7 September, 2016 by Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo

Ferrol and Vigo, Stops of the Five-Masted Sailboat 'Wind Surf'

The port of Vigo received a new visit from the five-masted sailboat 'Wind Surf' yesterday. On board, an expedition of 283 tourists and 195 crew members. It arrived in Vigo from Ferrol, and during its stop, five buses departed for scheduled visits to Compostela, Cambados, the wine route, Combarro, and panoramic views of the city and surroundings, reports Alfredo Campos Brandón, the author of the accompanying photos. Bergé Marítima handled the consignment.

At the time, 27 years ago, it was an innovative ship. Over time, it continues to attract attention wherever it goes. It is the former 'Club Med 1' – it was initially going to be called 'La Fayette' – construction number 274 from the Le Havre shipyard (France), which was delivered on December 29, 1989, to the company Services et Transports Cruise Line (Club Mediterranée). It has a twin ship called 'Club Med 2'.

In April 1997, it was sold to Carnival Cruise Line and renamed 'Wind Surf', maintaining its flag in the Bahamas. That same year, it became part of Windstar Cruises; in 1998, of Wind Spirit Cruises, and since October 2005, it has been owned by Wind Surf Cruises, managed by Holland America Line, one of the companies owned by the Carnival Group. Since August 2007, the operation has been managed by Windstar Cruises Ltd.

Weighing 14,745 gross tons and 1,654 deadweight tons, it measures 187.20 m in overall length, 20 m in beam, and 5 m in maximum draft. It can accommodate 453 passengers in an exclusive and luxurious environment. It is powered by four Wärtsila-Duvant Crepelle engines, with a power of 4,932 horsepower over two shafts, allowing it to maintain a speed of 12 knots, although it can be higher with favorable winds and the sails deployed over the five metal masts, with the sails controlled by computer. IMO Code 8700785.