Seafaring life

This article was originally published by the Finnish seamen's mission in Finnish, below is a translation of it:

A Sailors life is full of surprises!

21st March 2023

Jan Rautawaara and Juha Pokka in front of "Anny"

Spotted coaster wreck

Upon our arrival with s/y Fanny to Suakin (Sawakin) I spotted a semi submerged coaster vessel on the side of the fairway. She seemed to have been anchored or stranded on the shore possibly after having been laid up or developing a critical leak when she called port. Whatever the reason there she was sitting seemingly abandoned. 

Marzooqah K

Rescue of Wilhelmine - the whole story

The story of Wilhelmine was broken up into several posts due to the length of each chapter. 

In Kalmar

Rescue of Wilhelmine - epilogue

If you've read all the previous posts you know by now she was only rescued from an undignified end rusting asunder at an deserted beach despite our greater ideas that were smashed by the pandemic.

After having delivered her to Grenaa we've received news that her railings were sold off to a sailing ship project and part of her furniture has been kept. Also her main engine was recovered.  

Below are some pictures of the demolition process, all thanks to Keld Kokland from Fornaes shipbreaking company. He also informed us that the flatbottom and tanktop was found quite thin and would have required renewal as we already knew.

Bow section chomped to pieces by hydraulic scissors

Wilhelmine in media

As Wilhelmine was resuscitated and moved about she broke the news barrier and below are few articles published by Finnish papers that I've freely translated below in chronological order. 

Kimito nyheter 24.11.2020:

Main picture of article in Kimito news.

Upper box: "Wilhelmine departing for new waters 24th nov 2020"

Wilhelmine in history

Obviously as Wilhelmine was built in 1953 and sailed 30+ years under German flag in Europe before she was bought to Finland in the 80's a lot had time to happen to the people that sailed her and to Wilhelmine herself.

Waalhafen 1970's, courtesy of Shipnostalgia by "oktoon"

Rescue of Wilhelmine - the end

Team selfie

Rescue of Wilhelmine

So on the 9th Nov we headed from Helsinki towards Kimito Island, more exactly to Pederså commune. It was a few hours drive and enroute we tried to find lodging and finally when all options on the Island were exhausted for one reason or another we settled for renting a house in Ekenäs, the drive from there was a mere 45mins.

Just arrived 

Rescue of Wilhelmine - prologue

My ex colleague Jan sent me in mid Oct some pictures of a small coaster that looked very quaint. At same breath he asked if I'd be interested in kicking her alive after 10 years of cold lay-up at a beach in Kimito Island and tentatively deliver her to shipbreakers in Denmark. Yes, I said, I'm always up to a challenge, especially one like this, one of a kind adventure.

As I was soon due leave I made plans to travel to Finland. With the pandemic raging in Europe it was all a bit touch an go so I took the train from Liverpool to Harwich and then the ferry to Rotterdam where I continued across Netherlands and Germany to Luebeck where i boarded the Finnlines ferry to Helsinki. 

On the ferry I coincidentally bumped into an old acquaintance, Capt Fredrik, who had finished his contract with Saga cruises newbuild and was returning home together with his wife. The mood was pretty festive to say in the least. 

Likewise Captain Pekka of Finnlady was an old classmate of mine that I hadn't met in years, it was nice to exchange news. The crew on the ferry was minimal due to covid cuts. Anyway, I arrived in good order to Helsinki on 28th Oct and headed for Loviisa where I was to meet Jan and Juha onboard the 92yr old m/v Greta where she was to be first put into winter condition before heading over to m/v Wilhelmine and her startup operation.

Sahaniemi pier