ssMaritime.net
A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21st
Century
MV Doulos

MV Doulos, another incarnation of the
Postcard - Author’s private collection
Costa Cruises had decided to lay up the
Franca C at the conclusion of the 1977 Mediterranean cruise season. However,
certain passengers on Franca C’s very last cruise would soon have a
decisive effect on the ships future! decided the time
had come to sell the old lady which had served them faithfully for 25 years.
Costa was quite certain that her days would finally come to an end and that she
would be purchased by one of the many breakers yards.
Costa Cruises had decided to lay up the 63 year old Franca C at the conclusion of the 1977 Mediterranean cruise season. However, certain passengers on Franca C’s very last cruise would soon have a decisive effect on the ships future! the 63 year old Franca C at the conclusion of the 1977 Mediterranean cruise season. However, certain passengers on Franca C’s very last cruise would soon have a decisive effect on the ships future!
During her final cruise there were several
representatives from a Christian charity organisation onboard as they were in
search for a second ship suitable for their operations. Realising the
possibilities of this ship as she was in a splendid condition and combined with
the reasonable price they decided to purchase her. On

The elegant MV Doulos by night
Provided by MV Doulos
The world’s largest floating
book exhibition
MS Franca C was taken
to
Finally
on the
Book exhibition is
located aft on Boat Deck
Provided MV Doulos

Today MV Doulos and
her running mate the MV Logos Hope is entirely staffed
by volunteers and under the banner of
MV Doulos usually
has a complement of 320/350 crew and staff. Amazingly all crew and staff
onboard are volunteers and come from over 30 countries worldwide. This includes
the captain, officers, engineers, etc, etc.
How are they funded? As these ships are entirely non-denominational, Churches, organisations, community groups or individuals from around the world sponsor a volunteer for two months, or up to two years.
Just forward of the
book fair is the popular Café Shop
Provided by MV Doulos
Located far forward on
Boat Deck is the Library
Provided by MV Doulos
“1993 Electrical Project”
The Doulos at
Photograph by & © 1993 Stephen Moore
At the ripe age of 79, it was realised that the Doulos needed significant
modifications and urgent repairs. Due to a series of miracles, to say the
least, the Doulos was saved once
again from being scrapped and was given a major "Heart Transplant."
You can read about this major event which took place in 1993 in
Photo Gallery

The Bridge –
Photograph by & © 1999 Reuben Goossens

Photograph by & © Reuben Goossens

Engine Room Controls
Photograph by & © Raoul Fiebig

Photograph by & © Raoul Fiebig

Above & below:
Looking forward toward the funnel & Bridge from Boat Deck
Note the original SS Media
ladder on the photograph below
Photographs by & © 1999 Reuben Goossens


Two berth cabin with
private facilities
Photographs by & © 1999 Reuben Goossens

A fine view of the
funnel at night
Photograph by & © Raoul Fiebig

In the meantime the Grand
Dame sails on – Note the new satellite dome just aft of her funnel
History and the future
has finally met up
Photograph © 2007 http://mrsanguine.com
MV Doulos Specifications
MV Doulos: Her name is Greek word for "Servant"
Built:
Tonnage: 6,818
Launched: 22
August 1914 as SS Medina a coastal freighter
Length: 130.35m
- 410ft
Width: 16.6m - 54ft
Draft: 5.5m - 18.2ft
Engines: Steam triple
expansion (1914)
Fiat
Diesels - four stroke, V18-cyl unit, 5,958kW-8,100bhp,
Intermediate fuel (installed
in 1970
Service speed: 12 to 15 knots
Propeller: 1 - fixed pitch propeller
Electric
Plant: 3 AC Gen Sets 380V 50Hz
2 Bergen KRG 6 (1125 kVA)
1 Bergen KRG 5 (750 kVA)
Crew/staff: 350 / 414 (variable)
Special
feature: Counter stern.
Deck arrangements
Bridge Deck: Wheel house/chart room.
Captain's Deck: Captain & officer quarters.
Boat Deck: Fwd: Library, officer quarters,
radio station. Aft: Snack Bar, Book Exhibition (Open in port & open to the public).
Lounge Deck: Lounges,
Promenade Deck: Dining room, galleys, bakery, cabins,
sickbay, family quarter’s workshops, laundry, and side covered promenade
decks.
Main Deck: (
A & B Deck: Cabins, book storeroom aft, baggage
rooms holds 1 & 2 and engine room.
Go to Chapter
6 - 1993 Electrical Project
via the Index below.
***************************************************
Keep MV Doulos
Sailing – Give a Gift of Fuel
For
details enter: Give a Gift of
Fuel
Chapters
Introduction A Vintage Liner Sails
into the 21st Century
Chapter One “Hull 176”
– SS Medina – SS Medina -1914 - 1949
Chapter Two From Onions to Passengers – SS Roma 1949 – 1953
Chapter Three A New Beginning – MS Franca C
Chapter Four A New luxury Role – MS Franca C the
cruise ship - 1959, 1970
to 1977
Cabin Plan One - 1959 - 1970
Cabin Plan Two
– 1970 –
1977
Chapter Five A New Role for a Grand Old Lady of the Sea
–
MV Doulos
Chapter
Six 1993
Electrical Project - “Heart
Transplant” in
Chapter Seven SOLAS – NEW “Safety Of Life At Sea”
regulations to come in place mid 2010
Chapter Eight Onboard Impressions - My visit to her in 1999
Chapter Nine Doulos’ Mission
Chapter Ten Doulos Goes High Tech -
2006
Ports Future Ports of Call
Photo Pages Photo Page One
Photo Page Two
NEW - Doulos -
2008
Part One Doulos arrives in
Brisbane –
NEW My voyage to Australia on the SS Roma in 1950 – by Paul Christmann – Aug 2008
Part Five Doulos at Sea - Page Two
Part Eight Doulos in
Sydney – Aug/Sept 2008 - Including the official opening
& 94th Birthday
Part Nine Doulos in Geelong, Albany & Fremantle – NOW
online
The Doulos
Campaign
Give
a Gift of Fuel
alternatively go to our ssMaritime.com INDEX
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Me at
PLEASE NOTE: I receive hundreds of
requests for Passenger/Crew Lists and
Sailing Schedules. I hereby wish to advise that I am unable to assist
due to time restrains and as most shipping companies have long gone these
lists/schedules are no longer available. I regret to advise that any request for these will no longer be answered
regardless of the circumstances presented!
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