A Portuguese submarine that saw over four decades of active service is being readied for a new role on dry land.
The Barracuda is set to join the 17th-century frigate D. Fernando II e Glória at a marine-themed museum currently under construction in Cacilhas, near Lisbon. The new tourist attraction is being built as part of a joint venture between the municipality of Almada and the Portuguese Navy.
After 42 years at sea and clocking up 52,000 hours of navigation, Barracuda – the last of the navy’s Albacora-class submarines – has been decommissioned. Its final voyage saw the vessel towed from Alfeite naval base to the former Parry & Son shipyard near the Transtejo ferry terminal, now part of the docks facility operated by the municipality.
“It’s a very happy day,” said lieutenant commander Baptista Pereira, the vessel’s former skipper who now captains a new submarine, the Arpão. “The Barracuda could simply have been scrapped and 42 years of service forgotten.”
Barracuda belonged to the Albacora-class of submarine and was one of four diesel-electric attack (SSK) submarines that began service in 1967, the others being Albacora, Delfim and the Cachalote. The Barracuda ran its last mission in 2010.
During his tribute, Baptista Pereira underlined the competency of the Portuguese Navy, stressing that submarines of a similar class belonging to other countries would normally end their service after 25 years.
According to Almada Mayor Maria Emília de Sousa, the inclusion of Barracuda in the museum, a project that has cost the council €500,000, has only been possible “due to the good relationship between the municipality and the Portuguese Navy”.
“We are very grateful. These delicate negotiations have proved that with competence and determination we can carry out our mission,” she added.
Navy spokesperson Bossa Dionísio said that preparations for displaying the Barracuda in the museum will continue over the next months, and the exhibit will not open to the public before the end of 2013.
Submarine museum for Algarve?
Meanwhile, the Portuguese Navy has received permission from the Ministry of Defence to display in the northern city of Viana do Castelo another decommissioned submarine in the same class, the aforementioned Delfim.
However, the move has yet to be confirmed and if the project falls through, the civic authorities in Portimão have expressed interest in hosting the submarine as a museum exhibit.
Portimão council and the Portuguese Navy are already working together as part of the Ocean Revival initiative, whereby decommissioned warships donated by the navy are deliberately sunk off the Algarve coast to create a single artificial reef structure.
To date, three vessels have been sent to the bottom of the sea. The corvette (light destroyer) Oliveira e Carmo and the ocean patrol vessel Zambeze were sunk in October 2012. In June 2013, it was the turn of the frigate Hermenegildo Carmo. All three are now open for diving.
A fourth ship, the oceanographic research vessel Almeida Carvalho is scheduled to join them on the seabed later this year on September 21.
The Ocean Revival project was conceived with the idea of further promoting underwater tourism in the region by creating a world-class diving destination, and the initiative has been met with widespread praise and enthusiasm.
The project is accredited by governmental and environmental bodies and conforms to the strictest of European environmental legislation.
Complementing the artificial reef attraction will be the Ocean Revival documentary exhibition that will highlight the history of the sunken fleet and its historical context. Housed in the award-winning Museu do Portimão, the Ocean Revival Museum Centre will also display various artefacts and parts from the ships.
The Delfim will most likely be situated near the museum should the vessel end up being permanently based in the Algarve.
