Le Boreal
History | |
---|---|
France | |
Name: | Le Boreal |
Owner: | Compagnie du Ponant[1] |
Operator: | Compagnie du Ponant |
Port of registry: | Mata-Utu (Wallis & Futuna Islands), France |
Builder: | Fincantieri |
Completed: | 2010 |
Identification: |
|
Status: | in active service, as of 2016 |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage: | 10,944 GT[1] |
Length: | 142.1 m (466 ft)[1] |
Beam: | 18 m (59 ft)[1] |
Draught: | 4.8 m (16 ft)[1] |
Decks: | 6 (guest decks) |
Capacity: | 264 passengers |
Crew: | 136 |
Le Boreal is a cruise ship owned and operated by the French cruise line company Compagnie du Ponant.
History
Built in 2010, she is a sister vessel of L'Austral and Le Soléal. The vessel has 132 cabins and suites for 264 passengers and 140 crew members. Le Boreal was put into service on May 6, 2010.
She won the award for "Best Newcomer of the Year – GOLD" from the European Cruiser Association (EUCRAS).[2]
Incidents and accidents
2015 engine room fire
On November 18, 2015 Le Boreal suffered a major engine room fire which caused the loss of all power and left her drifting. The captain ordered the ship, with 347 passengers and crew, to be abandoned early in the morning. A distress call was issued just after 2 a.m. while it was near Cape Dolphin, the northerly point of East Falkland, Falkland Islands. The news agency reported that 90 of the ship's 347 passengers and crew were air-lifted to safety from life rafts. The sister ship L'Austral responded to the distress call and took on some passengers.
Working closely with the Falkland Islands Government, British Forces enacted a major search and rescue plan. Two Sea King Royal Air Force Search and Rescue helicopters were scrambled, along with two other support helicopters, a C-130 Hercules and a Voyager aircraft for command and control. The Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Clyde was dispatched to the scene, as were two Dutch tugs which support British Forces in the Falkland Islands. Subsequently, all passengers and crew from Le Boreal were accounted for and being looked after on the Falkland Islands. The vessel was later reported in a stable condition and the tugs were assisting to bring her alongside in the Falkland Islands for a detailed assessment of her condition.[3][4][5] In March 2016, Ponant confirmed that Le Boreal is scheduled to resume service in May.[6]
In February 2016, a fictitious Arctic accident featuring a "luxury yacht" called Le Boreal was added to the video game Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege as part of a new mission called Operation Black Ice.[7]
Facilities
Le Boreal features one main dining room and one grill restaurant. The vessel also has the Le Club lounge for entertainment, a theatre for lectures and film screenings, a casino, a library and an internet lounge. She also has a swimming pool, spa and fitness centre. The ship is also equipped with Zodiac craft for landing.[8]
Mighty Ships
Le Boreal was featured in episode three of the fifth season of the TV series Mighty Ships. The ship was shown taking tourists to South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Gallery
References
Notes
- 1 2 3 4 5 "VeriStarInfo 2013 / LE BOREAL 2013". Veristar.com. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
- ↑ "Le Boréal: Small ship cruising, French-style". All Things Cruise. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- ↑ "Engine Room Fire Forces Boreal Evacuation - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News". Cruise Industry News. 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ "Fire on Ponant Cruise Ship L'Boreal Causes Evacuation - Ponant". Cruise Critic. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ "British Forces go to assistance of stricken cruise liner in the Falklands - News stories". GOV.UK. 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ "Ponant Cruise Ship Le Boreal to Resume Sailing in May". Cruise Critic. 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ "Canadian Arctic Ship Disaster Featured in Game". The Maritime Executive. 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ↑ "Le Boreal Cruise Ship Description and Cruises". Choosing Cruising. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
Bibliography
- Saunders, Aaron (2013). Giants of the Seas: The Ships that Transformed Modern Cruising. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 9781848321724.
- Smith, Peter C. (2014). Cruise Ships - The Small Scale Fleet: A Visual Showcase. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword Maritime. ISBN 9781781592816.
External links
- Itineraries & Deck Plans
- Le Boréal – Compagnie du Ponant website
- Le Boreal documentary
- Passenger reviews of Le Boreal
- Position of Le Boreal