CroisiMer: The launch of the BELLE DE L'ADRIATIQUE

Mission accomplished for the Meuse and Sambre shipyard in Namur: the three lower decks of the BELLE DE L'ADRIATIQUE, the first vessel in the CROISIMER Armada, have been assembled. But before this, it was necessary to construct the various sections of the boat under the watchful eye of the architect, Yann PORREY, and under the control of the super sleuths from Bureau VERITAS, and load them onto the 22 trolleys needed to launch it.
The penultimate pre-launch check, and André FRANQUINET, the technical director of the shipyard, gives the green light. The boat slides slowly down the slipway and stops when the draught reaches 50 cm. The final checks on water tightness, everything is in order and all the welds are perfect. Everything is going fine. The green light is given!
The boat slides majestically into the Meuse under the watchful eye of the members of the Northern European Directorate of Bureau VERITAS and representatives of the Belgian marine authorities. It is very late or very early – depending how you look at it - 2h00 in the morning of 23 February 2007, but everyone has remained on deck to witness the event.

Applause, congratulations and thanks from Patrick SCHMITTER to all those who helped in the completion of this project.

The BELLE DE L'ADRIATIQUE now has to sail to Brussels to be fitted with its two remaining decks and its final fit. Pushed by the “ROSSWEL” and towed by the “MATHIEU”, it is carrying Commander Raymond CHATRON, who took part in construction, and three sailors. At around 10h00, the lashing manoeuvres are completed and the convoy leaves for Brussels. As it will have to pass under several bridges, the BELLE does not yet have all of its decks. It was necessary to load the components for the last two decks flat in order that it could travel unhindered. The last bridge to be negotiated, the Merxem bridge on the Albert canal, is 6.70 m high. This may seem sufficient. But the boat grazes the apron of the bridge with its current clearance of 6.50 m!

The journey goes without a hitch and the convoy arrives on Sunday, 25 February at 15h30 at Hembeek Quay in Brussels. The final work can get underway. The MS Ste ODILE has joined the BELLE DE L'ADRIATIQUE to provide logistical support (canteen and sleeping arrangements). Two 50-tonne cranes are going to lend a hand lifting the parts of the final two decks to be assembled. Then will come the interior decoration of the boat, prior to its departure for more pleasant climes in the Adriatic Sea.

To be continued...