MV Doulos Goes Hich Tech!

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 Future Ports, or Photo Pages One & Two.

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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

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By Kosta Specis & Hun-Eng Tan

Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960

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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!

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