Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula and 406 islands, 79 of them inhabited. Twenty-seven of these islands make up the Association of Small Danish Islands.
Ferries sail back and fort every day between these small islands and the mainland, maintaining contact between island communities and the outside world.
Ferries bring post and other supplies to the islanders, many of whom are also dependent on the ferry to covey them to jobs on the other side of the water.
Depopulation has long been a problem for many of the small islands. However in recent years, several islands have reported population increases- so there is good reason for optimism for survival of island communities.
For many years, islanders had extra expenses, paying for passenger and cargo transport. However, a new state scheme introduced in 2000 now makes it free for islanders to use their ferries.
Free ferries, the maintenance of general stores, schools, public service functions, tourism and private business all play a crucial role in the future survival and development of island communities.
One of these ferries is the ro-ro ferry BUKKEN-BRUSE built in 1961 under yard no 437 by the Bergens Mek. Verksteder at Bergen, Norway for AS Ferjetrafikk at Bergen (Wilhelmsen AS Bergen).
Launched under the name BUKKE-BRUSE, the name stems from a Norwegian folk story: “De Tre Bukke Bruse” collected and recorded by Asbjørnsen and Moe in Norway in the 19th century.
Tonnage 222 gross, 80 net, 75 dwt. dim. 38 x 10.2 x 3.51m.
Powered by a Deutz diesel 500 bhp..
Can carry 24 cars and 147 passengers.
June 1961 delivered to owners.
She was one of the larger inshore ferries in the 1960s with an capacity of 30 cars.
Was employed on the Isdalsø-Steinestø service, just north of Bergen, where AS Ferjetrafikk had the contract.
From 1967, the BUKKE-BRUSE was on loan to BHR (Bergen_Hordaland Rutelag), and used in many of their ferry routes in Nordhordaland.
In 1975, she was moved to the Garnes-Haus route.
May 1980 sold to the Danish company Ravnsborg Byrå & Storstrøms Amtsråd on the island of Fejø for two million kroner. Renamed BUKKEN BRUSE.
Still sailing today as the motor ferry BUKKEN-BRUSE across Ståldypet between Kragenæs on the northern part of Jylland and Vester Havn on Fejø, a trip that takes 15 minutes each way.
She makes 22 trips daily. Today, her capacity is 24 cars and 147 passengers, but during the winter, only 98 can be onboard.
2002 When a new ferry the CHRISTINE took over the service she was on 07 September 2002 laid up at Vesterby.
12 March 2003 sold to Thomas Ravn, Dronningmølle, Denmark. The same year on 19 October sold to Anders Christian Holt Berggreen, Klampenborg.
01 April 2004 Sold to Jette Pinstrup Berggren, Holte.
12 October 2011 sold to Big Development ApS, Vallby
In 2007 was she used as a houseboat in Copenhagen.
You can find her also on a label attached to Denmark 1995, a booklet containing four stamps showing Danish Islands. One pane depicts the ferries FAABORG II and ENDELAVE, the other BUKKEN BRUSE and FURSUND.
2016 Given as by http://www.equasis.org : Owned by Ravnsborg/Storstroms and managed by Ravnsborg Faergefart. IMO No. 8428882.
Denmark 2001 3.75Kr. sg?, scott?