Strikebound in Helsinki

The Mariella and Gabriella laid up together at Katajanokka on 26.11.2019 due to the strike, with the Lotus (Danish-flagged and therefore outside the strike) bunkering the Gabriella and slightly messing up my envisioned shot.

The Finnish postal services have been on strike for the past two weeks, after the employer decided to unilaterally move a part of the workforce under a different collective agreement, resulting in pay cuts of 30-40%. When the postal services wouldn't budge from their original position, support strikes quickly begun – for reasons that should be obvious, workers across the board were not exactly keen on a precedent being set for such radical pay cuts made purely at the employers' discretion.

The Finnish Seamen's Union (amongst others) joined the strike on Monday, with Finnish-flagged ships laid up after arriving in Finnish ports. For the Helsinki-Stockholm route, this meant that only the Silja Symphony was sailing, with the Mariella laid up on arrival on Monday and the Gabriella and Silja Serenade on Tuesday.

Need a magazine cover?

Finnlines attempted a strikebusting move by moving the Finnstar, which normally sails on the Helsinki-Travemünde route, to the Malmö-Travemünde route (meaning she never arrives at a Finnish port and is therefore not subject to the strike), and moving the Swedish-flagged Europalink to the services from Finland instead. However, the strike was resolved earlier this morning, before the Europalink even reached Finland.

The Lotus leaving – I was so preoccupied with taking photos that I didn't notice she was moving at first! Alas, she reparted just as the light was getting a bit too dark for really good views.

Of course, the Helsinki-Stockholm ships laid up gave nice chances of photographing ships that are normally not seen together in Eteläsatama in Helsinki (similar unusual pairings could also be seen in Vuosaari, Turku, Naantali and Hanko, but I didn't have time to zoom around the country quite so much).

Line-up of the Finnish-flagged Helsinki-Stockholm ships. Unfortunately, I only realised you could take a photo with all three properly visible through the harbour fence when it was a bit too dark for really good photos.

You wait for five months for a blog update and then two come at once? Worry not, I'm sure we'll be back to the one update per month if you're lucky -pace soon. :P

Mariella in Helsinki, 15 February 2010

I was looking through my older entries recently, and came across this entry of the Mariella. While I generally try to avoid reposting old image sets, I cannot for the life of me fathom why I had put up only three images from that session, considering how many superb shots I took. So today we will look back almost eight years, and finally take a proper look at the very chilly morning of the Mariella arriving in Helsinki.

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku (Perno), Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draugth 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
430 cars
980 lane metres
4 Wärtsilä SEMT-Pielstick diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

Let's cut right to the chase. The photos below show the Mariella outside Helsinki, passing through the Kustaanmiekka strait, and in Eteläsatama (South Harbour) in the morning of 15 February 2010, photographed from onboard the also-inbound Silja Symphony. As per the usual, click on the images to see them in larger size.

The Mariella came in via the usual inbound shipping lane east of the Harmaja lighthouse, while we took a more westernly route, utilising a channel broken earlier by the Superstar. This shot was preceeded by many photos of a backlit Mariella.

Both ships were delayed by the difficult ice conditions - the Silja Symphony more severely than the Mariella, which made these photos possible, as the distance between the ships is usually greater at this point.

Harmaja lighthouse in the background.

Some twists and turns (by both ships) later we ended up with a very similar view as above, but with the Mariella now about to enter the Kustaanmiekka strait.

The strait is relatively narrow, but made more problematic for navigation by the fact it's not straight and ships have to perform an S-turn while passing through.

Past the narrowest bit...

...and some minutes later we are at Eteläsatama, with the Mariella just about to berth.

Berthing then took a while, as both ships needed to first wash the quayside clear of broken ice - a routine manouvre during the winter season, but a time-conmusing one nonetheless.

Kships will return in 2018!

Mariella in Helsinki, 19 July 2016

I realised today that I had uploaded only one set of images from my & ship photographer extraordinnaire Marko Stampehl's visit to Vallisaari last summer. It's high time to put up a second one.

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku (Perno), Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draugth 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
430 cars
980 lane metres
4 Wärtsilä SEMT-Pielstick diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

Since 2014, the Mariella's route has been extended to Stockholm-Helsinki-Tallinn during the summer seasons, with a return trip to Tallinn during the time the ship normally spends in port in Helsinki (the same of course applied to the running mate Gabriella). This of course gives additional photo opportunities, as you can photograph the ship arriving and departing in the space of a few hours, both in the morning and afternoon. It's quite unusual for me to be up to photographs the morning call, though...

The photos below show the Mariella passing though the Kustaanmiekka strait, both arriving and departing, in the morning of 19 July 2016. Photographed from the little cape in Vallisaari next to the Kustaanmiekka strait (I have not been able to discover the name of the place; if someone does, let me know). As per the usual, click on the images to see them in larger size.

Morning rush hour; in addition to the Mariella, you can see the inbound Star and Silja Symphony in the horizon.

Rush hour part two, the Mariella with the outbound Finlandia in the background.

A slightly more unusual view of the ramparts at Kustaanmiekka.

I'm still not sure if I like the "Grace stripes" and the new, larger hull texts on her. Especially not with the slightly misaligned G in Viking.

About two hours later, the same ship was outbound. The ramparts in background would make for fine photo locations, were they not part of a low-security prison and therefore inaccessible to the general public.

Dynamic old lady.

Kships will return.

Mariella on Helsinki, 20 May 2015

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku New Shipyard, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draugth 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

The grand old lady Mariella was given a thorough refit in April, including new restaurants, refurbished cabins and a rebuilt nightclub. On the outside, the ship was given a new livery with the new style hull stripes introduced with the Viking Grace (this change means the Gabriella is now the only ship in the Viking Line fleet still in the old livery). I finally got around to photographing her in these new colours on 20 May 2015 at Kustaanmiekka. As per the usual, click on the images to see them in larger size.

Notice the changes, part 1: the stylified wings have been removed from the bow.

Part 2: Obviously, there's the new stripes on the hull, and the hull markings have been moved aft like on other Viking Line ships (the letter G is slightly out of alignment from the rest).

Part 3: The ship's name has been moved from the bow to the forward superstructure, bringing her in-line with the rest of the fleet (except the Rosella, which still has her name on the bow, even after the recent repaint).

I kinda wish they would have added a black stripe along the windows of deck 7. It would modernise her appearance a bit, I think, and would match ger running mate Gabriella better.

Nothing much new and interesting from the rear view. There is a new summer terrace at the aft outer deck, but that doesn't really show in these pics as such.

Next time: Err... depends on when I can be bothered to head out for more photography. Or if that takes ridiclously long, on which old pics I'll dig up to share with you.

Mariella in Helsinki, 15 March 2013

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku New Shipyard, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draugth 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

The grand old lady of the Baltic Sea. This year marks not only her 28th anniversary in the Viking Line fleet, but also the 28th year she has been in service between Helsinki and Stockholm. No other Baltic Sea ferry can boast a comparable record - and it can be said with a 99% certainty that the Mariella will continue to serve on the route for at least two more years and hence be the first Baltic ferry to break the 30-year mark.

The photos below show the Mariella departing from Helsinki in the evening of 15 March 2013. Winter lingered long this year, which meant that for once it was possible to take photos of the Helsinki-Stockholms ferries in the ice. Usually the times when there's enough light in the evening and when there's still ice do not mingle. Photos taken, as per the usual, from Kustaanmiekka.

Click on the images to see them in larger size.

The challenge here were the shadows; with the sun so low, the various structures of Suomenlinna cast extremely long shadows. As did the Mariella herself; I won't be lying if I say her shadow saw several hundred metres long.

This photo really requires no caption, does it?

Past the strait and into the still partially icy Baltic Sea.

Next time: More wintery fun with the Star.

Mariella in Helsinki, 16 October 2012

The photographs in this entry are my last ship photos from 2012 (well, to date, but due to the poor lighting conditions in this part of the world for the rest of the year, it's very unlikely I will have a cance to take more). This is actually something of an accident. As I wrote in the previous entry, I was hoping to get some photos from my two-weeks-ago cruise to Stockholm on the Silja Symphony. Additionally, yesterday was supposed to be the date of last cruise call in Helsinki for 2012, with Fred. Olsen's Black Watch making a call during her Baltic Christmas Markets cruise. This was not to be, as the call was cancelled due to heavy winds (which have since developed into a still-continuing blizzard). For next entries after this one, we will probably move on to my archives. But now onwards to the point:

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku New Shipyard, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draugth 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

Very little to say about the Mariella, really. She is the faithful servant, having sailed on between Helsinki and Stockholm almost with interruption since 1985. The photographs below show her sailing through the Kustaanmiekka strait after departing Helsinki on the afternoon of 16 October 201. Click on the images to see them in larger size.

The lighting might not be very good, but just look at the sky!

More of the sexy sky...

The sun did clearly still shine a bit, judging by the reflections on the windows.

Entering the narrowest part of the strait.

Also notice the wee bit of autumn foliage on the left.

Mariella in Helsinki, 29 May 2012

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku New Shipyard, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draugth 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

A few more photographs from the extensive photo session on 29 May. When it came to the Mariella I decided that instead of taking photos from the usual locations (from which I have hundreds of photos of the ship anyway) I decided to move to a different location that didn't give me a chance of photographing the ship from a forward point of view but did give chances for unusual images from the aft view. So here they are. The Mariella departing from Helsinki, photographed from Kustaanmiekka, click on the images for larger size, you know the drill.

Clearing the Kustaanmiekka strait and heading out to the open sea.

And that little lighthouse-thing included in the photo. ;)

Mariella in Helsinki, 6 July 2011

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku New Shipyard, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draugth 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

Ah, the Mariella. To be honest it's difficult to get excited about this ship. She's just two years younger than I am and for as long as I can remember she has been plying the Helsinki-Stockholm route. Other ships come and go (she has had five different running mates on the route to date - six if you count the Amorella that has occasionally done short stints on the route). The layout of the Mariella has proven to be an extremely practical design; the generation of Viking Line ships that followed her in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Amorella, Isabella, Cinderella, Athena, Kalypso and Silja Europa) were all further developments of the Mariella's design. In the 2000s Tallink's cruiseferries Romantika, Victoria I, Galaxy, Baltic Princess and Baltic Queen also show clear influence of the Mariella in their interior layouts.

Yet, despite all that, the Mariella herself is... after a dozen or more trips on her there's nothing interesting about visiting her anymore. Even the quite extensive changes made to her interiors during the recent years can't turn her into a different, exciting ship. Her interior design is crowded and for a discerning passenger of the 21st century there aren't enough entertainment options onboard. I've done great cruises onboard her but it really is time to bring something new to the Helsinki-Stockholm line.

The photographs below show the Mariella departing Helsinki on 6 July 2011, photographed from Kustaanmiekka. Click on the individual images to see in larger size.

It's coming right at us!

Phew, it just missed us. According to Viking Line's 50 anniversary book (which is also available in English), of the two shipyards SF Line negotiated with for the final building contract of the ship, Valmet's proposal was better-looking, but Wärtsilä's was technically superior and hence Wärtsilä was chosen. It would be interesting to see how Valmet's design differed.

Another tidbit from the same book is that SF Line originally wanted to order from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, but could not get a go-ahead from the Bank of Finland (who had to approve all transactions from Finland to abroad at the time).

Judging by the direction of the ship she sailed through the Porkkala shipping lane, not through the open-sea route. In the bankground on the right is the Harmaja lighthouse and in the distance the Silja Symphony.

Mariella, 15 February 2010

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku New Shipyard, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draft 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

Mariella arriving in Helsinki in heavy ice after an overnight crossing from Stockholm on 15 February 2010, photographed from onboard Silja Symphony. Click on the image(s) to view full size.

Pushing towards Kustaanmiekka, with Harmaja lighthouse in the background.

On Kruunuvuorenselkä, turning towards the South Harbour entrance.

Manoeuvring into quay in the South Harbour. This took some time for both ships, as they had to flush the quay clear of ice before they could berth.

Mariella, 27 July 2010

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draft 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

Mariella was originally delivered to SF Line, one of the (then-)three partners in the Viking Line marketing consortium. Up until the delivery of the Mariella, Viking Line's route between Helsinki and Stockholm had been solely trafficked by ships belonging to Rederi Ab Sally, but a new agreement between the Viking Line partners allowed SF Line and the third partner Rederi AB Slite to break this monopoly. The Mariella has been extremely successful on the Helsinki-Stockholm route, having stayed on the route since 1985 (apart from occasional short transfers to cover on other routes). This makes her (to date) the most durable ship on the route.

Mariella photographed in the Kustaanmiekka strait, photos taken from the north-eastern shore of Kustaanmiekka itself on 27 July 2010.

Mariella, 2008

Mariella

IMO 8320573
Built 1985, Wärtsilä Turku, Finland
Tonnage 37 860 GT
Length 175,70 m
Width 28,40 m
Draft 6,78 m
Ice class 1A Super
2 500 passengers
2 500 berths
400 cars
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 008 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
Speed 22 knots

Click on image(s) to view full size.

At Kustaanmiekka strait, photographed from the isthmus between Susisaari and Kustaanmiekka. 2008.

At Kustaanmiekka strait, photographed from Kustaanmiekka. 1 August 2008.