Majakkalaiva Kemi
The Majakkalaiva Kemi, a lighthouse ship completed in 1901, is a museum ship at the quay of Merikeskus Vellamo and tells of life at sea in the 1960s.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The lighthouse ship Kemi was ordered from Porin Konepaja (Pori Machine Works) in April 1900 and entered service in spring 1901. Originally it was named Äransgrund and served as a reserve ship. It later received several names, including Rauma, and it was given the name Kemi in 1956, when it was stationed off Kemi. In its day the ship was the largest and most powerful lighthouse ship in Finland.
When the Snipan lighthouse ship was taken out of service in 1960, Kemi became Finland’s only lighthouse ship. It left its station for the last time in September 1974, and lighthouse ships became redundant as lighthouses built on the seabed became more common.
Since 1975 Kemi has been a museum ship in the collections of the Suomen merimuseo (Finnish Maritime Museum). It was moved to Kotka in 2007, and today it lies at the museum quay of Merikeskus Vellamo. The ship presents life at sea in the 1960s, and listening to Finnish-language audio stories gives an insight into life aboard ship.
Highlights
- The last lighthouse ship in active service in Finland
- Stories of ship life in the 1960s as audio stories
- Joint ticket with the icebreaker Tarmo
- Quay beside Merikeskus Vellamo
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Under 18s enter free of charge under Vellamo’s general policy. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €6 per personGroups of at least 15 adults. |
| Joint ticket for Tarmo and Kemi | €8Tickets are sold at the ticket desk of Merikeskus Vellamo. |
There is a joint ticket for the ships (Tarmo and Kemi). Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted at Merikeskus Vellamo.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ship is not barrier-free: there are stairs and narrow passageways on board.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Kotkan satama · 400 m
Kotka harbour station is about 400 m from Vellamo, and the bus station is about 1.5 km away.
By car
Free parking
Free parking in the courtyard of Merikeskus Vellamo.
The ship is located at the museum quay of Merikeskus Vellamo.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Services (the café and restaurant Laakonki and the museum shop Plootu) are at Merikeskus Vellamo.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FI) |
| Good to know | Kemi has Finnish-language audio stories about ship life. |
