Kristjan Palusalu (ship)

Kristjan Palusalu was a bulk carrier that belonged to the Estonian Shipping Company. It was built in 1989 at the Mykolaiv Shipyard.[1]

Kristjan Palusalu in Brazil, Vitoria Praia Male in 1999
History
NameKristjan Palusalu
OwnerEstonian Shipping Company
Port of registry Estonia
BuilderMykolayiv Shipyard
Launched1989
Identification
FateScrapped
NotesFormerly Alex D
General characteristics
Tonnage31,649 GT
Length215.39 m (706 ft 8 in)
Beam31.8 m (104 ft 4 in)
Draught12.3 m (40 ft 4 in)
Depth16.95 m (55 ft 7 in)
Installed power9500 kW
Speed14.2 knots
Crew36 (1990)

The ship was named after Estonian wrestler Kristjan Palusalu. It was the first ship to sail around the world under the Estonian flag. The ship was later renamed Alex D and sailed under the flag of Malta.

Trip around the world

From September 1991 to December 1992, Kristjan Palusalu traveled consecutively from Tampa, USA, to Qingdao, China, Singapore, Wallaroo and Giles in Australia, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, Durban in South Africa, Yakacık in Turkey, and Houston, USA. After this trip it was the first ship that has sailed around the world under Estonian flag. When Estonia regained independence in August 1991, the ship was far away from home. Upon hearing the news, the crew raised the Estonian flag and painted over the ship-owner's logo themselves.

Incidents

On 29 February 1996, the ship ran aground between Germany and Denmark in the Kadetrenden sea pass. The incident was caused by an unexpectedly low water level, which was one meter below normal. After the water level rose by 55 cm, the ship continued its journey under its own power.[2]

Sister ships

References

  1. "KRISTJAN PALUSALU". Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  2. "Eesti kaubalaev sõitis Taani lähedal madalikule". 2 March 1996. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
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