Historic Doulos declared unseaworthy

A routine dry-dock and survey in Singapore identified more than $16m worth of repairs needed to keep the vessel in service.

The 1914-built vessel's owners, GBA Ships, have been using her as a floating bookstore and aid vessel for the past 32 years.

The ship, just two years younger than the Titanic, last called in Australia in August 2008 on what was intended to be her final visit here.

Doulos is used by the Christian aid group, Operation Mobilisation Ships International.

She was to continue sailing until September next year, but surveys have identified issues that need to be addressed if she is to continue to be registered.

OM Ships said the repairs would have taken five months and cost more than €10m.

OM Ships chief Peter Nicoll said the vessel — which carries about 280 crew and staff —  had visited more than 600 ports and 100 countries over 32 years of service to the group.

Doulos started life as a steamship known as Medina, serving as a freighter in the Atlantic before use with the US Coastguard in World War II. 

She was renamed Roma in 1948 and used as a passenger ship before conversion to diesel power in 1952 and her renaming as Franca C for use as a cruiseship in Europe.

Her charity work began in 1977.

Mr Nicoll said keeping the ship compliant with maritime standards had been a huge challenge for many years.

The group also employs the 1973-built, 12,519gt Logos Hope, though Mr Nicoll told Sydney radio station Hope 1032 on Sunday night that OM Ships remained committed to continuing as a "two-ship" operation.

It is now taking donations to pay for a replacement for Doulos.