The Regional Government announced 43 years ago the acquisition of a Norwegian catamaran, the 'Gimle Bird', for the maritime link between Madeira and Porto Santo. This vessel was the first fast boat to operate on this route, cutting the crossing time to 90 minutes.
The purchase decision, made in a government plenary session chaired by Susano França, then Secretary of Finance, involved an investment of approximately 260,000 contos (equivalent to 1.3 million euros). The acquisition aimed to replace the 'Pirata Azul' ferry, deemed insufficient for transport needs.
The ship, registered in Norway, had a capacity for 244 passengers and five tons of cargo. After registration in Portugal, it began its journey to Madeira, with an estimated 12-day crossing. The government extended the charter of the 'Alisur Amarillo' to maintain service quality until the new vessel arrived.
A technical team travelled to Norway to assess the 'Gimle Bird', and the Norwegian proposal was chosen for its favourable economic terms. The ship was christened 'Independência' in Madeira and served the Porto Santo route for over 20 years.
