MV Funchal

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MV Funchal in Helsinki, June 2009
MV Funchal in Helsinki, June 2009
History
Portugal
NameFunchal
NamesakeFunchal
OperatorEmpresa Insulana de Navegação
Port of registryLisbon
BuilderHelsingør Skibsværft A/S
Yard number353
Launched10 February 1961
Maiden voyage4 November 1961
In service1961
Out of service1974
Refit1972
HomeportLisbon
Identification
Portugal
NameFunchal
OperatorCTM - Companhia Portuguesa de Transportes Marítimos
Port of registryLisbon
In service1974
Out of service1985
Refit1972
HomeportLisbon
Portugal
NameFunchal
OwnerG. Warwick Co. Inc
OperatorClassic International Cruises
Port of registry
In service1985
Out of service2011
StatusTransferred to Portuscale Cruises in 2013
Portugal
NameFunchal
OwnerBrock Pierce [1]
Port of registryMadeira,  Portugal
In service2013
Out of service2015
Refit2013, 2021
Reinstated2021 as Static Hotel
HomeportLisbon
Identification
StatusDocked for refurbishment as hotel[2]
General characteristics
TypeCruise liner
Tonnage9,563 GT
Length152.6 m (501 ft)
Beam19.05 m (62.5 ft)
Depth6.18 m (20.3 ft)
Decks6
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Capacity524 passengers
Crew155

MV Funchal is a Portuguese ocean liner owned by Brock Pierce as a floating Hotel. [3]


Construction and configuration[]

Funchal under construction at Helsingor on February 5, 1961

The ship was built in 1961, under the guidance of the Portuguese naval engineer Rogério d'Oliveira. Funchal is an ocean liner with a classic profile and interiors.

The ship's features include stabilisation, air-conditioning, three lifts, a main show lounge (Ilha Verde), piano bar (Porto Bar), club room, library, card room, lido bar, shop, photo shop, medical centre, excursion office, and reception with exchange facilities.

Early service[]

The ship was once owned by one of the wealthiest families in the Azores.[citation needed]

Service with Classic International Cruises[]

Funchal was the first vessel to join the Classic International Cruises fleet in 1984, and under that flag successfully served the British cruise market for over 20 years, carrying thousands of passengers.

Having undergone extensive work in 2010, to comply with SOLAS 2010, Funchal went back to a Lisbon Shipyard in February 2011 for a lengthy refit, which would include changes to its power plant as well as passenger and crew cabins and public lounges. The idea was to make the ship fit for service for at least another ten years. In November 2011, she completed 50 years of service, always under the same name. However, in 2012, work stopped towards April with only 20% of the required work completed. Following Classic International Cruises' liquidation, in December 2012, the ship faced the threat of being sold for scrap.

Service with Portuscale Cruises[]

In early 2013 a Portuguese entrepreneur Rui Alegre purchased Funchal, as well as Princess Danae, Arion and Athena, to serve the newly-formed Portuscale Cruises. During 2013, Funchal was extensively refurbished in Lisbon's Naval Rocha shipyards, being upgraded to a 4-star vessel, at a cost of about 10 million Euros. In the refurbishment, the ship's hull was re-painted black, its original colour.

On 1 August 2013, the refurbished Funchal was re-instated, in the presence of prime-minister Passos Coelho. In late August 2013, the ship left drydock in Lisbon, Portugal and, on 27 August 2013, arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden, to restart her cruising career.

On 28 August 2013, the refurbished Funchal was detained at Gothenburg. The cruiseship was fully loaded with passengers but was not allowed to leave. According to some Swedish press accounts, many security issues were found.[4] In a press release, the Portuscale Cruise CEO denied the existence of security issues, saying that the issues were related to the malfunctioning of two watertight doors and one sprinkler station, issues that had already been detected by the crew, who had informed the Swedish Port State Control authorities.

On 2 September 2013, with the issues resolved, and all inspections made and certifications granted, Funchal left Gothenburg harbour and restarted her cruise, heading to Scotland.[5]

Signature Living[]

On 5 December 2018 Funchal was sold at auction in Lisbon for € 3.1 million. The buyers were named as Signature Living, a UK-based hotel group who intended to convert the ship to a party hotel to travel from Liverpool to the Mediterranean.[6][7][8] However payment was not made and ship continued laid up in Lisbon where future was uncertain. According to industry sources, the classic 1961-built Funchal will soon be towed to Liverpool as new owners Signature Living have made the final payment on the vessel. “Their plans have changed again and they will not be locating her in Ibiza as previously reported,” said a source familiar with the situation. Thus, Signature Living plan to tow the ship to Liverpool, refurbish her, and then find a permanent spot for the vessel in the UK as a hotel vessel.[9]

On 30 June 2020 Signature Living entered administration with the administrators arranging for the disposal of Funchal. She remains moored in Lisbon.[10]

Auction[]

In December 2020, Funchal was put up for auction by sealed tender while in warm layup in Lisbon.[11]

Funchal & Astoria Port Hotel Amenities[]

In 2021, Brock Pierce bought the 60 years old ship Funchal, laid up in Lisbon for 8 years, and spent at least US$ 8.3 million - € 7.1 million (Purchase US$ 1.9 million - € 1.6 million + Refurbishing US$ 6.4 million € 5.5 million) with 200 rooms - 180 people workers at Yard Naval da Rocha Conde de Óbidos into a 5-stars hotel. Another ship, the Astoria, 75 years old at least, docked in Rotterdam, was also bought, to be transferred to Lisbon for refurbishing and naval certificates, and later travelling to Funchal, Madeira.[12][13][14]

Fires During Update[]

During Services at Dock, those happened, 20 Firefighters and 7 Vehicles were moved. The Police is investigating both : 1. 15.09.2021 caused smoke injuries to a worker[15] 2. 16.09.2021 still had no explanation.[16]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ "Brock Pierce: O criptomilionário que comprou o paquete Funchal". Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Paquete Funchal imobilizado na Margueira" [Steamship Funchal immobilized in Margueira]. Sergio@cruises.blogspot (in Portuguese). 22 April 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Brock Pierce: O criptomilionário que comprou o paquete Funchal". Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  4. ^ Pavlica, Adrianna (28 August 2013). "Fartyget stoppades – ligger kvar i Göteborg" [The ship was stopped—will remain in Gothenburg]. Expressen.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Portuscale Cruises - The Discoveries Continue". Portuscale Cruises. 2013. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  6. ^ Neves, Rui (5 December 2018). "Britânica Signature Living compra o paquete Funchal por 3,91 milhões". Jornal de Negocios (in Portuguese). Cofina Media SA. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Funchal Poised to Become Hotel Ship in London". Cruise Industry News. New York, USA. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  8. ^ "It's Anchors Aweigh on the Signature Living Party Boat Hotel". signatureliving.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Neue Pläne für MS FUNCHAL". October 22, 2019.
  10. ^ Kirkham, Jenny (June 30, 2020). "Onboard Signature Living party boat that will now never set sail". Liverpool Echo.
  11. ^ "Got US$ 2 million to spare ? You now can own your very own cruise ship". Rutair. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Brock Pierce, o criptomilionário que um dia quis ser presidente dos Estados Unidos". TVI24.
  13. ^ Portugal, Rádio e Televisão de. "Paquete Funchal ganha nova vida". Paquete Funchal ganha nova vida.
  14. ^ Cabrita-Mendes, André (August 24, 2021). "Empresário norte-americano gastou sete milhões para comprar e transformar paquete Funchal em hotel de luxo". O Jornal Económico.
  15. ^ "Incêndio no paquete 'Funchal' faz um ferido". www.cmjornal.pt.
  16. ^ "PJ investiga incêndios no paquete 'Funchal'". www.cmjornal.pt.

External links and further reading[]

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