M.S. «TARAS SHEVCHENKO»

Built: 1966 by Mathias-Thesen Werft, Wismar, East Germany
Yard No: 127
Gross Registered Tonnage: 19, 018 (later 20, 027)
Net Registered Tonnage: 10, 614
Deadweight Tonnage: 6, 007
Length overall: 176.1 m (578 feet)
Beam: 23.6 m (78 feet)
Draft: 8 m (27 feet)
Engines: 2 x Sulzer-Cegielski Diesel motors (7 Cylinder, 15 445 kW)
Screws: 2
Service speed: 20 knots
Decks: 8
Cabins: 287
Passengers: 574 (under two-berth accommodation), 712 (under 4 and 6-berth accommodation)
Crew: 242

Launched 16 January 1965 and officially transferred to Black Sea Shipping Co (BLASCO, Odessa) on 26 April 1966 when the Soviet flag was hoisted for the first time. She was named after a famous Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Grigorievich Shevchenko (1814-1861). The captain of the ship was the best BLASCO’s passenger master – SERGEY Levanovich DONDUA. With the purchase of MAXIM GORKIY – USSR’s best passenger ship ever – in 1973, Sergey Dondua was transferred there and GENNADIY Semyonovich MARICHEREDA, who was the chief officer became the Master. Now he is still the Captain of the vessel.

TARAS SHEVCHENKO was the third unit in the series of five sisterships known as the "Writers series" with black hull built for the USSR. They were the biggest ships built in Germany since 1945. The first unit of the series was IVAN FRANKO (1964, BLASCO), the second – ALEKSANDR PUSHKIN (1965, Baltic Shipping Co - BSC, Leningrad), the forth – SHOTA RUSTAVELI (1968, BLASCO), the fifth – MIKHAIL LERMONTOV (1972, BSC).

The vessel was used for world-wide cruises, working in summer on USSR’s interior Crimea-Caucasus line between Odessa and Batumi. She was chartered to many foreign operators such as Transtour (France), Grandi Viadgi (Italy), Travel Club (UK), Zur Seereise (Stuttgart, FRG), Neckermann-Reisen (FRG).
From October till December 1988 a 15 million DM refurbishment was made at Lloyds yard in Bremerhaven. At the same time her hull was repainted white. Another refurbishment was made in March 1992 also in Bremerhaven. After the break-up of the USSR she sailed mainly for CIS passengers in the Mediterranean.

Since 1996 TARAS SHEVCHENKO was owned by BLASCO’s subsidiary – “Ukrpasflot”. In 1998 “Ukrpasflot” transferred the vessel for day-to-day management to off-shore company Cable Navigation (Liberia). Others sources testify that Cable Navigation received the vessel for BLASCO’s 9,5 mln USD debt. At the same time “Ukrpasflot” left the ship as a deposit for credit, received in Graf-credit bank. However that may be her last cruise under an unknown owner started on 30 May 1998 in Odessa. A week later she was arrested in Piraeus, because the bank started legal action due to unpayment of credit by “Ukrpasflot”.
After a 4 days arrest the vessel was released but her owners feared the arrest in Italian and others ports so she went back to Odessa calling only at Varna (Bulgaria). The passengers even didn’t get their money back. She was towed to Ilichyovsk Ship Repair yard (15 km from Odessa) where she’s laid up. In February 1999 the vessel was sold by auction to a British company “Clean Finance” (not sure in correct spelling). This auction was declared invalid by Odessa’s court.

In May 2001 the commercial director of the fishing company “ANTARCTICA” Anatoly Kovalchinsky reported that 60 crew members of TARAS SHEVCHENKO have signed a labour agreement with his company, which aquired the ship in late 2000. The captain, who refused to sign am agreement was dismissed. Antarctica concluded a contract with a British company “Clean Finance” and a peace agreement with Ilichyovsk Ship repair yard, which holds the vessel as a security for BLASCO debts, was concluded. “Antarctica” also took upon herself the payment of arrears of wages to the crew which estimates 500 000 USD. Antarctica is going to operate the vessel as cruising. The rest of the crew, including the captain, doesn’t acknowledge the new owner because they have a resolution of Odessa’s court which testifies that the ship wasn’t sold in 1999 and that her owner is still Cable Navigation as a subsidiary of Ukrpasflot, which in his turn is the subsidiary of BLASCO!, which, in his turn was officially abolished by President of Ukraine edict!

As you see it’s a very-very knotty problem. The tracks are covered thoroughly and things are right where they started. It’s just a pity that such a beautiful classic vessel rots already 3 years at Ilichyovsk yard.

The first cruise in my life was with "Ivan Franco" in 1981.

Now, i have 35 Cruises.

quote:

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Originally posted by Amerikanis:
Bullshit.
I remember an Cruise on this ship with Captain
Marichereda from December 26, 1983 to
January 6, 1984. Starting in Genova and sailing to Madeira for Sylvester Fireworks
(very famous there).

The first cruise in my life was with "Ivan Franco" in 1981.

Now, i have 35 Cruises.

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Here's an example:

AJL

For these things, the POLITICAL OFFICER
was responsible. If they have an rude one, he forbits the crew each contact to the passengers. Crew members, who will not follow him, will loose their attractive jobs
or go in heavy cases to Sibiria in Concentration Camp (read Solschenizyn: ARCHIPEL GULAG)

For example: On my first cruise in 1981 on board the "Ivan Franco", the crew was trained by the Political Officers not to accept any tips nor an Marlboro, because Socialist Workers are payed real for their work and are happy. Tips are an excess of unhappy capitalists.

They speak only the urgent necessary to us.

The year later on "Fedor Shaljapin",
in the evening was an German-Russian dance
evening organized. You could dance with the beautiful Ukrainean Waitresses and invite them for an drink or more...

It was the same Company (Black Sea Shipping Company from Odessa) but an other Political Officer (and Captain)

On the Shaljapin you could meet Officers on the bar little bit or good drunken.

First of all I was happy to know that you visited my Island-Madeira during a cruise call, and that you enjoyedd the fireworks at the St.Sylvester's nigth, furthermore in the mid 70's/80's the former Soviet liners were regular callers at our harbour.
We had a St.Sylvester's nigth with all ships of the Bielorrusya class+2 of the Ivan Franko class,+ Fedor Shalyapin+ 2 Estonia calls ships...among other non Soviet cruise ships.
Those really were great days for all ship lover's of Madeira.....
I shall try to get photos from the several St.Sylvester's nigth's during the several years portraying the many cruise ships that call at our port to see this magnificent display of fireworks.

Greetings from Madeira,

dimasalmada@iol.pt

First stay was in 1981 with "IVAN FRANCO"

1987 with "Ivan Franco"
1990 with "Romanza"
1998 with "Melody"
1999 with "Switzerland"

and some stays to Lisbon, too.

Madeira is an very nice Island with an
good climate, not so hot and not cold.

A lot of flowers and friendly people.

No "Ballermann" like in Mallorca.