During 1994 Madagascar issued a set of 7 stamps with a miniature sheet. By Navicula 1995 page 5076 is the stamp of 45 FMG identified as the ILICH. (listed also under the name ILYCH and ILYICH).
I agree she is depict on the stamp, comparing the vessel when built with the stamp, she looks exact the same, windows and portholes are the same as on the stamp, also the three lifeboats are in the same place, only she has one funnel and behind the wheelhouse is a extension.
When you see later photo’s of the ship, her funnel is quit different with long exhaust pipes above the funnel, when placed I don’t know. I think to much soot was coming down on the after deck and passengers ,as a one funnel vessel. A photo as BALTIC KRISTINA is a complete different vessel with open gangways and most windows and portholes gone.
She is built under yard no 1199 by Oy Wärtsila Ab, Turku/Åbo, Finland for Ångf. AB Bore, Finland.
1972 Ordered as a passenger roro cargo ferry.
11 July 1972, launched under the name BORE I.
Tonnage 8.528 gross, 3.949 net, 2.100 dwt., dim. 128.02 x 22.05 x 5.919m. (draught).
Powered by four 9 cyl. 2 S.C.S.A. Sulzer type oil engines, 18.000 hp, manufactured by the shipbuilder. geared in pairs to twin shafts, twin controllable pitch propellers, speed 22 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 377 berthed and 823 deck passengers.
Built with two funnels.
15 March 1973 completed, managed by the Silja Line.
Used in the service between Stockholm-Mariahamn- Turku.
1980 Sold to Finska Ångfartygs AB (EFFOA), (Finland SS Co. Ltd., Finland, renamed SKANDIA.
Managed by the Silja Line in the same service
1983 Sold to Stena Line AB Sweden and renamed STENA BALTICA. Under Bahamian registry. She was not used by the Stena Line, but refitted at Gotenborg, Sweden. During her refit she lost one funnel, and tonnage was altered to 12.148 gross.
June 1983 sold to U.S.S.R. Baltic Shipping Co., Leningrad, (now St Petersburg) and renamed ILICH.
From 1983 until 1986 used in the service between Stockholm and Leningrad (ScanSov Line), after 1991 used in the service between Stockholm – St Petersburg – Riga ( Baltic Line) until 1997.
She arrived during October 1996 at Turku. Considerable work was undertaken by Turuh Korjavstellakka, and arrest followed when the owners were unable to pay for the repairs.
1997 During an action sold to Penomi Shipping Co. Ltd., Cyprus, renamed ANASTASIA V.
The same year sold to K.S.Windward Venture, St Vincent and renamed WINDWARD PRIDE.
1997 Sold to Estonian Shipping Co., (Est Line) Estonia, renamed BALTIC KRISTINA.
She has accommodation now for 548 passengers, can berth 433 passengers, and has place for 359 cars.
20 Oct. 1998, due to high waves and wind while crossing the Baltic Sea, sustained severe damage to her bow, and proceeding to Turku for repair. She was on passage from Tallinn for Stockholm, with on board passengers and cargo.
2002 Used in the service between Kapellskär and Paldiski, same name, same owners.
From 06 October till 20 November 2002 at Riga, Latvia in the expectation that she was sold to Riga Sea Line, Riga.
December 2002 made a trial voyage between Riga and Stockholm, From 20 December in service in this route.
15 October 2005 arrested in Riga, the company was in financial trouble.
21 December 2005 sold during a public auction to the Freeport of Riga, Riga.
30 March 2006 towed from the ferry terminal to Riga Shipyard.
July 2006 plans to charter her out to the Express Line, Italy with an option to buy the ship failed.
01 February 2007 sold during an auction for 1,120,000 Euro to Fernseh & Marketing GmbH, Hamburg, Germany.
March 2007 renamed ATLAS 1 under Panama registry.
26 March 2007 sailed from Riga bound for Tuzla, Turkey.
April 2007 the plan was to put her in service between Cesme and Brindisi in June and advertising and selling tickets started, but then the responsible people disappeared with the money and the Turkish police got involved.
June 2007 chartered by Maritimas Europeas S.A.(Comarit), Maroc and renamed BADIS.
In service between Al Hoceima and Almeria.
07 September 2007 arrived at Algeciras, Spain and the same month sailed to Istanbul.
October 2007 sold to Noble Maritime Inc., Ventouris Ferries), Panama.
November 2007 delivered to the new company and renamed RIGEL.
December 2007 in the service between Bari and Durres.
From 04 April 2011 till 20 April 2011 made some trips between Misurata and Alexandria during the conflict in Lybia.
Thereafter again in the service between Bari and Durres.
April 2013 Renamed RIGEL I under Cyprus flag and registry, homeport Limassol.
2015 Same name and registry, owner given as Saphir Marine SA and managed by Nobel Maritime Inc.Pan., Piraeus, Greece. IMO No 7224459. Tonnage now given as 12,281 grt, 1,775 dwt.
Madagascar 1994 45fr. sg?, scott1248.
Sources: Marine News 1997/216, 674, 732. 1998/ 364, 767. Stena 1939-1989.
http://www.ferry-site.dk/est-bal.htm
http://www.hagagymnasiet.norrkoping.se/ ... istina.htm