 6. The only way I could take a picture of the ship's funnel while onboard (apologies for the bad quality of this photo). The funnel is very large and modern, and features, just like it is the case for her fleetmates, her owners' iconic blue star logo. The passenger staircase area, at the intersection between Deck 7 and Deck 8. As soon as I was done taking pictures of the ship's indoor and outdoor areas, I noticed that we had finally encountered a ferry while heading towards our destination. Indeed, it was the classic ferry ADAMANTIOS KORAIS of Zante Ferries, which had left Piraeus just a few minutes before the BLUE STAR DELOS and was beginning her long trip on the Western Cyclades lifeline, with her first destination being Kythnos. The beautiful ADAMANTIOS KORAIS seen heading towards Kythnos. She was built in Japan in 1987 and was bought by Zante Ferries in 2007. After a year-long conversion, she entered service in 2008 on the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line, where the BLUE STAR DELOS currently operates. But her service there lasted just one season as she was then transferred to the Western Cyclades lifeline, which is, in other words, the Piraeus-Kythnos-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos-Folegandros-Sikinos-Ios-Santorini line, in 2009. She has since been remaining there, becoming extremely successful and reliable. The ADAMANTIOS KORAIS seen next to the Attica coast, heading towards Kythnos. The ADAMANTIOS KORAIS, among the best ships of the Cyclades and Zante Ferries' flagship, seen heading towards Kythnos. Passing by the ADAMANTIOS KORAIS. She was the ship on which I traveled from Piraeus to Sifnos on 26 July 2017, when I went to the island with my family. The trip was very memorable and truly a nice experience, which shows how the ferry can offer a very nice trip to anyone boarding her. Passing by the ADAMANTIOS KORAIS. Due to the BLUE STAR DELOS being faster, we did not wait for that long before we overtook her. The ADAMANTIOS KORAIS, in what was her tenth consecutive season on the Western Cyclades lifeline, and eleventh consecutive season in Greece overall. The ADAMANTIOS KORAIS seen calmly sailing over the Aegean Sea. The ADAMANTIOS KORAIS shortly after we had passed by her. She was the first ship of her company, which was traditionally operating on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line on the Ionian Sea, to be deployed on the Aegean Sea. The entry to the new market was successful, and her two fleetmates eventually joined her, each for two summer seasons. She was supposed to be joined in 2008 by her sister ship, the ODYSSEAS ELYTIS (which had also been acquired by Zante Ferries), but the large sum of money spent on her conversion did not guarantee enough funding for the latter's conversion. Ultimately, the ODYSSEAS ELYTIS remained laid-up in Zakynthos from 2007 to 2013, and never entered service for Zante Ferries. She was sold in late 2013 to Indonesian company PT Munic Line, and operates there today as the ELYSIA. One last view of the wonderful ADAMANTIOS KORAIS, as she is seen hading towards Kythnos. An impressive view of three ferries located near the Attica coast and sailing right behind the BLUE STAR DELOS. All are heading towards the Cyclades, though two of them are also heading towards the Northeast Aegean Sea Islands. We can see the ADAMANTIOS KORAIS in the left, the BLUE STAR PAROS in the middle, and the NISSOS MYKONOS (which had already passed by the BLUE STAR PAROS) in the right. Barely five minutes after having passed by the ADAMANTIOS KORAIS, I saw another ship owned by Zante Ferries operating on the Western Cyclades, and also a very familiar face to me. Indeed, it was the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS, which was also heading to Kythnos, having left a few minutes before her fleetmate. The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS was built in 1990 in Japan and entered service in Greece in 1999 after having been bought by Zante Ferries. She was the company's first-ever conventional ferry, as they previously operated Ro-Ro carriers (the AGIOS DIONISIOS I from 1991 to 1995 and the AGIOS DIONISIOS S from 1995 to 1999). She entered service on the Ionian Sea, mainly serving the Kyllini-Zakynthos line, but also occasionally operating on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. She remained there until 2017, when she was transferred to the Western Cyclades lifeline, joining the ADAMANTIOS KORAIS. The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS seen heading towards Kythnos, during her second straight summer on the Western Cyclades. She is an important part of my childhood, as I would see her every year in Zakynthos, and had also traveled onboard her multiple times. The last time was on 21 July 2013, hence exactly five years and two days before my trip with the BLUE STAR DELOS. The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS has spent her first two seasons on the Cyclades operating on the Piraeus-Kythnos-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos-Folegandros-Sikinos-Ios line. Hence, she serves all the islands that are part of her fleetmate's itinerary, except for Santorini. Her entry to the Western Cyclades occurred right after a major conversion that she underwent in Perama, during which her stern was upgraded and her bow was fully replaced. Having had a ramp throughout her entire career on the Ionian Sea, it was covered by a classic bow, in order to make her trips on the more aggressive Aegean Sea more comfortable and frictionless. Her introduction has been successful so far, due to her larger garage, which has been favoured in terms of freight service. The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS seen heading towards Kythnos. Before her, Zante Ferries had added her former fleetmate, the ANDREAS KALVOS, as a partner of the ADAMANTIOS KORAIS on the Western Cyclades. The ship was also on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, operating there from 2003 to 2014. In 2015, following a conversion in Perama, she was deployed on the Piraeus-Kythnos-Serifos-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos line. After two seasons, she was deemed unfit for this service, which prompted her owners to deploy the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS instead. After returning to the Ionian Sea in 2017 and operating there for two seasons, the ANDREAS KALVOS was sold to Levante Ferries. She has been operating for them since January on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line. The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS, now established on the Cyclades, heading towards Kythnos. Passing by the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS, which is also slower than the BLUE STAR DELOS. At the same time, the containership CMA CGM BERLIOZ of French containership giants CMA CGM was seen heading towards Piraeus. One last view of the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS as she heads towards the island of Kythnos. Thirty minutes after having passed by the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS, we had passed through the passage separating the islands of Kea and Kythnos. The BLUE STAR DELOS at the stern section, seen in the middle of the Cyclades. The NISSOS MYKONOS, in the meantime, is heading towards the North, as she is due to call at Syros, while we are heading towards Paros (which is more towards the South than Syros). Built in Greece in 2005, she spent the 2018 season on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Ikaria-Samos-Chios-Mytilene-Limnos-Kavala lifeline, and is among the best ships of the Greek coastal service, to the same extent as the BLUE STAR DELOS. Two hours later, I was able to witness a beautiful moment, as the BLUE STAR DELOS encountered her sister ship and fleetmate, the BLUE STAR PATMOS, which had left Paros and was making her return to Piraeus. The BLUE STAR PATMOS, a ship on which I had already traveled two times before my trip with the BLUE STAR DELOS: the first time on 7-8 July 2015 from Piraeus to Santorini, and the second time from Santorini to Ios on 10 July 2017. Built just a few months after the BLUE STAR DELOS, the BLUE STAR PATMOS entered service during the 2012 summer season on the Piraeus-Chios-Mytilene line. She quickly dispatched NEL Lines off its historic line and was a major threat to Hellenic Seaways for several seasons. After the sale of the BLUE STAR ITHAKI to Bay Ferries Limited in late 2014, she was transferred to the Cyclades. Her first summer season there saw her conducting the same trip as the BLUE STAR DELOS, though she would be serving much more islands. Indeed, from 2015 to 2017, she was on the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Donousa-Amorgos-Ios-Santorini-Anafi-Astypalaia line. Since 2018, she has been on the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini-Anafi line, no longer making calls to Donousa, Amorgos and Astypalaia. The great BLUE STAR PATMOS passing by her sister ship. Both ships ensure the daily connection of Piraeus with Paros, Naxos and Santorini (though the BLUE STAR PATMOS also serves Syros, Ios and Anafi). The BLUE STAR DELOS leaves from Piraeus to the islands in the morning, while the BLUE STAR PATMOS does so in the late afternoon, returning from the islands to Athens' main port the following morning. The BLUE STAR PATMOS seen heading back towards Piraeus. The moment the two sister ships met together, near the island of Paros, where they have been widely acclaimed. The BLUE STAR PATMOS, one of Blue Star Ferries' jewels, and one of the best ships operating in Greece. The BLUE STAR PATMOS on her way towards Piraeus. Three days after my trip with her sister ship, I would find myself traveling onboard her once again, while heading from Naxos to Paros. Therefore, it would be the third time that I would be onboard this amazing ferry, the most times out of any ferry operating on the Cyclades. Shortly after seeing the BLUE STAR PATMOS, we were beginning to approach the port of Paros, located in the town Paroikia. There, two infamous islets were awaiting us: the 'Portes', which is where the doomed EXPRESS SAMINA of Hellas Ferries collided and sank, resulting in the tragic loss of 82 people. Therefore, these two islets are a place that Paros residents tend to forget, due to the horrible events they experienced that tragic night of 26 September 2000. On a more positive note, I saw a nice high speed craft, the NAXOS JET of Sea Jets, leaving Paros, as she was making her return trip back Rafina. The NAXOS JET was formerly known as the CYCLADES EXPRESS of NEL Lines, operating for them only during the 2010 season on the Heraklion-Santorini line. Afterwards, due to the company's financial problems, she was laid-up in Salamina from 2010 to 2016. That year, she was sold to Sea Jets, which went on to refit her during two years. She entered service for the first time in 8 years on the Rafina-Andros-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line, where she operated successfully. In her debut season under Sea Jets, the NAXOS JET would leave Rafina for the Cyclades islands in the afternoon, reaching Naxos in the evening and spending the night there. She would leave her namesake island in the morning, in order to return to Rafina in the early afternoon. After passing by the NAXOS JET, I saw one of her fleetmates departing the port of Paros. It was the company's flagship, the TERA JET, which was collaborating with the NAXOS JET, serving the Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos line. Unlike her fleetmate, however, the TERA JET leaves Rafina in the morning and returns there in the late afternoon of the same day. The NAXOS JET seen heading towards Mykonos, her next destination. It was almost 11:40, and we were now right next the port of Paros. Here is a nice view of Paroikia. In the meantime, another high speed craft was departing the island. It was the SUPERRUNNER of Golden Star Ferries, which was heading from Paros to Naxos. The SUPERRUNNER (formerly the SPEEDRUNNER IV of Aegean Speed Lines, from 2009 to 2016) seen leaving Paros. It was her second season with Golden Star Ferries, which has successfully deployed her on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. Her rival, the TERA JET, had also left Paros and was also heading towards Naxos. Both ships became fierce competitors in 2017, which marked the first summer of the SUPERRUNNER in Rafina under Golden Star Ferries and the first one of the TERA JET on the Rafina-Cyclades service. Due to both of them being excellent and very fast high speed craft, their owners engaged in both a price war and port racing contests in Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Naxos (as the SUPERRUNNER then continues her trip to Ios and Santorini, while the TERA JET heads back to Rafina) in order to see which ship would moor first (with a view of impressing passengers). Despite the heated rivalry, both ships had an excellent first season, as they also did in 2018. No incidents and very rare engine failures have been reported so far. Thanks to them, their companies won the prestigious award 'Passenger Line of The Year' provided by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards, in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The SUPERRUNNER and the TERA JET beginning their racing contest from Paros to Naxos. The SUPERRUNNER has the upper hand for now, as she left Paros before her rival. Another view of the SUPERRUNNER and of the TERA JET leaving Paros for Naxos. In the meantime, we were now close to the start of our maneuvering procedure in Paros. There, the fleetmate of the BLUE STAR DELOS, the BLUE STAR NAXOS, was resting before her departure for Naxos. The acclaimed BLUE STAR NAXOS, also built in the Daewoo Shipyard like the BLUE STAR DELOS, seen in Paros. She connects Piraeus with the Lesser Cyclades on a daily basis through a very tight schedule, operating on the Piraeus-Syros-Paros-Naxos-Irakleia-Schoinousa-Koufonisi-Donousa-Amorgos-Santorini-Astypalaia line. She leaves Piraeus at 06:45 every morning, and returns there the following day at 05:00. The crew only has one hour and thirty minutes to rest before her next departure there. This is why she is such an exceptional ship. Besides the BLUE STAR NAXOS, I also saw the oil products tanker CHRISANTHI of Argo resting at the corner of the Paroikia port. The BLUE STAR NAXOS seen in Paros as we were starting our maneuvering procedure. Another view of the SUPERRUNNER leaving Paros. I had traveled onboard her just a month and six days before my trip with the BLUE STAR DELOS, from Ios to Mykonos (via, coincidentally, Naxos and Paros). The TERA JET is seen following her. The BLUE STAR NAXOS seen in Paros, as the BLUE STAR DELOS is docking in the port. The amazing BLUE STAR NAXOS, which has been a major weapon of Blue Star Ferries on the Cyclades for the past 17 years! A beautiful little church built under the Cycladic architectural style seen in Paroikia. It is the Church of Agios Nikolaos, known to to be protector Saint of seamen in the Greek Orthodox Church. Next to the CHRISANTHI, I saw a small passenger ship, and more precisely the small high speed boat ANTIPAROS STAR of Agia Marina I NE, which operates on the Paros-Antiparos line. Shortly after the BLUE STAR DELOS had docked in Paros, the BLUE STAR NAXOS had already left the port in order to begin heading towards Naxos. The hardworking and acclaimed BLUE STAR NAXOS seen leaving Paros. The BLUE STAR NAXOS leaving Paros in order to head towards her namesake island. The CHRISANTHI, which operates around almost all Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands, seen resting in Paros. The ANTIPAROS STAR, seen shortly before her departure for Antiparos. The latter is located right next to Paros and is accessible via small high speed boat and landing craft. The ANTIPAROS STAR leaving Paros in order to head towards her namesake island. She was built in 2015 in Greece for her owners, which deployed her on the line as a replacement for the ELAFONISOS, which was sold to Zakynthos-based company Elafonisos-Christina Cruises. She now operates as a day tour boat on the Zakynthos-Marathonisi line. After 15 minutes in Paros, it was the turn of the BLUE STAR DELOS to leave in order to reach Naxos, our final destination. We started heading towards Northern Paros, passing by the well-known Naoussa village, in order to reach Naxos' port, which is the Northwestern part of the island. Near Naoussa, I noticed another high speed craft, also owned by Sea Jets. It was the CALDERA VISTA, which had previously been known as the MASTER JET. She was renamed prior to the start of the 2018 season, as part of her deployment on the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini-Paros-Mykonos-Tinos-Syros line. The CALDERA VISTA was operating in Greece for the first time since 2016, as in 2017 she had been chartered to Azores-based company Atlântico Line. She had a successful comeback on her new line, which she had partially served in her first two seasons under Sea Jets (2012 and 2013), covering the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini line. The CALDERA VISTA seen heading from Santorini to Paros. She is now the only high speed craft of her company not to have the 'JET' suffix (although she did when she was named MASTER JET), and she has a different livery, displaying her name on her hull instead of her company's name and just having a red wave on her funnel instead of Sea Jets' logo. Her name is a reference to the view of the sunset on the Caldera area of Santorini, which is visited by millions of tourists each year. The CALDERA VISTA on her towards Paros. After 45 minutes, we had almost reached Naxos. There, I saw the TERA JET and the BLUE STAR NAXOS, which had all arrived in the island and were beginning to load their new passengers and vehicles. A nice view of the Naxos port, headlined by the TERA JET which is about to depart the island. As the BLUE STAR DELOS was beginning to maneuver in the port, I saw a historic ship in the port. It was the legendary EXPRESS SKOPELITIS of Small Cyclades Lines, known as 'The Little Hero of the Lesser Cyclades', as she ensures the daily connection of these islands with Naxos and Amorgos all year long. She operates on the Naxos-Irakleia-Schoinousa-Koufonisi-Donousa-Amorgos-Ios-Santorini line, serving the latter two islands only during the summer. She is widely praised as she is among the main sources of supplying in these islands due to their isolation from the rest of the more popular Cyclades islands. Her work is supported by the BLUE STAR NAXOS, which serves the islands from Piraeus. The historic EXPRESS SKOPELITIS seen resting in Naxos. At 12:40, more than five hours after our departure from Piraeus, the BLUE STAR DELOS had arrived and docked in Naxos. She was also followed by the high speed craft CHAMPION JET 2, also owned by Sea Jets, and which was spending the summer season on the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line, where she has been since 2017. The port of Naxos seen after I had left the BLUE STAR DELOS. Here you can see the sterns of the latter and of the CHAMPION JET 2. Barely a few minutes after having arrived in Naxos, the BLUE STAR DELOS had already departed the island in order to head towards Santorini. And this thus marks the official end of my fantastic trip onboard this amazing ferry. We barely made it onboard due to the traffic in Athens, but ultimately we went inside the ship and all the stress was immediately forgotten. Just like her sister ship on which I had traveled two times prior to that day's trip, I was impressed by the BLUE STAR DELOS and her modern amenities, which made the trip very pleasant and enjoyable. It is obvious why many people consider her the current best day ferry in Greece. She is extremely efficient and has been a major reason behind Blue Star Ferries' continuous success on the Cyclades. She is a true favourite among Paros, Naxos and Santorini residents. Let's hope she will remain in our waters for years to come. I was happy to then travel onboard her sister ship from Naxos to Paros, three days after this trip. #bluestardelos #bluestarferries #atticagroup #summer2018 #greece #cyclades #aegean #piraeus #paros #naxos #bluestarparos #bluestarpatmos #bluestarnaxos #nissosmykonos #hellenicseaways #adamantioskorais #dionisiossolomos #zanteferries #naxosjet #terajet #calderavista #championjet2 #seajets #superrunner #goldenstarferries #antiparosstar #agiamarinaine #expressskopelitis #smallcycladeslines #tribute

Trip: 28 July 2019. From Salamina to Perama, with the DIMITRIOS P of Dimitrios P NE. The double-ended ferry DIMITRIOS P was built in 2000 in Greece, for the Salamina-based company Dimitrios P NE. She was delivered shortly after her sister ship and fleetmate, the TELAMON. She is the fifth double-ended ferry in the history of the Greek coastal service to be built. Indeed, she had been preceded by the conventional double-ended ferry POSIDON HELLAS of 2way Ferries and the SALAMINIA of Salaminia Ferries-K Star (currently the LIDO DI VENEZIA of Italian company ACT Ferries, since 2010), both built in 1998, and then by the AGIOS ELEFTHERIOS III of Feidias NE (built in 1999, owned since 2009 by Agios Nikolaos Shipping and known as the AGIOS NIKOLAOS L) and the TELAMON (also built in 2000). She has spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. In 2007 and 2008, she would occasionally make trips from Perama to Aegina while transporting additional cargo trucks to the latter island. Besides her and the TELAMON, Dimitrios P NE also owns the double-ended ferry PROKOPIOS M, which was delivered three years after the former two, in 2003. All three ships are part of the Salamina Ferries joint venture, which is one of the two main joint ventures of double-ended ferries primarily based on the Perama-Salamina line, the other being Agios Nikolaos Lines. So this is a quick overview of the DIMITRIOS P, which has been on the Perama-Salamina line for about two decades, being one of the veterans of the line. She has notably been the ship with the most experience on the line, as the TELAMON, although built and deployed there before her, spent a season on the Rion-Antrrion line, back in 2015. Similarly, the AGIOS NIKOLAOS L had some stints on the Rion-Antirrion line, from 2000 to 2004 and in 2015. The DIMITRIOS P has therefore been the sole continuous presence on the Perama-Salamina line for the past 20 years. After having spent the first part of 28 July 2019 in Spetses, having headed there with the FLYINGCAT 3 of Hellenic Seaways and then returned to Piraeus with her fleetmate, the FLYINGCAT 6, I then spent the late afternoon in Salamina in order to see and photograph various ships serving the island, with these primarily being the double-ended ferries that operate on the Perama-Salamina line. I headed there with the impressive GLYKOFILOUSA VIII of Panagia Glykofilousa NE. Therefore, after having arrived to Salamina with the newest ferry of the line at the time (as she was built in 2019), I was now, coincidentally, leaving the island with the most experienced double-ended ferry serving the line. As I did go to Salamina presumably by car back in 2000 (when I was just one year old), I do not remember whether I had traveled with a ferry operating on the Perama-Salamina line, although this could be a possibility. Therefore, my trip with the DIMITRIOS P was the second one with a ferry on the Perama-Salamina line that I happened to remember. It was also possibly my first-ever trip with a ship of Dimitrios P NE, although there could be a minimal possibility that I traveled with the DIMITRIOS P back in 2000, considering that this was her first summer of service on the line, but I doubt this was the case. The all-white DIMITRIOS P seen in Salamina, shortly before embarking onboard her. That summer was her twentieth consecutive on the Perama-Salamina line, making her streak on the line the longest one carried-out by a double-ended ferry in the history of the Greek coastal service. The DIMITRIOS P seen right after having embarked onboard her. Here is a view of the wide open garage, which passes under her accommodation superstructure. She also has side ramps which allow the passengers to take the staircases that lead to the accommodation superstructure. Right above her garage area, one can see her name, written in Greek letters, and in an Ancient Greek font. Another view of the ship's garage, which passes right underneath her accommodation superstructure. Here is a view of the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, which has the ship's indoor lounge area. The ship's plain indoor lounge area, which features several blue lounges and some walls made out of glass decorating some sections of the room. The ship's reception desk, seen at the corner of the indoor lounge area. Here is the port side outdoor alley of the DIMITRIOS P, which leads passengers from one side of the ship to the other. The middle deck of the ship's accommodation superstructure, which is known to feature the crew's cabins. The outdoor section of the deck features a few small wooden benches available for passengers. The ship's garage seen from the middle deck of the accommodation superstructure, while also displaying her foremast (there is one at the other side of the ship, from which the ferry was loading passengers during that trip). It was already completely full as there were several passengers returning from Salamina to Athens as it was already 18:15. From the port of Paloukia in Salamina, I saw the double-ended ferry SALAMINOMACHOS of Salaminomachos Lines, which was seen heading towards Perama. Next to the DIMITRIOS P, I spotted her fleetmate and sister ship, the TELAMON, which was docked in Salamina. And, under a matter of coincidence, her other fleetmate, the PROKOPIOS M, was docked at the other side. Therefore, all three Dimitrios P NE ferries were docked together, the one next to the other, in Salamina. The TELAMON seen Salamina as the DIMITRIOS P has already departed for Perama. Built in 2000, just a few months before the DIMITRIOS P, she has been operating on the Perama-Salamina line for her entire career, except during the 2015 season when she was deployed on the Rion-Antirrion line. Furthermore, at the start of the 2016 season, she was also briefly used as a floating bridge connecting Epirus with Lefkada on the Ionian Sea, as the regular floating bridge (known as the AGIA MAVRA) was undergoing her refit. Another view of the PROKOPIOS M. She was built three years after the TELAMON and the DIMITRIOS P. Just like them, she has spent the bulk of her career on the Perama-Salamina line, operating there from 2003 to 2013 and from 2015 to 2019. She was deployed on the Rion-Antirrion line in 2014, and has returned there in order to serve it during the 2020 season. Next to the TELAMON was the double-ended ferry ELENA A of Agios Fanourios Ferries. Built in 2009, she has also spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. The ELENA A docked in Salamina, in her eleventh season in a row on the Perama-Salamina line. Besides the PROKOPIOS M, I spotted the two sister ships of Panagia Glykofilousa NE, both built in 2017: the GLYKOFILOUSA V and the GLYKOFILOUSA IV. The impressive GLYKOFILOUSA V, which was operating on the Perama-Salamina line for the third season in a row. And next to her was her sister ship and fleetmate, the GLYKOFILOUSA IV, which was also serving the Perama-Salamina line for the third straight season. The two fleetmates of the DIMITRIOS P, the TELAMON and the PROKOPIOS M, seen together in Salamina. While the DIMITRIOS P began to leave Salamina, the THEOLOGOS V II of Evia Ferries was seen arriving from Perama. The THEOLOGOS V II seen heading from Perama to Salamina. She was built in 2018, a year after her sister ship and fleetmate, the PANAGIOTIS D. Another view of the ELENA A. Six double-ended ferries seen together in Salamina: the TELAMON and the PROKOPIOS M of Dimitrios P NE, the GLYKOFILOUSA V of Panagia Glykofilousa NE, the AGIOS ELEFTHERIOS IV of Feidias NE, the GLYKOFILOUSA IV of Panagia Glykofilousa NE and the APOSTOLOS M of Athinais Lines. The THEOLOGOS V II heading towards Salamina. She is the fourth ship in the history of the company to be named after one of its co-owners: Theologos Vassiliadis. The three previous ships were all named THEOLOGOS V, and operated under three different stints before being sold overseas. The first THEOLOGOS V was built in 2005 and operated from 2005 to 2008, before being sold to Croatian company Jadrolinija, where she still operates as the ILOVIK. The second THEOLOGOS V was built in 2009 and operated from 2009 to 2014, before being sold to Brazilian company Internacional Travessias, where she still operates as the ZUMBI DOS PALMARES. Finally, the third THEOLOGOS V was built in 2016 and operated for just one year before being sold in 2017 to Tunisian company Sonatrak, for whom she now operates as the HABIB ACHOUR. She was replaced a year later by the current THEOLOGOS V II. In Salamina, next to the ELENA A, I managed to spot the IOANNIS SOPHIA K, which is owned by Karnesis-Lalousis NE. She was built in 2016, and has served the Perama-Salamina line and the Rion-Antirrion line (the latter only in 2018). One last view of the THEOLOGOS V II as she is about to arrive in Salamina. As the DIMITRIOS P began to head towards Perama, the small port of Kamatero in Salamina could now be clearly seen. There, I spotted, just like it was the case with my trip with the GLYKOFILOUSA VIII, the landing craft POSEIDONAS, formerly owned by Farmakoris-Villiotis NE. After her failed sale overseas in late 2018, she spent the entire 2019 season laid-up in Salamina. However, she is now due to return to service, as she was acquired by Saronic Ferries in order to be deployed on the Saronic Gulf as the ANTIGONE. She is currently undergoing her conversion in Perama. The next ship that I got to see was a familiar face. Indeed, it was the ANNA MARIA of Gavanozis Shipping, which was operating on the Perama-Salamina line for the first time since 2017. Built in 2009 as the second double-ended ferry in the history of Gavanozis Shipping, the ANNA MARIA was initially deployed on the Oropos-Eretria line on the South Evoian Gulf, where she remained from 2009 to 2014. In 2015 she was deployed on the Perama-Salamina line, but returned to the Oropos-Eretria line in 2016, before heading back to the Perama-Salamina line the following year. In 2018, she once again returned to the Oropos-Eretria line, before heading once more to the Perama-Salamina line 2019. She is now back on the Oropos-Eretria line. Crossing the ANNA MARIA as she heads from Perama to Salamina. I notably traveled onboard her on 21 July 2018, hence exactly one year and one week before my trip with the DIMITRIOS P, while heading from Oropos to Eretria for the first time in my life. The ANNA MARIA seen heading towards Salamina, in what was her third season on the Perama-Salamina line, having also been there in 2015 and in 2017. The impressive ANNA MARIA en route towards Salamina. One last view of the ANNA MARIA as she is seen heading from Perama to Salamina. She is now back on the Oropos-Eretria line, having returned there for the first time since 2018. While the DIMITRIOS P was seen approaching the port of Perama towards 18:25, the SALAMINOMACHOS, which had left a few minutes earlier, was about to dock in the port. In the meantime, as the SALAMINOMACHOS was approaching the port of Perama, the GLYKOFILOUSA VIII of Panagia Glykofilousa NE was seen departing the port in order to head towards Salamina. The environmentally-friendly GLYKOFILOUSA VIII seen heading towards Salamina, during the first summer of her career. I had traveled with her while heading from Perama to Salamina just a few hours before my trip with the DIMITRIOS P. The GLYKOFILOUSA VIII on her way towards Salamina, in the first season of her career. The impressive GLYKOFILOUSA VIII, whose amenities include automated engines consuming low amounts of sulphur, interior and exterior furnishing made out of wood coming from the Agion Oros area, and also dozens of plants and trees in both indoor and outdoor areas. The GLYKOFILOUSA VIII seen right after having left Perama. Her ecological amenities are part of the 'Think Green' campaign, whose logo she has on both sides of her hull. The GLYKOFILOUSA VIII on her way towards Salamina. As the DIMITRIOS P began to approach the port of Perama, I noticed three double-ended ferries: the PROTOPOROS X of Tsokos Lines, the SALAMINOMACHOS and the FANEROMENI of Panagia Faneromeni, as well as the high speed trimaran SUPERSPEED of Golden Star Ferries, which was laid-up following her engine failure which cut her 2019 summer season short. The impressive PROTOPOROS X was built in 2017, and has spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line so far. Another view of the PROTOPOROS X, in the exact same spot where I had seen her a few hours earlier, when I departed the port of Perama to head towards Salamina with the GLYKOFILOUSA VIII. The FANEROMENI seen in Perama. Coincidentally, she was also a former ferry of Tsokos Lines, as she was the latter's first-ever ferry. Indeed, she was built in 2004 for them, as the PROTOPOROS, and was deployed initially on the Oropos-Eretria line on the South Evoian Gulf. She remained under them until 2010, when she was sold to Panagia Faneromeni. She has since been on the Perama-Salamina line (2010-2011, and since late 2014), while having also served the Megara-Salamina line from 2012 to 2014. The PROTOPOROS X and the SALAMINOMACHOS seen together in Perama. Another view of the PROTOPOROS X, with the SALAMINOMACHOS seen right next to her. The SALAMINOMACHOS seen as the DIMITRIOS P is about to dock in Perama. She is now also on the Rion-Antirrion line ahead of the 2020 season. Just as the DIMITRIOS P was docking in Perama, the FANEROMENI departed the port in order to head towards Salamina. Right after the DIMITRIOS P had docked in Perama, I disembarked, thus ending my trip with her. Just a few seconds after her arrival, I immediately noticed a famed Greek coastal service veteran. Indeed, it was the landing craft EIRINI K of Kipreos Cargo Lines, which operates as a Ro-Ro carrier across the Aegean Sea. She was built in 1966, and has had an adventurous career across the Greek waters. The EIRINI K was seen heading towards Elefsina, after having returned from the Aegean Sea ports that she serves. Indeed, she operates on the Elefsina-Lavrion-Marmari-Karystos-Kea-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line since she underwent her latest conversion in Perama in 2018. Before that, she spent the early part of her career as the AGIOS NIKOLAOS of Hermes Shipping Company on the Rafina-Marmari-Karystos line (1966-1980) and then on the Rion-Antirrion line (1980-2001). She was then sold to Kelessidis-Koukianakis Shipping in 2001. She was deployed as Ro-Ro carrier on the Saronic Gulf in 2002, serving the Elefsina-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra line together with the fellow landing craft AGIOS KONSTANTINOS (known as the IGOR of Guinean company Manoir Shipping Limited since 2007). In 2004 she operated solely on the Elefsina-Aegina line, and was withdrawn from service in late 2005. She was laid-up in Elefsina, remaining there for the next four years, until 2009, when she was sold to the Kalymnos-based company Kipreos Cargo Lines, and she was renamed EIRINI K. Since then, she has been operating as a Ro-Ro carrier across the Aegean Sea, being inserted on the Elefsina-Kea-Santorini-Ikaria-Fournoi-Samos-Chios-Kalymnos-Kos-Nisyros-Tilos-Rhodes-Heraklion-Rethymnon line from 2010 to 2014, then on the Elefsina-Lavrion-Agios Georgios line from 2015 to 2016, on the Elefsina-Lavion-Marmari line in 2017, and in her current service since 2018. One last view of the EIRINI K as she is seen heading towards Elefsina. And this therefore marked the end of my trip with the veteran double-ended ferry DIMITRIOS P. After having traveled with the youngest and most environmentally-friendly ship of the Perama-Salamina line, I had then made my return trip to Perama with the ferry which had the most experience on the service. It was really nice to have this short yet pleasant trip with this classic double-ended ferry, which continues to offer reliable service for over two decades. I had now finished my long day of taking pictures of countless ships on the Saronic Gulf, after having made four trips and visited two islands, Spetses and Salamina. This trip with the DIMITRIOS P was the best way to end that memorable day which I will hardly ever forget. #dimitriosp #dimitriospne #salaminaferies #summer2019 #greece #saronicgulf #aegean #salamina #perama #paloukia #salaminomachos #salaminomachoslines #telamon #prokopiosm #elenaa #agiosfanouriosferries #glykofilousav #glykofilousaiv #glykofilousaviii #panagiaglykofilousane #theologosvii #evoiaferies #agioseleftheriosiv #feidiasne #apostolosm #athinaislines #ioannissophiak #karnesislalousisne #poseidonas #farmakorisvilliotisne #annamaria #gavanozisshipping #protoporosx #tsokoslines #faneromeni #panagiafaneromeni #superspeed #goldenstarferries #eirinik #kipreoscargolines #tribute

Trip: 3 September 2021. From Salamina to Perama, with the FANEROMENI of Panagia Faneromeni. The double-ended ferry FANEROMENI was built in 2004 in Greece, as the PROTOPOROS of the newly-established Greek company Tsokos Lines, becoming their first-ever ship. She was deployed on the Oropos-Eretria line, becoming the first-ever double-ended ferry to operate on the line. She remained there until her sale in 2010 to the Salamina-based company Panagia Faneromeni. The latter was perceived as the successor company of the former operator Iera Moni Faneromenis, which was in fact the shipping company owned by the Holy Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni, which managed the operations of the ferries serving the Megara-Salamina line, next to which the Holy Monastery is located. The latter is a major place of worship in Salamina, and especially during late August when the feast of Panagia Faneromeni is celebrated. The old ferry company ceased operations in 2009, after selling their final landing craft, the AGIOS LAVRENTIOS FANEROMENI (built in 1997), to the Sierra Leonean company Afrimpex Navigation Company. She was renamed FANEROMENI and was deployed on the Perama-Salamina line in 2011. In 2012 she was sent to operate on the Megara-Salamina line. She stayed there until the end of the 2014 summer season, before returning to the Perama-Salamina line, where she has since been remaining. With 18 years of service, the FANEROMENI has become an established double-ended ferry in Greece, and has become a strong presence in Salamina since joining her current owners. Her status as the first-ever double-ended ferry on the Oropos-Eretria line and as the first-ever ship of Tsokos Lines (which has since proceeded to order and deploy 15 more double-ended ferries) are a further proof that she has been an important double-ended ferry for the Greek coastal service. She now operates on the demanding and busy Perama-Salamina line, being one of the many double-ended ferries to serve the line. Moreover, she operates under the Agios Nikolaos Lines joint venture, which competes against the standard Salamina Ferries joint venture. On 3 September 2021, I was still in Greece and waiting to head to London for my Master's degree later in the month. I decided to take advantage of my last few days in the country by traveling around various parts where I would be able to see several ships of the Greek coastal service. Of course, stopping by Salamina was an obvious choice, as the island has several ferries and small passenger ships that one can see and photograph. I headed there from Piraeus with the GEORGIOS BROUFAS of Broufas Vessels, for which I had already written a Tribute Post back when I traveled onboard her on 14 August 2020. As the small passenger ships operating to Piraeus had stopped service in the late afternoon, I decided to return to Athens via Perama, and therefore I proceeded to embark onboard the FANEROMENI. This was therefore my first trip on the Perama-Salamina line onboard a double-ended ferry for the 2021 season, and overall my sixth trip with a ferry at least to my knowledge (as I did head to Salamina in 2000, aged 1, presumably with a landing craft as there were few double-ended ferries back then). It was also my first-ever trip with a double-ended ferry previously owned by Tsokos Lines, and she became the third ferry amongst the 16 ships to have so far operated for Tsokos Lines at some point during their careers on which I embarked onboard. The other two were the PROTOPOROS XIII (built in 2017), on which I traveled on 21 July 2018 while making my way from Eretria to Oropos. The second one was the PROTOPOROS X (also built in 2017), on which I traveled on 3 August 2019, while also heading from Salamina to Perama. A view of the FANEROMENI in the port of Paloukia in Salamina, shortly before I proceeded to embark onboard her. This was her seventh consecutive season on the Perama-Salamina line. It was also her eighth overall season on the line, as she also operated there during her debut season under Panagia Faneromeni in 2011. I proceeded to embark onboard the FANEROMENI. Here is a view of her wide open garage, which passes under her accommodation superstructure. She also has side ramps which allow the passengers to take the staircases that lead to the accommodation superstructure. The bottom part of her accommodation superstructure features her name, which is written in Greek letters. Right above is the first deck of the accommodation superstructure, which features the ship's indoor lounge area. Finally, the upper deck of the accommodation superstructure features the ship's bridge. A view of the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, which passes right above the ship's garage. Once again, one can spot the ship's name written in Greek letters. Staircases on both sides of the ship lead to the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure. A view of the starboard side alley in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure. It notably features a row of blue chairs attached to the floor and facing towards the sea. Another view of the outdoor area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, which features additional rows of blue chairs which face the ship's garage and ramp. I then had a look at the ship's indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure. Here is a view of the ship's reception desk, which is covered with a glass protector that also happens to feature the ship's name, written in Greek, over a blue stripe. Another view of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, with the central section featuring sets of red and pink lounge seats surrounding small wooden tables attached to the floor. Another view of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, with the various sets of lounge seats located in the central section of the ship. While heading towards the corner sections of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, one can find sets of blue lounge seats, with most of them attached to the walls and next to the ship's windows. I then proceeded to head to the middle deck of the ship's accommodation superstructure, which also features the crew's cabins. Additionally, it has several plastic blue chairs attached to the floor, all of which face the ship's garage and ramp. Another view of the middle deck of the ship's accommodation superstructure, as seen from the other side of the ship, which was facing Perama. Once again, there were several plastic blue chairs attached to the floor and facing towards the sea. Right upon embarking onboard the FANEROMENI, I saw one of the many double-ended ferries operating on the Perama-Salamina line, namely the PANAGIOTIS D of Evia Ferries, heading towards the port of Perama. On the starboard side of the FANEROMENI, I saw that the SALAMINOMACHOS of Salaminomachos Lines was docked in the port of Paloukia in Salamina as well. Built in 2006, she was spending her first season on the Perama-Salamina line since 2019. Indeed, during the 2020 season, she had operated on the Rion-Antirrion line, which she also served back in 2013. While the PANAGIOTIS D was heading towards Perama, another double-ended ferry, namely the DIMITRIOS P of Dimitrios P NE, was arriving in Salamina. The SALAMINOMACHOS seen resting in Salamina. Except for the 2013 season and the 2020 season, she has spent her her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. The DIMITRIOS P seen heading towards Salamina, after having arrived from Perama. Built in 2000, she has spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. She is the fifth double-ended ferry in the history of the Greek coastal service to have been built, and she is currently the ferry with the longest-serving stint on the Perama-Salamina line. As the DIMITRIOS P was arriving towards Salamina, so was the small passenger ship GEORGIOS BROUFAS of Broufas Vessels, which had arrived from Piraeus. Right behind the DIMITRIOS P and the GEORGIOS BROUFAS, I saw the double-ended ferry THEOMITOR of Athinais Lines arriving towards Salamina as well. On the port side of the FANEROMENI, which was now departing the port of Paloukia in Salamina in order to head to Perama, was the double-ended ferry MATOULA K of Salaminia Ferries-K Star. The MATOULA K seen in Salamina at 18:50, just as the FANEROMENI was leaving in order to begin her trip to Perama. Built in 2006, the MATOULA K has also spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line, with the exception of the 2013 season and of the 2018 season, when she operated on the Rion-Antirrion line. The DIMITRIOS P having just docked in Salamina, while the FANEROMENI is leaving in order to head to Perama. A view of the MATOULA K, one of the most beautiful double-ended ferries to have been built in Greece. This was her third consecutive season on the Perama-Salamina line, having returned there in 2019 after having spent the 2018 season on the Rion-Antirrion line. The DIMITRIOS P seen docked in Salamina. I notably traveled onboard her more than two years before this picture was taken. Indeed, I sailed with her on 28 July 2019, while heading from Salamina to Perama. She therefore became the first double-ended ferry built during the 2000s on which I embarked onboard while traveling between Perama and Salamina. The second ship built during that same decade on which I traveled proved to be the FANEROMENI, which was built four years after the DIMITRIOS P. Another view of the SALAMINOMACHOS as she is seen docked in Salamina, with the evening sunset spotted right above her. The MATOULA K seen docked in Salamina. She is currently one of the two double-ended ferries that are part of the fleet of Salamina Ferries-K Star, with the other one being the KONSTANTINOS K. The latter spent the 2021 season on the Rion-Antirrion line, where she had also operated back in 2017. Another view of the veteran double-ended ferry DIMITRIOS P in Salamina, where she had just docked. One more view of the MATOULA K while she is resting in Salamina. As we started to leave Salamina, I spotted two other double-ended ferries docked right next to the SALAMINOMACHOS. Indeed, these were the GLYKOFILOUSA IV of Panagia Glykofilousa NE and the EMPEDOKLIS of Aianteiaki NE. Another view of the DIMITRIOS P in Salamina, as she was completing the twenty-second season of her career on the Perama-Salamina line. The SALAMINOMACHOS seen resting in Salamina, right next to several other double-ended ferries. At the same time, the THEOMITOR was continuing her course towards her docking spot in Salamina. Built in 2004, she has spent the entirety of her career on the Perama-Salamina line, with the exception of the 2015 season, when she was deployed on the Rion-Antirrion line. The DIMITRIOS P and the MATOULA K are docked in Salamina, and watch as the THEOMITOR is preparing to dock right in between them. Another view of the GLYKOFILOUSA IV, along with the CHRYSA of Farmakoris-Villiotis NE, the EMPEDOKLIS and the SALAMINOMACHOS. A bit further towards the port of Paloukia in Salamina, I saw the small pier where the small passenger ships dock. Most of them serve the Perama-Salamina line, in addition to the ones operating on the Piraeus-Salamina line. There were also many ships usually operating on the Thermaic Gulf that were undergoing their winter refit or were permanently laid-up. There, I saw the POSEIDON of Poseidon Waterways, the ARTEMIS of Artemis SNE, the AFRICANA of Thessaloniki Cruises, the PETROULA of Petroula Speedline, the SALAMIS EXPRESS III of Salamis Express and the PANAGIA of Panagia Thalassini NE. The next double-ended ferry that I happened to see was the GLYKOFILOUSA V of Panagia Glykofilousa NE. Built in 2017, she has so far spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. The GLYKOFILOUSA V seen heading towards Salamina, during her fifth season on the Perama-Salamina. She is a sister ship of the GLYKOFILOUSA IV, and she was also the sixth ship to have been built for her company, as the latter had also built the FILOTHEOS in 2011. The latter has been operating as the THASSOS II of ANETH Ferries on the Keramoti-Thassos line since 2012. A view of the GLYKOFILOUSA V as she heads to Salamina. The GLYKOFILOUSA V seen right before she passed by us. She is one of the largest and most modern double-ended ferries in Greece. The GLYKOFILOUSA V having passed by us and continuing her trip to Salamina. As the FANEROMENI continued her trip to Perama, I notably saw the floating drydocks found in the latter. On the PIRAEUS II Drydock (also known as the Small Perama Drydock), I saw the high speed ferry POWER JET of Sea Jets. She was forced to head for drydock as a result of an engine failure in late August, which forced her to briefly interrupt her service on the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line, where she was spending her second season. Despite this engine failure, she had a very successful season, and was considered to be the best ship on the Heraklion-Cyclades service that year. Facing the floating drydocks of Perama was the Spanopoulos Shipyard in Salamina, which features several ships of all kinds which are either undergoing repairs or remaining laid-up. There, I saw two notable ferries. Indeed, the first one was the small conventional ferry SYMI of ANES Ferries, which had prematurely ended her 2021 season on the Agios Konstantinos-Glyfa-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos line on the Sporades after suffering a major engine failure. The ship, built in 1974 in Greece, had spent her fourth summer under ANES Ferries on the Sporades, while also had another stint under the same company between 2005 and 2008 on the Rhodes-Symi line on the Dodecanese. Next to her was a double-ended ferry that had made her return to Greece after six years, namely the PROTOPOROS VI of Thassos Link. As suggested by her name, she also happens to be a double-ended ferry previously owned by Tsokos Lines, as she became the sixth ship to join the company back when she was built in 2012. As she entered service two years after the FANEROMENI left Tsokos Lines, the two ships never operated under the latter at the same time as fleetmates. The PROTOPOROS VI spent three years on the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line on the North Evoian Gulf under Tsokos Lines, before being sold in 2015 to the Russian company Proekt CJSC. She was renamed POBEDA and was deployed on the Kavkaz-Port Krym line on the Kerch Strait. After the opening of the Kerch Strait Bridge in 2018, she was laid-up in Kerch in early 2019, and remained there until she was sold in 2021 to Thassos Link. While she was due to be renamed STELIOS FILIAGKOS, she instead reverted to her former name. She is due to enter service on the Keramoti-Thassos line in the upcoming months. A view of the SYMI and of the PROTOPOROS VI in the Spanopoulos Shipyard in Salamina. Both ships were built Greece, albeit with a 38-year gap. The SYMI notably spent the first 31 years of her career on the Saronic Gulf, first as the MARIA of Mavroïdis and Company (1974-1981) and then as the EFTYCHIA under Lefakis Shipping (1981-1999) and under Minoan Flying Dolphins/Hellas Flying Dolphins (1999-2005). As the latter was rebranded as Hellenic Seaways in 2005, the EFTYCHIA was sold to ANES Ferries for whom she began service as the SYMI on the Rhodes-Symi line. Between her two stints under ANES Ferries, she also operated for the Greek company Sea Dreams for 10 years (2008-2018). After her service on the Sporades was halted due to her engine failure, she was replaced by her fleetmate, the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS, which usually operates on the Piraeus-Aegina line. As for the PROTOPOROS VI, she became the third Greek double-ended ferry previously sold overseas to return to a Greece for further deployment. Despite having the name STELIOS FILIAGKOS written underneath her accommodation superstructure, it appears that her official name will continue to be PROTOPOROS VI. By entering service for Thassos Link, she will officially become the successor of the original STELIOS FILIAGKOS, which had been sold in late 2019 to the Croatian company Jadrolinija (for whom she has been operating as the FAROS). Just as we were approaching the double-ended ferry terminal in the port of Perama, I spotted the AIAKOS of Evangelos NE having departed for Salamina. The AIAKOS seen just after she left Perama, in order to head to Salamina. She was built in Greece in 2002, and has so far spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. After the DIMITRIOS P, she is the ship with the second longest current tenure on the line. The AIAKOS seen as she heads from Perama to Salamina. She was built two years before the FANEROMENI, and is therefore one of the most experienced double-ended ferries in Greece. The AIAKOS seen as she leaves Perama for Salamina. One last view of the AIAKOS, as she sails towards Salamina. At about 19:00, the FANEROMENI was about to dock in Perama. There, I got to see the PROTOPOROS XI of Tsokos Lines. Built in 2019, she operates for the former owners of the FANEROMENI, having spent all her seasons so far on the Perama-Salamina line. The PROTOPOROS XI seen in Perama, during the third season of her career. The PROTOPOROS XI seen docked in Perama. Being far larger and featuring wider outdoor decks than the FANEROMENI, the ex-PROTOPOROS, she goes on to show how Tsokos Lines has developed its fleet ever since ordering their first-ever ship back in 2004. The PROTOPOROS XI seen as she is resting in Perama. Despite her name, she is the fourteenth ship built for Tsokos Lines, as the PROTOPOROS XIII was built in 2017, whereas the PROTOPOROS XII (known as the SEA STAR I of the Tanzanian company Zan Fast Ferries since 2019) and the PROTOPOROS XIV were built in 2018. The PROTOPOROS XI was also seen in Perama alongside the PANAGIOTIS D, next to which the FANEROMENI intended to dock. Another view of the impressive PROTOPOROS XI in Perama. The PROTOPOROS XI and the PANAGIOTIS D seen in Perama, as the FANEROMENI was preparing to dock right next to them. A view of the PANAGIOTIS D in Perama, just as the FANEROMENI was preparing to dock right next to her. She was spending her first season on the Perama-Salamina line since 2017, which was the year during which she was built. After her debut season, she operated on the Glyfa-Agiokampos line on the North Evoian Gulf during the summer of 2018, followed by two seasons on the Rion-Antirrion line. After the FANEROMENI docked in Perama, I immediately disembarked, which signified the end of a short trip which nevertheless was very enjoyable. Here is the ship in Perama, although the sun prevented me from having a cleaner picture. This therefore concludes this post, which depicted a nice trip onboard a classic Greek double-ended ferry that provides reliable service for her current owners. Despite being now one of the oldest ships on the Perama-Salamina line, the FANEROMENI remains a worthy ferry and performs her job effectively. I was also able to enjoy my trip onboard her as I also saw many other prominent ferries of Salamina and Perama, including two ships that went on to operate for her original owners, namely Tsokos Lines. Seeing these two ships and how they indicate an evolution of the 'Protoporos' brandname, one can only refer to the original ship of the group, which remains a strong presence in Salamina. It was a nice experience which also concluded yet another visit in Salamina, an island that I have now visited for four consecutive summers just for the sake of watching the ships that connect it with mainland Greece. #faneromeni #panagiafaneromeni #agiosnikolaoslines #summer2021 #greece #saronicgulf #aegean #salamina #paloukia #perama #panagiotisd #eviaferries #salaminomachos #salaminomachoslines #dimitriosp #dimitriospne #georgiosbroufas #broufasvessels #theomitor #athinaislines #matoulak #salaminiaferrieskstar #glykofilousaiv #glykofilousav #panagiaglykofilousane #empedoklis #aianteiakine #chrysa #farmakorisvilliotisne #poseidon #poseidonwaterways #artemis #artemissne #africana #thessalonikicruises #petroula #petroulaspeedline #salamisexpressiii #salamisexpress #panagia #panagiathalassinine #powerjet #seajets #symi #anesferries #protoporosvi #thassoslink #aiakos #evangelosne #protoporosxi #tsokoslines #tribute

Trip: 24 July 2015. From Zakynthos to Kyllini, with the FIOR DI LEVANTE of Levante Ferries. The amazing FIOR DI LEVANTE was built in South Korea in 1998. She was owned by Dong Yang Shipping Company, and she began her career in South Korea under the name TREASURE ISLAND, on the Busan-Jeju line. She was renamed HYUNDAI SEOLBONG in 2000, while her company was renamed Dong Yang Express Ferry Company in 2005. In late 2011, a fire partially destroyed her while she was sailing from Busan, although it was extinguished and the passengers and crew were safely evacuated. Despite her state, in 2012 she was purchased by the newly-established Zakynthos-based company Levante Ferries. She was repaired in China (in Shanghai) and underwent an extensive conversion, being entirely modernised and having completely refitted interior and exterior areas. After two years of undergoing a conversion which cost of 30 million euros, the ship arrived in Greece and began service on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line in late 2014, marking the start of a new era on the Ionian Sea as well as in the Greek coastal service. The ship was awarded the title of 'The Best Ferry in the World' by Shippax in 2015, and she quickly became a threat to her competitors, the Ionian Ferries joint venture and Kefalonian Lines. The success of the FIOR DI LEVANTE led her company in purchasing the IONIAN STAR of Tyrogalas Ferries (which has now been renamed MARE DI LEVANTE) in 2015, and this caused the end of the Ionian Ferries joint venture and the subsequent creation of a joint venture between Levante Ferries and Zante Ferries named Ionian Group. The ship was also deployed on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line as a result. Currently the youngest ship on the Ionian Sea, she is unarguably the most exciting and most luxurious ferry in the region. Zakynthos is one of the two islands, along with Aegina, in which I go to each summer, as you now know. This means that I am used to seeing all established ferries on both islands, but I also get to see new ferries arriving, such as the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN ATHINA of Aegean Flying Dolphins in 2011 (though I only saw her for the first time in 2012), the double-ended ferry ACHAEOS of 2way Ferries in 2014 (both in Aegina) and, this year, the FIOR DI LEVANTE. I was so excited with that arrival that I asked my parents if we could travel with her on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line. This happened, as we booked a ticket with Levante Ferries on our return from Zakynthos to Athens via Kyllini, so that we could later go to Aegina. I finally had the chance to see the ship with my own eyes. As it was also the case with the BLUE STAR PATMOS of Blue Star Ferries, I had already seen many pictures of the ships in various websites dedicated to the Greek coastal service, but seeing them in real-life was even more impressive. Of course, I was not disappointed at all with what I got to see, and in fact, the BLUE STAR PATMOS' status as the best ferry I had ever travelled with lasted only 16 days. Here are a few photos of my experience with the FIOR DI LEVANTE, and I will explain through them how this 18-year-old ferry is such a precious jewel which the Greek coastal service is lucky to have under its possession, let alone the Ionian Sea. The FIOR DI LEVANTE awaiting her morning departure to Kyllini. The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen before we embarked onboard her. The mega modern funnel of the ferry, featuring her company's logo. The shape of the funnel resembles to that of many modern Greek ferries, especially of those under Blue Star Ferries, ANEK Lines, Superfast Ferries and Hellenic Seaways ownership. Talking about Blue Star Ferries, the FIOR DI LEVANTE underwent her conversion under shipping architect Apostolos Molyndris, who also made the designs of the two most recent newbuildings in the Greek coastal service, the BLUE STAR DELOS of Blue Star Ferries in 2011, and her sister ship and fleetmate, the BLUE STAR PATMOS in 2012. Therefore, I saw many similarities in the designs of the BLUE STAR PATMOS and of the FIOR DI LEVANTE, and the only thing I have to say is that Molyndris is simply a genius. The entrance through the stern's passenger door, featuring a beautiful painting featuring albatrosses. After going through the end of the escalators, passengers can see, on their left-hand-side, a large poster of the ship attached to the glass at the back, greeting them and welcoming them onboard. The impressive reception, featuring this funky red-and-white-stripped column and Levante Ferries' logo. The mirrors on the ceiling are also very impressive. A very popular feature of the ship: the 11880 van. It is recorded as the first time that a vehicle has ever been onboard a ferry's interior areas excluding the garage, or that has been permanently onboard. The van, decorated with Levante Ferries' colours, is used as an advertisement for the company and its owner, Georgios Theodosis. Apart from owning Levante Ferries, he also owns the telephone service company 11880 and the information and booking site vrisko.gr. Both companies' names are printed on both sides of the van. The impressive van onboard the FIOR DI LEVANTE, featuring the names of 11880 and of vrisko.gr. The modern staircase leading to the ship's upper deck. The stairs are also decorated with Artemide lights, just like it is case with the BLUE STAR PATMOS. These specific lights are shielded by silver turtles, which are a famous symbol of Zakynthos' marine life (the 'Caretta Caretta' sea turtles, which are extremely popular in the island). One of the many comfortable passenger lounge areas. The kid's corner room, featuring an electronic map quiz of the island of Zakynthos and its landmarks. It is by far the most original game found inside a ferry's kid's corner. A view of the central indoor staircase, which leads passengers from the first passenger deck to the upper deck. Another original feature of the FIOR DI LEVANTE: this secluded room is an indoor smoking area which absorbs the smoke and limits its spread through the rest of the ship's interior areas. The walls are also decorated with Zakynthos turtles. The ship's outdoor sun deck area seen at the level of the stern. On the upper deck, a very modern bar is located in the stern's open deck area. The chairs are very similar to the ones that the BLUE STAR PATMOS has in her outdoor passenger areas. The Greek flag flying with pride in this superb ferry. A sneaky view on the bridge's hallway, which leads to crew's cabins. From photos I have seen on the Internet, they look as luxurious as the passenger cabins of cruiseferries like the OLYMPIC CHAMPION of ANEK Lines (a ship that I travelled with back in 2007 and 2008). We began the trip, with the ferry being fully loaded. It did not last long, obviously, as it only takes an hour for ships to connect Zakynthos with Kyllini. This meant that I only saw two other ships passing by the FIOR DI LEVANTE, and both of them now operate with her for the newly-established joint venture, Ionian Group. I also saw a few Zakynthos tour boats. Leaving Zakynthos with us was the DELFINI of Voutirakos Cruises, which makes around-the-island trips and calls in the small island of Marathonisi. I traveled with her back in 2009. Like the DELFINI, the DIMOSTHENIS K of Top Cruiser departs for a trip around Zakynthos. The FIOR DI LEVANTE en route to Kyllini. This is the port side alley, located next to the ship's bridge and crew cabin area. Crossing Levante Ferries' most recent acquisition: the IONIAN STAR (now known as the MARE DI LEVANTE), whose sale from Tyrogalas Ferries had been completed just three days before this trip. In just three days, the Tyrogalas Ferries funnels of the IONIAN STAR were replaced with those of Levante Ferries. The blue stripe over the windows was later painted in black for the rest of the 2015 summer season. The ship then had a brief spell on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line during the winter of 2015-2016, and then headed for a refit in Perama, during which she was fully painted in Levante Ferries' colours, while also taking the name MARE DI LEVANTE. The IONIAN STAR seen heading towards Zakynthos. That summer marked her last one under Tyrogalas Ferries (who had owned her since 2003), and her first one under Levante Ferries. She has now returned on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. As we began approaching the port Kyllini, we met with the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS of Zante Ferries, which was coming back from Kefalonia. Staying behind the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS, which was now collaborating with the FIOR DI LEVANTE after her owners, Zante Ferries, agreed to form the Ionian Group joint venture with Levante Ferries just two days prior to my trip with the latter ferry. The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS, named after the Zakynthian poet who composed Greece's national anthem, ready to enter the port of Kyllini. She has been owned by Zante Ferries since 1999. A few days after seeing her, she was sent to the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line under the Ionian Group joint venture, thus reactivating the line for the first time since the summer of 2013 (during which she herself was operating on the line for the majority of that season). The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS seen arriving in the port of Kyllini. The DIONISIOS SOLOMOS after having docked in Kyllini. We arrived in Kyllini, but we had to leave immediately because of the cars awaiting departure to the Ionian Islands. Just like with the BLUE STAR PATMOS, there are no doubts that the FIOR DI LEVANTE is an exceptional ship, with areas (both indoor and outdoor) that are incomparable with those of other ferries in the Greek coastal service. She has already offered so much to the coastal service of Zakynthos and Kefalonia, and it is very likely that she will continue to do so for many years to come, as her owner, Georgios Theodosis, does not plan to deploy her on the Aegean Sea like despite considerable demand. Even though the Aegean Sea is missing out on a real jewel, it is better that she continues to write her own history on the Ionian Sea. She represents the start of a new era of fast and luxurious ferries set to operate in Greece, despite the difficulties caused by the Greek financial crisis. #fiordilevante #levanteferries #ioniangroup #summer2015 #greece #ionian #zakynthos #kyllini #delfini #voutirakoscruises #dimosthenisk #topcruiser #ionianstar #tyrogalasferries #dionisiossolomos #zanteferries #tribute

As it was mentioned in the Piraeus Buildings blog post, Piraeus is Greece's main port and the biggest passenger port on the Mediterranean Sea. Everyday, ships of all kinds depart it in order to bring passengers and tourists to all the destinations of the Aegean Sea. Most people will usually recognise all the big and modern ferries that make long trips to the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, Kythira or the Northeast Aegean Sea Islands, or even the smaller ferries and hydrofoils that operate on the Saronic Gulf. But if you look closely to all ships that enter and leave the port, you will see very small passenger boats that make dozens of stops to Piraeus each day. These small ships are deployed from Piraeus to its closest island, Salamina. Because of the short distance, all of these ships make the Piraeus-Salamina line in just 20 or 45 minutes, depending on which port they stop to in Salamina. These ports are Paloukia, Kamatero and Selinia, the largest and the fifth and fourth largest ports, respectively. Salamina has been an important place for Greek shipping for almost 2500 years. The island is known for the very famous naval battle which occurred in 481 B.C. and which resulted in the Greeks removing the Persians from their territory. For the past centuries, the island has contributed a lot to shipbuilding for the Greeks, and it still operates a large number of shipyards and drydocks for ship refits and repairs even today. It is also very well connected with both Piraeus and Elefsina. However, Salamina is also a place (particularly in the Kynosoura port and in the Ambelakia Shipyard) where many ships are laid-up, abandoned and even partly submerged, which creates many difficulties for the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP), which manages the island. But going back to the ships operating in the Piraeus-Salamina line, these boats transport people working in Salamina daily, and tourists willing to visit the island, often during the high season. Because of their reliability, visitors can spend an entire day on the island and return to Athens on the same night. Service to and from Salamina is performed everyday, except for Sundays (including during the summer) and during holidays. Besides the service from Piraeus, Salamina also has a very reliable connection with Perama, both through small passenger boats (making the trip in barely five minutes) and especially through double-ended ferries. The Perama-Salamina line is considered to be the busiest one in the entire Greek coastal service, as ships depart from each port every five minutes between 05:00 and midnight everyday. But now it is time to focus on the Salamina-based boats which operate from Piraeus. The service has been present for more than 70 years. It began with small sailing boats owned by Salaminians, until the late 1960s, where wooden motor boats started service. They became extremely popular and were all known as the 'Koulouriotika', being named after Koulouri, which is another name by which the island of Salamina is known. These ships operated on the Piraeus-Salamina line as well as to other ports of the Saronic Gulf (notably Aegina, Agistri and Poros) over three decades, before they began to be phased out in the late 1990s. This was primarily due to them reaching an advanced age, all the while larger and faster boats were being built. Eventually, the number of ships declined from the late 1990s to the early 2010s (which decreased the service even further due to the Greek financial crisis), but it remains prominent and is still appreciated by passengers. Today, four ships operate on the line: the ELENA F of Elena F Shipping, the GEORGIOS BROUFAS and the GEORGIOS BROUFAS II of Broufas Vessels (also known as Neosalaminiaki), and the BOB SFOUGKARAKIS of Kavouris Shipping Company. The first three serve the ports of Kamatero and Paloukia, while the latter only stops by the port of Selinia. ELENA F: The small passenger boat ELENA F was built in Greece in 1998 for Elena F Shipping (owned by the Filiagkos family), as a replacement for her elder fleetmate, the DIMITRIOS F (a 'Koulouriotiko', which was retired from service) on the Piraeus-Salamina line. Her operations on the Piraeus-Salamina line consist of making stops in Kamatero and in Paloukia in just 45 minutes. Apart from her daily sailings in Salamina, the ship also made some one-day cruises in Spetses during the summers of 2011 and 2012. In 2013, she left the Piraeus-Salamina line to operate on the Sporades, being deployed on the Glyfa-Skiathos line. This turned out to be her only season on this line, as she returned the following year to operate on her original line, the Piraeus-Salamina line. She has also made successful summer cruises in the islands of Aegina and Agistri in 2012, 2014 and 2015. A ship previously owned by her company, formerly known as the ELENI F a name similar to that of the current ELENA F), still operates to date, as the IONIAN DOLPHIN of Mitsoulis Cruises, on the Syvota-Antipaxoi-Paxoi-Corfu line on the Ionian Sea. She operated on the Piraeus-Salamina line under Elena F Shipping from 1967 (at the same time as her sister ship, the DIMITRIOS F) to 1981, before she was sold to Panou Shipping. Under them, she operated as the MOSCHOS EXPRESS on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line until 2000, when she was sold to her current owners. The DIMITRIOS F has reportedly been removed from all registries since 2002. The ELENA F in Piraeus, before departing for Salamina. The ELENA F departing Piraeus for Kamatero and Paloukia in Salamina. GEORGIOS BROUFAS: The GEORGIOS BROUFAS was built in Greece in 1997 for her namesake owner, Broufas Vessels, for service on the Piraeus-Salamina line (serving the ports of Kamatero and Paloukia). In the summer, she makes a few crossings between Megalo Pefko (which is near Megara, located in the Elefsina Bay) and Salamina, though in this case she serves the port of Faneromeni. The GEORGIOS BROUFAS entering the port of Piraeus, seen from the BLUE STAR PATMOS of Blue Star Ferries. The GEORGIOS BROUFAS having just entered Piraeus. GEORGIOS BROUFAS II: The GEORGIOS BROUFAS II is the sister ship of the GEORGIOS BROUFAS and also belongs to her namesake owner, Broufas Vessels. She was built in Greece in 1998, one year after her sister ship, and she has since operated on the Piraeus-Salamina line (making stops in Kamatero and Paloukia). Like her sister ship, she also makes a few calls between Megalo Pefko and Salamina (in the port of Faneromeni) during the summer. The GEORGIOS BROUFAS II seen in Piraeus. The GEORGIOS BROUFAS II departing Piraeus for Kamatero, with the PHIVOS of Nova Ferries in the background. The GEORGIOS BROUFAS II leaving Piraeus in the morning, as seen from the PHIVOS. BOB SFOUGKARAKIS: The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS is the smallest ship that operates on a passenger line out of Piraeus. She was built in 2008 in Greece and she has since been deployed on the Piraeus-Salamina line (serving the port of Selinia), under the ownership of Kavouris Shipping Company. She makes each crossing in 20 minutes. She is the fastest ship connecting Piraeus with Salamina. In the winter the ship operates on the Perama-Salamina line, and she always returns to the Piraeus-Salamina line in April, and operates there until late October or late November (depending on the demand each year). Her name is the Greek translation of the name of the cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants, which was presumably given to her due to her small size and funky appearance. The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS having just entered Piraeus, arrives for docking to the E8 gate. The high speed craft MASTER JET of Sea Jets is seen in the background. The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS having arrived in in Piraeus. Her hull features yellow signs advertising the line on which she operates and the time it takes for the crossing, 20 minutes (the number 20 can be seen written in magenta colours). The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS docking in Piraeus, alongside the My Ways passenger ship ALEXANDROS and the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XVII of Hellenic Seaways. Many people would think these two ships are the smallest ones in Piraeus, but the BOB SFOUGKARAKIS is proving them that it is not the case. The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS leaving Piraeus immediately afterwards, passing by the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. The BOB SFOUGKARAKIS en route from Piraeus to Selinia in Salamina. Despite their small size and passenger capacity, these four ships play a vital part in the connection of two very important Greek shipping hubs, which are not that far from each other. They are very reliable and regularly available for service, either for tourists or for residents based in Salamina. #piraeus #salamina #summer2015 #greece #selinia #kamatero #paloukia #elenaf #elenafshipping #georgiosbroufas #georgiosbroufasii #broufasvessels #bobsfougkarakis #kavourisshippingcompany #phivos #novaferries #masterjet #seajets #alexandros #myways #flyingdolphinxvii #hellenicseaways

This Blog post marks the first of what I hope will be many within a new category called 'Greek Ships Abroad'. Indeed, since late February 2020, I moved to Cyprus for a five-month-long internship at the Limassol-based shipping company Intership Navigation. During that period, I was lucky enough to visit several well-known places in the island, such a Nicosia, Larnaca, the popular coastal villages of Protaras and Pissouri, as well as the port town of Paphos. I happened to go to the latter on 19 July 2020, alongside the family of my godson who was living in Cyprus as well. There, I happened to see a former Greek coastal service ship operating overseas for the first time in my life. That ship happened to be the passenger landing craft WAVE DANCER I of Wave Dance Shipping Company (also trading as Cyprus Sea Cruises), which was known to Greek waters as the MARGARITA of Margarita NE from 1962 until she headed to the neighbouring island in 2004. A view of the WAVE DANCER I in the port of Paphos, as she was seen resting in the port where her services are based for the past 16 years. Even before arriving in Cyprus, I had already heard about the WAVE DANCER I and her current operations. Indeed, her company deploys her on one-day cruises (quite an interesting service for a ship that was originally built as a ferry) around Paphos and the Akamas Peninsula (which is the Northwestern tip of Cyprus) via the Coral Bay, the Lara Bay and the Chrysochou Bay. In other words, she is deployed on the Paphos-Geronissos-Agios Georgios-Lara-Latsi line. In most of her classic cruises, she departs from Paphos' main port, usually stops in the middle of the Coral Bay in order to let passengers swim next to the rocky coast, then goes to the small island of Geronissos and also to the small village of Agios Georgios, before eventually heading to the beach of Lara (located in its eponymous bay), and sometimes until Latsi in the Chrysochou Bay, where the famous Blue Lagoon of Cyprus is located. Her cruises are extremely popular, as they are frequently the main highlight of countless foreign tourists coming to Paphos (especially British, Germans and Russians). She also performs some occasional family-based half-day cruises every Tuesday of July and August from Paphos to the Atlantida Bay (located at the Eastern coast of the town) where she just stops in order to let passengers take a quick dive there. She then also hosts night cruises to the same area for adults, providing beverages and music onboard. Moreover, she also serves well-known barbecue meals onboard throughout most of her cruises. The success of the ship in Cyprus is largely due to the impressive conversion that she underwent right upon arriving at the island in 2004. Indeed, her former open garage was completely covered and converted into a lounge area, with the top of the cover being transformed into an open deck area featuring several sun-beds and tables (when events are being held onboard), one dance floor area and one large bar, making her look like an actual tour boat such as the ones found in Greece. Despite the ship being almost 60 years old, this conversion makes her look far more modern and appealing to passengers, and this clearly shows why she has been so successful during her second career as a tour boat in Cyprus. The WAVE DANCER I seen performing a cruise in the Coral Bay. Picture taken in 2012 by Rob Renes and published on www.shipspotting.com. The WAVE DANCER I seen next to Paphos during the summer of 2015. Her impressive outdoor deck can be seen. She also uses her former ferry ramp as a diving spot for passengers willing to take a swim in the various bays she serves. Picture published on her company's Facebook page. The WAVE DANCER I seen doing a night cruise during the summer of 2012. Her original appearance as a Greek landing craft can clearly be seen, although her accommodation superstructure has been completely renovated. Her former open garage area has been fully covered by a closed deck, with the top being used by passengers for the ship's onboard activities. Picture published on her company's Facebook page. Now that some information about the ship and some photos of her current service have been provided, it is now a good moment to talk about the former ferry's history, including her 42 years in Greece. Indeed, she was ordered in 1960 by the then-newly-established company Margarita NE, which was owned by the Salamina-based shipowners Margarita Evangelodimou (after whom the company and the ship were named), Athina Papanikolaou and Athina Papadimitriou. She was completed in the Savvas Shipyards in Neo Ikonio in Greece in 1962, and she became one of the many landing craft built in the 1960s to join the well-known Perama-Salamina line. The latter was in full development, as it became one of the most effective ways for Salamina residents to commute to Athens. The MARGARITA would go on to spend more than three decades on that line, which continued to see a significant increase in landing craft which would go on to spend a significant portion of their careers there. Despite her longevity, there have been no pictures of her while operating in Greece available on the Internet. The MARGARITA continued to operate on the Perama-Salamina line until 1997, when she reached the then-mandatory 35-year age limit for landing craft operating on passenger services, and she thus continued service for Margarita NE as a Ro-Ro carrier on the Aegean Sea. Her actual services and the line on which she was deployed are unknown, although it is quite possible that she was using Elefsina or Aspropyrgos as her base port. In order to replace her service in Salamina, the company built a new landing craft, the MARGARITA II, which was completed in 1999 in Greece and was deployed on the Perama-Salamina line. After spending approximately seven years as a Ro-Ro carrier transporting dangerous goods across the Aegean Sea, the MARGARITA was sold to the Cypriot company Wave Dance Shipping Company, was renamed WAVE DANCER I, and departed Greece for the first time at the age of 42. She changed her port of registry from Piraeus to Limassol (and hence her flag from Greece to Cyprus), and underwent the impressive conversion which transformed her into a one-day tour boat. Ever since then, she has been operating on the aforementioned cruises based in Paphos. Her successor, the MARGARITA II, continued to operate on the Perama-Salamina line for two more years, until it became clear that, due to the increasing arrival of newly-built double-ended ferries in the area, landing craft were now becoming less useful. As such, following the completion of the 2006 season, she was sold to the Greek company ANEM Ferries, for whom she began service as the OLYMPIOS ZEUS. She has since been deployed on the Western Kos-Kalymnos line on the Dodecanese, departing from the port of Mastichari. With her sale to her current owners, Margarita NE ceased operations after 44 years of service which saw them operating two landing craft. The MARGARITA II, the successor of the MARGARITA, seen heading from Perama to Salamina in 2006, in what was her last season on the line and under Margarita NE, as she was then sold to ANEM Ferries later that year. She has since been operating as the OLYMPIOS ZEUS on the Western Kos-Kalymnos line on the Dodecanese. Picture published on www.shipfriends.gr. Now that all the available history of the ship and that of her former company have been revealed, it is the time for me to show all the pictures I was able to take of the ship while she was docked in Paphos on 19 July 2020. She was seemingly seen having a rest at her departure port, probably hosting a night event later on that day. The bow of the WAVE DANCER I, which looks like a typical Greek landing craft. The Cypriot flag can be seen at the top of her foremast. A view of the WAVE DANCER I, showing her name printed on a wooden plate on both sides of her bow. The staircase seen at the right, behind her ramp, leads passengers to the upper outdoor deck. Another view of the bow of the WAVE DANCER I while she is resting in Paphos. Another overview of the bow of the WAVE DANCER I. The logo of the owners of the WAVE DANCER I, Wave Dance Shipping Company, printed on the wooden garage ramp of the ship. A better view of the WAVE DANCER I as she is seen from the top of the Paphos Castle Her stern was also considerably converted, as a section of it has a hull made out of wood, in contrast to the rest of her accommodation superstructure. The WAVE DANCER I seen from the top of the Paphos Castle, resting in her home port. One last view of the WAVE DANCER I from the top of the Paphos Castle, as we then left the city in order to head back to Limassol. This very nice trip to Paphos was very meaningful as it allowed to see a former Greek coastal service ship overseas for the first time in my life. It was indeed a very old ferry which spent many years in Salamina before finding a new home in Paphos. Despite her advanced age, as she is nearing six decades of service, her successful conversion (whose type is rarely found amongst former landing craft) has made her a very impressive tour boat, and her services have been extremely popular and acclaimed by tourists heading to the Western part of Cyprus. This success is likely to carry on for many years to come, as her customer base is far from disappearing any time soon, unless a new ship joins the fleet of Wave Dance Shipping Company in the near future. #wavedanceri #wavedanceshippingcompany #cyprusseacruises #margarita #margaritane #akamas #coralbay #larabay #chrysochoubay #paphos #geronissos #agiosgeorgios #lara #latsi #cyprus #greece #greekshipsabroad

Zakynthos has been, as you now know, one of the two Greek islands in which I go to every summer with my family. It is among the most popular islands on the Ionian Sea along with Kefalonia, Lefkada or Corfu, and is on average the fourth most visited Greek island during the summer. Zakynthos is known for its popular crystal blue beaches (and notably the famous Navagion Beach), water caves, the traditional music called 'cantades', for the famous Greek poets Dionisios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos (with two Zante Ferries ships bearing their names) and for its patron Saint, Agios Dionisios, whose namesake church decorates the island's beautiful and lively port. Also, with a variety of restaurants, hotels, clubs and amusement parks that are compliant to both Greek and foreign tourists, Zakynthos surely offers many options for the latter to explore and to enjoy time on the island. There is, however, another popular touristic activity that is being held daily during the high summer season (from late May to late September) and which involves one of my biggest passions: the Greek coastal service. Indeed, it is frequent for tourists to do a day-long trip around the entire island with small passenger boats, which offers them the chance to explore the blue caves, the Navagion Beach, the small island of Marathonisi (known as the 'Turtle Island' and located near the beach of Laganas, itself located in the Southern part of Zakynthos), or, on some occasions, other Ionian Islands such as Kefalonia, Ithaca or Lefkada. In 2016, there was a total of nine small tour boats making such trips, only six of which I was able to capture and to take pictures. All of them are extremely modern and reliable, have large passenger capacities and provide comfortable accommodation and entertainment throughout their respective trips. This blog post is dedicated to these six ships, whose historical information is already mentioned in the site's Gallery section, but I will provide a bit more information regarding their companies and their services. The ships are: the DELFINI and the MENIA MARIA I of Voutirakos Cruises, the DIMOSTHENIS and the DIMOSTHENIS K of Top Cruiser, the IKAROS PALACE of Seven Islands Cruises and the ANNOULA II of TUI Zakynthos. DELFINI: The tour boat DELFINI was built in 2001 in Greece, for Zakynthos-based company Voutirakos Cruises, which operates daily cruises around Zakynthos and in small neighbouring islands. She replaced her older fleetmate, also named DELFINI (from which her hull was actually built), and entered service in her company's one-day cruises around Zakynthos, while also making some stops in Marathonisi. She is the flagship of Voutirakos Cruises, and her amenities include outdoor bars and water slides (which she acquired in 2010). She is actually the only Zakynthos tour boat on which I have traveled. Indeed, I had done an around-the-island trip with her back in 2009 with my family, while also stopping at Marathonisi for half-an-hour. The beautiful red-hulled DELFINI preparing to enter the port of Zakynthos, having completed her daily around-the-island cruise. The DELFINI preparing to enter the port of Zakynthos. The DELFINI having just entered the port of Zakynthos. Unlike the other tour boats, she and her fleetmates dock in the main port pier (where the ferries also dock), in contrast to a smaller pier, located in the Eastern section of the port, where all other tour boats depart for their respective cruises. The DELFINI having just entered the port of Zakynthos and heading for the Voutirakos Cruises docking area. The DELFINI seen from my hotel in Argassi, returning to the port of Zakynthos after an around-the-island cruise. MENIA MARIA I: By far the most original ship of the tour boat lineup, the pirate-themed cruise ship MENIA MARIA I was built in Greece in 2002, for the company Athos Cruises, for service on the Ormos Panagias-Agion Oros line. She stayed there until 2011, the year during which she was sold to Zakynthos-based company Voutirakos Cruises. She has since been operating on daily cruises around the island of Zakynthos, while also making some crossings to the island of Marathonisi, and sometimes in Kefalonia. She also serves as a floating restaurant and bar during evenings. All her cruises are pirate-themed, which makes her quite an impressive ship in the region. Though she seems to be coming from three centuries ago, the ship is extremely modern and is an excellent option for tourists who want to have an entertaining cruise, combining both the past (as Zakynthos was known to be a popular place among Turkish and Venetian pirates back in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries) and the present. Two similar ships exist in Greek waters, both of whom also bore the name MENIA MARIA and operate or have operated for Athos Cruises. Indeed, the MENIA MARIA III still operates under Athos Cruises (the original company of all three MENIA MARIAs) on the Ormos Panagias-Agion Oros line, while the ex-MENIA MARIA II operates for the company Cretan Daily Cruises under the name BLACK PEARL on the Chania-Almyrida-Marathi-Loutraki line, as part of cruises around the Cretan Souda Bay since 2010. Furthermore, another ship named MENIA MARIA operated for Athos Cruises from 1997 to 2004, even though she was regular passenger boat and not a pirate-themed cruise ship. Today she operates as the PORTO GRAMVOUSA for Cretan Daily Cruises on the Kissamos-Gramvousa-Balos line. The MENIA MARIA I in the port of Zakynthos, in the departure point of all Voutirakos Cruises ships. The MENIA MARIA I seen in the port of Zakynthos. Voutirakos Cruises is a company owned by the Voutirakos family, and has operated cruises around Zakynthos since 1987. Indeed, 2016 marked the company's thirtieth season on the Ionian Sea. Apart from the DELFINI and the MENIA MARIA I, it also owns the small passenger raft SETI (built in 1996), and the much modern small high speed craft STAVROULA V and ATHANASIOS V, built in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Both high speed ships are very similar to the passenger boats owned by Dakoutros Speed or by the Santorini Boatmen Union in Santorini, although I was unfortunately unable to find them in order to take pictures of them. The DELFINI preparing to join her Voutirakos Cruises fleetmate MENIA MARIA I in the port of Zakynthos. The two largest ships of Voutirakos Cruises, the MENIA MARIA I and the DELFINI, seen together in the port of Zakynthos, shortly before their morning departures for their respective cruises. The MENIA MARIA I and the DELFINI, two completely different ships, together in the port of Zakynthos. DIMOSTHENIS K: The largest passenger boat in Zakynthos, the DIMOSTHENIS K was built in Greece in 1994, as the first ship for newly-established Zakynthos-based tour company Top Cruiser. She was the first tour boat on the island to feature three passenger decks, a yacht-like appearance, as well as a swimming pool. The ship has been the flagship of Top Cruiser ever since her delivery, and mainly competes against the DELFINI. She operates tours and daily cruises around Zakynthos, while also occasionally making stops in the small island of Marathonisi. The DIMOSTHENIS K seen from my hotel in Argassi, heading towards the Eastern Zakynthos beaches during an afternoon cruise. The DIMOSTHENIS K in the passenger tour boat pier in the port of Zakynthos. DIMOSTHENIS: Though her name is confusing as it is shared with that of her older fleetmate, the DIMOSTHENIS is still a distinguishable ship in Zakynthos. She was built in 1999 in Greece for company Top Cruiser, five years after the delivery of her fleetmate, the DIMOSTHENIS K. The ship operates daily cruises around Zakynthos, while also occasionally making stops in Marathonisi. The beautiful DIMOSTHENIS seen from my hotel in Argassi, on her way back to the port of Zakynthos after having performed a cruise around the island. The DIMOSTHENIS leaving the port of Zakynthos for a morning cruise. The DIMOSTHENIS having just exited the port of Zakynthos in order to start her morning cruise around the island and to Marathonisi. The two ships of Top Cruiser, the similarly named DIMOSTHENIS and DIMOSTHENIS K, together in Zakynthos. The Top Cruiser ships, the DIMOSTHENIS and the DIMOSTHENIS K, together in Zakynthos. On the right of the DIMOSTHENIS K (the ship with the blue hull) is the ship PANAGIA ATHONITISSA of the now-defunct Actipis Cruises, which has ceased operations due to economic difficulties since 2011. IKAROS PALACE: The small tour boat IKAROS PALACE was built in Greece in 1999 as the IKAROS for the Petychakis family. She was deployed on the Kefalonia-Ithaca-Skorpios-Meganisi-Lefkada line as a daily cruise boat. She was transferred to Seven Islands Cruises in 2003, and in 2004 she was renamed IKAROS PALACE. Following the delivery of her new fleetmate, the MAKEDONIA PALACE, in 2007, the IKAROS PALACE was transferred to Zakynthos. She has since been operating as a tour boat, making trips around the entire island while also stopping by the small island of Marathonisi She is the fastest tour boat of her kind (tour yacht) on the Ionian Sea. Though she underwent the same naming process as the similarly-named former Minoan Lines ferry IKARUS PALACE (now operating as the CRUISE SMERALDA for Italian giants Grimaldi Lines), which spent the first years of her career under the name IAKRUS (as the passenger boat began her career under the name IKAROS), the two ships have no relation nor connection within their companies. Her younger fleetmate, the MAKEDONIA PALACE, is currently undergoing a major conversion in Perama, in which she has been lengthened and has acquired a new bow. Her main competitor, the EPTANISOS of the Kefalonia-based Kontogiorgis Cruises (operating on the same line as the MAKEDONIA PALACE) is also undergoing the exact same conversion. The IKAROS PALACE leaving the port of Zakynthos for an afternoon cruise. The fast IKAROS PALACE of Seven Islands Cruises leaving Zakynthos for an afternoon cruise around the island. Her hull features the word 'VIP', which is a reference to her occasional VIP cruises. The beautiful and fast IKAROS PALACE leaving the port of Zakynthos. The IKAROS PALACE resting in the port of Zakynthos, in the passenger boat pier. ANNOULA II: The small passenger tour boat ANNOULA II was built in Greece in 1992, after a two-year delay in her construction. She is a sister ship of the ELENA F of Elena F Shipping (which operates on the Piraeus-Salamina line), although their designs differ largely. Ever since her delivery, she has been operating during the summer in Zakynthos, operating in daily cruises around the island and to the islet of Marathonisi. She was extensively refitted in 1995, increasing her passenger capacity by 70%. In 2009 the ship was preparing to operate on the Piraeus-Salamina line, but this eventually did not happen and the ship remained in her daily Zakynthos summer service. The ANNOULA II resting in the port of Zakynthos, having completed her morning around-the-island cruise. The ANNOULA II seen from my hotel in Argassi, as she leaves the port of Zakynthos in order to perform a cruise around the island and to Marathonisi. The ANNOULA II resting in the port of Zakynthos. Just like the Salamina passenger boats, despite their small size, these ships play an extremely important role in providing tourists an unforgettable experience when they discover the entirety of the island as well as its most popular locations. Some of them occasionally provide a touristic connection of Zakynthos with other Ionian Islands as well, something which is rarely being performed by ferries, except for the ones arriving from Italian ports such as Bari and Brindisi. #zakynthos #tourboat #summer2016 #greece #ionian #marathonisi #delfini #meniamariai #voutirakoscruises #dimosthenisk #dimosthenis #topcruiser #ikarospalace #sevenislandscruises #annoulaii #tuizakynthos

Trip: 14 August 2020. From Megara to Salamina, with the AIANTAS of Aiantas Ferries Company. The landing craft AIANTAS was built in 1999 in Greece for the Salamina-based company Aiantas Ferries Company. She was one of two sister ships, with the other one (also built in 1999) being the MARGARITA II of Margarita NE (currently the OLYMPIOS ZEUS of ANEM Ferries). She was deployed on the Megara-Salamina line, where she would usually operate during the summer, while also serving the Perama-Salamina line (where the MARGARITA II was also operating prior to her sale to ANEM Ferries) during other moments of the year. In 2009 she was deployed on the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line, hence connecting mainland Greece with Evoia via the North Evoian Gulf. In 2010 she moved to another service on that same gulf, as she was inserted on the Agios Konstantinos-Agios Georgios Lichados line, which she served for three seasons. In 2013 she returned on a full-time basis to the Megara-Salamina line, where she has since been remaining. Overall, the AIANTAS rightfully justifies her namesake, who was the legendary King of Salamina in Homer's Iliad. Indeed, she has spent the bulk of her career operating on the Megara-Salamina line, operating there in all but four seasons so far. Despite only being 21 years old, she is the most experienced ship on this short line, which helps connect the Western section of Salamina with Megara (located between Athens and Corinth, and next to Elefsina and Agioi Theodoroi) via the Megara Gulf, which is the Northern section of the Saronic Gulf. She therefore a valuable ship for the island of Salamina, and she has also been praised for providing reliable service almost all year long, with very few absences. She also had a good spell on the North Evoian Gulf during her four seasons there, although her owners preferred to keep her in her preferred home base in Salamina. As you saw it in the previous Blog post, I headed from Salamina to Megara for the first time with the PANTANASSA of Pantanassa NE. After having seen the port of Megara, it was now the time for me to head back to Salamina in order to return to the port of Paloukia. Coicidentally, the ship that was waiting for me at the port was the AIANTAS. As a result, this was my first time traveling with her, as well as my second crossing on the Megara-Salamina line. Moreover, it was my second trip of the day to Salamina, as I had previously arrived there from Piraeus with the small passenger boat GEORGIOS BROUFAS of Broufas Vessels. A view of the AIANTAS, right after she had arrived in Megara from the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. The AIANTAS seen in Megara, in what was her eighteenth season on the Megara-Salamina line, as well as her eighth consecutive summer on the line. The AIANTAS docked in Megara, whose port is also known as Pachi. She has so far been the only ship to operate for Aiantas Ferries Company. I boarded the AIANTAS as soon as she had finished unloading her previous passengers. Unlike the PANTANASSA, the AIANTAS looks like a standard Greek landing craft, with her accommodation superstructure and her bridge being located near her stern. The rest of her hull is her open garage, which stretches until her bow and her ramp. Her name is written right below her bridge, in an Ancient Greek character font. As it is the case with most landing craft, the AIANTAS has side alleys that lead passengers from the entrance to the accommodation superstructure. Here is a view from the starboard side alley. Just like the PANTANASSA, the AIANTAS has three decks. The first one, the lower deck, includes the garage and the engine room. The middle deck has the ship's bridge and indoor lounge area, while the upper deck is an open deck that has many outdoor seats. Here is a view of the starboard side alley located right next to the indoor lounge area. A view of the ship's indoor lounge area. It includes multiple dark blue lounges attached to the walls or on metallic columns, as well as a few tables. There is also a small bar in the middle section of the lounge area. Another view of the ship's indoor lounge area. Inside the lounge area, I saw a picture frame showing the ship in her original livery, back when she was simply fully painted in white, like most landing craft. She only changed her livery for the first time in 2017, when her hull was fully painted in dark blue and was also featuring the initials of Aiantas Ferries Company. She reverted to her current livery in 2019. A view of one of the doors leading to the indoor lounge area. While its base is made out of wood, the middle features a glass window, on which a portrait of the legendary King Aiantas (after whom the ship is named) can be seen alongside the ship's name. Aiantas, also called Aias in Greek and Ajax in foreign literature, was the King of Salamina who was said to have fought alongside the Greeks during the Trojan War. A staircase on the ship's port side, which leads passengers from the middle deck to the upper deck. A view of the outdoor area on the middle deck, which features the ship's main lifeboat. A view of the upper deck, which features a wide open deck area and the ship's funnel. One can spot several dark blue benches, aligned one behind the other. At approximately 14:15, the AIANTAS departed the port of Megara in order to head towards Salamina. Just like the PANTANASSA, she makes the trip in just five minutes. As a result, passenger barely have the time to take a seat and already find themselves at destination in just a few minutes. Despite this being a short service, it is essential for the regular connection of Salamina with Megara and the nearby towns. Due to the short distance separating Salamina from Megara, I could clearly spot the port of Faneromeni. There, I saw the other two landing craft operating on the Megara-Salamina line. The first one was the PANTANASSA of Pantanassa NE, which was maneuvering in order to leave Salamina. The second one was the landing craft ALKYON II of Farmakoris-Villiotis NE. The PANTANASSA seen maneuvering in order to leave Salamina. She was the ship on which I had traveled almost an hour before my trip with the AIANTAS. The PANTANASSA seen maneuvering in order to head towards Megara. Built in 1990 and owned by Pantanassa NE since 2007, she was spending her debut season on the Megara-Salamina line. The PANTANASSA almost completing her maneuvering procedure in order to begin heading towards Megara. The PANTANASSA having completed her maneuvering procedure and now seen heading towards Megara. A view of the PANTANASSA as she heads towards Megara. She was built in 1990 in Greece, as the PREVEZA for the Municipality of Preveza, for service on the Preveza-Aktion line on the Ambracian Gulf. She operated there until 2002, when the service between both ports she was serving was discontinued following the completion of the construction of an undersea road tunnel. That year she was deployed on the Rion-Antirrion line. She then moved to the Kefalonia-Ithaca-Lefkada line on the Ionian Sea in 2003, where she remained for one season. She then returned to the Rion-Antirrion line in 2004. In 2007 she was sold to newly-established company Pantassa NE, and was renamed PANTANASSA. She underwent a major conversion in Salamina, during which she was lengthened, her bridge was moved forward, an upper deck was added, her bow was completely modified and her engines were replaced. She then entered service on the Igoumenitsa-Corfu line on the Ionian Sea, where she operated for three seasons. In 2010 she returned to the Rion-Antirrion line, which she served over the the next 10 years, before being inserted on the Megara-Salamina line in 2020. A view of the ALKYON II as she was seen in Salamina. Built in 2018 in Greece, she was spending her second season on the Megara-Salamina line. It was also her first one since 2018, as she was on the Pounta-Elafonisos line in 2019. During that summer, she operated under the Elafonisos Ferry joint venture alongside NE Elafonisou. A view of the ALKYON II. She is one of the four ships owned by Farmakoris-Villiotis NE, with all of them having been built in 2017 and 2018. She has a sister ship, the AKLYON, which was also built in 2018. In fact, both ships operated together on the Megara-Salamina line during their debut summer in 2018. The ALKYON then moved to the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line on the North Evoian Gulf in late 2018, which is where the AIANTAS had also operated during the summer of 2009. As a result of this move, the ALKYON was lengthened in Perama in early 2019, thus increasing her passenger and vehicle capacity. The ALKYON II seen in Salamina. She is currently the youngest ship operating on the Megara-Salamina line. A view of the small ALKYON II, during her second season on the Megara-Salamina line. A view of one of the two small funnels of the ALKYON II. It features her company's logo, which appears to be a yellow circle by which a yellow stripe passes by, while having a red background. A view of the ALKYON II as the AIANTAS begins to dock next to her in Salamina. Her other two fleetmates are the double-ended ferries CHRYSA (built in 2017) and ORION III (built in 2018). The latter replaced her in 2019 on the Megara-Salamina line, before she returned to the Perama-Salamina line, where she had spent her debut season in 2018, this summer. The ALKYON II docked in Salamina. At 14:20, the AIANTAS had arrived and docked in the port of Faneromeni in Salamina. Here is a last view of the ship shorty after I had disembarked her. My trip therefore came to end. This marked the end of my time traveling along the Megara-Salamina line. I was very happy to make the return trip to Salamina with the AIANTAS, which is a very reliable landing craft and imposes her presence on the small service on which she has operated for the largest part of her career. It was an enjoyable way to finish the third main part of that very eventful day, during which I saw so many ships, including some for the first time. #aiantas #aiantasferriescompany #summer2020 #greece #megaragulf #saronicgulf #aegean #megara #pachi #salamina #faneromeni #pantanassa #pantanassane #alkyonii #farmakorisvilliotisne #tribute

Trip: 8 September 2020. From Koufonisi to Naxos, via Schoinousa and Irakleia, with the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS of Small Cyclades Lines. The legendary small ferry EXPRESS SKOPELITIS, known as the 'Little Hero of the Lesser Cyclades Islands', was built in 1986 in Greece, as the ERESSOS II of Baïraktaris Shipping. The latter had started service back in 1981, back when they deployed the newly-built passenger ship ERESSOS on the Mytilene-Ayvalık line, which connects Greece with Turkey via the Northeast Aegean Sea and the Mytilene Strait. Five years later, they doubled their services on the line by introducing the ERESSOS II. In 1998, the company ceased operations, selling the ERESSOS to the Mykonos-based company Delos Tours (for whom she has since been sailing as the MARGARITA CH), while the ERESSOS II was sold to Amorgos-based company Small Cyclades Lines, owned by the Skopelitis family. She was renamed EXPRESS SKOPELITIS and was deployed on the Naxos-Irakleia-Schoinousa-Koufinisi-Donousa-Amorgos-Ios-Santorini line, replacing the older ship SKOPELITIS, which was retired. She has remained on this service ever since. For over two decades, the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS has been one of the most appreciated and acclaimed ferries of the Cyclades. She has been the main source of transportation for the Lesser Cyclades residents, and she plays a vital role in maintaining the daily connection of all islands between them. Notably, she has been praised for being the main supplier of goods and for never leaving the passengers of all these small islands behind. She sails throughout the entire year, including during the demanding (in terms of weather) winter season, and only misses 20 days per year, during which she performs her annual refit in Salamina in order to return fully-upgraded and in anticipation of the summer season. The Skopelitis family has widely been venerated by the residents of Irakleia, Schoinousa, Koufonisi and Donousa for providing constant and professional service for so many decades. They were notably honoured for their contribution to the Greek coastal service by winning the prestigious 'Passenger Line of the Year' award given by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards in 2013. But even such an award is not enough to define the importance of this ferry on the Lesser Cyclades. She symbolises the tradition and warmth of the Lesser Cyclades residents, and their connection with the rest of Greece through larger Cyclades islands like Naxos and Amorgos. She operates daily on the Lesser Cyclades, with the only other ship supporting her being the much larger BLUE STAR NAXOS of Blue Star Ferries which sails from Piraeus. She only serves Ios and Santorini during the summer, whereas all the other islands are served throughout the entire year. A view of the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS in Naxos, just five days before I traveled onboard her for the first time ever. Having a trip onboard the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS was a lifelong dream which became a reality on 8 September 2020. Indeed, just five days earlier, I went to Koufonisi for the first time alongside my two best friends from my university, by traveling onboard the BLUE STAR NAXOS. After visiting this precious island for five days, it was the time for us to head back to Piraeus. As the BLUE STAR NAXOS had shifted to her winter season schedule, the timetables did not satisfy our needs, and therefore we decided to make our return to Piraeus under two trips: the first one would be from Koufonisi to Naxos with the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS, and the second one would be from Naxos to Piraeus with the BLUE STAR DELOS of Blue Star Ferries. Thus, I would now be able to experience a trip onboard this unique ferry, as she would sail from Koufonisi to Naxos via Schoinousa and Irakleia. This was obviously my first-ever trip between the Lesser Cyclades, and my fourth-ever inter-Cyclades trip. A view of the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS in the port of Koufonisi, just before we embarked onboard her. As it was in the early morning, the sunlight clearly imposed itself over the ship. A view of the small garage of the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS, which is able to transport many vehicles that travel along the Lesser Cyclades on a daily basis. It is also said that sometimes donkeys travel onboard the ship, something which you rarely find in a ferry! On top of the door leading to the indoor deck of the ship is the company's logo. The 'S' serves as the initial for the Skopelitis family. The EXPRESS SKOPELITIS has three main decks. The bottom deck is for the garage and the indoor area, whereas the middle deck features the ship's outdoor alleys, sun decks, bar, as well as the bridge. The upper deck is an open deck featuring seats for passengers. Here is the port side outdoor alley in the middle deck, which leads from the ship's stern to the front section. On the left side is one of her two funnels. A view of the outdoor sun deck located in the front section of the ship. It features many white benches looking towards the wooden door located right behind the ship's bridge. It serves as the small room leading from the indoor area of the bottom deck to the outdoor area of the middle deck. A view of the starboard side in the middle deck, which features some benches as well as some lifeboats. One of the most distinguishable features of the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS: the open deck located in the upper deck. It is a small area, but it features several chairs that enable passengers to have a large view on the Cyclades. In front of the open deck is the ship's foremast. At around 08:40 we left Koufonisi in order to head towards Naxos. The Greek flag seen sailing proudly over the stern of the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS. After just 40 minutes, the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS had arrived in Schoinousa, which was the first port at which we stopped following our departure from Koufonisi. A view of the small port of Schoinousa, an island which has hugely benefitted from the services offered by the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS. After just 10 minutes, the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS was already in Irakleia. It is noteworthy to state that the distance between Irakleia and Schoinousa is one of the shortest on the Cyclades. This was the last island of the Lesser Cyclades in which the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS docked, before heading towards her final destination: Naxos. For the next two hours, the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS was heading towards Naxos, where she would be resting before making her return trip to Amorgos via the Lesser Cyclades. On the way to Naxos, we passed by the small passenger sailing boat IASON of Cycladic Cruises. Built in 1997, she has been owned by Cycladic Cruises since 2007. She has spent her entire career on the Naxos-Paros line, although the 2020 season saw her operating on the Naxos-Paros-Koufonisi line for the first time. Her fleetmate is perhaps more famous. Indeed, it is the small high speed catamaran ALEXANDER, which operates on the Naxos-Paros-Delos-Mykonos-Irakleia-Koufonisi-Ios-Santorini line. A few moments later, I saw another small passenger boat, namely the small high speed boat KYRIARCHOS II of Kerras Cruises. She was built in 2011, and was the second ship to be delivered to Kerras Cruises, following the KYRIARCHOS. She operates on the Naxos-Irakleia-Schoinousa-Koufonisi line, operating in small cruises and private trips. She additionally sails around different parts of Naxos, including between the port and the famous beach of Agia Anna. A view of the KYRIARCHOS II, as she is seen sailing on the Cyclades after having left the port of Naxos. Another view of the KYRIARCHOS II, in what was her tenth summer under Kerras Cruises. At around 11:10, hence two-and-a-half hours after having left Koufonisi, the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS had arrived in Naxos, thus completing her morning service along the Lesser Cyclades. Next to her, I spotted the high speed catamaran SEA JET 2 of Sea Jets departing the port. As the SEA JET 2 was leaving, her fleetmate, the WORLDCHAMPION JET, was seen arriving in Naxos as well. A view of the SEA JET 2 as she is seen leaving Naxos, while the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS carries-out her maneuvering procedure. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen arriving in Naxos. Built in 2000 and owned by Sea Jets since 2018, she was spending her second summer under the latter. After a massively successful first season on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line, the high speed ferry was spending her second summer on the Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. The SEA JET 2 seen leaving Naxos, while the WORLDCHAMPION JET prepares to dock. The WORLDCHAMPION JET preparing to undergo her maneuvering procedure in Naxos. In addition to becoming the fastest ferry in the Greek coastal service, she also won the prestigious 'Ship of the Year' award given by Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards for the year 2019. This was the same organisation which had rewarded Small Cyclades Lines back in 2013. A view of the WORLDCHAMPION JET as she is about to undergo her maneuvering procedure. The WORLDCHAMPION JET seen docking in Naxos. In the meantime, the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS had also docked. A view of the EXPRESS SKOPELITIS in the port of Naxos, shortly after we had disembarked. As such, the first part of our trip from Koufonisi to Piraeus had ended, following our arrival in Naxos. I was fortunate enough to have done it with such a unique ferry, which is the much-acclaimed local ferry of the Lesser Cyclades. The EXPRESS SKOPELITIS might no longer be one of the youngest ferries in Greece, but she certainly provides a demanding service that few ships in the Greek coastal service are able to perform. She is a vital part of these small yet beautiful islands, and she never misses a single port while performing her long itinerary. I was impressed with her outdoor amenities, and was very happy to had finally experienced them in-person, after having only known them previously through pictures and videos. Her crew, the true heroes of the Lesser Cyclades, continues to maintain her up to the highest standards, and this will certainly continue to be the case for many years to come. I will remember this trip forever, as I was able to witness history and tradition within two-and-a-half hours. #expressskopelitis #smallcycladeslines #summer2020 #greece #cyclades #aegean #koufonisi #schoinousa #irakleia #naxos #iason #cycladiccruises #kyriarchosii #kerrascruises #seajet2 #worldchampionjet #seajets #tribute

Trip: 28 July 2019. From Piraeus to Spetses, via Poros, Hydra and Ermioni, with the FLYINGCAT 3 of Hellenic Seaways. The high speed craft FLYINGCAT 3 was built in the United Kingdom in 1998, as the ATHINA 2004 for the Greek company Goutos Lines, becoming one of the many high speed catamarans to enter the Greek coastal service in the late 1990s. She became the first high speed craft of her company, which has been present on the Cyclades since 1981. She operated on the Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos-Paros line, where she immediately became one of the most notable ships of the Cyclades. She was renamed SUPERCAT ATHINA for the 1999 season, due to the International Olympic Committee forbidding ships to be named after someone or something related to the Olympic Games. After two seasons with Goutos Lines, she was bought by Minoan Flying Dolphins in 2000, as part of the massive transitional period which saw many traditional companies selling their ships to the new operator, which sought to have the largest market share on the Aegean Sea. As a result, Goutos Lines sold all their ships, with the exception of the MIRINA EXPRESS (built in 1991 and operated by the company until 2008), which was still operating on the Lavrion-Kea-Kythnos line (she is now known as the DONA CÂNDIDA of Equatorial Guinean company Viteoca GESL). She was renamed FLYINGCAT 3, as she joined the new 'Flyingcat' brandname which consisted of the passenger-only high speed catamarans, which operated under the core Minoan Flying Dolphins division. She resumed her service on the Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos-Paros line, while in 2003 she notably operated on the Rafina-Mykonos-Tinos-Syros-Kythnos-Kea-Lavrion line. Minoan Flying Dolphins were renamed Hellas Flying Dolphins in 2002. In 2004, she replaced her fleetmate, the FLYINGCAT 4, on the Agios Konstantinos-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos-Thessaloniki line, thus operating on the Sporades for the first time in her career. Her company became Hellenic Seaways in 2005, and she continued to work on the Sporades that year, as well as the next one, 2006 (where she was forced to miss a part of that year's summer season due to a major engine failure). In 2007 she returned to the Cyclades and was successfully deployed on the Piraeus-Sifnos-Folegandros-Santorini-Amorgos-Naxos-Paros-Syros line, before she was transferred to the Piraeus-Kythnos-Sifnos-Folegandros-Amorgos-Ios-Santorini line the following year. In 2009 she was deployed on the Rafina-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. In 2010 she was deployed on a new inter-Cyclades service introduced by her company, operating on the Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos-Paros-Ios-Santorini line. In 2011 she returned to her previous base, Rafina, operating on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos-Ios-Santorini-Koufonisi-Amorgos line, while in 2012, she operated on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. That summer, however, she suffered a major engine failure, causing her to miss the entire 2013 season, but she returned to service in the following year, being deployed on the Western Cyclades, on the Piraeus-Sifnos-Milos-Kimolos-Folegandros line. In 2015 she was deployed on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Koufonisi line, while also making additional trips on the Piraeus-Hydra-Spetses line on the Saronic Gulf. She was deployed full-time in that region in 2016, operating on the Piraeus-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Speteses-Porto Cheli line, whereupon she replaced the elder FLYINGCAT 1 which had been sold to Turkish company Bursa Deniz Otobüsleri that same year. She has since been operating there. With more than two decades of service in Greece, the FLYINGCAT 3 has been one of the most reliable ships of her company. Despite suffering some occasional engine troubles, she has been praised for her efficient speed and for her versatility, as she has been able to operate on any line on the Cyclades, as well as on the Sporades and later on the Saronic Gulf. This is something that only her fleetmate, the resembling but larger FLYINGCAT 4 can do as well. Furthermore, the FLYINGCAT 3 is notable for having recorded the fastest-ever crossing made by a catamaran in Greece to date, having once reached a speed of 52 knots! Just a day after having visited the port of Piraeus in the early morning and having traveled to Agistri, I decided to then continue my Saronic Gulf tour by going to the island of Spetses during the first half of day of 28 July 2019. By going to the latter island, this meant that I would have officially been to all the main islands of the Saronic Gulf, as I had already been to Aegina, Agistri, Salamina, Poros and Hydra in the past. I would then spend the afternoon in Salamina in order to see multiple ships operating in that island. Hence, the fastest and most convenient way to reach the island of Spetses was to travel with a high speed craft of Hellenic Seaways, and the ship happening to leave during the early morning was the FLYINGCAT 3. Therefore, I traveled onboard her for the first time in my life, while also traveling onboard a passenger-only high speed catamaran for the first time in my life as well. It was also my first trip from Piraeus to Spetses, my first-ever trip on the Saronic Gulf with a Hellenic Seaways high speed craft other than the company's hydrofoils, my first-ever trip with a ship of the 'Flyingcat' brandname, and the fifth Hellenic Seaways high speed craft on which I ever traveled. The fantastic FLYINGCAT 3 seen about to depart Piraeus, just a day before my trip with her. The FLYINGCAT 3 seen docked in Piraeus, just a few minutes before my trip with her. Next to where I was standing, I spotted the small passenger boat AGIA MARINA AEGINIS of ANES Ferries, which was spending her first summer under the latter. She also operated on the Piraeus-Northern Aegina-Hydra line for the first time in 2019. She has been connecting Piraeus with Northern Aegina (reaching the ports of Souvala and Agia Marina) since 2008. Built in 2000, she operated as the ALEXANDROS for Alexandros Shipping (2000-2015) and my WAYS (2015-2016), before being sold to Evoïkos Lines in 2016 and being renamed AGIA MARINA AEGINIS. In front of the FLYINGCAT 3, I spotted one of her fleetmates, the hydrofoil FLYING DOLPHIN XVII. Built in 1984, she has spent her entire career on the Saronic Gulf, serving the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri-Poros-Hydra-Ermioni-Spetses-Porto Cheli line. She initially operated for Ceres Flying Dolphins (1984-1999) before the latter was taken over by Minoan Flying Dolphins in 1999. She then operated for the latter on the Saronic Gulf from 1999 to 2002, then under Hellas Flying Dolphins from 2002 to 2005, and under Hellenic Seaways since 2005. Behind the FLYING DOLPHIN XVII and in front of the FLYINGCAT 3, I was able to see the small high speed boat SEBECO II of Alko Ferries, which had been built in 2019 and was spending the first season of her career on the Saronic Gulf, namely on the Piraeus-Aegina-Agistri line. I then saw the cruiseferry KNOSSOS PALACE of Minoan Lines, which operates on the Piraeus-Milos-Heraklion line, docked in the port of Piraeus. The SEBECO II seen resting in Piraeus. I had traveled with her just a day before taking this picture, while heading from Piraeus to Agistri via Aegina. The AGIA MARINA AEGINIS seen resting in Piraeus, during her first summer under ANES Ferries. I embarked onboard the FLYINGCAT 3. The indoor area consists of two decks which only have multiple rows of aircraft-style seats. This corresponds to the typical passenger-only high speed catamaran indoor area set, which is basically a floating bus. A view of the numerous aircraft-style seats found onboard the FLYINGCAT 3. In the front section of the lower deck indoor area, there is a small bar operated by the Greek coffee chain Everest that sells coffee, soft drinks, beers, water, juices and snacks. We departed the port of Piraeus at 08:30, as it had been scheduled. Unfortunately, just like it is the case with all Hellenic Seaways high speed craft, passengers are not allowed to stay in the outdoor areas while the concerned ships are sailing from one port to the other. As a result, I had no other choice than to stay at my seat while the FLYINGCAT 3 was sailing at full-speed towards the first stop of the trip, which was the port of Poros. At around 09:40, hence just one hour and 10 minutes after our departure from Piraeus, we had already reached the latter island. When we arrived in Poros, I was allowed to go in the small stern section outdoor alley in order to take pictures. At the opposite side of the island are the small town and the port of Galatas Troizinias, from which small ferries operate in order to transport vehicles to Poros. There, I saw two ships, one that was docked and the other one that was departing. These were the double-ended ferry KYRIAKI and the landing craft NIKOLAKIS D, both owned by Troiziniaki NE. The NIKOLAKIS D seen heading from Galatas Troizinias to Poros. I saw her for the first time since 9 September 2017, when I had visited Poros for the first time while performing the Saronic Gulf One-Day Cruise trip with the PLATYTERA TON OURANON of Hydraïki Cruises. The NIKOLAKIS D seen leaving Galatas Troizinias. The 2019 season was her third consecutive on the Galatas Troizinias-Poros line, as she had been acquired in late 2016 by Troiziniaki NE (owned by the Darsinos family) to replace the landing craft ELEFTHERIA D, which had been sold to the British Virgin Islands-based company Solaris Shiptrade Company. She was previously known as the AGIOS SPYRIDON, and had stints on the Pounta-Elafonisos line under Simos Star (1994-2003) and on the Paros-Antiparos line under Agia Marina I NE (2004-2016). The KYRIAKI is seen docked in Galatas Troizinias. Another view of the KYRIAKI in Galatas Troizinias, where she has spent her entire career ever since she was built in 2000. The NIKOLAKIS D on her way towards Poros. This was her third season under Troiziniaki NE. The KYRIAKI seen docked in the port of Galatas Troizinias. She is the smallest double-ended ferry in the Greek coastal service, and is nicknamed 'The Basket' due to her small size and basket-like appearance. The NIKOLAKIS D en route towards the port of Poros. A nice view of Galatas Troizinias, which is located right at the opposite of the docking spot of the FLYINGCAT 3 in Poros. The NIKOLAKIS D seen heading from Galatas Troizinias to Poros. A view of the port of Poros from the outdoor deck of the FLYINGCAT 3. A final view of the NIKOLAKIS D, now on her way towards Poros. The onboard crane of the FLYINGCAT 3 as seen in the stern section of the ship's outdoor area, which is used to lift the ship's main lifeboat. After a few minutes in the port of Poros, we left at around 09:45 for the next destination, which was the beautiful island of Hydra. We reached the latter barely 30 minutes after having left, hence docking at around 10:15. After the FLYINGCAT 3 had docked in Hydra, I was able to head outside once again. From the port's entrance, I spotted the cruise ship SILVER WHISPER of American cruise line Silversea Cruises. A view of the SILVER WHISPER, which was docked right outside of the port of Hydra. I was also able to spot the landing craft GEORGIA M of Metaforiki Hydras, which is on the Ermioni-Hydra line and transports various products on a daily basis to the island, being its main supplier of goods arriving from mainland Greece. She has been a Ro-Ro carrier and a supplier for the island of Hydra since 2002. The iconic GEORGIA M seen docked in Hydra, the island which she has been serving loyally since 2002. She previously had stints on the Oropos-Eretria line and then on the Trypiti-Ammouliani line, before starting her current role as a Ro-Ro carrier in Hydra after having been bought by Metaforiki Hydras in 2002. Next to the GEORGIA M, I saw the small high speed boat CHRISTOS of Hydra Tour Travels. Built in 2007, she has spent her entire career for her owner, and initially operated on the Hydra coastline by transporting passengers from the port to the island's beaches, as well as to islands like Dokos and Spetses. Since 2017, she has been operating on the Ermioni-Hydra line during the summer. Another view of the GEORGIA M in Hydra. The GEORGIA M and the CHRISTOS seen together in the port of Hydra. At around 10:30, the FLYINGCAT 3 departed Hydra in order to stop in Ermioni. Due to the extremely brief stay in the port, I was unable to take any pictures as the crew forbade passengers to head outdoors. As a result, I had to wait for an extra 20 minutes in order to finally arrive in Spestes, at around 11:00. Therefore, my trip with the FLYINGCAT 3 was completed. The FLYINGCAT 3 having just arrived in the port of Spetses. I had now officially made it to the latter island for the first time in my life. Therefore, I had now been to all main islands of the Saronic Gulf at least once in my life. The FLYINGCAT 3 having reached the port of Spetses. The speedy FLYINGCAT 3 docked in Spetses, having arrived in the latter from Piraeus in just two-and-a-half hours. The FLYINGCAT 3 seen in Spetses, during her fourth consecutive full season on the Saronic Gulf, and fifth overall (as she also made a few trips on the Piraeus-Hydra-Spetses line in 2015, in addition to her main service which was spent on the Piraeus-Serifos-Sifnos-Koufonisi line). In front of her, I spotted another ship docked in the port of Spetses. Indeed, it was the small high speed boat SPETSES EXPRESS I of Boufis Shipping Company, which is one of the ships operating on the local Kosta-Spetses line, which connects Spetses with the Peloponnese. The SPETSES EXPRESS I docked in the port of Spetses. It was her second consecutive season operating there under Boufis Shipping Company. Before that, she operated from 2014 to early 2018 as the METOCHI EXPRESS of Hydra Celebrity Lines on the Metochi-Hydra line. I had seen her in that service when I did my trip with the PLATYTERA TON OURANON on 9 September 2017. Just a few months later, her company ceased operations and she moved from Hydra to the neighbouring island of Spetses, being renamed SPETSES EXPRESS I and beginning service for Boufis Shipping Company on the Kosta-Spetses line in 2018. The FLYINGCAT 3 seen shortly before her departure from Spetses. I then saw the landing craft KATERINA STAR, also of Boufis Shipping Company, arriving in the port of Spetses. Built in 2001, she has spent her entire career on the Kosta-Spetses line, and she is the only ferry to serve island. The locally-acclaimed and reliable KATERINA STAR seen about to dock in the port of Spetses, after having arrived from Kosta. The FLYINGCAT 3 preparing to depart the port of Spetses. The FLYINGCAT 3 seen departing her docking spot in Spetses. The FLYINGCAT 3 seen leaving Spetses, just a few minutes after she had docked there. The FLYINGCAT 3 seen leaving Spetses in order to head towards her final destination before making her way back to Piraeus: Porto Cheli. One last view of the SPETSES EXPRESS I, in what was her second season operating on the Kosta-Spetses line. One final view of the FLYINGCAT 3 as she heads from Spetses to Porto Cheli. The KATERINA STAR and the SPETSES EXPRESS I docked together in Spetses. Both ships are owned by Boufis Shipping Company, which is the primary local operator in Spetses. They have two other fleetmates: the small passenger boat SPETSES EXPRESS II which also operates on the Kosta-Spetses line, and the double-ended ferry ALEXANDROS M which operates on the Perama-Salamina line and does not serve Spetses, except when the KATERINA STAR undergoes her annual refit. One last view of the KATERINA STAR and of the SPETSES EXPRESS I. This therefore ends the first part of my stay in Spetses during 28 July 2019, as I got to explore the island from the late morning until the early afternoon. I had now been to every single main island on the Saronic Gulf. I chose the perfect ship in order to make this achievement a reality, as the FLYINGCAT 3 is a very fast and reliable ship which connects all Saronic Gulf ports under very short time intervals. Despite not being able to appreciate the trip outdoors due to the restrictions imposed by Hellenic Seaways, I still enjoyed the trip and was also happy to see several lesser-known local coastal service ships serving Poros, Hydra and Spetses. #flyingcat3 #hellenicseaways #atticagroup #summer2019 #greece #saronicgulf #aegean #piraeus #poros #hydra #ermioni #spetses #galatastroizinias #agiamarinaaeginis #anesferries #flyingdolphinxvii #sebecoii #alkoferries #knossospalace #minoanlines #kyriaki #nikolakisd #troiziniakine #georgiam #metaforikihydras #christos #hydratourtravels #spetsesexpressi #katerinastar #boufisshippingcompany #tribute

Trip: 7 July 2019. From Zakynthos to Kyllini, with the KEFALONIA of Levante Ferries. The day ferry KEFALONIA was built in Japan in 1975, as the VENUS for the company Higashi Nihon Ferry. She spent her first 20 years there, operating first on the Hachinohe-Tomakomai line (1975-1979), then on the Aomori-Hakodate line (1979-1987) and finally on the Aomori-Muroran line (1987-1995), before being purchased by historical Greek company Strintzis Lines in 1995. She was renamed KEFALONIA (after the famous island of the Ionian Sea, which is also where the Strintzis family comes from), underwent a major conversion in Perama, and entered service on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line, replacing the legendary EPTANISOS which was transferred to the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. Her entry to service was much acclaimed, and she went on to experience a lot success during the next 15 years. Strintzis Lines was transferred to Attica Group and became Blue Star Ferries in 2000. The KEFALONIA nevertheless remained on her usual service. She initially operated under the Blue Ferries division, before beginning to operate under the Blue Star Ferries brandname in 2004. Later in that same year she was bought by the newly-established company Strintzis Ferries (which was an indirect successor of Strintzis Lines). She remained on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line until 2011, when she switched operations with her fleetmate, the newer EPTANISOS (another former Japanese ferry, which was built in 1989 and had started service in Greece under Strintzis Ferries in 2003). She was therefore deployed on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. With the rise of the Greek financial crisis, Strintzis Ferries found themselves in a very difficult position during the 2012 season. Unable to maintain profits, they were forced to withdraw from the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, and instead solely remained on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line with the EPTANISOS for the summer. As a result, the older KEFALONIA was sent for lay-up in Salamina and missed the entire season. In late 2012, due to the continuing problems experienced by the company, Strintzis Ferries ceased all operations, and left the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line, which was taken over by the Ionian Ferries join venture. Both the EPTANISOS and the KEFALONIA were laid-up in Drapetsona. The latter was detained for 16 months, with many rumours of her being sold for scrap. However, in 2013, to the Greek coastal service's joy, the ship was bought by the newly-established company Kefalonian Lines, which deployed her on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, and made a major comeback to the Ionian Sea, being renamed NISSOS KEFALONIA. Her fleetmate, the EPTANISOS, remained laid-up in Elefsina from 2013 to 2015, until she was acquired by Fast Ferries, which renamed her FAST FERRIES ANDROS. In the end of 2013 she also started to operate on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and on the Kyllini-Kefalonia-Ithaca line, the latter being operated only from 2013 to 2015. In 2016 and 2017 she solely operated on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. In late 2017, she combined her operations on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line with the re-opening of the line where she had been acclaimed in the past: the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line. She was therefore deployed on the new Patras-Ithaca-Kefalonia-Kyllini line. After the 2018 season, following continuing economic and internal problems faced by Kefalonian Lines, she was sold to Levante Ferries and was again renamed KEFALONIA following a major upgrade in Drapetsona. The latter company, which had started operations in late 2014 with the superb FIOR DI LEVANTE, had become a major threat to Kefalonian Lines. Alongside the Ionian Group joint venture formed in 2015 with Zante Ferries, they quickly became the dominant company on the Ionian Sea. They prevented the ANDREAS KALVOS of Zante Ferries to be sold to Kefalonian Lines, and instead acquired her in late 2018 as well. The latter ship was converted in Drapetsona and entered service on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line, which had been left abandoned by Kefalonian Lines. As a result of the sale of the NISSOS KEFALONIA to Levante Ferries, Kefalonian Lines ceased to operate on the Ionian Sea, and Levante Ferries had now become a monopoly in the area. After her refit in Drapetsona, the KEFALONIA resumed service under her new owners on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line during the spring of 2019. The KEFALONIA is undoubtedly the greatest ship that has ever operated on the Ionian Sea. In her 23 years of service, she has won the hearts of many Ionian Sea residents and tourists alike, and she continues to provide excellent service even today. Her longevity, comfortable amenities, and particularly her speed (which is still very smooth despite her being 44 years old) have been acclaimed. Only the Greek economic crisis was able to force her to leave the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line, where she was widely lauded between 1995 and 2010. It was not a surprise to learn that the residents of Kefalonia celebrated her reactivation under Kefalonian Lines in 2013, after it was initially thought that she would never enter service again following Strintzis Ferries' demise. While she is now one of the oldest ferries of the Greek coastal service, the refit she had under Levante Ferries before entering service under the latter gave the impression that she was a newly-built ferry, thus hiding her real age. She is set to remain a strong presence on the Ionian Sea for years to come. The KEFALONIA seen in the port of Zakynthos, one day before my trip with her. After having given you this overall presentation of the ferry, it is now time for me to talk about my trip. Indeed, as this blog post is the first one covering the 2019 summer season, it obviously talks about the first trip that I had with a ship in Greece during that period. It was a real pleasure to inaugurate this year's season with a trip onboard such a historic ferry. The trip was from Zakynthos to Kyllini, as I was already on the island since 28 June. I flew there from Vienna with my family, with this marking the first time that we went to the island by plane and not by ship. This happened due to the fact that my family had started the summer vacation in late June, whereupon we spent a few days in Iceland. Afterwards, due to my brother going to spend an exchange year in Australia (where the European summer is the equivalent of the winter season there) and having to go there in mid July, we only had just ten days to spend some time together in Greece, and we decided to use it in Zakynthos. Afterwards, my siblings and I headed to Athens just in time to vote in the Greek legislative elections, which were held in the same day as my trip with the KEFALONIA. Regarding the facts about this trip, it marked my first one under the Levante Ferries monopoly on the Ionian Sea. Moreover, it was my second-ever trip with the ship (I had previously traveled with her on 13 July 2015, when she was sailing as the NISSOS KEFALONIA under Kefalonian Lines, but unfortunately I had not taken any pictures that day), and my first-ever trip under her new owners and her current name. She also became the oldest ship on which I have ever traveled, as she was 44 years old at the time (eclipsing the record held by the ZAKYNTHOS 1, her former Kefalonian Lines fleetmate, which was 43 years old when I traveled with her from Kyllini to Zakynthos on 20 July 2016). The KEFALONIA seen in Zakynthos shortly before my trip with her, during her first season under Levante Ferries. Next to her was one of her fleetmates, namely the MARE DI LEVANTE, which had arrived from Kyllini a few minutes earlier. Upon embarkation, I decided to have a look at the ship's amenities. Here is the small reception desk, which is located in Deck 4. The ship's deckplan on Deck 4. She has a total of five decks: Decks 1 to 3 cover her garage, while Decks 4 and 5 feature the accommodation superstructure. Moreover, Deck 5 has the ship's bridge. Right next to the reception desk, one can see the Economy Class lounge area, which was completely full during the trip. It features multiple white chairs surrounding steel-made tables that attached to the floor. The end of the Economy Class lounge area, which is seen in the middle section of Deck 4. Featuring a few more chairs, the area also has a poster of the logo of Levante Ferries, which replaced the one that Kefalonian Lines previously had. At the opposite side, one can see the ship's onboard store, which sells clothes, bags, beauty products, gadgets, toys, and notably turtle plushes (as seen in the bottom) which honour the Zakynthos sea turtles, an essential type of living species originating from the island. Moving more forward, there is a small and narrow lounge area featuring aircraft-style seats. The aircraft-style seats seen in the lounge area preceding the one located in the front section of the KEFALONIA. A small corner next to the aircraft-style seats lounge area, which features a beautiful poster displaying an aerial view of the beach of the coast of Fiskardo, which is one of the most famous villages of the island. The Forward Lounge area, which also features chairs and tables, but also black lounges. The ship's floorplan on Deck 4, displaying the various aforementioned areas in both Greek and English, while also featuring the logo of Levante Ferries. The stern section of the outdoor deck in Deck 4, which featured several grey chairs, as well as the Greek flag flying over the stern. The outdoor staircase leading from Deck 4 to Deck 5, which was accessible by passengers just a few minutes before the trip began. One of the ship's two side lifeboats, located in Deck 5. After being allowed to access Deck 5, I immediately headed there. It features an open deck which has the helicopter emergency landing spot, as well as some seats next to the two funnels. Between the latter is a small sun deck featuring several grey seats aligned in columns. The small sun deck located in the middle of the two funnels of the ship. It features three columns of grey chairs that are stuck to the floor. On the port side of the ferry, one can spot an additional emergency motor boat. In front of it, there are four sets of four grey chairs, with life jackets located underneath them and available for passengers in an unlikely event. The ship's port side outdoor alley, leading to the bridge in Deck 5. Shortly after I was done exploring the ship's areas, we began our trip, as the ship departed the port of Zakynthos at 08:00 in the morning. As usual, a trip from the latter to Kyllini lasts just one hour, so it is very quick, But with the KEFALONIA, it is even quicker, as she is the fastest ferry of the Ionian Sea despite her advanced age. As soon as the ship began to depart the port of Zakynthos, I spotted the various tour boats that operate around the island while also stopping by the small island of Marathonisi. There, I first saw the two ships of Top Cruiser: the DIMOSTHENIS and the DIMOSTHENIS K. And next to them, I could also see the two ships of Seven Islands Cruises that operate in Zakynthos: the IKAROS PALACE and the IONIAN SUN. The IKAROS PALACE seen resting in Zakynthos. Built in 1999, she has been owned by Seven Islands Cruises since 2003. The summer of 2019 marked her thirteenth straight operating in Zakynthos and in Marathonisi. Her fleetmate, the IONIAN SUN, has been a more recent introduction, as she began her operations in Zakynthos and in Marathonisi in 2018. Before that, she operated as the VASSILIOS A for Akliros Cruises on the Saronic Gulf from 1990 (the year during which she was built) to 2017, when she was sold to her current owners. The DIMOSTHENIS, which has spent her entire career with Top Cruiser since she was built for them in 1999. The DIMOSTHENIS K resting in Zakynthos during the morning. Just like her fleetmate, she has also spent her entire career on the Ionian Sea under Top Cruiser, although she was built five years earlier. Passing by the bow of the MARE DI LEVANTE as we depart Zakynthos. The bow of the MARE DI LEVANTE (also a former Japanese ferry) seen in Zakynthos. The MARE DI LEVANTE right after having passed by her. This was her fifth summer season under Levante Ferries, and the fourth one under her current name. While looking towards the other side, I noticed the small tour boat DELFINI of Voutirakos Cruises, which also operates around the island of Zakynthos and in Marathonisi. The DELFINI seen resting in Zakynthos. I remember traveling with her ten years ago, back when I did a cruise around the island with my family in 2009. The MARE DI LEVANTE seen resting in Zakynthos. Before joining Levante Ferries in 2015, she was known as the IONIAN STAR of now-defunct company Tyrogalas Ferries. She had been bought by them in 2003 from South Korean company Kukjae Express (for which she was operating between 1994 and 2003), and, following a spectacular conversion, she entered service on both the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. She became the flagship of her company, and eventually Levante Ferries took notice of her abilities. They acquired her as part of their successful Ionian Sea conquest, which led to the termination of Tyrogalas Ferries' operations on the Ionian Sea, as well as to the closure of the Ionian Ferries joint venture (which included Tyrogalas Ferries and Zante Ferries), which was succeeded by Ionian Group (a joint venture between Levante Ferries and Zante Ferries which was discontinued following the 2018 season). The MARE DI LEVANTE seen in Zakynthos. Since she acquired her current name, I have traveled onboard her three times, the first time being on 30 July 2017 from Kyllini to Zakynthos. I then traveled with her twice in 2018, both from Kyllini to Zakynthos and from Zakynthos to Kyllini. I had previously traveled with her numerous times back when she was known as the IONIAN STAR, including during the summers of 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The veteran ferry MARE DI LEVANTE, formerly a rival of the KEFALONIA, seen resting in Zakynthos. The speedy IKAROS PALACE seen docked in Zakynthos. Another view of the MARE DI LEVANTE in Zakynthos. The DIMOSTHENIS seen resting in Zakynthos as well. The DIMOSTHENIS and the DIMOSTHENIS K seen together, as I leave Zakynthos for the last time in 2019. After barely 45 minutes, we were already arriving in Kyllini. I did not even see the time go by, but it was simply due to the impressive speed of the KEFALONIA, which can reach up to 22 knots. In front of her was her fleetmate, the FIOR DI LEVANTE, which was arriving from Kefalonia. The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen heading towards the port of Kyllini, in what was her fifth summer season in Greece under Levante Ferries. The FIOR DI LEVANTE is probably the most exciting ship operating in Zakynthos and in Kefalonia, due to her impressive amenities which were acquired during her unique conversion in China between 2012 and 2014. Her entry to service in late 2014 was a massive success, and eventually cemented Levante Ferries' dominance on the Ionian Sea, whereupon three more ships were acquired between 2015 and 2019, with all of them belonging to former competitors. The FIOR DI LEVANTE, the former main rival of the KEFALONIA, seen heading towards the port of Kyllini. Since the establishment of the Ionian Group joint venture during the summer of 2015, she serves both the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. The FIOR DI LEVANTE having maneuvered and docking in Kyllini. The FIOR DI LEVANTE docking in Kyllini. So far, I have traveled with her five times. The first time was during her first summer in Greece, during a trip from Zakynthos to Kyllini on 24 July 2015. I then had a memorable morning doing back-to-back trips with her on 26 July 2016, and traveled again onboard her two days later from Zakynthos to Kyllini. The fifth time was during the summer of 2017, again from Zakynthos to Kyllini. The great FIOR DI LEVANTE seen docking in Kyllini, as we also begin to head towards the port. One last view of the FIOR DI LEVANTE in Kyllini. After arriving and docking in Kyllini at 08:50 (after barely 50 minutes following our departure from Zakynthos), the KEFALONIA immediately began to unload passengers and vehicles. My siblings and me took the KTEL bus that was supposed to take us to Athens, where I went on to spend the rest of the month as I was doing an internship, once again with a Greek shipping company. It was very nice to travel on such a historical ferry, which still provides excellent service despite her old age. I was very satisfied by the job Levant Ferries did during her conversion, and was more than pleased to begin my 2019 Greek coastal service season by doing a trip with her from Zakynthos to Kyllini. Despite Levante Ferries no longer having any competitors, they sure do have the best ships of the Ionian Sea, which have been efficient many years and will probably continue to be so in the long term. #kefalonia #levanteferries #summer2019 #greece #ionian #zakynthos #kyllini #maredilevante #fiordilevante #dimosthenis #dimosthenisk #topcruiser #ikarospalace #ioniansun #sevenislandscruises #delfini #voutirakoscruises #tribute

Trip: 21 July 2018. From Oropos to Eretria, with the ANNA MARIA of Gavanozis Shipping. The double-ended ferry ANNA MARIA was built in 2009 in Greece for the Greek company Gavanozis Shipping. She was deployed on the Oropos-Eretria line, connecting mainland Greece with the island of Evoia through the South Evoian Gulf. She remained there until 2014. In 2015 she was deployed on the Perama-Salamina line. She returned to the Oropos-Eretria line in 2016, before returning again to the Perama-Salamina line in 2017. She returned once again to the Oropos-Eretria line in 2018. The ANNA MARIA was the second double-ended ferry to be built for her company, following the AEOLOS which had been built two years earlier. The company then built another double-ended ferry, the AEOLOS II, in 2010. Both the latter and the ANNA MARIA operate for the Salamina Ferries joint venture, and alternate services between the Perama-Salamina line and the Oropos-Eretria line, depending on the summer season. Gavanozis Shipping (owned by the Gavanozis family) owned and operated six ferries as of 2018, with each one of them being deployed on one specific line. These were: -The ANNA MARIA, on the Oropos-Eretria line. -The AEOLOS, on the Glyfa-Agiokampos line (operating for the Edipsos Ferries-Glyfa Ferries joint venture). -The AEOLOS II, on the Perama-Salamina line. -The landing craft KAPETAN ARISTIDIS, on the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line (also operating for the Edipsos Ferries-Glyfa Ferries joint venture). -The landing craft THEOLOGOS ELENI, on the Rion-Antirrion line. -The landing craft MICHALAKIS III, on the Agia Marina-Nea Styra line. Having so far spent all but two of her first ten seasons of operations on the Oropos-Eretria line, the ANNA MARIA has been a familiar face on that well-known line. Indeed, it connects the small town of Oropos, which is located in the Attica region and is about an hour away North of Athens, with the small coastal village of Eretria, located in the Central part of Southern Evoia, Greece's second largest island, after Crete. The trip lasts only 20 minutes and is served by double-ended ferries, which have replaced landing craft since 2004. It is one of the oldest and most historical lines in the history of the Greek coastal service, as it has been active since the 1950s, when the legendary landing craft ERETRIA of Evoian Shipping began service there. During its golden era, it operated eight ships simultaneously. However, in recent years, the line has been mostly seasonal, being active from early April to late October. The summer of 2018 saw three ferries owned by three different companies operating on the line, with each ship leaving every 20-30 minutes from each port. As I have now provided you with the history of both the ANNA MARIA and the Oropos-Eretria line, I can now talk about my trip. Indeed, it was made on 21 July 2018, during my summer vacation stay in Greece. Having finished my summer internship at V-Ships Greece, I now awaited my family in order to begin our usual vacation time in Zakynthos and Aegina. In the meantime, I was free during the weekend of 21-22 July 2018, and, coincidentally, I had a very good friend from high school who had come to Evoia for a few days with his family. I decided to go visit him for the day, which required me to travel from Athens to Oropos by bus and then take the ferry to Eretria, followed by a taxi ride to the hotel where he was staying. As a result, I would return to Evoia for the first time since 2000, having been there when I was barely a few months old. Moreover, it was first-ever trip on the Oropos-Eretria line, my first-ever trip on an open-type double-ended ferry, my first-ever trip with a ship owned by Gavanozis Shipping, and my first-ever trip to Evoia by boat. Hence, this trip with the ANNA MARIA was historical in all aspects. The ANNA MARIA seen approaching the port of Oropos, shortly after I had arrived there by bus. The beautiful all-white ferry ANNA MARIA seen heading towards Oropos. The ANNA MARIA having just arrived and docked in Oropos. The ANNA MARIA seen in Oropos. Another view of the ANNA MARIA, shortly before boarding her. Another view of the ANNA MARIA, in what was her eighth season on the Oropos-Eretria line, and her first one since 2016. The ANNA MARIA in Oropos, shortly before boarding her. The open garage of the ANNA MARIA seen shortly after boarding her. Like most Greek-built double-ended ferries, there is a staircase next to the ramps leading passengers to the upper decks, where the accommodation superstructure and the bridge are located. The ANNA MARIA has additional garage decks for vehicles on both the starboard side and the port side, in case the main garage is full. Above each side ramp, the ship had a sign displaying, in Greek, the details of her services and the contact information of her company. It stated that the ship leaves Eretria every hour, when the clock reaches 00', while she departs Oropos every hour, when the clock reaches 30'. Underneath the telephone number, the sign says, in Greek, 'Thank you for choosing our ship, the ANNA MARIA, for your trip'. The second deck, which is the bottom part of the accommodation superstructure. It features an indoor lounge area. Underneath the windows, the ship's name is written in Greek, as it is the case with most open-type double-ended ferries. The modern lounge area of the ANNA MARIA, featuring several lounges and chairs available to passengers. The lounge area, which also has some funky lamps, as well as a small bar which sells water, soft drinks, snacks and ice cream. One of the corners of the lounge area, also featuring an arcade game machine for gamers. All the ship's windows in this deck are round. This was primarily due to the style that was seen in many Greek open-type double-ended ferries built between the mid 2000s and the early 2010s, including the ANNA MARIA and her fleetmate, the AEOLOS II. The forward section of the garage, now full (including on the side ramps). A view of the second deck of the accommodation superstructure, which features a large outdoor area (with numerous aligned white chairs attached to the floor) surrounding the indoor area, which serves as the crew's cabins. The above deck is the bridge, which has a full 360-degree panoramic view. The roof above the bridge is painted in yellow and red, a feature seen in all ferries owned by Gavanozis Shipping. The outdoor area of the second deck of the accommodation superstructure, filled with many aligned white chairs. Another sign displaying the timetable of the ANNA MARIA on the Oropos-Eretria line, which was printed and hanged on the accommodation superstructure. The outdoor area, along with the inflatable life-raft box, seen as we depart Oropos. The 'gate' mast of the ANNA MARIA seen as the ship departs Oropos in order to head towards Eretria. Shortly after leaving Oropos, I saw one of the two other ships operating on the line heading towards the opposite direction. It was the ARIS III of Psomas Shipping, which was returning from Eretria. The ARIS III, built just a year after the ANNA MARIA, seen heading towards Oropos. The ARIS III on her way to Oropos. Crossing the ARIS III as she heads towards Oropos. Her company has had a long history on the Oropos-Eretria line. Indeed, they began service in 1967, after having deployed the newly-built landing craft ARIS on the line. They operated her until 2002, when she was sold to GM Shipping. She still sails for that company to date on the Ionian Sea, under the name GRIGORIS M, operating as a Ro-Ro carrier on the Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Paxoi-Ereikousa-Othonoi-Mathraki line. After five years of inactivity, the company ordered a new double-ended ferry, the ARIS II, which began service in 2007 on the Oropos-Eretria line. Three years later, the ARIS III was built, and replaced her elder fleetmate, which was sold to Croatian company Rapska Plovidba. She operates under the name BARBAT on the Stinica-Mišnjak line. The ARIS III on her way to Oropos. This was her ninth season of service under Psomas Shipping. All of them have been spent on the Oropos-Eretria line, with the exception of the summers of 2015 and 2016, when she was on the Perama-Salamina line. The ARIS III seen heading towards the port of Oropos. The ARIS III operated on the Rion-Antirrion line from November 2018 to February 2019. She has now arrived in Perama, as it was announced a few days ago that she has been sold to Italian company Delcomar. She is due to be replaced by a newly-built double-ended ferry named ARIS IV, which has been ordered by her company and will normally be ready in 2020. The new name and the line where the ARIS III will be deployed have not been announced yet. Ten minutes after passing by the ARIS III, the third ship operating on the line during the 2018 season, the double-ended ferry PROTOPOROS XIII of Tsokos Lines, was seen heading from Eretria to Oropos. The PROTOPOROS XIII is the youngest and largest ship operating on the line, as she was built in 2017. Therefore, I saw her operating during the second season of her career. She had spent the first one on the Oropos-Eretria line as well. The PROTOPOROS XIII seen heading from Eretria to Oropos. She was the eleventh ship to be ordered and built for Tsokos Lines, which has been a present figure on the line since being founded in 2004. She was the eleventh order (despite being the thirteenth ship of the company to be named PROTOPOROS) as the PROTOPOROS XI is still under construction, while the PROTOPOROS XII was built in 2018 (but left Greece a few months ago as she had been sold to Tanzanian company Zan Fast Ferries). The beautiful red PROTOPOROS XIII was built in 2017, replacing the PROTOPOROS IX, which had been built in 2016 for service on the Oropos-Eretria line, but had been sold in early 2017 to another Tanzanian company, Azam Sealink, being renamed AZAM SEALINK 2. Coincidentally, another ship previously owned by Tsokos Lines and operating on the Oropos-Eretria line, the PROTOPOROS V (operating from 2011 to 2012), was sold to the same company in 2012, and still operates there as the AZAM SEALINK 1. Both ferries, just like the former PROTOPOROS XII (now known as the SEA STAR I) operate today on the Dar Es Salaam-Zanzibar line. The PROTOPOROS XIII heads towards the port of Oropos. She is also part of the Salamina Ferries joint venture, and operated on the Perama-Salamina line during the winter, before returning to her usual service on the Oropos-Eretria line during the spring, the summer and the early fall. Another view of the PROTOPOROS XIII as she heads towards Oropos. Five minutes after passing by the PROTOPOROS XIII, we arrived in Eretria. The ANNA MARIA did not need to maneuver due to her being a double-ended ferry: the vehicles and the passengers leave from the opposite side of the one they had entered while boarding in Oropos. The ANNA MARIA having just arrived in Eretria, and now unloading passengers and vehicles. Just ten minutes after arriving in Eretria, the ANNA MARIA departed the port in order to return to Oropos. The ANNA MARIA departing Eretria and heading towards Oropos. And this officially marked the end of my trip. It was short due to the small distance separating the two ports, but it was still very pleasant and overall a nice experience. The ANNA MARIA is a very good ferry and is just what the line needs. She can operate on several other short-distance routes without any problem. Now, I was ready to go see my friend and his family, after having landed in Evoia for the first time in 18 years. #annamaria #gavanozisshipping #salaminaferries #summer2018 #greece #southevoiangulf #aegean #oropos #eretria #evoia #arisiii #psomasshipping #protoporosxiii #tsokoslines #tribute

As part of my five-day stay in the island of Ios during my first days in Greece for the summer of 2017, I decided to take advantage of the ship spotting opportunities occurring daily at the island. Indeed, on 13 July, after walking around the island in order to discover it more in depth, I reached the port, where I managed to see an impressive shipping spectacle, with several high speed craft arriving all one after the other in order to dock, unload passengers, load new ones and departing immediately afterwards for other different destinations. This was mainly explained by the fact that, during the high season, high speed craft all arrive in Ios at noon, depending on the connections they make with other islands on the Cyclades, as well as the ports of Piraeus and Rafina in Attica, or even the port of Heraklion in Crete. Ios has generally been connected with other popular Cyclades islands, notably its closest neighbour Santorini, but also Paros, Naxos, Mykonos and islands on the Western Cyclades such as Sifnos, Milos or Folegandros. The previous day, while walking near the Chora (the capital of the island, located on the hill just above the port), I had already seen two ships arriving at and leaving the port of Ios, these being the high speed craft HELLENIC HIGHSPEED of Hellenic Seaways, and the ferry AQUA SPIRIT of Sea Jets Ferries. Indeed, the former arrived first, docked immediately, and soon left for Santorini, while the latter was waiting near the dock in order to unload and leave for Thirassia, as part of her busy inter-Cyclades service. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED seen maneuvering on 12 July 2017 in Ios, after having arrived from Sifnos. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED seen leaving the port of Ios, while the ferry AQUA SPIRIT prepares to dock. This month turned out to be her last one while operating in Greece, as she was sold by Sea Jets Ferries to Canadian company BC Ferries. She was replaced after two years of service with Sea Jets by her former NEL Lines inter-Cyclades partner, the AQUA JEWEL, which was bought by the same company, following NEL Lines' demise and a three-year-long lay-up due to an engine failure she had suffered in 2014. The AQUA SPIRIT is now in Canada, has been renamed NORTHERN SEA WOLF, and is due to begin operations there during the summer of 2018. She is notably the first ship Sea Jets has ever sold in its 13-year history. On 13 July 2017, therefore, the spectacle mentioned above included four high speed ferries operating under three different owners, as well as a small high speed tour boat. As I was heading towards the port of Ios from the Chora, the first ship I noticed was the small high speed tour boat CAPTAIN KOULIS of the Santorini Boatmen Union. That ship, built in 2007, operates on the Santorini-Nea Kameni-Palaia Kameni-Ios line, and is sometimes deployed to transport cruise ship passengers from Santorini to Ios, or passengers from cruise ships docking near Ios, as the port is too small to fit them. The CAPTAIN KOULIS as seen from the port of Ios upon my arrival at the latter. That day, the CAPTAIN KOULIS was serving as a shuttle for passengers transported by the cruise ship CELESTYAL NEFELI of Celestyal Cruises, seen in the background. The CAPTAIN KOULIS heading towards the CELESTYAL NEFELI in order to get more passengers from the latter to Ios. The CAPTAIN KOULIS heading towards the CELESTYAL NEFELI. The CAPTAIN KOULIS seen here returning to the port of Ios. The small CAPTAIN KOULIS approaching the port of Ios. 2017 marked her eleventh season in Greek waters, having been built in Chalkidiki and serving the well-appreciated Santorini Boatmen Union ever since. She is named after the legendary Captain Kyrgiakos Koulis, who served in the Hellenic Navy for many years and was much adored by the Aegean Sea residents, particularly the ones from the Cyclades. The CAPTAIN KOULIS seen in Ios. She was the first of four sister ships that were built for the Santorini Boatmen Union in Chalkidiki. The other ships are the ORPHEAS, the NEFELI and the YPAPANTI. The CAPTAIN KOULIS was the flagship of the company from 2007 until 2013, when the much larger passenger boat GARBIS was delivered, followed by her sister ship, the SANTORINI, in 2015. Both ships were built in Santorini. The CAPTAIN KOULIS is also the company's hospital ship, being able to transport any sick Cyclades residents across the entire region when necessary, something for which she has been much acclaimed. The CAPTAIN KOULIS having just docked in Ios. The CAPTAIN KOULIS departing Ios again and heading towards the CELESTYAL NEFELI. The CAPTAIN KOULIS heading towards the CELESTYAL NEFELI. As the CAPTAIN KOULIS was leaving again, at this moment the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED emerged. It was the second straight day I was seeing her in Ios (and in general at the time). The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED preparing to maneuver in Ios. The funnel of the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED, with the background being white and featuring the well-known three dolphins of Hellenic Seaways, painted in red. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED preparing to maneuver in Ios. Built in 1997, she operated in 2017 on the Piraeus-Sifnos-Ios-Santorini line, where she was very successful. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED had been bought by Hellenic Seaways in 2009, initially being named HELLENIC WIND. However, she did not start to operate for them until 2016. This was because she was not initially part of the company's plans, being instead chartered every summer from 2010 to 2015 to the Portuguese company Atlântico Line, being deployed on the Azores Archipelago lifeline. She finally entered the company's plans following the 2015 season, being converted in Perama and being renamed HELLENIC HIGHSPEED. She entered service in 2016, on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Ios-Santorini line, where she met much success. She however had to leave that line in 2017, as she replaced the HIGHSPEED 6, which had been operating on the Piraeus-Ios-Santorini line and had been sold to Spanish company Naviera Armas following the summer of 2016. The island of Sifnos was added to the line for the 2017 season, a move which was seen as very successful. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED was hence arriving from Sifnos, and she is seen here maneuvering in the port of Ios. In the meantime, the CAPTAIN KOULIS was once again returning from the CELESTYAL NEFELI to Ios. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED maneuvering. The CAPTAIN KOULIS seen in Ios. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED having completed her maneuvering procedure and preparing to dock in Ios. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED having docked in Ios. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED having docked in Ios and immediately unloading passengers. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED unloading passengers in Ios. Another picture of the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED unloading passengers and vehicles in Ios. In the meantime, another high speed ferry was arriving in Ios and waiting her moment of docking. That was the CHAMPION JET 2 of rival operator Sea Jets. The CHAMPION JET 2 spent the summer season on the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line, thus connecting Crete with the Cyclades, on one of the most popular seasonal lines in the Greek coastal service. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED still unloading passengers and vehicles and ready to take the incoming passengers and vehicles to her next destination, Santorini. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED having finished her loading of passengers and vehicles and now departing the port of Ios. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED performing her departure maneuvering procedure. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED preparing to depart Ios. As the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED was departing, the CHAMPION JET 2 (having arrived from Santorini) was slowly beginning to head towards the port, which is too small to fit two ferries at the same time. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED has completed her departure maneuvering procedure and begins to head towards the port's exit. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED begins to head towards the port's exit. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED leaving Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 heading towards the dock of the port of Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 approaching the port of Ios. Built in 1996 in Australia, she was acquired by Sea Jets in 2015, alongside her younger sister ship, the CHAMPION JET 1. She spent her first two seasons on the Piraeus-Mykonos-Naxos-Santorini line, before switching lines with the CHAMPION JET 1 and being thus deployed on the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line. Coincidentally, 13 July 2017 marked exactly two years and one day since my trip with the CHAMPION JET 2's sister, ship, the CHAMPION JET 1, when I was heading from Santorini to Piraeus. Moreover, during that trip, I had also passed by Ios before arriving to Piraeus. The CHAMPION JET 2 heading towards the dock while the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED leaves for Santorini. The CHAMPION JET 2 approaching the dock of the port of Ios after having arrived from Santorini, while the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED heads towards that same island. The speedy CHAMPION JET 2 fully heading towards the port of Ios. She had briefly operated on the Heraklion-Rethymnon-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line in September and October 2016 when the CHAMPION JET 1 went to undergo her winter refit earlier than expected. 2017 however marked her first summer operating there full-time. The CHAMPION JET 2 heading towards the dock of the port of Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 seen in Ios. Another view of the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED leaves Ios for Santorini. The CHAMPION JET 2 preparing to maneuver in Ios. The HELLENIC HIGHSPEED leaving Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 seen maneuvering in Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 maneuvering in the port of Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 almost finishing to maneuver in Ios. One final picture of the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED as she exits the port of Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 almost done with her maneuvering procedure. The CHAMPION JET 2 having just maneuvered, and now preparing to dock in Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 docking in Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 having almost docked in Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 having just docked and unloading a significant amount of passengers. While the CHAMPION JET 2 unloads passengers and vehicles, the smaller CAPTAIN KOULIS leaves Ios in order to reach the CELESTYAL NEFELI once again. The CHAMPION JET 2 and the CAPTAIN KOULIS, two completely different ships, seen together in Ios. The CAPTAIN KOULIS leaving Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 loading passengers ahead of her departure to her next destination, Naxos. The CHAMPION JET 2 departing Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 leaving Ios. The CHAMPION JET 2 departing Ios in order to head towards Naxos. Just like the CHAMPION JET 2 was waiting for the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED to depart from Ios, something similar occurred with the former's own departure. Indeed, the next ship waiting for her moment of docking was none other than the CHAMPION JET 2's direct competitor, the much-acclaimed HIGHSPEED 7 of Hellenic Seaways. The HIGHSPEED 7, having also arrived from Santorini, begins to head towards the dock of the port of Ios, while the CHAMPION JET 2 heads from Ios to Naxos. The HIGHSPEED 7 is considered to be one of the best, if not the best, high speed craft in Greece. She was built in 2005, and was previously known as the HIGHSPEED 5, the name she bore from her entry to service until 2016. The name change occurred because of her tragic fire incident in 2015, whereupon, following her repair, she was deployed as a completely new ship, with the view of leaving her past experience as the HIGHSPEED 5 behind. She has since made a successful comeback with Hellenic Seaways. The HIGHSPEED 7, just like the CHAMPION JET 2, connects Crete with the Cyclades by operating on the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Paros-Mykonos line (unlike the CHAMPION JET 2, she does not operate in Rethymnon and Naxos). This season was her fourth overall on that line, having spent two seasons as the HIGHSPEED 5 (in 2013 and 2014, the latter year was her most successful to date) and two as the HIGHSPEED 7 (2016 and 2017), having missed the entire 2015 season because of her fire incident that same year. The HIGHSPEED 7 preparing to dock in Ios. She has been, ever since her delivery, the youngest 'Highspeed' among the seven that Hellenic Seaways have operated in their thirteen years of operations. Only three operate as of 2017: the HIGHSPEED 7, the HIGHSPEED 4 and the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED. The HIGHSPEED 7 preparing to maneuver in Ios. It was the first time in my life that I saw this ship standing right in front of me. The HIGHSPEED 7 almost ready to maneuver in Ios. One of the two modern funnels of the HIGHSPEED 7 featuring, as it was also the case with the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED, the three dolphins of Hellenic Seaways. The HIGHSPEED 7 almost ready to begin her maneuvering procedure in ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 maneuvering in Ios. Recently, following the announced sale of Hellenic Seaways to Attica Group, part of that deal includes the sale of the HIGHSPEED 7 to Minoan Lines. Should the deal be accepted by the Geek Competition Authority, Hellenic Seaways could potentially lose one of its best ships, though no decision will be made until at least the start of 2018. Regardless of the sale occurring, should the ship be sold to Minoan Lines, this would most likely mean she will remain in Greece (with Minoan Lines having expressed earlier this year their intention to enhance their presence on the Aegean Sea, beyond their daily service on the Piraeus-Heraklion line). The HIGHSPEED 7 maneuvering in Ios Regardless of her potential sale, we can still admire her as she is just like that day in Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 maneuvering in Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 almost done with her maneuvering procedure in Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 having completed her maneuvering procedure and preparing to dock in the port of Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 almost docked in ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 almost berthed in the port of Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 having just docked in Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 unloading dozens of passengers and vehicles in Ios. After a quick stay in the pier of the port of Ios, the HIGHSPEED 7 left immediately, in order to reach Paros before her competitor, the CHAMPION JET 2, while the latter is heading towards Naxos. The HIGHSPEED 7 departing the port of Ios. The amazing HIGHSPEED 7 leaving Ios. The CAPTAIN KOULIS returns to dock in Ios once more. The little CAPTAIN KOULIS heading towards the port of Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 heading towards the exit of the port of Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 leaving Ios for Paros. The HIGHSPEED 7 departing the port of Ios. The HIGHSPEED 7 leaving Ios, in what could have been my first and last time seeing her under the colours of Hellenic Seaways. We will see what the future will determine. The CAPTAIN KOULIS resting in the small cruise dock of Ios. A view of the cruise ship CELESTYAL NEFELI of Celestyal Cruises. She had been chartered by the Greek cruise line since 2016, and her stint with them is certainly over now, as she has again taken her former name prior to this charter, being renamed GEMINI. Right next to her, a few minutes after the departure of the HIGHSPEED 7, the sister ship of the HELLENIC HIGHSPEED emerged. It was the SUPERRUNNER of Golden Star Ferries, formerly known as the SPEEDRUNNER IV of Aegean Speed Lines. Having already seen this ship as the SPEEDRUNNER IV in the past, it was somehow surprising to see her under new colours and under a new name. Indeed, the ship was purchased by the Andros-based Golden Star Ferries after the 2016 season, becoming the first high speed craft in the history of the company. The summer of 2017 was her debut season with her new owners, as she was deployed on the Rafina-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini line. The SUPERRUNNER was hence arriving from Naxos, after also serving the Cyclades ports of Tinos, Mykonos and Paros from Rafina, which is her company's base port. The SUPERRUNNER operated for Aegean Speed Lines from 2009 to 2016, spending most of her seasons with them on the Western Cyclades. She was, as the SPEEDRUNNER IV, the flagship of her former company. Her sale has since left Aegean Speed Lines with only one ship as part of their fleet, this being the sister ship of the SUPERRUNNER, the SPEEDRUNNER III. The SUPERRUNNER ready to dock in Ios. Her first season with Golden Star Ferries was very successful, despite strong competition from Sea Jets, which had also deployed two high speed ferries from Rafina to the Cyclades, the TERA JET and the PAROS JET, at very low fares. The SUPERRUNNER preparing to maneuver in Ios. The SUPERRUNNER ready to maneuver in Ios. The SUPERRUNNER seen in Ios, shortly before her maneuvering procedure. The SUPERRUNNER ahead of her maneuvering procedure in Ios. The SUPERRUNNER maneuvering in Ios. The SUPERRUNNER maneuvering in Ios. One of the two funnels of the SUPERRUNNER, featuring the logo of Golden Star Ferries, as well as the colours of the company, with the vertical yellow stripe being traditionally at the back of the funnel, as it is the case with the company's two other ships, the SUPERFERRY and the SUPERFERRY II. The SUPERRUNNER completing her maneuvering procedure in Ios. The SUPERRUNNER having completed her maneuvering procedure and docking in Ios. Just a few minutes later, the ship already departs the port in order to reach her final destination, Santorini, prior to making the return trip back to Rafina. The SUPERRUNNER departing Ios. The summer of 2017 marked the first summer during which she and her two other sister ships operating in Greece (her third sister ship operates in Spain for Trasmediterránea as the ALMUDAINA DOS) worked for three different owners: the SUPERRUNNER for Golden Star Ferries, the SPEEDRUNNER III for Aegean Speed Lines and the elder HELLENIC HIGHSPEED for Hellenic Seaways. Though the SPEEDRUNNER III in 2016 operated for Levante Ferries, it was a charter and she was still owned by Aegean Speed Lines. All ships, built in Italy as part of the MDV 1200-class, had previously operated together for SuperSeaCat on the Baltic Sea in the early 2000s before beginning their careers in Southern Europe in the late 2000s. The SUPERRUNNER departing Ios for Santorini. The SUPERRUNNER exiting the port of Ios following her departure maneuvering procedure. The SUPERRUNNER leaving Ios. The SUPERRUNNER departing Ios. The SUPERRUNNER heading towards the port of Ios' exit. The CAPTAIN KOULIS returning to Ios yet again. While the SUPERRUNNER heads from Ios to Santorini. The CAPTAIN KOULIS seen from the entrance gate of the beautiful Church of Agia Eirini, which is the church located right next to the port of Ios. It is a typical Cyclades-style church, and is one of the most recognisable in Greece. The SUPERRUNNER seen from the Church of Agia Eirini, heading from Ios to Santorini. The SUPERRUNNER and the CAPTAIN KOULIS seen together in Ios. The beautiful CAPTAIN KOULIS heading towards the port of Ios once more. The SUPERRUNNER seen from the entrance gate of the iconic Church of Agia Eirini. The SUPERRUNNER heading towards the exit fo the port of Ios. The SUPERRUNNER passing by the CELESTYAL NEFELI and leaving Ios. One final view of the SUPERRUNNER as she heads towards Santorini. There is no doubt that this day, and these few hours, were absolutely unique for a shipping enthusiast like myself. Seeing four well-known and very successful high speed craft and a small high speed tour boat come and leave one after the other was a scene I will never forget, and is undoubtedly one of my favourite experiences during my vacation in Ios during the summer of 2017. #highspeedcraft #summer2017 #greece #cyclades #aegean #ios #hellenichighspeed #highspeed7 #hellenicseaways #aquaspirit #championjet2 #seajets #seajetsferries #captainkoulis #santoriniboatmenunion #superrunner #goldenstarferries

The year of 2016 was for me a year full of surprises in regards to seeing various ships from the Greek coastal service for either the first time in my life or for the first time under different liveries and colours. However, the biggest hit of the summer came at the most random moment of my summer stay in Greece. Indeed, that moment lasted just five minutes, but it was quite significant for me. So these five minutes occurred during my stay in the island of Zakynthos, an island that has been the setting of several of my blog posts this year. It happened during a regular summer morning, at a time where my family and myself would go and spend some time on the island's well-known beaches. We tend to go to the same ones, but, just out of curiosity, my parents wanted to see another beach for a few minutes. It was called Vassilikos, being named after the village that is located on the Eastern peninsula of the island. It is a very famous beach, but it was the first time we ever went to see it. And there, upon arriving on the shore, I quickly saw the beautiful turquoise sea, which was the first image someone would normally see upon arriving in the area. However, I randomly turned my face towards the right to see whether we would be able to see the island of Marathonisi (which I talked about on the Zakynthos Tour Boats Blog Post back in March), when I suddenly saw a big classic white boat standing in front me. The picture was the following: The beautiful-and recognisable-boat standing right in front of me in Vassilikos Beach in Zakynthos. I saw the ship and was completely shocked. I blinked my eyes twice to make sure I was not dreaming. But, right after the second blink, I realised that what I was seeing was actually real. Indeed, this classic white boat was none other but the legendary yacht CHRISTINA O, which belonged to the historic Greek shipowner Aristotelis Onassis. This ship, although not a regular passenger ship like the ferries or the high speed craft from the Greek coastal service, is, perhaps, the most popular Greek ship of all time. She has been the center of much media attention, especially when she was owned by Onassis, as the latter was, from the 1950s to his death in 1975, among the richest and most famous men in the world at the time. Onassis remains the greatest Greek shipowner to have lived, having owned 100 tankers at the time of his death through his company, Olympic Shipping. This company is still active today in honour of his legacy, operating supertankers under the Greek flag. His personal life aside, Onassis has been the idol of many Greek entrepreneurs, and has even inspired me in some ways. He was certainly very charismatic and controversial, but he always treated his crew with respect, offering them excellent standards of living both aboard ships and ashore. He frequently stressed a good maintenance of his fleet, and always sought to improve his maritime relations with both Greek and foreign authorities. But most importantly, Onassis was inspired by Greece, loved the country, and maintained a Greek heritage throughout the entirety of his activities worldwide. And these aspirations serve as the bases of the Alexandros S. Onassis Foundation, which he founded at the time of his death, and named after his late son, Alexandros Onassis. The latter was supposed to be the man that would carry on his shipping empire for the decades to come. However, he tragically lost his life in 1973, following an airplane crash near Ellinikon. He was an air transport enthusiast (his father also founded and owned the company Olympic Airways before it was nationalised and later bought by Aegean Airlines) and was riding his favourite airplane, the Piaggio P136, along with two pilots that were testing the plane. In fact, it is believed that the plane left from the CHRISTINA O prior to its tragic crash. Alexandros' death had a profound effect on his father, who never recovered and ended up sadly losing his life two years later, thus ending the immense shipping enterprise he had built. However, both the Onassis Foundation and Olympic Shipping continue to exist today, carrying the immense legacy and history Onassis left. Among his various endeavours, which include owning the beaches of Monaco or whale-hunting frigates, one of Onassis' most famous possessions was perhaps the one of his historic yacht. The CHRISTINA O was built in 1943 in Canada as an anti-submarine frigate for the Canadian Navy during World War II. She was completed in the city of Montréal as the HMCS STORMONT. As a frigate, she participated notably in the Battle of the Atlantic against the Germans, and was also present at the Normandy landings in 1944. After the end of the war, she and her sister ships were deemed to surplus requirements. In 1947 she began a conversion from a frigate to a yacht in Germany, though these plans were initially abandoned and she remained laid-up awaiting a buyer. The moment that defined her career came in 1954, at the age of 11. The ship was bought by Onassis with the view of converting her into a luxurious superyacht. The Greek shipowner originally wanted to buy her and 10 other frigate sister ships in order to operate them as passenger ships in the Greek coastal service. However, the Greek Government at the time unfairly opposed his planned deployments, and he instead decided to buy just one of these frigates, which happened to be the HMCS STORMONT. She was brought back to Germany, where she began immediate conversion. Her exterior and current look was designed by Cäsar Pinnau, while the interiors were designed by the illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans. The ship was renamed CHRISTINA, which was the name of Onassis' daughter. She was also involved in her family's shipping environment, just like her older brother Alexandros. She inherited Aristotelis' fortune and fleet after his death, and was the President of the Onassis Foundation until her sudden death in 1988. After 3 years and $4 million invested for her conversion from a frigate to a yacht, the CHRISTINA finally set sail. She served as Onassis' main point of refuge from public life and from stressful moments. She was usually docked in either Monaco or the Greek island of Skorpios on the Ionian Sea, which was owned by the Onassis family during the second half of the 20th century. She was also his main mode of transportation during his summer vacations. Her crew was very well experienced and always maintained her according to the perfection demanded by her owner. As Onassis became popular worldwide, the ship also became a hit, being one of the most recognisable modes of transportation on the world. She reached a rise to international stardom in 1957, when she was used for Onassis' Mediterranean summer cruise, which hosted several celebrities, such as Greek opera singer Maria Kallas (who also became Onassis' love interest for many years), British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, Welsh actor Richard Burton, Prince Rainier of Monaco, British actress Elizabeth Taylor, Swedish actress Greta Garbo, Egyptian King Farouk I, future United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his wife (and Onassis' future wife) Jacqueline. The list goes on and on. The cruise became very popular, and the Greek destinations were particularly the most acclaimed highlights, therefore promoting tourism in Greece. The ship features an elegant master suite, eighteen staterooms for guests, a library, a large dining room, a music hall, a kid's play zone, three lounge areas, a fitness center and an amazing outdoor pool with a minotaur-themed mosaic floor that could rise at the push of a single button to become a dance floor. She also has a special indoor bar, called 'Ari's Bar', in honor of the shipping magnate's nickname. She can fit approximately 250 passengers, which was quite a big number for a yacht during the 1950s. She also had an airbase on her stern, and this is where she would usually carry Alexandros' doomed plane, the Piaggio P136. The ship was also the host of two historical weddings: the marriage of Prince Rainier of Monaco with famous American actress Grace Kelly in 1956, and the wedding of Aristotelis Onassis to former United States First Lady Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy in 1968. The historic CHRISTINA O seen in Vassilikos Beach in Zakynthos. She has kept the exact same appearance as the one she had when she was owned by Onassis. Everything seemed to be perfect for the ship (despite her advancing age) when tragedy struck the Onassis family in 1973, after Alexandros' death. Aristotelis' first wife Tina died the following year, and she was then followed by Aristotelis himself, who was unable to cope with his son's loss and had lost the will to live and to operate his ships. As a result, after his death, the ship was initially laid-up in Skorpios, before she was donated by her namesake, Christina Onassis, to the Greek Government in order to operate as a presidential yacht in 1978. As a result of this donation, she was renamed ARGO and was installed in Floisbos, operating frequently from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. However, her role soon became diminished and she was subsequently abandoned by the Greek State, which did not even bother to convert her into a historic floating museum or to organise historic cruises with her. She was therefore abandoned in Floisbos and listed for sale. Many auctions failed, until she was finally bought by Greek shipowner Giannis Pavlos Papanikolaou in 1998. The latter was among the Onassis family's good friends and business partners, and, having traveled aboard the ship as a child, he sought to redeploy the ship as a tribute to her previous owner. She was therefore renamed CHRISTINA O in 1999, and she was heavily refurbished during two years, in Rijeka, in Croatia. She returned to service in 2001 under her new name, operating under charter to several groups that wished to travel aboard her. Papanikolaou died in 2010. Three years later, the ship was again listed for sale. She was apparently bought by Russian interests, and she still remains active despite the various disputes over different owners and charterers. She at least operated in Greece in 2016, as I was able to see her in Zakynthos, and, in 2017, when she underwent a refit in Perama. She is currently the thirty-first largest yacht in the world, while also being the seventh oldest yacht among the Top 100 largest yachts in the world. Quite a remarkable record for this historic ship, more than sixty years after she was first deployed for the great Aristotelis Onassis. A final picture of the CHRISTINA O in Vassilikos Beach in Zakynthos, before we left the beach. I would go on to see her two days later in the Laganas Beach as well, though I unfortunately did not have a camera that day. My summary of this post is simple: in just five minutes, I managed to witness history. This short visit of the Vassilikos Beach, which was originally a random visit of the place, just to have a look at the beach, turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of my summer. It marked the first time in my life that I saw this legendary ship, and I truly managed to get a taste of the glorious legacy her owner left, and which I have gone to idolise thanks to his historic shipping career. #summer2016 #greece #ionian #zakynthos #christinao #yacht #onassis #legend

Trip: 20 July 2016. From Kyllini to Zakynthos, with the ZAKYNTHOS 1 of Kefalonian Lines. The ZAKYNTHOS 1 was built in 1973 in Germany as a Ro-Ro carrier ship for service between mainland France, Corsica and Italy, for the French company Compagnie Méridionale de Navigation (now known as La Méridionale). Her initial name was VILLE DE CORTE, and she operated on the Marseille-Bastia-Ajaccio-Propriano line. She remained in this service until she was bought in 1989 by ANEZ. ANEZ was Zakynthos' first public and anonymous shipping enterprise. They began operations in 1981, after the had bought the then two-year-old Greek-built ferry GIOCONDA of Greek Atlantic Cod Fishing Company. This ship was renamed ZAKYNTHOS and began operations on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line. Her service was very successful, but it abruptly ended on 28 December 1989, when she sank near the port of Kyllini, due to intense storms which hit her and damaged her severely. The consequence was the tragic death of one passenger. As ANEZ was left without any ship in their name, they bought the VILLE DE CORTE two days after the ZAKYNTHOS disaster. The Ro-Ro carrier arrived in Perama in January 1990, where she was converted to a passenger ferry, and was renamed ZAKYNTHOS 1, as her owners wanted to distinguish her from her doomed predecessor. She began service on the Ionian Sea in the summer of 1990, on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line. After her company became part of the now-defunct Ionian Ferries joint venture, which had been composed of competitors Zante Ferries and Tyrogalas Ferries, she also made regular appearances on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, though her main service remained on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line. Like her predecessor, the ZAKYNTHOS 1 enjoyed a successful 15 years on the Ionian Sea thanks to her loyal and reliable operations. However, in 2004, her company began to head towards the opposite direction. This happened mainly because ANEZ made a huge mistake in buying a Russian-built cruise ship, the MIKHAIL SHOLOKHOV of Far Eastern Shipping Company, a ship with a very small garage and with passenger accommodation that did not correspond to Greek coastal service standards, and which therefore required a very important sum of money needed for a conversion to take place. Though the ship had started her conversion in Perama and had been renamed UGO FOSCOLO (after a poet from Zakynthos who lived during the 19th century), the company did not have enough money to pay the shipyard for the completion of her conversion, and she was subsequently sent for lay-up in Zakynthos. There, the company also realised that the ship was too big to operate on such a short line as the Kyllini-Zakynthos line, and therefore looked to sell the ship. As there were no buyers, their economic situation became even worse, which led them to leave the Ionian Ferries joint venture in 2006. The ZAKYNTHOS 1 operated independently during the summer of that year, but, in 2007, as the company could not afford to send her for refit in Piraeus, she was herself laid-up in the port of Zakynthos, on the entrance pier facing the one where her fleetmate, the UGO FOSCOLO, was docked. ANEZ quickly disappeared from the public view, with many believing that the company had ceased operations (though this proved not be the case, even though the company remained inactive). She spent the next five years abandoned in that same spot, with many people believing she would never return to service (due to her old age and due to her latest refit at the time dating back to 2006). Her exterior condition worsened, though it seemed that her interior was apparently in an excellent state. In 2010, ANEZ managed to get rid of the UGO FOSCOLO, but the ship did not leave Zakynthos until 2011, when she headed towards India for scrapping, at the age of 25. After the UGO FOSCOLO's departure, it had been expected that the ZAKYNTHOS 1 would follow the same path as her fleetmate. However, ANEZ had other plans, which were very favourable towards the ship's future. And indeed, during the spring of 2012, the ship left Zakynthos for the first time in five years to undergo a major refit in Piraeus. ANEZ, which was on the verge of joining Ionian Ferries again, had finally enough funds to bring the ship back to service. This eventually happened in December 2012, when the ship began operating on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, thus operating for the first time since 2007, despite being 39 years old at the time. A month later, ANEZ rejoined Ionian Ferries, and the ship continued to operate on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line during the summer of 2013. A major engine failure ended her season in October 2013. In 2014, due to newfound economic pressure and disagreements with Zante Ferries and Tyrogalas Ferries, ANEZ left Ionian Ferries once again. A few weeks later, it was announced that the ship would be chartered to Kefalonian Lines, a company which had just begun operations the previous season, after acquiring the fellow Ionian Sea veteran and legendary ferry KEFALONIA, renaming her NISSOS KEFALONIA and placing her on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line (in fact, she was the ZAKYNTHOS 1's competitor during the summer of 2013). The initial charter agreement was for two years. The ship kept her name, and was slightly refitted in Piraeus, where she was painted in the typical Kefalonian Lines dark blue colours. In the summer of 2014, she operated on both the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, alongside her new fleetmate, the NISSOS KEFALONIA, providing competition against her former operators, Ionian Ferries. In 2015, she only operated on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, due to the arrival of newly-established company Levante Ferries and their superbly modern and luxurious ferry, the FIOR DI LEVANTE, which was deployed on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line. After the departure of Tyrogalas Ferries from the Ionian Sea and later from the Greek coastal service and the establishment of the Ionian Group joint venture between Levante Ferries and Zante Ferries, Kefalonian Lines were now the only other main competitor on the Ionian Sea market. In order to compete with the FIOR DI LEVANTE and her Ionian Group fleetmates, the company had to upgrade its veteran ferries (in 2015, the ZAKYNTHOS 1 was 42 years old, while the NISSOS KEFALONIA celebrated her fortieth year of service). Kefalonian Lines did not wait too long for the upgrades to happen. In 2016, the ZAKYNTHOS 1 was sent to Piraeus to modify her passenger accommodations, as well as to upgrade her average speed. After a month of work, the ship returned to service completely fresh and ready to compete against Levante Ferries and Ionian Group. Furthermore, her charter to Kefalonian Lines was extended to six years (which means she will be 49 years old once it expires) and she was deployed exclusively on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line, while the NISSOS KEFALONIA operated exclusively on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. This long and huge historical background is essential in order to describe to you the experience I had with that particular ship. Although she has not essentially been one the best ships to have operated in the Greek coastal service, she remains a strong and reliable ferry on the Ionian Sea, an area which she has been serving loyally since 1990 (with the exception being her 5-year-long lay-up). So it was very special to travel with this ship in order to make my first Ionian Sea trip for the 2016 summer season, from Kyllini to Zakynthos. And the trip was even more special thanks to the fact that the ship has returned fully upgraded, which gave me the chance to explore the areas that were transformed in order to accommodate passenger to today's standards. The trip also had interesting personal facts and records. It was my second-ever trip with a ship operating for Kefalonian Lines, after I had done the exact same crossing with the NISSOS KEFALONIA a year earlier. It was also the first time I used this ferry while being able to identify her (I may have traveled with her when I was between 2 and 5 years old, but I unfortunately do not remember anything from back then). And, lastly, the ZAKYNTHOS 1 is currently the oldest ferry I have ever boarded in my life, as she was 43 years old last year (the second oldest is her current fleetmate, the NISSOS KEFALONIA, with which I had traveled in 2015 when she was 40 years old). All the above facts were key to my excitement in traveling with this ferry, which I was only used to see in the Zakynthos port's entrance pier in a very bad state. The trip succeeded my discovery of the renovated Kyllini port, something which I talked about last month, while also showing you a few pictures of the ZAKYNTHOS 1 preparing to leave Kyllini, as well as of the FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in the port. However I will add three of these again in order to give you a clear first impression of the ship I am writing a Tribute post to. A view of the beautiful veteran ZAKYNTHOS 1, preparing to leave Kyllini for her namesake island. The FIOR DI LEVANTE, the flagship of Levante Ferries, which is 25 years younger than the ZAKYNTHOS 1. She also appeared for the first time on the Ionian Sea 24 years after the latter had done so, back when she began service in 1990. The FIOR DI LEVANTE is seen here maneuvering in Kyllini, while her competitor is preparing to leave the port. The Kefalonian Lines logo occupying the funnel of the ZAKYNTHOS 1. This was the first summer that the ship spent without the printing of the map of the island of Zakynthos in her funnel, which she had while operating for ANEZ (since beginning service in Greece in 1990) and during her first two years with her current operators (in this case, the Kefalonian Lines logo had been printed in a much smaller size below the Zakynthos map). The ZAKYNTHOS 1 in Kyllini, shortly before we boarded her. Right after boarding the ferry, the stairs leading us to the passenger accommodation area had an exterior view, in which we could see the FIOR DI LEVANTE, right after she had completed her maneuvering procedure, and having just docked in Kyllini. The ship's upper garage deck, which quickly became full. Another view of the impressive FIOR DI LEVANTE, in her second summer operating on the Ionian Sea, on both the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. She had also been selected, about 5 months prior to this picture, as 'The World's Best Ferry of 2015' by Shippax. The ship's reception desk, which features the logo and the colours of Kefalonian Lines. The stern section of the lower indoor passenger lounge area. The ship had two passenger decks, with the upper deck giving the passengers the possibility to access the ship's outdoor areas. The corner of the stern section of the lower deck passenger lounge area. The central section of the passenger lounge area found in the lower deck, which features new rolling chairs, a nice bar, and plenty of space for passengers to move around. Another view of the central section of the lower deck passenger lounge area, with the modern rolling chairs, which were added during the ship's renovation during the winter of 2015-2016. The bow section of the passenger lounge area in the lower deck, which regroups several tables, chairs and couches in one small corner. The upper deck passenger lounge area, similar to the one found in the lower deck, though it lacks a bar (it instead has two large TV screens) and the chairs are greener, compared to the grey ones that I saw previously. They were also a new addition during the ship's major upgrade that year. Another Kefalonian Lines sign found in the corner of the passenger lounge. Right next to the company sign, there was an access to the public restrooms, which looked quite impressive, modern and stylish. The modern sinks and the motorcycle painting were all items added during the ship's most recent renovation. Another view of the upper deck passenger lounge area. And while I was preparing to take pictures of the ship's outdoor areas, I unexpectedly saw Kefalonian Lines' other ship, the legendary NISSOS KEFALONIA, maneuvering in Kyllini, after having just arrived back from her namesake island. Another view of the amazing FIOR DI LEVANTE. The NISSOS KEFALONIA maneuvering in Kyllini, in her fourth summer operating for Kefalonian Lines. Her previous Ionian Sea operations include stints with Strintzis Lines (1995-2000), Blue Star Ferries (2000-2004, Strintzis Lines' successor company after they were taken over by Attica Group) and Strintzis Ferries (2004-2013). From 1995 to 2010, she operated on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line, while in 2011 she was transferred to the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. She has since remained on that line, with the exceptions being 2012 (when she was laid-up for the entire season in Salamina and later in Drapetsona following Strintzis Ferries' economic difficulties, which led to the company's closure) and the summers of 2014 and 2015, where, apart from her Kefalonia operations, she also operated on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line. Her service on the latter line was fully taken over by the ZAKYNTHOS 1 in 2016. The starboard side outdoor alley of the ZAKYNTHOS 1, leading to the ship's bridge. Another view of the FIOR DI LEVANTE, which was preparing to leave the port 20 minutes after our departure. The stern section of the ship's outside area. Here, you can see both funnels being attached to a mast. An empty area in the middle section of the ship's exterior deck. The NISSOS KEFALONIA while she undergoes her maneuvering procedure in Kyllini. And another view of the FIOR DI LEVANTE. As I have mentioned previously, the 11880 and vrisko.gr signs in her hull serve as a way to promote both the telephone service company and the information website, which are both owned by the head of Levante Ferries, Georgios Theodosis. The upper exterior deck, with a view of the ship's stern. The lower outdoor deck has a useful tool: a sun deck right above the ship's wooden seats. The ferry's main lifeboat and some rafts are also seen on the left. The NISSOS KEFALONIA, having just completed her maneuvering procedure, is now preparing to dock right next to the FIOR DI LEVANTE. The NISSOS KEFALONIA almost ready to dock in the port of Kyllini. This was her fourth summer under Kefalonian Lines. One of the two iconic funnels of the NISSOS KEFALONIA, featuring, just like the ZAKYNTHOS 1, the Kefalonian Lines logo, which represents a small version of the geographic shape of the island of Kefalonia while also forming the company's initial letter K at the same time. The NISSOS KEFALONIA now ready to unload her passengers and her vehicles. A view of the bridge of the ZAKYNTHOS 1, as well as of the crew's cabins (obviously seen from the outside) on the starboard side. Another view of the great NISSOS KEFALONIA. The funnels of two of the three companies operating on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line. And both companies are fierce competitors between them. Another view of the Agios Nikolaos church in Kyllini, destined to protect seafarers. We are now preparing to leave port of Kyllini and head to Zakynthos. Our departure occurred less than 10 minutes after the FIOR DI LEVANTE's arrival, and less than 2 minutes after the NISSOS KEFALONIA's arrival in Kyllini. A view of the NISSOS KEFALONIA and of the FIOR DI LEVANTE as we prepare to head towards Zakynthos. The two main ships of their respective companies seen together in Kyllini, preparing for their next departures to their respective Ionian islands. The FIOR DI LEVANTE and the NISSOS KEFALONIA together in Kyllini. Both ships were built and began their careers in Asia, before they arrived in Greece. In fact, the ZAKYNTHOS 1 was the only European-built ship among the five ferries operating in Kyllini for the summer of 2016. Another view of the greatest ship on the Ionian Sea, standing to the one which could, if she stays for a long time in the area, surpass her. Another view of these two great ferries: the FIOR DI LEVANTE and the NISSOS KEFALONIA. A final view of these two ships, as we exit the port of Kyllini. And a last one of the NISSOS KEFALONIA, which has been the ZAKYNTHOS 1's fleetmate for the past two years. Another view of the starboard side alley of the ZAKYNTHOS 1, in the middle of the Ionian Sea. As we were approaching the port of Zakynthos, I managed to take my first-ever picture of the ex-IONIAN STAR under her current name, MARE DI LEVANTE. The ship, which had been bought by Levante Ferries during the summer of 2015, changed her colours and her name during her refit in the spring of 2016. Present on the Ionian Sea since 2003, it felt very awkward to me to see her for the first time without her former name and without the insignia of her former owners, Tyrogalas Ferries. Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea. Like her fleetmate, the ship also has the 11880 and the vrisko.gr signs on her hull. The beautiful MARE DI LEVANTE seen on the Ionian Sea. Her bow mirror was slightly modified during her refit, in comparison with pictures of her as the IONIAN STAR. The MARE DI LEVANTE heading from Zakynthos to Kyllini. Her sale to Levante Ferries marked a turning point in the history of the Ionian Sea coastal service, as it marked the end of Tyrogalas Ferries' operations in the area, and the end of the Ionian Ferries joint venture which was composed of her former owners and Zante Ferries. Furthermore, it marked the beginning of the new joint venture, Ionian Group, which is now composed of Levante Ferries and Zante Ferries. The beautiful MARE DI LEVANTE heading towards Kyllini. The MARE DI LEVANTE as she is heading towards the port of Kyllini. During the summer of 2016, she operated on both the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and the Kyllini-Kefalonia line, along with the third ship of Ionian Group, the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS of Zante Ferries. As we were approaching the port of Zakynthos, we were not the only ones preparing to dock. Indeed, the small passenger boat DELFINI of Voutirakos Cruises was also returning from her daily trip around the island, which she began in the morning. The DELFINI is the flagship of Voutirakos Cruises. Apart from her trip around the island of Zakynthos, she also makes occasional calls to the small island of Marathonisi. The beautiful DELFINI approaching the port of Zakynthos. I traveled just once with that ship, back in 2009. Since that year, I would always recognise her in the port, something which I had not done in the years prior to my trip with her. The DELFINI following us right behind in order to enter the port of Zakynthos. Right in front of the port of Zakynthos, there is a pier that is reserved exclusively to small passenger boats (except for the ones owned by Voutirakos Cruises) and to abandoned passenger ships. The first ship you can see is the DIMOSTHENIS of Top Cruiser, which also makes daily trips around Zakynthos. Right next to her, on the back of of the picture, is her fleetmate, the DIMOSTHENIS K, which also makes the same trips. The DIMOSTHENIS and the DIMOSTHENIS K together in Zakynthos. The port of Zakynthos greeting us for the first time in 2016. The DELFINI preparing to enter the port of Zakynthos, standing right behind us. The iconic Agios Dionisios Church campanile, standing right next to the port of Zakynthos. The DELFINI is now ready to enter the port, as we are now preparing for the maneuvering procedure. On the other side of the port, another ship belonging to Voutirakos Cruises, the MENIA MARIA I, was resting, after having completed her own pirate-themed cruise around Zakynthos and Marathonisi. The DELFINI having just entered the port of Zakynthos and now preparing to dock. The DELFINI is on her way to docking right next to her fleetmate, the MENIA MARIA I. The DELFINI heading towards the docking area that is reserved to Voutirakos Cruises ships. She was built in 2001 in Greece, and entered service for Voutirakos Cruises, replacing her older fleetmate, which was also named DELFINI. The latter was retired and scrapped due to reaching an old age in 2001, and her hull was used in order to build the current DELFINI. Another view of the MENIA MARIA I. Before arriving in Zakynthos for Voutirakos Cruises in 2011, she had previously spent her career under Athos Cruises on the Agion Oros region, serving the Ormos Panagias-Agion Oros line from 2002 to 2011. The MENAI MARIA I waiting for the DELFINI to come and dock right next to her. In the meantime, as the ZAKYNTHOS 1 is maneuvering, another tour boat, the IKAROS PALACE of Seven Islands Cruises, is leaving the port for her planned afternoon cruise. The IKAROS PALACE is the fastest small tour yacht on the Ionian Sea. She is the only ship of her company operating solely in Zakynthos by performing trips around the island as well as by stopping in Marathonisi. The beautiful IKAROS PALACE seen leaving the port of Zakynthos. In the meantime, the DELFINI has just completed her own maneuvering procedure, and is now preparing to dock. The ZAKYNTHOS 1 having just arrived in her namesake island. Here is a final view of the ship's stern. And the company still keeps its traditions: a sticker attached on the back windshield of our car, featuring the Kefalonian Lines logo, colours and website. And this marks the conclusion of my trip with the Kefalonian Lines ferry. It was truly a great experience, despite the ship's advanced age, which in the end did not have any significance. The trip was pleasant, comfortable, while I was also able to see the upgraded features that were placed on the ship during her most recent refit. It is great to see her in service on the Ionian Sea, because if you were in Zakynthos between 2007 and 2012, you could have easily thought that she would never operate again. But there she is still, continuing to provide efficient and reliable service until at least 2022, when her current Kefalonian Lines charter ends. And we have to wait, as there could still be more to come beyond that year. #zakynthos1 #kefalonianlines #summer2016 #greece #ionian #kyllini #zakynthos #anez #nissoskefalonia #fiordilevante #maredilevante #levanteferries #ioniangroup #delfini #meniamariai #voutirakoscruises #dimosthenis #dimosthenisk #topcruiser #ikarospalace #sevenislandscruises #tribute