Thanks to 1st officer Tapio Tammento and Ms. Pia Broumand.
Some basic info:
The ships are laid up for summers, but for 6 weeks maintainence work is going on. For 4 weeks, each ship is entirely closed, but only one at a time. Ships there were: "Voima", "Urho" ("Sisu" was for repairs at Tallinn/Estonia) "Otso", "Kontio". Kontio is now also equipped as an oil-recovery vessel. The company "Arctia" also plans to add these facilities to their other icebreakers.
Going onboard, to the bridge. Some info:
http://www.arctia.fi/en_urho
There was not so much time, so all plans etc. were photographed quickly.
Visiting ships officer where all kinds of paperwork is done, ordering spare parts, proviant etc. and an extra cabin which is not used. Colors still 1970 style.
The ship is named after the ex. Finnish president "Urho Kekkonen". A photo of him and a book for special guests. The ship was used and is used also for VIP-meetings. Although, nowadays if you have a conference/a party, you can call at Arctia's "event manager" and rent the conference-room, as well they serve food.
http://www.arctia.fi/events
Only in Finnish, but it says that one can rent the facilities onboard "Urho" and "Sisu" and as well have gastronomic service from
13.5. - 28.6. und 5.8. - 29.11.
Sauna, messroom (one for officers, one for ratings), library, fitness-room and - a swimming pool. INSIDE - of course
Engine room, last photo shows the equipment that is used for pumping water from side to side to make the ship move when it is stuck in ice. This ship has FOUR screws, we went only in the engine room to the forward. There was alot of repair going on, and all was extraordinary clean.
The above mentioned conference room, and - it has also modern art.
The time was running, we went outside to see the giant winch which is used to tow vessels in case there are difficulties to follow the ship.
Finally we learned, that "Voima" will be sold or scrapped, and that "Arctia" is going to replace it by another conventional (not multipurpose!) icebreaker.
I hope, you enjoyed the read,
with greetings from Germany,
Cornelia
