‘NRP Polar’ currently at 30 metres underwater
In the early hours of yesterday morning, the so-called ‘school ship Polar’ attached to the Portuguese Navy sank at its mooring at Lisbon’s Alfeite Naval base.
As bizarre as this sounds, there have been no reasons given for this incident, other than the “rapid entry of water”. The Navy is expected to give an official statement shortly.
Sources have assured that there were no victims nor is there apparently any danger of pollution resulting from the wreck.
The ship, an instruction sailboat used since 1985 to train cadets at the Naval School, is already being worked on by technical teams to refloat it.
Originally named the ‘ANNE LINDE’, the Polar was built in 1977 at the Phoenix B.V. shipyard in Westerbroeck, Rotterdam. Initially registered in Viersen (FRG), it operated on cruises until 1982. The following year, the Portuguese Navy incorporated it into its fleet and it was used to train cadets.
Since 1985, it has served as a training ship for the Naval School, playing a fundamental role in the training of future naval officers.
