Reviews & Ratings for the Sailor

In a significant move for regional maritime transport, Baltic SF VIII Limited, a subsidiary of AS Tallink Grupp, has finalized a sale-purchase agreement with Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö for the RoRo ferry 'Sailor'. Set for a handover in October 2025, the 'Sailor' will replace the 'Fjärdvägen' on the vital route connecting Långnäs and Naantali. This acquisition aligns perfectly with the Eckerö Group's strategic vision of establishing 'floating bridges' that seamlessly link various Baltic regions, fostering a sustainable and cohesive transportation network across the sea. The integration of the 'Sailor' not only increases capacity but also enhances energy efficiency, paving the way for future developments in both freight and passenger services. This enhancement further solidifies Åland's position as a central hub for maritime operations, unlocking new opportunities for business growth and societal benefits.

On November 17, 2024, at 1:20 a.m., the ferry 'Sailor' encountered a technical issue believed to be linked to a possibly broken cylinder or crankshaft during its regular route from Paldiski to Kapellskär (Latitude: 59.5677, Longitude: 21.8473). Mid-journey, the vessel was forced to turn around, and by approximately 10 a.m., it was safely escorted back to Paldiski with the help of tugboats. Following its return, the 'Sailor' embarked on a trip to the Vene Balti shipyard in Tallinn for necessary repairs, departing at 10 a.m. on November 19, and was expertly guided to the dock by a port tug at 1:20 p.m.

On the evening of September 28, 2018, a shocking incident unfolded at the Paldiski port when a truck narrowly avoided plunging into the sea. The vehicle, sporting a Latvian license plate, was attempting to disembark from the ferry 'Sailor' after its journey from Kapellskär. As harsh weather conditions hit the harbor, the stern ramp of the ferry unexpectedly collapsed just as the truck was rolling down. Stranded on the partially submerged ramp, the driver faced a harrowing escape from his cabin that was quickly flooding. Fortunately, the dedicated crew managed to raise the ramp enough to allow the truck to slide safely onto the quay. A Finnish report captures this dramatic moment on video, which can be viewed here: https://www.postimees.ee/6416790/video-paldiski-sadamas-libises-veoauto-peaaegu-merre. Eyewitnesses speculated that the incident might have been caused by either severe storm conditions impacting the ship's rig or the possibility that the tired truck driver attempted to proceed without securing permission first.