MV Doulos Chapter 5

ssMaritime.net

A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21^st Century

Reuben Goossens

MV Doulos

Ex SS Medina, SS Roma, MV Franca C

Chapter Seven

SOLAS 1995

Since the early 60’s fire and safety regulations have become extremely strict. On a regular basis SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) is upgraded and all ships have to comply in order to continue sailing. Considering that the ship is owned by a charity organisation they have certainly maintained the Doulos to the point where she is one of the best kept ships afloat. Every corner of the ship is spotless, as can be seen in the photographs below of the boat deck. However in 2010 SOLAS would require to once again be updated and it would require a massive amount of the timber work still remaining on the Doulos to be removed. Sadly the cost would be so great that they would not be able to upgraded her to the SOLAS 2010 requirements and thus, her owners could be forced to finally sell her. They have looked into the future and have already purchased a car ferry and converted her and renamed her Logos Hope.

In the meantime, the author and ssMaritime has commenced the “ MV Doulos Preservation Campaign” and we will look for a new home and hopefully a new future for this valuable historic ship. Already I have been in contact with a number of interested parties.

Most shipping companies would love to see their newer ships in this kind of pristine condition

Photograph © Raoul Fiebig

As mentioned above, great effort has been taken by her owners to maintain the Doulos in top condition and she has been kept up to date with all safety standards. In 1995, a new project commenced to equip the Doulos with a sprinkler system. Some 900 nozzles and more than 5 kilometre of piping was installed. Smoke detectors had already been fitted. Wall panels were replaced with non-combustible materials, which sadly saw the loss of several murals, such as the blue mural in the aft stair well on boat deck.

The Bridge – Note that only the wheel has gone, and replaced by a handle

Photograph © Raoul Fiebig

The Bridge is the original SS Medina Bridge, which has never changed. When the Medina was first rebuilt as a passenger ship to become the Roma, the Bridge was lifted up one deck and happily it has retained its original character, yet the Bridge conforms with to all modern safety regulations. The only change, as can be seen above, is the removal of the wheel, which was replaced by a lever.

The Bridge – Sydney 1999

Engine Room as seen in 1999

The engine room is constantly upgraded as described in the previous chapter. These Fiat diesels where installed by Costa Lines in 1970 and have given solid service throughout the years.

Below the propeller shaft can be seen. It is a place that few, except for those that work on Doulos will ever get to see.

Photograph by & © Raoul Fiebig

With all required work completed Doulos meets the current SOLAS “Safety Of Life At Sea” requirements. Her owners, the crew and staff of the Doulos are confident that she will be able to remain in service for many years to come.

She has a remarkable record having visited so many ports. Since 1978, the Doulos has been visited by more than 18 million people and she has visited over 90 countries.

In 1989 this fine ship visited Australia for the second time (her first visit being in 1950 as the Roma) calling at Devonport, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Townsville. Then from January 26 to August 17, 1999, the Doulos visited Australia again (being the ships fifth visit, including brief calls in 1991 and 1997) calling at Fremantle, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, and Brisbane.

MV Doulos in Sydney Australia – 1999

NEWS Update May 2008: MV Doulos will be decommissioned and may be sold by October 2010 as the new SOLAS 2010 (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulations will have come into effect. However, no definite decisions have been made as yet!

***************************************************

Keep MV Doulos Sailing – Give a Gift of Fuel

For details enter: Give a Gift of Fuel

MV Doulos Index

Chapters

Introduction A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21^st 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 the liner – 1953 - 1959

Chapter Four A New luxury Role – MS Franca C the cruise ship - 1959, 1970 to 1977

Brochures – MS Franca C the cruise ship – brochures 1959 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 – 1977 …

Chapter Six 1993 Electrical Project - “Heart Transplant” in Cape Town

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 - The work of OM International

Chapter Ten Doulos Goes High Tech - 2006

Ports Future Ports of Call

Photo Pages Photo Page One - 1999

Photo Page Two – 1999

NEW - Doulos - 2008

Part One Doulos arrives in Brisbane – July 31, 2008

Part Two Doulos in Brisbane – Aug 1 to 19

Part Three ex 1950 SS Roma Passengers visit the Doulos in Australia – Aug 2008

NEW My voyage to Australia on the SS Roma in 1950 – by Paul Christmann – Aug 2008

Part Four Doulos at Sea – Page One - Aug 19 & 21 - Brisbane to Sydney

Part Five Doulos at Sea - Page Two – Aug 19 & 21 - Brisbane to Sydney

Part Six Doulos Engine Room - Also, November 2007 dry-dock & propeller & shaft work

Part Seven Speaking with Doulos’ Crew and Staff - Interviews

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 – We are planning her future after 2010!

Give a Gift of Fuel – Help to fuel the Doulos or provide in other ways!

Return to the The Doulos Title Page

***************************************************

If you have enjoyed this feature and you feel you might have something of interest to add, be it a story or some photographs, I would appreciate hearing from you!

Use the Back button on your browser or Close the Page to return to the previous page
alternatively go to our ssMaritime.com INDEX for a listing of some 200 ships

Who is the Author of ssMaritime?

By Kosta Specis & Hun-Eng Tan

Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960

Email Me at

info@ssmaritime.com

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!

ssMaritime.net

Also visit …

www.ssmaritime.com

Discover up to 200 Classic Passenger liners

By the same author

Please Note:

Photographs on ssMaritime and ssmaritime.net are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

melbourne dry cleaners Counter