Crossings

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The island of Zealand is surrounded by a multitude of islands most of which are smaller than 10 km²

A few of these islands can be reached by dam or bridge, but that is in most cases when the bridge was built there for another purpose. the island of Bogø is a good example hereof.

All the other islands can only be reached by boat or ferry.

This has over time spawned a lot of small ferry services, which then gradually have been consolidated into a few major operators.

The Hundested-Rørvig ferry service has been in operation since 1804, although in the first century or so, the service was handled by oars and sails.

But in 1917, the extension of regular rail service to Hundested paired with a growing number of summer house residents on the Rørvig side made it economical to commence a regular ferry service.

The founders, brothers Nielsen, acquired a diesel ferry capable of carrying 140 passengers plus goods and bicycles. The ferry schedule matched the train schedule.

Over time, vessels were replaced to cater for the customers' changing needs of transportation, not least private motoring. Today, two old, but well maintained ferries cover the traffic.

The service is privately owned by its employees. The entire story of the service is eloquently put here.

Two vessels named Skansehage and Nakkehage handle all the traffic.

Nakkehage was built in 1955, measures 38 meters by 10.2 meters and has a draught of 2.2 meters unloaded. With a crew of four it loads about 22 passenger cars and up to 190 passengers, reduced to 90 passengers with a crew of only three.

Skansehage is newer but smaller than its companion. Constructed in 1957, it measures 31 meters by 7.5 meters and has a draught of 2.2 meters unloaded. It has a crew of two and loads about 13 passenger vehicles and up to 130 passengers.

Whereas Nakkehage is powered by two Volvo diesel engines producing 300 hp each, Skansehage has only a single 250 hp Alpha diesel engine.

Both 'ladies' are over 40 years old, but only the smaller one, Skansehage, is in for replacement in the near future in order to increase capacity. Maintenance and safety levels are both excellent.

Skansehage's bridge is located on the side in order to allow taller vehicles on its deck. For the same reason, Nakkehage's bridge, which is centered, has been elevated.

Not least traveling circus wagons, which are quite popular during the summer months, require the higher clearance.

In order to match the train schedules, the ferries need a super fast turnaround time in port. The crossing takes 25 minutes and can hardly be reduced, so the ferries must be unloaded and loaded in five minutes in each port!

The company is employee owned and operated, and the service is friendly and personal. Prices are reasonable. Punctuality is high.

The latest figures available on their own web site are from the 2002/03 fiscal year.

In those twelve months, the service managed an impressive 11,324 departures, carried 102,326 cars, 321,774 passengers and about 26,000 cyclists.

 

Sources:
Hundested-Rørvig web page
Wikepedia
Own photos taken June 2005 and August 2008
Display program inspired by Matteo Bicocchi and BT

No other similar photo albums are available

One of the two ferries which cover the route that crosses the mouth of Isefjord at Rørvig and Hundested.

The one pictured is 'Skansehage', the smaller of the two.

The photo was taken from her opposite vessel on the route, Nakkehage.

And here is the other ferry, named 'Nakkehage'.

She is larger, but two years older than her opposite, Skansehage.

Nakkehage docked in Hundested's commercial harbor on a clear summer day.

Cars are angled so as to maximize the loading capacity.

The photo is from Nakkehage. She may load some 22 family cars plus 190 passengers with a crew of four.

In comparison, Skansehage may only load 13 family cars and 130 passengers but with a crew of just two.

Nakkehage departing from Hundested harbor.

Her wake shows that she was berthed at the northernmost loading dock.

Hundested harbor lies bathed in the beautiful, warm summer sun.

Cavitating heavily to gather speed, steaming into the mouth of the fjord.

Way into Isefjord with Hundested disappearing in the horizon.

Midway -passing our sister vessel in the main shipping channel of Isefjord.

The steering house on Nakkehage is made of steel.

The bridge on Skansehage is made of wood, but the equipment inside is as modern as that on Nakkehage.

Captain on the bridge of Skansehage.

Nakkehage is crossing the deepest point of the mouth of Isefjord on its way from Hundested.

The fjord is stretching out behind the camera and in the horizon is Kattegat

Rørvig harbor is far smaller than that of Hundested on the other side of the fjord.

Back gate secured, Skansehage departs Rørvig harbor.

We depart from Rørvig -the commercial harbor in the center of the photo.

Take a ride yourself -it's fun, relaxing and you get a lot of fresh air as a bonus.