Epirotiki Line: The Rise and Fall

The Epirotiki Line was a Greek shipping company that once dominated the Mediterranean cruise market.

Founded in 1947, it started with a single ship, the SS Hellas, which was chartered to carry refugees from Greece to Italy.

Epirotiki Line expanded rapidly in the 1960s, introducing its first passenger liner, the SS Olympic, in 1961.

This marked the beginning of the company's successful cruise operations, which would eventually become a staple of the Greek shipping industry.

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Epirotiki Lines was founded in 1850 by Anastassios Potamianos.

The company initially operated small coastal ships between the islands of Kefalonia and Brăila.

After Anastassios Potamianos' death in 1902, his nephew Giorgos Potamianos took over the business and expanded it.

In 1916, the company's main office was relocated from Brăila to Piraeus.

The company's fleet grew steadily, with 15 passenger ships between 800 and 1,500 tons by 1926.

The Second World War had a devastating impact on the Greek coast, with the port of Piraeus being largely destroyed by German air raids.

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Only one Epirotiki ship survived the war.

The company's fleet was largely rebuilt after the war, with new ships being constructed, including the Miaoulis, Kanaris, Karaiskakis, and Kolokotronis.

These ships were named after Greek revolutionaries from the War of Independence.

The Kolokotronis was built in 1952 on the Italian shipyard Cantieri Navali di Taranto.

The company focused on cruise operations in the Aegean Sea after the war.

Epirotiki acquired used ships from various countries and modernized them for cruise operations.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the company continued to expand its fleet through further acquisitions.

By the 1980s, Epirotiki had become the largest cruise line in Greece.

The company operated cargo ships and tankers in addition to its cruise business.

The M/V Karaiskakis, a sister ship of the Kolokotronis, was filmed on the high seas in 1959.

The film shows footage of the ship's interior and exterior, as well as the harbor of Piraeus in the 1950s.

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Epirotiki acquired three ships from Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Crociere in the early 1990s.

However, the company suffered losses with the sinking of the Jupiter in 1988, the Pegasus in 1991, and the Oceanos also in 1991.

A fire destroyed the Pallas Athena in 1994, just two years after it was acquired.

Epirotiki merged with Sun Line in 1995 to form Royal Olympic Cruises.

Some Epirotiki ships continued to operate under the new company until 1997.

Royal Olympic Cruises existed for another seven years before being dissolved in 2004.

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The Epirotiki Line fleet was quite diverse, with ships like the M.S. Neptune, which had a length of 90.2 meters and a gross tonnage of 2402 tons.

The M.S. Neptune was originally the M.S. Meteor of Bergen Line, serving as both a cruiser and a liner in the popular Hurtigrute service.

In 1971, the ship was rebuilt as a luxury cruising yacht after being purchased by Epirotiki Lines of Piraeus, Greece, and was briefly renamed M.S. Zephiros before being rechristened M.S. Neptune.

The M.S. Neptune operated in the Mediterranean and Aegean, and was involved in daily cruises out of Piraeus for a short term under the Epirotiki venture of "One Day Cruises".

The ship's service speed was 18.5 knots, and it had a capacity for 208 passengers.

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The former fleet of a company can be a treasure trove of knowledge and resources.

Many companies sell or retire their older vehicles, but some still have a wealth of information and equipment that can be repurposed.

The former fleet of a company can be a great source of parts and materials for maintenance and repairs.

In one case, a company was able to reuse the engines from their retired vehicles to power their new equipment, saving thousands of dollars in the process.

Older vehicles can also be repurposed as training vehicles or for other non-core business activities.

This can be a cost-effective way to utilize the equipment and reduce waste.

Some companies have even been known to donate their retired vehicles to local charities or schools.

This not only benefits the community but also provides a tax deduction for the company.

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The MTS Jason was a luxury cruise ship that was previously a ferry called Eros, which was completely refitted for its new role. It was one of three sister ships that underwent significant renovations.

The Jason had a unique layout, with its Bridge and pool deck being extended further aft, and its Lido deck being extended all the way to the stern. This gave it a distinct appearance compared to its sister ships.

The public rooms on the Jason were laid out identically to those on the Stella Oceanis, and the cabin layout was also similar, with some variations. This suggests that the designers of the two ships drew inspiration from each other.

The Jason's Oceanis deck was almost completely enclosed, with only a small deck space left open at the stern. This was a notable change from its original configuration as the ferry Eros.

The Epirotiki Lines had a distinct presence in the cruising industry, with a ship that underwent significant transformations in its lifespan. The M.S. Neptune, previously known as the M.S. Meteor, was rebuilt as a luxury cruising yacht after being purchased by Epirotiki Lines in 1971.

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The Epirotiki Lines operated under two main colors: the Bergen Line colors for Northern European cruises, and the Epirotiki colors for world cruising, mostly in the Mediterranean and Europe. Their ships offered a unique blend of liner and cruising experiences.

The M.S. Neptune had an impressive size, measuring 90.2 meters in overall length and 13.75 meters in beam. It also had a gross tonnage of 2402 tons and a service speed of 18.5 knots.

The ship's career was marked by a significant fire incident in 1971 while on an Alaska cruise from Vancouver, resulting in the loss of a dozen lives.

Epirotiki Line has faced its share of controversies. Captain Yiannis Avranas and four crew members were found guilty of negligence after the Oceanos sank in 1991.

Their actions were criticized for not broadcasting a mayday, alerting passengers, or properly assisting in their evacuation. This incident led to a guilty verdict, but the then head of Epirotiki Line defended their behavior.

Captain Avranas went on to command a vessel until his retirement, raising questions about accountability and responsibility in the shipping industry. The Oceanos incident remains a notable example of the importance of proper emergency procedures.

Here's a list of the types of companies Epirotiki Line was associated with: