MS Mega Andrea

{{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Mega Andrea Nice 04.2022.jpg | image_caption = ''Mega Andrea'' at Nice in 2022 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | name = *1986–1992: ''Wellamo'' *1992–2015: ''Silja Festival'' *2015–present: ''Mega Andrea''<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/wellamo_1986.htm |title=M/S ''Wellamo'' (1986) |access-date=3 August 2008 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta on Fartyg |language=sv }}</ref><ref name=Miramar>{{csr|register=MSI|id=184979|shipname=Mega Andrea|accessdate=24 March 2016}}</ref> | owner = *1986–1991: Effoa *1991–1992: EffJohn *1992–2006: Silja Line<ref name=FoF /> *2006–2015: Tallink Group<ref name=Tal0809>{{cite web |url=http://ext.tallink.com/ee/pdf/StockExchange/TallinkGrupp0809_annualReport_eng.pdf#page=13 |title=Audited annual report of the 2008/2009 financial year |access-date=10 March 2010 |format=pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716191321/http://ext.tallink.com/ee/pdf/StockExchange/TallinkGrupp0809_annualReport_eng.pdf#page=13 |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}</ref> *2015–present: Forship S.p.A. | operator = *1986–2008: Silja Line *2008–2015: Tallink<ref name=FoF /> *2015–present: Corsica Ferries Sardinia Ferries | registry = *1986–1992: Helsinki, {{flag|Finland|civil}} *1992–1997: Mariehamn, {{flag|Finland|civil}} *1997–2008: Stockholm, {{flag|Sweden|civil}} *2008–2015: Riga, {{flag|Latvia|civil}}<ref name=FoF /> *2015–present: Genova, {{flag|Italy|civil}} | route = - | ordered = 1983-04-13<ref name=Stampehl>{{cite book |title=Siljan viisi vuosikymmentä |last=Malmberg |first=Thure |author2=Stampehl, Marko |year=2007 |publisher=Frenckellin Kirjapaino Oy |location=Espoo |isbn=978-951-98405-7-4 |language=fi, en |pages=272–274 }}</ref> | builder = Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard, Helsinki, Finland<ref name=Stampehl /> | original_cost = | yard_number = 471<ref name=FoF /> | way_number = | laid_down = 1984-05-22<ref name=Stampehl /> | launched = 1985-03-15<ref name=FoF /> | completed = 1986 | christened = 1986-01-09 <small>by Pirkko Työläjärvi</small><ref name=Stampehl /> | acquired = 1986-01-09<ref name=Stampehl /> | maiden_voyage = 1986-01-09<ref name=Stampehl /> | in_service = 1986-01-09<ref name=Stampehl /> | out_of_service = | identification = {{IMO Number|8306498}}<ref name="FoF" /> | fate = | status = In service | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = (as built)<ref name=Stampehl /> | type = Cruiseferry | tonnage = *{{GT|33,818}} *{{DWT|3,000}} | displacement = | length = {{convert|168.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|27.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = {{convert|6.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | depth = {{convert|14.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite ship register |register=DNV |id=13907 |shipname=Silja Festival |accessdate=3 August 2008 }}</ref> | decks = | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = 1 A Super | power = *4 × Wärtsilä-SEMT-Pielstick 12PC 2-6V *combined {{convert|26200|kW|abbr=on}}<ref name=FoF /> | propulsion = *2 propellers *2 bow thrusters *1 stern thruster | speed = {{convert|22|kn}} | capacity = *2,000 passengers *1,625 berths *1,200 lanemeters *360 cars | crew = | notes = }}

|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = (after 1992 rebuilt)<ref name="Stampehl" /> | class = | tonnage = *{{GT|34,417}} *{{DWT|3,720}} | displacement = | length = | beam = | height = | draught = | depth = | decks = | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | power = | propulsion = | speed = | capacity = *1,886 passengers *1,937 berths *300 cars<ref name="FoF" /> | crew = | notes = Otherwise the same as built MS Silja Europa }} }} '''''Mega Andrea''''' is a cruiseferry owned and operated by Corsica Ferries Sardinia Ferries. She was formerly owned and operated by the Estonia-based Tallink as the '''MS ''Silja Festival''''', and used on their route connecting Riga, Latvia to Stockholm, Sweden. She was built in 1986 by Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard, Finland, for Effoa as '''MS ''Wellamo''''' for use on Silja Line traffic. She was rebuilt in 1992 at Lloyds Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany as ''Silja Festival''. In 2008 the ship was transferred from the Silja Line fleet to that of Tallink, but she retained her Silja-prefixed name.<ref name=FoF /> After being replaced by MS Isabelle on the Stockholm-Riga route in May 2013 she was chartered as an accommodation ship to Kitimat, British Columbia. She was then sold in early 2015 to Corsica Ferries.

==History==

===Wellamo=== [[File:SiljaFestivalTurku.jpg|thumb|left|Silja Festival unloading in Turku, August 2001]] Following the delivery of MS ''Finlandia'' and MS ''Silvia Regina'' for Silja Line's Helsinki–Stockholm service, Johnson Line and Effoa decided to order a pair of ships based on a similar design for the Turku–Stockholm service.<ref>{{in lang|fi}}[http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/historia/valkeat_kaunottaret_saapuvat.htm Valkeat Laivat: Valkeat kaunottaret saapuvat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006133330/http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/historia/valkeat_kaunottaret_saapuvat.htm |date=6 October 2007 }}, retrieved 19 September 2007</ref> The first of the new ships, named MS ''Svea'', was delivered to Johnson Line in May 1985.<ref>{{in lang|sv}} [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/svea_1985.htm MS Svea (1985)] at [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/ Fakta om Fartyg], retrieved 19 September 2007</ref> The ship built for Effoa was given the name MS ''Wellamo'' (after the goddess of the sea in Finnish mythology, a traditional name in Effoa fleet) and delivered in January 1986. Following delivery she was placed on the Stockholm–Mariehamn–Turku route.<ref name="FoF" /><ref name="VL">{{in lang|fi}} [http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/laivasto/wellamo1986/index.htm MS Wellamo (II)] at [http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/ Valkeat Laivat], retrieved 19 September 2007</ref>

The Wellamo suffered her first major mishap in July of the same year when she suffered a blackout and was grounded near Mariehamn. Following the grounding she was repaired at Luonnonmaan Telakka, Naantali, Finland.<ref name="FoF" /><ref name="VL" /> In 1989 plans were made for converting the ship to a combined car/passenger/train ferry, but these were abandoned.<ref name="FoF" /> In the summer of 1990 the Wellamo briefly served on the Helsinki–Stockholm route,<ref name="FoF" /><ref name="VL" /> because the new ''Silja Serenade'' was not yet complete, but old MS ''Finlandia'' had to be delivered to her new owners DFDS.<ref name="VL2">{{in lang|fi}} [http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/historia/loistoristeilijoiden_ja_tappiovuosien_aikakausi.htm Valkeat Laivat: Loistoristeilijöiden ja tappiovuosien aikakausi] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006133225/http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/historia/loistoristeilijoiden_ja_tappiovuosien_aikakausi.htm |date=6 October 2007 }}, retrieved 19 September 2007</ref> During the same year Effoa and Johnson Line merged to form EffJohn, who now became the sole owners of Silja Line.<ref name="VL2" />

In the early 1990s EffJohn planned a large-scale reconstruction of GTS ''Finnjet''. However the company could not gather enough funds to realise this project. Instead the money was used to rebuild the Svea and Wellamo.<ref>[http://www.finnjetweb.com/en/fakten/chronik.htm FinnjetWeb: Finnjet Chronicle by Salomon Kaukiainen], retrieved 19 September 2007</ref> In 1992, Wellamo was docked and rebuild at Lloyds Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany. Most notable exterior changes were a new skybar in front of the funnel and a new, more blue-dominated livery. Following the reconstruction the Wellamo was renamed MS ''Silja Festival'' (her sister having become MS ''Silja Karneval'').<ref name="FoF" /><ref name="VL" /> Around the same time her homeport was changed from Helsinki to Mariehamn.<ref name="FoF" />

===Silja Festival=== [[File:Silja Festival May 2005.jpg|thumb|left|MS ''Silja Festival'' arriving in Mariehamn, May 2005]] Initially ''Silja Festival'' continued on the same route as before, alongside her sister, but following the acquisition of MS ''Silja Europa'' and the subsequent fleet re-organisation there was no longer a need for the ship on the Turku route. As a result, was placed on the Vaasa–Umeå route from 20 March to 23 May 1993. When Silja Line began collaboration with Euroway in June 1993, ''Silja Festival'' was moved to their Malmö–Travemünde–Lübeck route, sailing parallel to MS ''Frans Suell''. From there on the service was marketed as Silja Line Euroway. A few months later the route was extended to Copenhagen.<ref name="FoF" /><ref name="VL" />

After the Euroway service was terminated in April 1994, ''Silja Festival'' was moved back to the Kvarken to operate from Vaasa to Umeå and Sundsvall.<ref name="FoF" /><ref name="VL" /> Around this time Silja Line made an agreement to sell ''Silja Festival'' or her sistership ''Silja Karneval'' to Norwegian ferry operator Color Line. Although ''Silja Karneval'' was the ship finally sold to Color, the new owners had presumed they would be getting ''Silja Festival'' and had made promotional posters for their new ship accordingly. As a result, the Silja Karneval was confusingly renamed MS ''Color Festival''.

On 2 September 1994, ''Silja Festival'' was moved from Vaasa to serve the Helsinki–Tallinn route. For the summer of 1995, (26 June to 14 August) she served Vaasa–Sundsvall again, then returned to Helsinki–Tallinn. After the charter agreement of MS ''Silja Scandinavia'' ended in April 1997<ref>{{in lang|fi}} [http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/laivasto/aikarahdatut/franssuell1992.htm MS Frans Suell]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at [http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/ Valkeat Laivat], retrieved 20 September 2007</ref> On 5 April 1997, Silja Line switched the ship's flag from Finnish to Swedish and put her back on Stockholm–Mariehamn–Turku service, where she remained until 2008.<ref name="FoF" /><ref name="VL" />

''Silja Festival'' was replaced on the Turku–Stockholm service by {{MS|Galaxy}} on 23 July 2008. Subsequently, ''Silja Festival'' was moved to the Latvian ship registry, repainted with Tallink logos, and entered service on Tallink's Stockholm–Riga route on 2 August 2008.<ref name="FoF" /><ref>[http://www.turunsanomat.fi/talous/?ts=1,3:1004:0:0,4:4:0:1:2007-10-16,104:4:492463 Turun Sanomat 16 October 2007: Enn Pant uskoo Galaxyn nostavan matkustajien määrää Turun-reitillä]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite being moved under the Tallink brand and marketed as "Festival", the ship's registered name remained as ''Silja Festival''.<ref name="FoF" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tallink.lv/lv/tab2/ships/festival/ |title=M/S ''Festival'' |access-date=3 August 2008 |publisher=Tallink Latvia |language=lv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516113614/http://www.tallink.lv/lv/tab2/ships/festival/ |archive-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 5 April 2013, Tallink announced the purchase of Viking Line's ferry MS Isabella which then replaced MS ''Silja Festival'' on the Stockholm-Riga route on 6 May 2013. MS Isabelle, which became the new name in the Tallink fleet, has more passenger and car capacity which is needed to meet the increased demand on the route.<ref>[https://newsclient.omxgroup.com/cdsPublic/viewDisclosure.action?disclosureId=550054&messageId=678255 newsclient.omxgroup.com]</ref>

''Silja Festival'' sailed to British Columbia, Canada in March 2014 to be used for accommodations for construction workers helping to construct Rio Tinto Alcan's new Aluminum Smelter. While in Kitimat, British Columbia the vessel was assigned the name "Delta Spirit Lodge".<ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/kitimat-smelter-operator-to-house-temporary-workers-on-cruise-ship/article16562911/ theglobeandmail.com]</ref> Silja Festival remained moored at Rio Tinto's dock for just over a year prior to departing for Italy at the end of April 2015. Now she is called by her new name "Mega Andrea". And now she has enough work at Corsica Ferries in Italy. Her home port now is Genova.<ref>[http://nwcoastenergynews.com/2015/04/28/7419/silja-festival-leaves-kitimat nwcoastenergynews.com]</ref>

==Decks== # Engine room, cinema # Engine room, Tourist II-class cabins, sauna, swimming pool and hot tubs # Car deck ## Car platform, can be lowered hydraulically to divide the car deck in two giving space for two layers of passenger cars # Seaside, Tourist I and Tourist I S-class cabins, ''Lobby shop'', ''Siljaland'' children's playroom, information desk, boarding, crew accommodations # Silja, Seaside, Tourist I and Tourist I S-class cabins, crew accommodations # Suites, Silja, Seaside, Tourist I and Tourist I S-class cabins, crew accommodations # ''Dancing Palace'' night club (level 1), ''Captain's Grill'' restaurant, ''Trattoria'' restaurant, ''Café Martim'', ''Sailor's Pub'', ''Buffet Veranda'' # ''Dancing Palace'' night club (level 2), casino, conference rooms, tax-free shop, perfumerie # Panorama bar, crew accommodations, sundeck # Crew accommodations # Bridge<ref>[http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/laivasto/wellamo1986/kansikartat/wellamo1986-2003.pdf Silja Festival 2003 deck plans] at [http://www.valkeatlaivat.net/ Valkeat Laivat], retrieved 20 September 2007</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|IMO 8306498}} *[https://www.corsica-ferries.it/navi/sardegna.html Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090302001319/http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=275380000 ''Mega Andrea'' at marinetraffic.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mega Andrea}} Category:Ferries of Italy Category:Cruiseferries Category:Ships built in Helsinki Category:1985 ships