Built by Oltenitza Shipyard for the Rumanian Government in 1960/61
Launched under the name OLTENITA, one of her sisterships is also depict on a stamp of Rumania, she is the CARPATI.
Tonnage 818 dwt., dim. 83.8 x 14.8 x 1.55m., (draught).
Powered by three 600 hp. diesel engines, three screws, speed 26 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 200 passengers, crew 58.
The two sisters were built for the service in the lower Danube delta. But initially Government officials and foreign delegations only used her.
On board the OLTENITA the historic agreement was signed between President Tito of Yugoslavia and President Georgue Dezh of Romania to build the Djerdap dam.
During the seventies the two vessels were used for passenger traffic, and she carried the first western visitors to these areas.
After the 1989 Romanian Revolution and the ousting and killing of President Causescu, a period of economic turmoil descended on the country, and the two sisters were laid up at the Giurgiu Shipyard, without proper maintenance, she slowly deteriorated till 1998 when the Giurgiu Shipping Company decided to renovate the two sisterships and use them for river cruise vessels on the river Danube.
During the spring of 1998 work on the OLTENITA commenced, one of the three engines was replaced by a new one, all propellers renewed, modern navigation equipment installed, and the passenger accommodation renovated, she can now carry 75 passengers in 42 cabins. Crew between 40-45.
01 June 1998 her second maiden voyage between Bucharest and Vienna.
During the spring of 1999 her sister was renovated in the same way as the OLTENITA.
The Kosovo conflict in Yugoslavia almost put an end to the service, but the itinerary was adjusted, and the OLTENITA came in a service from Bucharest to the Black Sea, passing through the Danube Delta. Her first sailing was in July 1999.
Both ships are still sailing on the River Danube.
Source: Enzyklopädie der Maritimen Philatelie.
http://www.qualitytours.dk/aboutourships.htm
http://www.vwtours.com/tips/tips_europe ... elta.shtml
