The event was sponsored by Isabel Durántez, general manager of Marina Mercante, who presented an honorific plaque
Also unveiled were two twin tugboats which are current under construction and will be delivered to Maritime Salvage at the end of the year
Boluda Shipyards, the shipbuilding and repair division of Boluda Corporación Marítima, has christened the ‘Sar Mastelero’, a latest-generation tugboat which the Valencia shipyards have built for the national maritime salvage association, Sasemar.
The ‘Sar Mastelero’, is the first of a three-tug series being built at Boluda Corporación Marítima facilities which will be ready for delivery by year’s end. These join a fourth vessel that was already entrusted to the association, part of the Public Works Ministry, in 2008 and shares the same technical features. Outfitted with a powerful fire fighting system, the ‘Sar Mastelero’ is 39.7 metres long and has a 12.5-metre beam and a 5.80-metre boom. With a 4.20-metre draft, it can reach speeds of 13 knots and has a fixed drag of 60 tonnes. Its propulsion system consists of two ABC diesel motors with 8 in-line cylinders and it has a Schottel bow propeller giving it excellent handling. As it is specialized in maritime salvage, the ship features a rescue area and specific quarters to accommodate the shipwrecked. There also is enough room for a nine-person crew.
The launch was presided by José Luis Cachafeiro, Secretary General of Transport at the Public Works Ministry in the company of Ricardo Peralta, government delegate from the Valencia Autonomous Community, Esther González, General Manager of Sasemar, and Vicente Boluda, President of Boluda Corporación Marítima. Isabel Durántez, General Manager of Marina Mercante, acted as sponsor and presented Alicia Martín, CEO of the Corporation, with an honorary plaque to be mounted aboard the tugboat.
