The Belem returns to its homeland
In 1979, the Belem was bought by the Caisse d'Epargne, with the support of the French Navy, and returned to its original name, in tribute to its prestigious past. In 1980, the Fondation Belem was created by the Caisse d'Epargne, and recognized as a charitable organization. The Caisse d'Epargne donated the boat to the foundation, which decided to turn it into a civilian training ship. Prior to this, renovation work had to be carried out to enable the three-master to sail again. Jean Randier, a former merchant navy officer (maritime historian, expert in French naval antiquities and author of books and novels on maritime history and the world of the sea), who will also be director of the Belem Foundation, manages the work.
A first series of works is carried out in Brest, and the Belem is then brought to Paris to attract media attention and involve numerous volunteers, such as Daniel Jéhanno, a cab driver of Breton origin, who becomes an integral part of the Belem adventure. In 1984, the Belem obtained the title of Monument Historique, and in 1985, Jean Randier was appointed first commander by the foundation, and Daniel Jéhanno, bosco (from the English bosseman, who was the foreman in charge of the bosse, the last rope to hold the anchor before dropping it. In the French navy, the bosco is the boss of the "man?uvriers" and is generally a senior naval officer*).
A training ship to discover the life of a sailor
In 1987, after five years of refurbishment, the Belem was converted into a training ship and opened to the public. Every year, from April to September, 1,200 sailors come to learn how to handle a three-masted square-rigged lighthouse, and experience life aboard a crew. She is now one of the last tall ships of the 19th century ème still sailing around the world. During these adventures, the apprentice sailors are supervised by 16 crewmen from the merchant navy, and discover the daily life of sailors on board.
In 30 years, the Belem has welcomed 35,000 trainees on board, and is the largest sailing ship in the world to welcome the public on ocean voyages. She also makes numerous stopovers in France, where she plays her role as a museum. In 2014, 30,000 people visited the three-masted ship.
The Belem, an ambassador ship
On July 4, 1986, the Belem sailed to New York to take part in the centenary celebrations of the Statue of Liberty.
In 2002, the Belem Foundation, with the support of its patron, organized a memorial voyage along the Atlantic routes taken by the ship during its early voyages. Nearly 100 years after leaving it, the Belem made its debut in the port of Belém do Parà. On May 8 of the same year, she sails to St Pierre de la Martinique for the centenary of the eruption of Montagne Pelée.
In 2008, he represented France at the celebration of the 400th anniversary of its independence ème anniversary of the founding of Quebec City by Samuel de Champlan. In 2012, he represented France at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in London and at the Olympic Games.
In 2014, he visited Venice to celebrate its Italian past and pay tribute to his patron, Count Vittorio Cini. It was the first French ship to enter the Venice arsenal, which was then open to the public.
