Corvo

Having been nominated to shift a vessel from drydock nº2 to Cais do Bugio I spent half the morning walking around the shipyard, since the vessel to be manoeuvred was delayed trying to fix a leaking sea chest valve (it occurs frequently when they start filling the dock with water there is always some stressful moments in the engine room…). As I still had two hours remaining in the tidal window I took the chance to check the works on the Corvo, sitting on the blocks, inside drydock nº1.

The portuguese built, owned, manned and soon to be operated container vessel “Corvo”. Still inside drydock nº 1 at ENVC she will be floated and shifted to her fitting berth the next few days, in order to be ready to be christened next Friday.

Clearly seen the precaution measures to avoid the paint works on the rudder to spray towards the propeller (it must be kept well polished in order to avoid cavitations, increased fuel consumption and reduced top speed).

The Plimsoll marks (“insurance” lines) on the hull of a ship indicates the maximum safe loading levels for sea or fresh water, winter or summer, in tropical or temperate waters.

Seen on the picture the marks for Tropical, Summer and Winter areas (salt water) , Fresh and Winter Fresh Water. These marks relate not only to certain defined areas but also defined months of the year (one area can be considered Summer in certain months and Winter in other).

These marks have their origin in the UK and take the name from a member of the parliament (Samuel Plimsoll), also a coal trader, who, among many other, was concerned with the increased insurance rates due to the high number of shipping casualties, namely sinking, mostly due to overloading of ships (here I have to stress the concern on the insurance rate rather than on the people lost on the seas… there are things that never change…).

Plimsoll began a battle to try and get merchant shipping laws reformed .

A commission was set up in 1872 and finally the United Kingdom Merchant Shipping Act of 1876 made load lines compulsory. The load line mark included in the legislation became known as the "Plimsoll Line", a circle with a horizontal line through the middle. The RP stands for República Portuguesa, and this is dependent on the nationality of the vessel or the Classification Society (LR, GL, etc.).

Yes, two bow thrusters! Built to operate in the Azores Islands this vessel must be ready to berth or sail with harsh conditions, usually without the aid of the tugboats. I believe this is the kind of investment that will be paid in a short term, enhancing also the safety of the manoeuvres and the confidence of master and pilots while handling her.

A rare bow view with no anchor chains fitted yet.

Final paint works!

Post dedicated to Luís Miguel Correia