Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry celebrated the christening ceremony of its new service vessel M/S Roope-Botnia in Vaasa on 12 June.
The vessel has already begun its work in the association’s Bothnian Sea operational area between Malax and Kokkola, where it is responsible for servicing approximately 30 recreational harbours, waste management services for waterway users, and the cleanliness of the archipelago nature. During the busiest boating season, from Midsummer to mid-August, the service sites are typically visited every two weeks.
Member of Parliament Janne Jukkola, named as the vessel’s godparent, emphasised the vessel’s importance for the well-being of the archipelago at the christening ceremony.
“The unique archipelago of the Bothnian Sea, from Tankar to Mässkäri and all the way to Vaasa, deserves the best possible care. After the winter and storms, the recreational harbours and waste points need servicing, and Roope-Botnia with its crew does invaluable and important work here,” Jukkola said.
Roope-Botnia was built by Kewatec from Kokkola. The vessel’s design utilised the association’s experience in archipelago maintenance work as well as the practical insights of the crew.
According to Kewatec representative Jonas Krokvik, special attention was paid to the crew’s working conditions in the design.
“What is special about this vessel are the living quarters and the fact that the vessel is exceptionally quiet. The crew often spends nearly a week at a time on board, so it was important that the work and accommodation facilities function well,” Krokvik says.
According to Jukka Lundell, Regional Manager for the Bothnian Sea at Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry, the new vessel also enables the development of new services.
“The new vessel enables the development of sites in the future. There is certainly a need in the Bothnian Sea for, for example, new floating pump-out stations, and with this vessel we can empty and service them. Additionally, the vessel’s design has taken into account the possibility of assisting in environmental damage control and rescue operations,” Lundell says.
The City of Vaasa contributed to the financing of the vessel project. According to Mayor Tomas Häyry, the association’s work is important for the entire region.
“If Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry did not do this work, the responsibility would fall to the municipalities. That is why it was an easy decision for the city to support this project. The work done by PSS ry is also valuable for the vitality of the archipelago,” Häyry says.
The association maintains recreational harbours, waste points, pump-out stations, saunas and dry toilets with the support of membership fees, donations and cooperation partners.
“The new vessel is an important investment in the future, but equally important is that people continue to stand behind our operations. We hope that everyone who values the Bothnian Sea archipelago, coast and clean waters will become a member and support our work,” says Katja Rytkönen, Executive Director of Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry.
