The Lobo Marinho ferry will be taken to the Canary Islands next month for repairs to its propulsion system following a breakdown that occurred off Garajau last week.
In a statement, the Porto Santo Line said the vessel will undergo work at the ASTICAN shipyard in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from the 15th to the 22nd of October. As a result, crossings between Madeira and Porto Santo will be suspended from the 14th until the 22nd of October.
The shipyard was selected because of its proximity to Madeira and its dry-dock facilities, which will allow the repairs to be completed as quickly as possible.
The ferry suffered a mechanical failure near Garajau on the 10th of September while sailing towards Funchal. An inspection by a specialist from SCHOTTEL Industries, the German manufacturer of its propulsion system, found that a connecting rod associated with the starboard propeller shaft had failed.
Responding to the news, the Porto Santo Line said the repair cannot safely be carried out in Madeira because the vessel must remain completely stationary and out of the water. This is necessary to prevent the propeller shaft from moving once disconnected, potentially compromising the watertight integrity of the system.
According to SCHOTTEL, this type of failure is extremely rare and is normally associated with factors outside the vessel’s routine operation.
As no other faults were found, the company believes the damage may have been caused by the propeller striking or becoming entangled with an object such as a tyre, cable or rope. This could have temporarily blocked the propulsion system, causing an imbalance in the shaft or propellers.
Three similar incidents involving tyres have previously been recorded aboard the Lobo Marinho, including one in which a cable became entangled in the propeller. The PSL said objects of this kind may be more likely to accumulate near the Funchal pier on the starboard side, where the ferry normally berths.
The damaged component was not due for a scheduled inspection under classification rules until 2028. It will now be replaced entirely to ensure the repair’s reliability and preserve the manufacturer’s warranty.
Until the vessel enters dry dock, crossings will continue but will take approximately three hours and 15 minutes. Porto Santo Line said the relevant authorities have authorised the temporary operation, which meets all necessary safety requirements.
During the suspension, a container ship will be chartered to maintain weekly supplies to Porto Santo. Refrigerated containers will also be provided free of charge for storing fresh produce on the island.
Binter will provide 100 seats a day for Porto Santo residents, comprising 50 seats in each direction, subject to availability.
Passengers booked to travel during the affected period may change their journey without paying an additional fee or request a full refund if they decide to cancel.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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