back to Sea Transportation

 Bertilak

This ship itself appears outwardly to be a very large two-masted sambuk, of about 90 feet length and 100 tons displacement, with a square stern; but a steel hull and decks, and a powerful engine of about 500 horsepower, are hidden behind worn teak planks. Armament unknown, but at least the crew has knives and firearms! The engine can propel the vessel to about 20 knots; sailing is limited to about 10 knots. The ship carries a powerful radio and deep sea hardhat diving gear. There are four small cabins available for passengers, each with two bunks. The cabins are paired (port and starboard) around the "saloon", which has windows in the wide transom; quarter galleries contain the "lavatories".

The Bertilak's illicit cargos are carried in a large central hold -- there's no point in trying to hide the ship's intentions if customs agents come aboard.

Jan de Boors is the owner and captain.