CHAPTER 12

OPERATING HISTORY

12.1
Route / Schedule

The vessel was operated in a ferry service between Stockholm and Tallinn.

Tallinn
The vessel berthed at Terminal 2 in Basin No. 2 (see map attached as Enclosure 12.1.138), starboard side to shore, loading/discharging via bow ramp, i.e. the vessel was alongside all day with open visor. Berthing was not always easy which is demonstrated by the frequent use of the port anchor. The vessel had to pass the narrow entrance between the two breakwaters with some speed, in particular when side winds were prevailing, but the stopping distance ahead was only about 3 ship lengths.
The scheduled arrival was 09.00 hours and the departure was 19.00 hours (Estonian time = Swedish time + 1 hour). At wind speeds in excess of 15 m/sec the ferry proceeded stern first all the way out through the breakwater and turned round outside, at lower wind speeds the turning took place already inside the breakwater.

The three pictures following this show ESTONIA at her berth in Tallinn.

Stockholm
The scheduled arrival was at the beginning of the service 09.30 hours and since 24.01.94 at 09.00 hours local time. The ferry berthed at the Frihamn Terminal opposite the Silja Terminal also starboard side to the shore, but discharging/ loading took place via the 2 stern ramps. Departure was at 17.30 hours (Swedish time).

The pictures below show ESTONIA at her berth in Stockholm.

At Sea:

The route from Tallinn to Stockholm was leading between mainland and the island Nayssaar to the west and followed the Estonian coast with a course of ca. 262° to a waypoint on approximately 59°20' N, 22°00' E. The waypoint was changed according to requirements. Up to the waypoint the vessel was normally running on full speed, i.e. in calm sea = about 19 kn, and depending on the time when the waypoint was reached, the speed was then adjusted to be at the Sandhamn pilot at ca. 05.00 hours respectively at the Söderarm pilot at about 04.00 hours. The course from the waypoint to Sandhamn was ca. 266° and to the Söderarm entrance 287°.