Veltagus "Príncipe da Beira" – Estaleiros São Jacinto


Tour boat operated by Veltagus seen on the Tejo River at Doca de Alcântara in June 2023. This tour boat of the monohull type, named "Príncipe da Beira" and registered LX-3142-TL, is built in Portugal by Estaleiros São Jacinto ¹ and completed in 1981 with yard number 132. Steel hull and superstructure. It has an overall length of 102.9 ft and can accommodate up to 200 guests. It is equipped with a 419 kW (570 hp) MTU main engine and a variable pitch propeller. This "Príncipe da Beira" is originally the ferry "Montes Claros" operated by Transtejo. Reborn as a tour boat in 2015, it has since been operated by Veltagus on the Tejo River, where we can find it on sightseeing tours or hosting special events, saluting the Atlantic or sailing upstream to Vila Franca de Xira.

Established in 1998 and based in Lisboa, Veltagus ² offers various services in the field of nautical tourism. "Blue Cruises" is a registered brand of Veltagus. Here, on a surprisingly rainy summer morning, we see the "Príncipe da Beira" about to leave Doca de Alcântara, waiting for the opening of the mobile (or swing) bridge at Rocha do Conde de Óbidos. ●


Barco de turismo operado pela Veltagus visto no Rio Tejo na Doca de Alcântara em Junho de 2023. Este barco de turismo do tipo monocasco, com o nome de "Príncipe da Beira" e registado LX-3142-TL, é construído em Portugal pelos Estaleiros São Jacinto ¹ e completado em 1981 com o número de construção 132. Casco e superestrutura em aço. Possui um comprimento total de 31,35 m e pode acomodar até 200 convidados. Utiliza uma máquina principal MTU de 419 kW (570 hp) e uma hélice de passo variável. Este "Príncipe da Beira" é originalmente o ferry "Montes Claros" operado pela Transtejo. Renascido como barco de turismo em 2015, é desde então operado pela Veltagus no Rio Tejo, onde o podemos encontrar em passeios turísticos ou acolhendo eventos especiais, saudando o Atlântico ou navegando rio acima até Vila Franca de Xira.

Estabelecida em 1998 e baseada em Lisboa, a Veltagus ² disponibiliza diversos serviços na área do turismo náutico. A "Blue Cruises" é uma marca registada da Veltagus. Aqui, numa manhã de Verão surpreendentemente chuvosa, vemos o "Príncipe da Beira" prestes a sair da Doca de Alcântara, aguardando a abertura da ponte móvel (ou rotativa) da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos. ●


¹  "Estaleiros São Jacinto, S.A.R.L.", Aveiro, Portugal
²  "Veltagus – Companhia de Navios Charter, Lda.", Lisboa, Portugal


Veltagus 

Established in 1998 and based in Lisboa, Veltagus offers various services in the field of nautical tourism. Some of the vessels in the fleet ●

Name

Registration

Year

Built

Mont des Cats ¹

Esmi

Boston

Lars Tore

Príncipe Perfeito

Sailing Ship

LX-421-AL

--

Chantiers Navals de Caen (Blainville-sur-Orne)

1949

#?

Estaleiros Navais de Peniche

rb 2005

Montes Claros ²

Príncipe da Beira

Tour boat

LX-3142-TL

--

Estaleiros São Jacinto (Aveiro)

1981

#132

Venus S ³

Venus SL

Príncipe do Tejo

Tour boat

PT-133943-AL

--

Ustaoğlu (Karadeniz Ereğli)

2004

#?

Navispace – Duc de Bretagne ⁴

Lisboa Vista do Tejo ●

Restaurant boat

LX-390-AL

--

Chantiers Guérizec (Port-Louis)

1982

#?


● With restaurant service.
¹  Originally a robust steam-powered trawler ("chalutier à vapeur") intended for fishing campaigns in the North Sea, it is acquired by Veltagus in 2001 and modified in Portugal by Estaleiros Navais de Peniche to its present configuration as a three-masted schooner. Used in sightseeing tours and other special events.
²  Originally a ferry used by Portuguese operator Transtejo on the Tejo River. Since 2015, operated by Veltagus, refitted as a tour boat and renamed "Príncipe da Beira".
³  Originally used in the Mediterranean Sea, presumably in company of sister ship "Harica" (bt2003). In 2007, sold to Lithuanian operator UAB "Technikos jėga" and used in sightseeing services in the Baltic Sea around the Port of Klaipėda. In 2020, sold to Estonian operator Yacht Charter Boutique, renamed "Venus SL" and used in a wide variety of events. In 2023, arrives in Portugal, becoming part of the Veltagus fleet, renamed "Príncipe do Tejo".
⁴  Operated by Vedettes Vertes from 1982 to 1989, and then by Navix until 2002, it is the first restaurant boat to sail the idyllic Golfe du Morbihan. In 2002, arrives in Portugal, becoming a familiar presence on the Tejo River, renamed "Lisboa Vista do Tejo".

Due additions or corrections are welcome.



At the beginning of 2024, I found in the "Cacilheiros no Tejo" debate group the testimony of the first passenger on the ferry "Montes Claros", now the "Príncipe da Beira". At the time, I suggested a reunion at the Doca de Alcântara and as soon as it was possible, the esteemed Isabel Rio Pereira made it a reality. I don't know if there was any commotion or what they said among themselves – but the joy of the reunion after more than forty years is evident – despite the fact that the "Príncipe da Beira", taken by surprise, remained shyly leaning against the "Príncipe Perfeito", the patriarch of the fleet. Also in the picture, the "Príncipe do Tejo" and the "Lisboa Vista do Tejo". ● 

No início de 2024, encontrei no grupo de debate "Cacilheiros no Tejo" o testemunho da primeira passageira do ferry "Montes Claros", agora o "Príncipe da Beira". Na altura, sugeri o reencontro na Doca de Alcântara e assim que foi possível a estimada Isabel Rio Pereira tornou-o realidade. Não sei se houve alguma comoção ou o que falaram entre si – mas a alegria do reencontro ao fim de mais de quarenta anos é evidente – apesar de o "Príncipe da Beira", apanhado de surpresa, ter permanecido timidamente encostado ao "Príncipe Perfeito", o patriarca da frota. Também na foto, o "Príncipe do Tejo" e o "Lisboa Vista do Tejo".●


● References 

Wikipedia | "MTU Friedrichshafen" 
ShipSpotting | "Príncipe da Beira"
Wikipedia | "Tour boat"
Wikipedia | "Lisboa"
Wikipedia | "Lisboa" pt-PT
Wikipedia | "Port of Lisbon"
Wikipedia | "Porto de Lisboa" pt-PT
Porto de Lisboa | "Alcântara Dock"
Porto de Lisboa | "Doca de Alcântara" pt-PT


1 kg → 2.205 lb avdp 
1 t (metric) – 2204.623 pound (lb) (avdp) 
1 kW → 1,360 hp (metric/PS)
1 kW → 1,341 hp
1 hp (metric/PS) → 0,986 hp
1 km → 0,621 mile (international)
1 m → 3.281 ft 
1 nautical mile → 1.15078  mile → 1,852 km
1 kn or knot → 1.15078 mph → 1,852 km

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