The RV Livonia, built in Finland in 1984, is a sturdy ice-class vessel, originally designed to explore the polar regions in utmost safety and comfort. She has a sophisticated, state-of-the-art ballasting system and a specially-built ice-strengthened hull. Measuring 236 feet in length and 42 feet in beam, the Livonia is perfect for cruising the wilderness waters of Antarctica.
The Livonia is not a luxury cruise ship-- there are no formal Captain's dinners, brunches on the aft deck, or evening dances with a three-piece band. Plying deep into the pack ice or carefully plotting our way into some remote cove, there is seldom time for shipboard distractions.
The ship begins to feel like home after the first few days of exploring her many decks and doorways, and we feel like she's our own private expedition vessel. The bridge is not only open 24 hours of the day, but is the focal point of the entire ship. It's roomy, with an unobstructed view, and we all gather there to observe and participate in all the activity. We can even get lessons in navigation from the Captain and learn what it's like to stand watch throughout the night.

When it's time for landing or cruising in the Zodiacs, we use the Livonia's state-of-the-art Zodiacs. Each Zodiac has a naturalist or guide aboard as well as a helpful Estonian seaman trained in Zodiac safety and operation. Our naturalists and guides often drive the Zodiacs when we expect to encounter whales or other wildlife. This ensures we respect the rights of the creatures we've come so far to see. Because of this speed in launching and the small size of our group, we make more landings than other programs and can spend more time ashore exploring, photographing, and stretching our legs on comprehensive hikes.
Comfortable accommodations
Nineteen outside cabins (all with window or porthole) offer accommodation for 38 passengers, with your choice of either private or shared bathrooms (a spacious suite is also available). The bridge is open to passengers 24 hours a day, and a large conference room with a small wet bar serves as a gathering place for lectures and briefings. The library/observation room with its terrific views is great for relaxing and close to the bridge. Also aboard are a sauna, laundry service, and a small hospital staffed by a doctor. Delicious gourmet meals are served in two large dining rooms.
http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~kpt/terraquest ... vonia.html
Tristan da Cunha SG639
Livonia
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aukepalmhof
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Re: Livonia research vessel
Built as a research vessel under yard No355 by Laivateollisuus Oy AB, Turky/Abo, Finland for the Soviet foreign trade organization Sudoimport.
Launched as the ARNOLD VEIMER, named after the Soviet academician Arnold Veimer.
Tonnage 1,832 grt, 550 net, 731dwt. Dim. 71.61 x 12.83 x 4.75m (draught)
Powered by two 6-cyl. Russkiy Oil 4SA diesel engines, each 1,562 bhp, speed 14 knots.
Bunker capacity 360m³.
Dry cargo holds 360m³
Accommodation for 28 crew and 28 scientists.
Ice strengthened.
May 1984 completed.
After completing managed by Institute of Ecology and Marine Research, Tallinn.
26 June 1984 she left from the Estonian Academy of Sciences for her first expedition to the North East Atlantic.
1985 Made an expedition to the southern part of the North Atlantic in January-February and also an expedition in the Baltic during June.
1986 An expedition in the Atlantic from January to April.
1987/88 Again an expedition to the Atlantic from January to April and a summer expedition in the Baltic.
After Estonia regained its Independence she was in 1991 renamed in LIVONIA.
She was now owned by the Estonian Marine Institute.
Chartered by Canadian Marine Expeditions, which organized trips for tourist to Patagonia and Antarctic and North West Passage.
21 January 1996 she sailed in the Marguerite Bay on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, she was the first Estonian vessel who sailed so far south.
Due to debt by the Estonian State she was sold to Swedish Navy in 1997 and 1997 commissioned as HMS TROSSÖ (A264) used as a support and command ship by the Swedish Navy.
2003 Modernized at Falkvarv, Falkenberg, Sweden.
Displacement 2,140 tons.
Accommodation for 34 officers and 27 conscripts.
Armament 2 MG.
November 2008 it was announced that she would be sent to the Somalia waters with two Swedish corvettes to fight the piracy off the waters of Somalia.
2011 In service.
Tristan da Cunha 1998 15p sg 639, scott620.
Source: Watercraft Philately. http://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tross%C3%B6_(laev) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Tross%C3%B6_(A264)
Launched as the ARNOLD VEIMER, named after the Soviet academician Arnold Veimer.
Tonnage 1,832 grt, 550 net, 731dwt. Dim. 71.61 x 12.83 x 4.75m (draught)
Powered by two 6-cyl. Russkiy Oil 4SA diesel engines, each 1,562 bhp, speed 14 knots.
Bunker capacity 360m³.
Dry cargo holds 360m³
Accommodation for 28 crew and 28 scientists.
Ice strengthened.
May 1984 completed.
After completing managed by Institute of Ecology and Marine Research, Tallinn.
26 June 1984 she left from the Estonian Academy of Sciences for her first expedition to the North East Atlantic.
1985 Made an expedition to the southern part of the North Atlantic in January-February and also an expedition in the Baltic during June.
1986 An expedition in the Atlantic from January to April.
1987/88 Again an expedition to the Atlantic from January to April and a summer expedition in the Baltic.
After Estonia regained its Independence she was in 1991 renamed in LIVONIA.
She was now owned by the Estonian Marine Institute.
Chartered by Canadian Marine Expeditions, which organized trips for tourist to Patagonia and Antarctic and North West Passage.
21 January 1996 she sailed in the Marguerite Bay on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, she was the first Estonian vessel who sailed so far south.
Due to debt by the Estonian State she was sold to Swedish Navy in 1997 and 1997 commissioned as HMS TROSSÖ (A264) used as a support and command ship by the Swedish Navy.
2003 Modernized at Falkvarv, Falkenberg, Sweden.
Displacement 2,140 tons.
Accommodation for 34 officers and 27 conscripts.
Armament 2 MG.
November 2008 it was announced that she would be sent to the Somalia waters with two Swedish corvettes to fight the piracy off the waters of Somalia.
2011 In service.
Tristan da Cunha 1998 15p sg 639, scott620.
Source: Watercraft Philately. http://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tross%C3%B6_(laev) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Tross%C3%B6_(A264)
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