SUMMER 2016 - July ferrying, Part 6

Wednesday 20th July 2016
The air-conditioning in my room at Queens Leriotis Hotel in Piraki near Piraeus proved too cold for me during the night, so I switched it off, opened the balcony door, pulled the dark curtains across the windows again, put on a fleecy jacket and returned to my bed. The temperature controls were way above my head on the ceiling, so adjusting them wasn't an option. I was back to sleep within moments, and only woke again with the alarm calling me in time for breakfast at 8.45 a.m.

The views of the ships had been enjoyed earlier, but then it was time to leave and drive round to see PANAGIA TINOU in the harbour, for the last time before setting off for the Piraeus airport. We filled the hire car up with fuel before handing it back at the Hertz desk at El Venizelos airport, and heading into the one and only terminal building.

The top two red spots show our location in Agios Konstantinos and then Skiathos


My amazing trip is going to continue with a flight from Athens here in Greece, over to the Italian coastal city of Bari. Ferries timings were not suitable for our scheduled itinerary and instead we checked in with Aegean Airways for a 1 hour 40 minutes flight on an Olympic Airways DHC-8400 propeller aircraft over the Ionian Sea/Straits of Taranto/Adriatic Sea to our destination.

This shows our route from Athens (lower right-hand red spot) to Bari in Italy (top red spot left-hand side)

First details about the aircraft


As we left the airport we did a gradual curved route back around the Great Harbour of Piraeus and the eagle-eyed were able to spot the abandoned EUROPEAN EXPRESS, THEOFILOS, ALKYON, and PELAGATIS a long way below.

Theologos at Rafina

Superferry II approaching Rafina

A good view of most of the Great Harbour of Piraeus

European Express, Theofilos, Alkyon and Pelagatis at Drapetsona

Aircraft details


We were offered light refreshments on the flight, which were an unexpected and enjoyable surprise. I enjoyed the views of Corfu and other tiny islands from my port-side window on this little aircraft as we flew high above the sea at 24,000 feet, towards the Italian mainland. I can't remember the last time I flew on an aircraft with propellers, but it was many years ago.

We flew parallel with the Italian coast and I noticed two different fires inland with their smoke billowing really high up into the atmosphere and over the land for many miles. Soon we landed at Bari airport and left our little aircraft, to head into the terminal and get a taxi to take us to the port. We remembered to change our watches back one hour to Italian time.

Dashing from the Dash?


Our ferry tonight is to be BARI, sailing 11 hours overnight from here in Bari to Igoumenitsa and Corfu. She was built in 1980 for the famous Sealink Dover-Calais crossing, as ST. ANSELM. She is now with Ventouris Ferries doing this Bari-Corfu-Igoumenitsa route, plus doing Cefalonia-Zante once a week as well.

In the port of Bari was this horrific sight - Norman Atlantic

Rhapsody was nearby

Superfast II

Bari at Bari


BARI's engines are slow, which emitted black smoke when we sailed. From our berth we could look across the quayside to the fire-damaged NORMAN ATLANTIC, where we could still see the smoke-blackened window frames and even the escape chutes hanging down the outside of the hull. Fire had broken out during the early hours of 28th December 2014 on the ANEK-chartered ship during a voyage from Patra to Ancona. It is said that the fire started on the car deck and that fire-fighting equipment and the skills to use it were completely inadequate, and eleven people died as a result with eighteen missing. It is horrifying to see the ship now and even more so to know that very little compensation and explanations have been forthcoming since the terrible incident. I read that the Italian investigation authorities have still not searched the whole ship to find the missing passengers.

Norman Atlantic


There were other ships around and they were a momentary distraction from the NORMAN ATLANTIC.

Lounge

Forward Bar/lounge

Rigel II on the poster

Rigel II in the port nearby

Leaving Bari

On deck in the late sunshine


We are due to sail at 6 p.m. from here in Bari and it was delightful to leave the port and see the other ships in the evening sunshine. We had a good meal in the self-serve restaurant and then headed onto deck to see the day end in a glorious sunset.

Last of the sunset


Soon the moon rose and made a lovely light on the calm water as we sailed along. Tomorrow we will disembark in Igoumenitsa, north-west Greece, on BARI and enjoy a little time there, before going on to Corfu.

Ships seen in Piraeus: Blue Galaxy, Panagia Tinou, Knossos Palace, Blue Star Delos, MSC Magnifica, Superfast XII, Kriti I, Kriti II, Pelagitis, Norwegian Jade, Adamantios Korais, Phivos, Ionis, Ariadne

Ships seen from the plane: Superferry 2, Theologos (Rafina), European Express + Theofilos + Alkyon + Pelagitis

Ships seen in Bari: Bari, Superfast II, Rhapsody, Sveti Stefan II, Rigel II, and the fire-damaged Norman Atlantic


To be continued...

FERRYING IN '15, 26th June, Rosa d'Abundo, the concluding piece

Friday 26th June 2015 (continued)
This is the last day of my holiday and I planned to make the most of it, by enjoying this first ferry ride to Ischia and then sailing on another one back to Naples.

Naples and Ischia

Ischia

Blue sky, flowers, scooter, heat

My travelling companion will be sailing part of the way back but will disembark at Procida for an overnight stay before he flies home tomorrow. It is a small island, with ruined remains of its founding in the 8th Century BC, as well as more modern delights and ferries.

The harbour entrance to the port of Ischia is narrow and it was easy to see when our next ferry came sailing in: it was ROSA D'ABUNDO, sailing for Medmar. Medmar changed its name in 2002 from Linee Lauro, and this was one of the ships in their fleet at the time. She was built in 1981 as the ANGELINA LAURO, at 851 gross tons.

Here's our ferry

Rosa d'Abundo


There was a very efficient man on the quayside telling us all where to stand, please, so that the disembarking passengers and vehicles could get off the ship safely - some people tried to ignore him, at their peril, as he wanted the ship cleared quickly! It was interesting to watch his style of working, which he has obviously perfected over the years.

Waiting, waiting...


Soon we were allowed to walk on board and look around this little ship which had blue furnishings and was cool and welcoming on board. Many of us chose to sit up on one of the canvas-roofed open decks to benefit from the sea breeze. The sun shone, the sea sparkled and there was lots to look at as we sailed at 10.35 a.m. from Ischia towards Procida and Naples. We seem to have done a lot today already, in a comfortable and leisurely way, after the early race from SNAV SARDEGNA.

On board

Blue on board

One of the open decks

Agata

Tourist Boat Secondo

Fauno

Naiade


We arrived at Procida and there were fond farewells between the two of us, as passengers left the ROSA D'ABUNDO and others came on board.

Macaiva at Procida


I waved at the quayside and then sat back on the top deck under cover, to continue to enjoy the delights of being at sea.

Aldebaran, which we sailed on this morning

Approaching Naples again

Isola di Capri

Benedetta II

Don Peppino

Giove Jet

Rhapsody

Laurana tucked in, good to see her again

Catania

Capri

Driade


Back in Naples I disembarked with everyone else, went through the passenger terminal and was glad to see a free blue shuttle bus waiting to take us all to the Maritime Molo. Then I did a hot little walk to the Pic Nic cafe, which I'd located on the internet. Not only did they make and sell fresh salads and other food and drink, but they also sold Airbus tickets at a discount; I could sit in the shaded comfort of the cafe and enjoy my lunch before I had to catch the bus to Naples Airport from a nearby stop. I waited beside the bus stop in the shade of a very wide advertising pole (inspired positioning on my part) and was surprised at the number of taxis that pulled up and offered to take nearby bus passengers to the airport for some expensive fare. The bus arrived and I was soon at the airport, ready to fly home to the UK and resume my other life.


Ships seen: Rosa d'Abundo, Catania, Driade, Don Peppino, Allure of the Seas, Laurana, Vincenzo Florio, Rhapsody, Capri, MSC Divina, Giove Jet, Benedetta II, Isola di Capri, Island Escape, Aldebaran, Macaiva, Fauno, Naiade, Tourist Boat Secondo, Agata



It was a long time since that e-mail arrived on Christmas Day 2014 inviting me to join two of my friends for ferrying in June and we had all been looking forward to it as the plans were made by them. My holiday had been fascinating, travelling on many interesting ships, in good company, and I felt so lucky to have been Ferrying in '15.


THE END

COSTA DIADEMA 1st November 2014 Part 8

Part 8

Thursday 6th November 2014
Today is my first-ever birthday at sea. I opened my cards from loved ones at home (I had special dispensation to be away…), my cabin steward made a funny hanging towel animal with a little note once he had seen my cabin, and prepared to enjoy the half day here in Naples, Italy. I could see lots of ships of all kinds, so today’s list should be lengthy despite the early morning damp air as we berthed. Vesuvius loomed over the bay with the usual ash cloud over it.

Rhapsody, ex Napoleon Bonaparte, viewed as we approached the Naples Maritime Station berth

Norwegian Spirit was already in port

Laid up lovelies I could see

Another view of Rhapsody through the early morning mist

Galesus the tug was in attendance

Going astern beside the Maritime Station, which allowed us to see lots of ships in the port

Marmorica of Toremar

Aida Vita in dry dock

Another view of Rhapsody, ex Napoleon Bonaparte

I could see dents in the hull midships

raffaele rubattino

SNAV Sardegna was already in port

Croazia Jet in the middle

More laid-up lovelies; I am now informed that the ALA is the former Clyde vessel MAID OF SKELMORLIE, built in 1953

Patrizia laid up

Rosa d'Abundo (ex Angelina Lauro b. 1981) sailed past


After a short walk to a nearby ferry terminal, we watched a few arrivals there.

Fauno, a local ferry, came in fast


We then returned to COSTA DIADEMA for coffee in the Chocolate House. The Chocolate Fountain in the glass case seemed not to be working still, and maybe the white-overalled engineers standing around it with screwdrivers yesterday had found a little problem. Ah well, the staff were able to provide fruit portions dipped in delicious chocolate and the most yummy and squishy macaroons in various colours so the coffee break was very satisfactory.

Trinacria

Macaiva of Gestur

Dimonios

An interesting line-up

Another unknown

What's that in the corner?

Palermo, I think. No, I'm informed this is Falerno, built in 1965, but laid up since 2011.

Super Flyte?

What is this?
The black-hulled ship laid up by the CROAZIA JET is the CAPRI. She was built in 1962 as the passenger and cargo ship BASILUZZO for the Eolian islands. She went to Greece as the CITY OF ANDROS with her sister VULCANELLO which became the CITY OF POROS. The CITY OF ANDROS eventually returned to Italy as the small cruise ship CITALIA, then CAPRI, registered in Madeira.

More unknowns

Teseo, something unknown, and Ievoli Sky

Two more unknowns

Driade arriving at speed

Salerno Jet arriving


Photos, lunch and a quiet time on deck prepared us for departure from Naples at 2.40 (late) under a navy-blue coloured sky. We raced away from the port at 21.8 knots, listing slightly with the swell and watching the mist become closer and cold, as we headed for Genoa.

By 6.00 p.m. our pre-dinner drinks on our favourite Deck 5 aft Bar were accompanied by a dramatic thunderstorm. There was sheet lightning all around the ship and the most torrential rain which bounced up from the deck and poured down from overhead gutters. The outside lights flickered and went out a few times and when we could no longer hear ourselves talk we retreated inside. That was all rather dramatic we thought.

A meal in the Pizza Bar was enjoyable, especially with gifts of Champagne, and a specially designed print of the COSTA DIADEMA by Roberto Bixio, issued for her Maiden Season 2014, and the company of good friends.

I returned late to my cabin to find a birthday card signed by the Captain, and a birthday cake with candle on the dressing table. What a kind thought from Costa, although too late to share with my companions.

Birthday cake


Ships seen: Rhapsody (the ex-Napoleon Bonaparte), Raffaele Rubattino, SNAV Sardegna of GNV, Norwegian Spirit, Ala next to Patrizia (old and laid up), Rosa d’Abundo (the ex-Angelina Lauro of 1981), Marmorica (old, laid up, of Toremar), Teseo in dry dock, Aida Vita in dry dock, Dimonios of Tirrenia, Trinacria of TTT Lines, Macaiva of Gestur laid up, Fauno of Caremar, Sindaco Malvito V, Ievoli sky next to Teseo, ARV 2 (ex-Diana 2, ex Meloodia), Agata of Medmar an ex-Tallink ship, Isola de Capri of Medmar, Adiona something of Toremar, Myriam laid up, Croazia Jet and various unidentified others


To be concluded...