WORLD SHIP SOCIETY

In Senegal, West Africa, one of the world’s most interesting cruise vessels lies hidden in plain sight: built in 1950 to carry passengers, freight and mail on overnight voyages up and down the Senegal River, the BOU EL MOGDAD today makes weekly trips following more or less the same route she sailed 70 years ago. Based at the old colonial capital of Saint-Louis (now a UNESCO World Heritage City), the BOU winds her way upriver along Senegal’s border with Mauritania, stopping at old colonial trading posts where she’s been a familiar sight for generations. Nearly scrapped when reliable highways opened parallel to the river in the 1970s, the BOU instead became the subject of a quixotic and unlikely conversion to luxury cruise vessel. The conversion proved a hit, and despite overwhelming odds the BOU is still sailing today, now back in action following a period of uncertainty during the pandemic. At our first in-person membership meeting since February 2020, PONY Branch member Tom Rinaldi will take us along for one of the BOU’s recent voyages on a trip through time well worth the wait.

For those unable to attend the meeting in-person, Tom’s presentation will be live-streamed via Zoom. (A recording of the program will also be presented via Zoom at a later date.)

In accordance with New York City and National Opera Center protocols, mask wearing will be optional for those attending this event in-person.

(Photo courtesy of Tom Rinaldi)