Ship Ahoy

This morning from the office in the Bridge of Don Aberdeen, as I looked out over the North Sea (top end of Abedreen Bay). I saw a small cruise ship being tower by an ocean going tug at around 10am, with another at the stern.

Had it broken down was there an issue? Anyway I had to continue at my desk, so at Lunch I went in search to see if it was in the Harbour. And yes it was tied up at the Dales Ship repair yard with coaches along side taking off passengers.

Its tracking web site states it left Bergan on the 3rd June via Goteberg and Invergorden departing there on the 8th June at 9:26PM. So I am none the wiser, but here is a Blip all the same.

MV Funchal is a Portuguese passenger and cruise liner. It is the last remaining ship and symbol of the once large fleet of Portuguese liners. Since the beginning of 2013, Funchal has been owned and operated by the Portuguese cruise company Portuscale Cruises.

The ship was built in 1961, under the guidance of the Portuguese naval engineer Rogério d'Oliveira.

Funchal is a classic cruise liner with a beautiful profile and charming interiors. It has a fascinating and proud maritime heritage, having served as a Portuguese Presidential yacht for state visits. The ship was also once owned by one of the wealthiest families in the Azores.

The ship has been successfully serving the British cruise market over the past 20 years, carrying thousands of passengers and was the first vessel to join the Classic International Cruises fleet in 1984.