World's Largest Sailing Ship!
Ray Goldenberg
I received this press release from Star Clippers and thought it would
be of interest. I had an excellent experience with this cruise line.
It was a wonderful experience and I look forward to sailing on their
new ship. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
STAR CLIPPERS TO BUILD WORLD'S LARGEST SAILING SHIP
MIAMI (Sept. 4, 2007) -- Star Clippers has been in discussions with
shipyards to build a new five-masted vessel for the line for delivery
in 2010. Set to be the largest, most expensive sailing vessel ever
constructed, the 7,400-gross-ton barque is modeled on France II, which
at 5,000 gross tons was the world's largest sailing ship when it was
launched in 1912.
The ship will be 518 feet long (157 meters) and 61 feet at the beam
(18.5 meters) with a draft of 20 feet (6 meters). The five-masted
vessel will carry 37 sails for a total of 68,350 square feet (6,350
square meters) of sail surface area. The rig will extend 217 feet (65
meters) above the waterline, and the open Sun Deck area will be an
expansive 8,200 square feet (2,500 square meters).
The ship has been designed to make it capable of operating
independently of any port infrastructure. With its Ice Class C hull,
extra heavy anchor gear, davit dampening system and specially modified
tenders, the ship will be able to sail virtually anywhere in the
world.
Although 48 percent larger than Star Clippers' Royal Clipper --
currently the largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world -- the
newbuild will carry only 30 percent more passengers, with a
double-occupancy capacity of 296 and a crew of 140.
The ship will have two 592-square-foot (55 square meters) owner's
suites that each can be divided into two separate cabins with their
own verandas. Thirty deluxe suites of 323 square feet (30 square
meters) and two deluxe deck cabins measuring 215 square feet (20
square meters) will have private verandas as well. There will be 104
outside cabins of 162 square feet (15 square meters) and 10 inside
cabins measuring 129 square feet (12 square meters).
Shipboard facilities will include a two-level dining room capable of
accommodating all passengers in one seating, a private dining room for
groups of 50 or less, a Piano Lounge for dancing and evening music and
cocktails, a two-level Tropical Bar that enables all passengers to
comfortably view or participate in lectures, games and evening shows,
a multipurpose Club Room that can convert to a 160-person conference
room, a Dive/Sports Bar with music and televisions tuned to sporting
events, an observation room just forward of the large open bridge, a
library located aft providing spectacular views, and spa and
gymnasium.
A retractable marina on the stern will provide access for watersports,
snorkeling and diving. The ship will feature three swimming pools. The
trademark Star Clippers midship glass-bottom pool will filter light
down from the Sun Deck through the Piano Lounge to the Dining Room.
The aft pool will feature a unique swim tube -- to be used for scuba
training -- that extends down through the Dive/Sports Bar and into the
Library.
The newbuild also will feature two shell doors in the hull to
facilitate embarkation, either from a dock or on and off tenders. Two
hydraulic side platforms are provided for tendering and watersports
activities.
Four twin-engine Fassmer lifeboats/tenders have been modified to
comfortably land passengers on beaches, even in heavy surf. The ship
also will have four diesel-powered semi-rigid rescue/sport boats for
use on expeditions and excursions as well as for water skiing, diving
and chase boats.
The newbuild is being constructed to the highest environmental,
safety, comfort and security specifications to qualify for Det Norske
Veritas certification. The propulsion system is diesel-electric,
employing two Caterpilar generators that burn clean low-sulphur marine
gas, instead of heavy fuel oil, supplying two Siemens electric
propulsion motors to drive the twin screws.
France II was built by Chantiers de la Gironde in Bordeaux, France,
for the New Caledonia nickel ore trade. While primarily a cargo
vessel, France II also was outfitted as a passenger vessel, becoming
one of the earliest cruise ships, complete with a piano bar, library,
dark room and the world's first shipboard seawater spa. The newbuild
will be similar to France II, though not identical -- it will have a
wider beam to meet modern stability requirements, but the rigging and
sail plan will be the same. It also will have the same livery as
France II, even down to the gun ports painted on the hull.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact a travel
professional.