The Liner Ship “Ragar” (1968-1974), Naval Registration of Ferrol

ASTANO had established experience in the design and production of liner ships —“Joaquín Ponte Naya”, “Pedro Menéndez”, “García Munté” and the Cuban “Baire” and “Jiguaní”— when on September 24, 1965, the construction contract number 204 was signed on behalf of the company Ramón Garzón, S.A., based in La Coruña.

The keel was laid on January 30, 1967, it took shape within six months, until its launch on July 22, 1967, under the name “Ragar” and was delivered on May 7, 1968, the date of its official sea trials and registered in the naval registry of Ferrol. We have little documentation from this first stage, so we appreciate any interesting information from kind readers.

It was a Shelter-type ship, beautiful in its marine lines, well-proportioned and dedicated to long-distance international traffic, during a time of great demand for general cargo. In 1974, it changed to the password of Ybarra and Cía., renamed “Cabo Santa Clara” and covered the line to Argentina.

Resold in 1980 to Salina Maritime Inc., renamed “Alexander Ismini” and flagged in Greece, and resold in 1983 to Metco Shipping, renamed “Nineta” and flagged in Panama, on May 13, 1986, it arrived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and by the end of that month, it began to be scrapped by Ying Gold Enterprise Co.

With a gross tonnage of 9,395 tons and a deadweight of 14,467 tons, it measured 154.60 m in overall length —142 m between perpendiculars—, 20 m in beam and 12 m in depth. It had five holds with its own means for loading and/or unloading operations and was powered by a Burmeister & Wain 674-VTBF2-160 engine, with a power of 9,900 horsepower on a shaft and maintained a speed of 16.20 knots. IMO 6721785.

References

Astano-curso65.es

buques.org

fenecom.blogsport.com

Official List of Ships of Spain (1971)

Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (1971)

miramarshipindex.nz

Photo: archive of Alberto Mantilla Pérez