VIKING SALLY ferry. ESTONIA

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a ro-ro ferry under yard No 590 by Jos L. Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany for Rederi Ab Sally, Mariehamn, Åland.
26 April 1980 launched as the VIKING SALLY.
Tonnage 15,566 grt, 8,372 nrt, 2,800 dwt.. Dim. 155.43 x 24.21 x 5.55m.
Powered by four MAN 8L 40/45 diesel engines, 23,636 hp., two pitch propellers. Speed 21 knots.
Accommodation for maximum 2,000 passengers. Cabin berths 1,190.
Cars 460.
29 June 1980 delivered to owners.

02 July 1980 arrived at Mariehamn from Papenburg.
05 July 1980 maiden voyage from Stockholm, Mariehamn, Turku Kapellskär, Mariehamn, Naantali for the Viking Line service.
25 October 1982 she grounded off Turku.
23 May 1984 she grounded in the Åland archipelago, refloated by own power and sailed to Vuosaari, Helsinki for repairs.
27 May 1984 again in service.
02 April 1985 got a problem with one propeller, and has to be drydocked for two days.
04 April 1985 again in service.
1985 She was fitted out with a “duck tail”, an extension on the stern to save fuel.
October 1987 Rederi Ab Sally withdraws from the Viking Line.
The same day the VIKING SALLY was bareboat chartered by the Rederie Ab Slite for service in the Viking Line.
05 November 1989 she grounded when rescue the crews of yachts in distress off Furusund, she damaged both propeller shafts, and had rudder damage.
06 November 1988 arrived under tow in Stockholm, then towed to Southampton Shipyard for repairs.
09 December 1988 returned to service.
21 December 1988 sold to EFFOA, Helsinki, Finland and chartered on bareboat charter to Rederi Ab Slite until the spring of 1990.
April 1990 chartered by the Silja Line, renamed in SILJA STAR.
20 April 1990 made the first voyage for the company between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Turku, made her last voyage in this service in November 1990.
12 February 1991 arrived at Vaasa, Finland and renamed WASA KING.
15 February 1991 in the service between Vaasa and Umea, Sweden.
June 1991 in service between Vaasa and Sundsvall, Sweden till August.
August 1991 in service between Vaasa and Umea.
February 1991 in service for the Oy Wasa Line between Vaasa and Umea/Sundsvall.
1992 Transferred and registered by Effdo 3 Oy.

January 1993 sold to Nordström and Thulin, Stockholm but registered by the E. Liini A/S, Tallinn, Estonia and Estline Marine Co. Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus.
Chartered by the Cyprus company to E. Liini A/S Tallinn which was owned by Nordström & Thulin, Esco (Estonian Shipping Company.)
The two companies in turn chartered the ship to Estline Ab, put under Estonian flag. Used in the service between Tallinn and Stockholm., under the name ESTONIA.

28 September 1994 at 01.24 during stormy weather, water entered her hull and she capsized and sank in the Baltic Sea with the loss of 910 people in a position 59 23N 21 42E, on a voyage from Tallinn to Stockholm.
Subsequent examination of the wreck showed that the bow “visor” had become separated from the hull and that there was a gap of about 1 metre depth at the top of the watertight bow ramp which was behind the “visor”. Only 137 people survived. It is one of the worst post-war shipping disasters in the world.

Sweden 1982 1k65 sg1120, scott1411.
Malagasy 1998 3500fmg sg?, scott?

Source: Marine News. 1994/691. http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/viking_sally_1980.htm