This self-propelled work barge was built by IMC in Rochefort at the Atlantic coast of France in 1984 for the French offshore survey and construction company Doris Survey in Paris. The vessel was named DORIS 40-10 and registered in Panama. Official No.: 10728-MF. Its call sign was HO3366. Lloyd’s Register No.: 8417508.
After completion the vessel was sent to West Africa to work in the oil fields of Gabon and Congo (Pointe Noire).
This vessel was mainly built for diving work and had a 4-point mooring system installed. Further, a bow thruster and a small crane were fitted.
After about 2 years of work, the company went bankrupt and the vessel was laid-up on the anchorage in the bay of Port Gentil, Gabon.
In June 1988 the barge was purchased by Dora Shipping Ltd. and taken over into management by ABC Maritime AG, Nyon on Friday, July 1, 1988 at 16:00 hours. The vessel was renamed DORA and was registered under the flag of St. Vincent & the Grenadines with home port being Kingstown. Official No.: 2368. Call sign: J8TD.
She was reactivated and dry docked in Port Gentil.
After completion of repairs the vessel worked mainly in the oil fields of Congo and Gabon, but also in Angola, Zaire and Nigeria. The crew consisted of a French captain, a French or Swiss chief engineer and of 6 African ratings from different West African countries. The first chief engineer was Theo Gamper, unfortunately this was his last assignment, as shortly after his disembarkation, he suffered a fatal accident at home.
In 1992 the vessel was sold to the French navy for use as a diving tender. She made the delivery voyage to France under her own power and safely arrived in Brest, France on the 29.07.1992 evening, where the DORA was delivered on 07.08.1992 to her new owners.
Time table of the delivery voyage, as per radio messages received from the master:
• 29.06.92 Vessel sails from Pointe Noire in the afternoon, directly for Brest
• 01.07.92/07:00 Position 01° 42' S / 006° 56' E, speed 8,0 knots
• 06.07.92/07:00 Position 03° 33' N / 006° 25' W, speed 5,5 knots, strong westerly currents
• 10.07.92/07:00 Position 08° 63' N / 015° 32' W, speed 6,2 knots, strong NW-wind
• 12.07.92/14:00 Passed Dakar / Cape Verde
• 13.07.92/08:00 Position 16° 38' N / 017° 28' W, speed 6,5 knots
• 15.07.92/07:00 Position 19° 58' N / 017° 25' W, speed 4,4 knots, wind 8, sea 7 from NW
• 17.07.92/07:00 Position 24° 26' N / 015° 52' W, speed 6,0 knots, wind 6
• 20.07.92/07:00 Position 29° 55' N / 012° 53' W, speed 5,4 knots, bad weather, wind N 6-7
• 22.07.92/05:00 Position 33° 38' N / 010° 53' W, speed 5,5 knots
• 24.07.92/07:00 Position about 80 miles south of Lisbon, speed 4,6 knots, wind N 9
• 28.07.92/05:00 Position 45° 29' N / 007° 28' W, speed 4,0 knots, very rough sea
• 29.07.92/06:30 Position 47° 33' N / 005° 36' W
• 29.07.92/18:00 Arrival Brest
Upon special request of the navy, the sellers allowed the navy to retain the name DORA. The new callsign is now FQAR. Official number: BR 853 155. The vessel was stationed in Brest, where the DORA apparently still is in service today.
13.12.2000: Sold to DCN Brest, Brest. Not renamed.
In September 2015 purchased by Iroise Mer SARL, Plougonvelin, France and renamed on 01.05.2016 TSM DORA.