ssMaritime.net

A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21^st Century

Reuben Goossens

MV Doulos

Ex SS Medina, SS Roma, MV Franca C

Chapter Ten

Doulos “Goes High Tech” in 2006

Doulos after her arrival at Manama Bahrain on March 1

Unless marked otherwise - photographs on this page are by the ships photographer & are © Copyright MV Doulos

Whilst the Doulos was in Manama, Bahrain a new satellite system was installed. The equipment was generously donated to the Doulos by two American Christian organisations and it was finally mounted on the aft sun deck on Wednesday March 8, 2006. After months of preparation Doulos has entered a new era in communications. The satellite gives the ship satellite navigation as well as most welcome 24-hour access to the phone and Internet. For the 350 volunteer staff and crew onboard this means no more waiting for local phone lines to be connected in each port, and unbroken contact with the rest of the world during long voyages.

American Chris Carson who was the Project IT Manager, who had flown in from the UK said; “It went very well, considering that the tools for the installation didn’t arrive until after the satellite was mounted on the deck!”

All departments onboard had pulled together to make the installation possible. Welders and engineers had worked since dry-dock earlier to reinforce the deck to support the 2 tonne apparatus, carpenters constructed a new server room in the IT office, electricians ran new cables up to the deck and line-up staff prepared customs permission and the crane needed to lift the pedestal and dome onto the ship.

Having been only lifted into place on Wednesday, by Thursday evening the system was operational and ship's company was receiving instructions on using the new phone system.

With a 6-meter high pedestal and fibreglass dome housing the satellite dish sitting just behind the funnel, the veteran of the sea suddenly has a whole new look. Whilst her Bridge is 100% and looks 1914, not much further aft the satellite dome is the future, making this ship totally unique!

Photo Album

The base and pedestal is being assembled up on Sun Deck aft

The Disc is placed into the Dome and wiring connected

The dome is connected and closed

The pedestal is complete and the dome is ready to be fitted

Just a small a matter of placing on the right spot and she is ready to be connected

The Grand Dame sails on now that history and the future has come together

Go to Photo Page One & Photo Page Two

New updated section – MV Doulos Aug/Dec 2008

Part one - Doulos arrives in Brisbane – July 31, 2008

Or, return to the MV Doulos Main Index

PLEASE NOTE:

MV Doulos has been decommissioned in December 2009

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“MV Doulos Campaign”

Enter the “Save the MV Doulos Campaign” page

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Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960

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