Every winter, the Belem undergoes a period of essential maintenance to ensure that it can sail safely. Between November and March, this historic three-master, managed by the Belem Caisse d'Épargne Foundation, is meticulously maintained by its crew.

Currently moored at the Atlantic Port of La Pallice, it is undergoing reliability and maintenance work before starting its maritime season. It is scheduled to be re-masted on 17 February, before returning to the trawler basin at the beginning of March. It will welcome the public and school groups there from mid-March, before returning to sea at the beginning of April for its first voyage to and from La Rochelle.

Thomas Perrin, second captain, explains the progress of this period of work on ActuNautique Yachting Art: ‘After an initial series of interventions at the trawler basin, the Belem was transferred to La Pallice for more substantial work. The crew proceeded to dismantle the running rigging, comprising 22 sails, 250 blocks and several kilometres of ropes. The sails were entrusted to master sailors in Noirmoutier for restoration. In addition, the foremast was partially dismantled in order to access its upper part, where a 2.4-tonne piece was removed to allow for the renovation of the top of the foremast, a key element connecting the lower and upper masts while supporting the tension of the shrouds. Carpenters and external specialists were mobilised for this technical intervention, while the rest of the crew devoted themselves to seamanship work: preparing the cables, tarred, painting and refurbishing the standing rigging. At the same time, the yards were sent to the workshop for sandblasting and repairs before being reinstalled. Once all the elements have been restored and reassembled, the Belem will return to the trawler basin to finalise its refurbishment. This winter work is also an opportunity to carry out the annual safety checks, including the inspection of radio equipment and fire-fighting systems’.