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The comparison with the human body is a good illustration of the challenge that awaits
Belem
managers .
The famous three-master, usually based in Nantes during the winter period, has been in Saint-Nazaire since mid-December and until mid-April for a yard of unprecedented scale.
“It's a kind of open-heart surgery.
The diseased areas will be removed and replaced”
, illustrates Christelle Hug de Larauze, the general delegate of the Belem Foundation, which takes care of the ship built in 1896. What is happening to the oldest French tall ship still sailing? ?
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“The hull suffers from natural wear and tear which is normal. The most damaged area is located inside under the engine hold which is the receptacle for waste water”
, answers the one who supervises the site.
The "weakened and corroded"
steel sheets
will therefore be
"cut"
and then new sheets will be
"reinjected"
and
"welded together"
.
For a few days, the Belem, which is in dry dock, will therefore have a
“gaping hole”
in its hull:
“This operation is historic because it has never been done on such an old ship”
.
at least 1.7 million euros
She had become essential for the
Belem
to continue to sail and ensure her role as a training ship open to all.
“Beyond a certain threshold of wear, the organization which certifies the ship
(Bureau Veritas, editor’s note)
could have asked for its immobilization.
Current wear was beginning to reach a critical threshold.
We have therefore decided to take the bull by the horns and carry out ambitious work to ensure peace of mind in the years to come
,” emphasizes Christelle Hug de Larauze.
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A choice that will weigh heavily on the finances of the Belem Foundation.
With an annual budget of three million euros, 50% matched by the Caisse d'Epargne, it estimates the work in progress at 1.7 million euros.
A sum that could still swell:
"During the current project, we discovered new things to do"
.
The board of directors that manages the ship has to decide which ones to undertake this winter.
But it is expensive and nothing is simple.
“You cannot touch a hair of Belem without asking and receiving authorization from the regional directorate of cultural affairs (Drac) of Pays de la Loire”
, she specifies.
Le
Belem
has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1984.
Call for donations
If the Belem Foundation is counting on state aid of up to 40% for the winter construction site and hopes to receive
“hundreds of thousands of euros in subsidies”
from local authorities (Nantes Métropole, Loire-Atlantique department , Pays de la Loire and Brittany regions), it is obliged to
“complete the construction budget with a loan”
.
Its amount: approximately one million euros.
“We plan to amortize it over ten years thanks to our sales
,” hopes Christelle Hug de Larauze.
At the same time, the Belem Foundation is appealing for support from individuals through donations.
She has already raised nearly €140,000 out of a target of €340,000.
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In the meantime, the project is continuing according to a fairly tight schedule.
The next important deadline is February 13.
On this day, the
"sick"
block of the shell must be extracted.
The new block must be placed on it on March 8 before being welded.
If all goes as planned, the
Belem
should resume navigation at the end of April.
A first internship on board is planned for the beginning of June during a delivery trip between Nantes and Le Havre.
Belem agenda in 2023
Le Belem will take part in the following events this year: Débord de Loire in Nantes (May 31-June 4), the Rouen Armada (June 10-18), the Bordeaux Wine Festival (June 23-25) and the 200th anniversary of Port-Vendres (2-3 September).