Veltagus "Príncipe do Tejo" – Ustaoğlu

Tour boat operated by Veltagus seen on the Tejo River in August 2023. This tour boat of the monohull type, named "Príncipe do Tejo" and registered PT-133943-AL, is built in Turkey by Ustaoğlu ¹ and completed in 2004. Steel hull. It has an overall length of 94.6 ft and can acommodate up to 200 guests. It is equipped with two 212 kW (288 hp) Volvo Penta main engines and two fixed pitch propellers. Operated by Veltagus on the Tejo River since June 2023, we can find it on sightseeing tours or hosting special events.

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, we surprised the "Príncipe do Tejo" sailing on a splendid summer day. ●

Barco de turismo operado pela Veltagus visto no Rio Tejo em Agosto de 2023. Este barco de turismo do tipo monocasco, com o nome de "Príncipe do Tejo" e registado PT-133943-AL, é construído na Turquia por Ustaoğlu ¹ e completado em 2004. Casco em aço. Possui um comprimento total de 28,84 m e pode acomodar até 200 convidados. Utiliza duas máquinas principais Volvo Penta de 212 kW (288 hp) e duas hélices de passo fixo. Operado pela Veltagus no Rio Tejo desde Junho de 2023, podemos encontrá-lo em passeios turísticos ou acolhendo eventos especiais. 

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, surpreendemos o "Príncipe do Tejo" a navegar num esplêndido dia de Verão. ● 

¹  "Ustaoğlu Yat ve Gemi Sanayi A.Ş." (Ustaoğlu Yacht and Ship Industry Ltd. Co.), Gülüç–Karadeniz Ereğli, Turkey. NOTE: Some sources give this ship as built by the Ereğli Shipyard (in Karadeniz Ereğli), but I find no evidence of this. Instead, production register of the Ustaoğlu Shipyard (also in Karadeniz Ereğli) shows three unnamed passenger vessels delivered in 2004 to the domestic market. I believe one of these passenger vessels is the "Venus S". Also, unlike the Ereğli Shipyard, which seems focused on utilitarian vessels such as tugboats, pilot boats or chemical tankers, the Ustaoğlu Shipyard production includes passenger vessels and custom built luxury boats destined to the superyacht market. Contacts are being made to assure the correct data is provided. Meanwhile, any due correction is welcome.

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.

We are at Doca de Alcântara and the good mood on board the immaculate "Príncipe do Tejo" counters a dull day in October 2024. A few meters from the vessel, the mobile (or rotating) bridge of Rocha do Conde de Óbidos and further ahead the certainty of an unforgettable cruise along the Tejo River. Towering over the riverside landscape, the 25 de Abril Bridge. ● 

Estamos na Doca de Alcântara e a boa disposição a bordo do imaculado "Príncipe do Tejo" contraria um dia cinzento em Outubro de 2024. A poucos metros da embarcação, a ponte móvel (ou rotativa) da Rocha do Conde de Óbidos e mais à frente a certeza de um passeio inesquecível pelo Rio Tejo. Elevando-se sobre a paisagem ribeirinha, a Ponte 25 de Abril. ●

● References  

Wikipedia | "Volvo Penta"

ShipSpotting | "Príncipe do Tejo" n/a

Wikipedia | "Tour boat"

Wikipedia | "Lisboa"

Wikipedia | "Lisboa" pt-PT

Wikipedia | "Port of Lisbon"

Wikipedia | "Porto de Lisboa" pt-PT

Porto de Lisboa | "The Alcântara Dock"

Porto de Lisboa | "Doca de Alcântara"

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