About M/S Rygerfjord

M/S RYGERFJORD was built in Bergen in 1950 by the yard Mjellem & Karlsen as build no. 70. She is today permanently moored at Södermälarstrand in the very center of Stockholm in her fuctions as HOTEL & HOSTEL.

The ship was originally commissioned in 1948 by the Norweigan shipping company Hardanger Sunnhordlandske D/S in Nordnes. The price was NOK 2,057,000.
The ship was named KVINNHERAD on 22 September 1949 by Mrs. Evy Greve.

The new-build had many problems and especially the machinery gave many concerns and the trial voyage was delayed until 11 May 1950. She was taken over by the Owners and made two presentation tours, the first from Bergen to Sienfoss 13 may and Tysnes to Kvinnherad 14 May.

She was then trading between Bergen-Rosendal and Bergen-Sunndal. Unfortunately she suffered from consecutive engine problems. The engine failed not less than eight times in one year and she was finally returned to the yard where the problem was identified and repaired.

1952 she started trade on the route Bergen-Odda and in 1953 she sailed Narvik- Lödingen-Svolvär.

1956 she was equipped with radar and in 1957 she was sold to Finland. Due to the aftermaths of World War II, she was denied an export license to Finland and the contract was cancelled.

She was instead sold to OFOTEN D/S in Narvik and given the new name TRANÖY. In 1958 she was partly rebuilt at Kaarbös Mekaniska Verkstad in Harstad and furnished with side doors and a deck-house aft. She was given new class and the Tonnage increased from 498 to 526 BRT.

1961 her Crossley engine was exchanged to a WICHMANN, still running smoothly, and she now made 12 knots. The entire drive-line and all hydraulics were also changed to the Wichmann system and she had new propellers.

1966 she was sold to A/S BRANDBÅTARNA in Sykkelven and renamned BRAND VII. She started sailing from Narvik to different destinations.

1967 she was again rebuilt and new cabins were added. The new tonnage was 544 BRT and she was given a new home port in Ålesund.

During the winter 1970/71 she was rebuild and aft boat-deck was covered, adding to cabin capacity. She was classed for 100 pax (before 364) and given new tonnage 601 BRT.

1984 she was sold to Aanen Nilsen Shipping A/S in Kopervik and new home port became Kopervik.

1988 RÖDNE & Söner A/S, Kopervik, became proud owners. January 26 she was renamned RYGERFJORD.

The most dramatic event occured 27 july 1989, sailing from Bergen to Nordkap with 70 passengers.
At position 61´35N, 05´E she hit a reef. The passengers were rescued ashore but the Captain died of a heart attack.
RYGERFJORD was towed from the reef with minor damage only.

1991 she was laid up as missionary vessel in Randaberg and later on in Bergen.

RYGERFJORD arrived in Stockholm on Midsommer-day, June 23 2005, and quietly moored at Söder Mälarstrand. Her engines had worked perfectly duringthe trip from Norway.

The work now started to adapt her to a HOTEL SHIP during the summer and fullfill all possible regulations. A modern vacuum sewage system was installed, she was converted from 220V to 400 V, a new galley, a new upper aft deck and generally refurbished. Engine room and bridge was not rebuilt.

She opened for business on 10 August 1995, the second day of the Stockholm Water Festival that year. She was fully booked from the first day.

RYGERFJORD has today approx. 45 cabins and 130 beds. The indoor restaurant can seat 80 pax and the Top-bar & Grill can seat an additional 250 pax.

In June 2001, RYGERFJORD II moored just in front of RYGERFJORD.
RYGERFJORD II was built as a Hotel-ship in Poland in 1986 and then named ELZBIETA. She has approx. 25 cabins.

RYGERFJORD HOTEL & HOSTEL has 55 cabins with over 150 beds.