MS Baltic Kristina

MS Baltic Kristina was ordered by Oy Siljavarustamo/Ab Silja Rederiet (Silja Line) in 1969. The contractual takeover by Höyrylaiva Oy Bore/Ångfartygs Ab Bore (Bore Line) took place in 1971 and was finished the same way as with Bore I by Oy Wärtsilä Ab in 1973.

The vessel operated to serve Silja Line on the routes Åbo-Mariehamn-Stockholm and Helsinki-Stockholm. In 1980 Bore I was sold to the Finnish company Höyrylaiva Oy/Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FAÅ) and was renamed Skandia but the route for Silja Line remained the same. In1983 the Skandia was sold to Stena Line and renamed Stena Baltica, soon the Baltic Shipping Corporation (Leningrad) purchased her and called her the Ilich. The vessel operated on the lines Stockholm-Leningrad (now known as St Petersburg) and Stockholm-Riga.

In 1996 the Ilich was sold to a Maltese company, renamed Anastasia V and in 1997 to Windward Venture Shipping who christined her Winward Pride. The vessel was meant to serve on the route between Barbados and Venezuela. In October 1997 the ship became Baltic Kristina that operated with Estline until 2000, afterwards with Tallink. In 2002 the ship got the right to serve Riga Sea Line on the route Riga-Stockholm. Now she is called MF Rigel and is owned by Ventouris Ferries.

Baltic Kristina	Built: 1973 in Finland Main engine: 13,240 kW   Speed:  19 knots    Length: 128,02 m Breadth: 22,05 m Draught: 5,92 m Passengers: 548 Cabin beds: 433 Vehicles: 359 Freight capacity: 500 lane metres