SV Estelle

S/v Estelle docked in Turku's Aura River

S/v Estelle is a fair trade cargo bermuda schooner that is currently Finland's biggest sailboat in use. It was originally built in Emden, Germany in 1922 as a 42-meter, steel-hulled ship for trawl fishing in the Baltic Sea. Estelle's hometown is Turku. It is owned by Eestaas and operated by Uusi Tuuli.

Estelle is currently maintained by volunteers who had the desire to sail to Africa to export assistance supplies and bring back fair trade goods and operate according the ideals of Fair Trade. It made its first trip to Africa in 2002, before which it also visited the Mediterranean Sea, Ireland and some harbors of Northern Europe. In addition, many of the ship's crew have been trained while sailing on the Baltic Sea. After its trip to Angola in Africa, Estelle has mainly sailed on the Baltic Sea, participated in the Tall Ships Race of 2003, and collaborated with Greenpeace on research and campaign work. Estelle is also constantly training new crew members since it is open to practically any one.

Estelle's operations are primarily based on volunteers. It operations strive for environmental sustainability, solidarity and global equality. Since 2003, Prometheus camps have been organized on Estelle every summer as a non-religious alternative to confirmation camp. During the camp the boat tours around the archipelago near Turku.

Estelle joined Sail Training International's (STI) Class A Forum as a member during the spring of 2005. The forum is intended for training the crews of the world's largest sailboats, improving operations and other related development.

On April 27, 2010, Estelle board member Jyri Jaakkola was killed by paramilitaries in Mexico.

External links

• S/v Estelle's homepage
• Estelle will sail along the shore of Finland in Summer 2009