Tuesday, 13 March 2012

THE ISLAND OF PORTO SANTO AND CRUISE FERRY "LOBO MARINHO"

The Island of PORTO SANTO was discovered in 1418 by Prince Henry's Navigators and Explorers Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira while seeking shelter from a storm, the Portuguese Navigators were ordered by the Crwon to look for new land West of Africa. Another Portuguese Explorer, Bartolomeu Perestrelo became the first "Capitao-Donatorio" equivalent to a British Lord Proprietor in 1445, his daughter later married with CRISTOFORO COLOMBO, the couple lived in the Island for a while, COLOMBO's connection with Portugal was of course paramount for his later expeditions.
PORTO SANTO is part of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, has a population of just over 4000 people and offer a moderate climate throughout the year with an average temperature of 21 degrees, the main Industry is Tourism, the nine kilometer sandy beach is one of the primary attractions, there's also a very popular golf course and an International Airport with routine flights to Madeira and occasionally International flights to the UK, Germany, France, Spain and the Benelux. The best way to get to the Island is by sea, Porto  Santo can be reached by local Cruise Ferry "LOBO MARINHO" a modern ship built in Portugal by ENVC in 2003, this beautiful ship is owned and operated by PORTO SANTO LINE.
"LOBO MARINHO" cruises at 20 knots and takes two hours for the crossing from Funchal to Porto Santo, the ship has cruise-ship like interiors extremely comfortable for 1153 passengers and has a GRT of 8082. The ship has become very popular and successful and has generated an interest and sympathy locally and at an International level, the ship has Madeira registry
                               LOBO MARINHO at sea and arriving Porto Santo

For everyone with an interest on this amazing little passenger ship the book by Maritime Historian Luis Miguel Correia is highly recommended. For all information on sailings, mini-cruises and how to stay on the Island, please visit PORTO SANTO LINE on www.portosantoline.pt. Photos of Porto Santo taken from the Internet and LOBO MARINHO's by local Friend and ships photographer Joao Abreu

4 comments:

  1. Thank's for the post about my beautiful island.
    Regards
    Elvio

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the comment Elvio

    It gave me a lot of pleasure doing it

    Best
    Vitor

    ReplyDelete
  3. Digo honestamente que quando me falou de uma promoção do Porto Santo pensei que fosse para uma feira ou algo do género. Pareceu-se pelas siglas mas agora que reparo bem são das iniciais deste blogue.
    Realmente uma post de grande qualidade e fico contente por ter colaborado. O turismo do PS deveria ter este texto em conta para uma promoção futura da ilha. Está mesmo muito bom! Parabéns

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ola Joao

    Se o texto tiver alguma utilidade nessa parte do mundo, pode fazer o que quizer com ele, esteja a vontade tem o meu consentimento para qualquer divulgacao eu ja fiz a minha parte do trabalho por estas bandas

    Um abraco

    ReplyDelete