MS Thorbjørn
Encyclopedia
MS Thorbjørn (call sign LILU) is a vessel owned by AUF
. Under AUFs annual summer camp, the vessel shutteld between Utøya
and Utøykaia
on the mainland. The vessel was built at Oskarshamn Shipyard
in 1948. It was previously called Rasmus and was bought by AUF in 1997 for 250 000 SEK. The ferry is certified for 50 passengers and can carry small vehicles.
of the L50-type. These landing crafts were used by the Swedish Navy
and the Swedish coastal artillery
from the 1950s to the 1980s. The L50-boats were used by Urkustjägarna (Swedish
Marine Corps) for fast landing of personnel under fire.
. First a while after the gunman was arrested; the boat was used for rescue work.
Workers' Youth League (Norway)
The Workers' Youth League is Norways biggest political youth organization, and is affiliated with the Norwegian Labour Party.AUF took its current form in April 1927, following the merger of Left Communist Youth League and Socialist Youth League of Norway corresponding with the merger of its...
. Under AUFs annual summer camp, the vessel shutteld between Utøya
Utøya
Utøya is a small island in the Tyrifjorden lake in Hole municipality, in the county of Buskerud, Norway. The island is , situated off the shore, by the E16 road, driving distance north-west of Oslo city centre.-Overview:...
and Utøykaia
Utøykaia
Utøykaia, also called «Thorbjørnkaia», is a ferry landing in Tyrifjorden. The pier is located ca. 450 meter south for the pier at Utvika Camping. The sign "Utøya" on the main road points to Utøykaia. From the ferry landing on the mainland it is ca. 600 meter to the ferry landing at Utøya.MS...
on the mainland. The vessel was built at Oskarshamn Shipyard
Oskarshamn Shipyard
Oskarshamn Shipyard is a shipbuilding and repair facility located in Oskarshamn, Sweden, Europe.-General information:The shipyard company was established in 1863 when a dry dock was built in Oskarshamn. About 540 vessels have been built and launched at the shipyard since then. In the 1960s the...
in 1948. It was previously called Rasmus and was bought by AUF in 1997 for 250 000 SEK. The ferry is certified for 50 passengers and can carry small vehicles.
History
Before the vessel was converted into a civilian passenger ferry, it was a military landing craftLanding craft
Landing craft are boats and seagoing vessels used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during WWII...
of the L50-type. These landing crafts were used by the Swedish Navy
Swedish Navy
The Royal Swedish Navy is the naval branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. It is composed of surface and submarine naval units – the Fleet – as well as marine units, the so-called Amphibious Corps .In Swedish, vessels of the Swedish Navy are given the prefix "HMS," short for Hans/Hennes...
and the Swedish coastal artillery
Swedish coastal artillery
The Swedish coastal artillery has its origin in the Archipelago Artillery that was raised in 1866. The Coastal Artillery was formed from the Archipelago Artillery, the Marine Regiment and parts of the Artillery in 1902...
from the 1950s to the 1980s. The L50-boats were used by Urkustjägarna (Swedish
Marine Corps) for fast landing of personnel under fire.
2011 Norway attacks
MS Thorbjørn was used by the terrorist to reach Utøya before the attack on the AUFs summer camp 22 July 2011. A few minutes after the first shots were fired, the vessel left the island, with only nine persons on board. Among them was the AUF-leader Eskil PedersenEskil Pedersen
Eskil Pedersen is a Norwegian politician and leader of the Workers' Youth League , the youth organisation associated with Norway's leading Labour Party....
. First a while after the gunman was arrested; the boat was used for rescue work.