The safety
The safety of its passengers is of prime
importance to Douro Azul. Douro Azul takes
great care to comply fully with all the
requirements laid down by the respective
authorities.
Briefly, we note that all the ships in the
fleet are equipped with electronic
navigation systems, several communications
bands, life jackets for adults and children,
life rafts, floaters, and fire detection and
extinction devices (inset and portable),
among other safety equipment, and a complete
onboard pharmacy for all first-aid
situations.
Each member of the crew is a qualified
first-aid assistant and trained in
fire-fighting, survival and personal safety
techniques. Regular emergency exercises are
carried out under the supervision of a
safety officer in order to provide on-going
training to the crew and prepare them for
all possible emergency situations.
These exercises are complemented with
real-time annual emergency training
exercises involving the several entities
that could be involved in an emergency
situation: Captain of the Port, Fire
Department (both regular and volunteer fire
fighters), INEM (National Ambulance and
Emergency Service), and Civil Defense, among
others.
About DouroAzul
Ferreira & Rayford Turismo Lda. Was
established in 1994 with the view to
promoting cruises on the River Douro, having
purchased the VistaDouro, a ship with a
capacity for 130 passengers, totally
refurbished and equipped with the most
modern navigation systems.
Two years later, the company purchased Douro
Azul Sociedade Marítima Turístida Lda. and
the Princesa do Douro, a ship with a
capacity for 200 passengers that would be
employed in the same manner as the one above.
With a view to extending its portfolio of
international clients, in 1996 Douro Azul
acquired the Alto Douro, a hotel-ship with
accommodations for 48 passengers in 24
double cabins, a restaurant, bar and sun
deck. This ship also was totally refitted
and equipped with air conditioning.
In 1999, Douro Azul acquired and refurbished
another hotel boat, the Invicta, which can
accommodate 80 passengers in 40 double
cabins. This ship carries out cruises
similar to those on the Alto Douro.
Two more vessels came into service in 2000,
the Cenários do Douro, a copy of a historic
rabelo boat, and the Douro Azul. The Milénio
came into service in 2002. These three ships
are used for daily cruises the first has a
capacity for 80 passengers, the second
carries 350 passengers and the last, 280
passengers.
2003 saw the arrival of the Corsário (a
typical sailboat) with room for 12
passengers. That same year, the Enigma, a
luxury yacht with a capacity for 6 people in
3 double cabins, began to sail not only the
River Douro but all along the Portuguese
coast.
In order to respond to demand and increase
the range of its services, in 2004 Douro
Azul ordered two additional hotel boats - the
Douro Queen and the Algarve Cruiser. The
first was set to complement the River Douro
fleet and the second, to create a new
“adventure”
An additional company was established in
2003 - Helitours - for the sole purpose of
providing helicopter tours over the City of
Porto. The tours depart and arrive from the
Massarelos heliport, in the centre of the
city.
Passengers can choose between a scheduled
flight over Porto or hire the helicopter for
a bespoke tour.
Douro Azul General
Conditions
