Solvay 121

Solvay 121, registration NY3458F, was built in 1946 at Villeneuve la Garenne. This information is from Vagus-Vagrant.fr unless otherwise stated.

Solvay 121 was put up for sale in 1987, the year the Solvay fleet ended, when José and Pierrette Casier were transferred to the factory. It was bought by Marie Françoise C., a nurse in Valence, who lived on it without making any modifications other than ballasting it with sand and giving it the name Maritournelle. In 1991, Mr. Gilles D. from Lyon (69) acquired it, keeping its name and converted it into a home for nine years, moored on the Saône River next to the river station. In 2000, Mr. Joël P. bought it, keeping its name Maritournelle and changing its home port to Condrieu (69), between Lyon and Valence, with occasional trips there. In 2008, a new owner gave it a new name, Otium and renewed its navigation certificate in April 2009. The Otium, formerly Solvay 121, is the second Solvay to receive the Heritage Interest label in 2024, following the Meltimi, formerly Solvay 107, in 2023. Although its home port remains the Roches marina in Condrieu (69), it can still be seen sailing on the rivers and canals of France.

Here's Solvay 121 in winter 1963 at Euville:

Here she is moored at the port in Dombasle-sur-Meurthe:

Being towed by Solvay 123 on the Meuse:

In the snow at a lock in 1985:

In the sun at Berry-au-Bac in 1985:

An undated photo with no location:

In Tavaux:

In Dombasle-sur-Meurthe, decorated for a wedding (recognisable from the registration):

Passing an ex-Solvay:

Two photos from the Albert canal in Genk. Solvay 123 on the inside, Solvay 121 in the centre and Solvay 113 on the outside:

In Varangéville in 1987, the departure after its sale. What a sad day that must have been - Varangéville is just down from Dombasle-sur-Meurthe:

Entry from the PATRIMOINE MARITIME ET FLUVIAL website (MARITIME AND RIVER HERITAGE):

Further information from Sylviane Parent. I would like to return to the text accompanying the entry on the MARITIME AND RIVER HERITAGE website.

Given that Solvay 121 was put up for sale by Solvay in May 1987 when its crew was transferred to the factory, it is therefore impossible that this boat was abandoned on the banks of the Marne. Furthermore, this boat left Dombasle during the first quarter of 1988; I took photos of it (Guy posted them on this site in 2009).

In this other photo that I took on the day of its departure from Dombasle to Varangéville during the first quarter of 1988, despite its colours, it is sold and leaving with its new crew.