Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Full Scale Ships => Topic started by: Nemo on June 08, 2016, 06:04:34 pm

Title: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on June 08, 2016, 06:04:34 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrcCaAHpaO0&feature=youtu.be&utm_medium=email&utm_source=EQM691&utm_campaign=qm2_refit&sisearchengine=536&siproduct=qm2_refit&utm_content=main_img
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Netleyned on June 08, 2016, 06:31:28 pm
Plenty of room [size=78%]IMO[/size]
Having docked down on
ships RN wise from 100 Tons
to 54000 tons in some outlandish
drydocks including Bombay in the
Monsoon season . The shoreside
heads were unbelievable. The rats
controlled entry >>:-(
Ned
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: derekwarner on June 08, 2016, 11:23:25 pm
Clearly there is sufficient width & length on the Hamburg doc17 to let her Majesty settle on the lowered blocks, however the above waterline cross windage potential must have been great  <*<

It also appeared that she could not take an azipod  powered tug towing her with her & then the tug to stay in the dock & have her own mini water wash whilst the QM2 had her major event

I wonder if the older well known term of docking and re-fit now be replaced with the term "re-mastering"   :o

Is the QM2 not the subject of Legal proceedings between the owners & ABB/Rolls Royce over the as now proved reduced in service operation to planned service?...... meaning the vessel must dock at intervals of 2 years and not as planned 3 year periods?

PS....Ned is certainly correct.....I had the misfortune only once to do a night shift in our Captain Cook Graving dock on the lower dock floor....& @ 0200 the Rats were the spectators & probably the supervisors supervisor {-)

Derek
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: dodes on June 17, 2016, 09:47:03 pm
It seems a lot of drydocking, what is the reason for so many, is it to do with her propulsion system.
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 17, 2016, 10:15:50 pm
The Mermaid propulsion pods have proved to be less robust than intended and following several breakdowns they need more frequent maintenance in dry dock, the cost of which has been the subject of legal proceedings between the ship's owners and the pod manufacturers (Rolls Royce I believe). Also the duration of transatlantic crossings has been increased to lessen the stress on the pods, each of which weighs more than a Boeing 747!

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 17, 2016, 10:38:38 pm
From: http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2011/01/the-tale-of-the-mermaid-pods-carnival-awarded-24-million-in-lawsuit-with-rolls-royce/

   The Tale of the Mermaid Pods – Carnival Awarded $24 million in lawsuit with Rolls Royce
Posted on January 8, 2011 by Rick Spilman

This week Carnival Cruise Lines was awarded $24 million in a lawsuit with Rolls Royce related to the repeated failure of the  “Mermaid Pods” on Carnival’s Cunard Line ship, Queen Mary 2. Last year about this time Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines reached a $65 million settlement with Rolls Royce over Mermaid pods on its ships.

Mermaid pods are either the best or the worst idea to hit the cruise industry in the last few decades.   “Podded” propulsion is intended to replace conventional shafting rudders and stern thrusters. A “pod” is a strut extending from the hull of a ship with an electric motor inside, driving a propeller.

Pods are often designed to rotate, thus performing the job of both the rudder and a stern thruster.  The podwas intended the cruise captain’s dream in that it was designed to provide efficient slow speed maneuvering and a simper propulsion system over all.   Rolls Royce marketed their “Mermaid pods” and sold quite a few to Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines.  A competitor, ABB sold their “Azipods” to Norwegian Cruise Lines among others.

The problem is that the propellers which drive the ship are directing all their thrust through a rotating bearing  on the pod which also happens to steer the ship.  If this bearing fails, the ship loses the pod as both a propulsion system and as a rudder.  Most ships have either two or four pods. Often two pods are fixed (non-rotating.)  Royal Caribbean had  Mermaid Pods installed on their subsidiary Celebrity Cruise Line Millennium class ships and soon were taking ships out of service and cancelling cruises because of Mermaid pod bearing failures.

Notwithstanding the problems that the cruise lines have had with pod propulsion, it still remains the system of choice in cruise ship new building.  The new Cunard liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria both have Azipod propulsion.
 
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 17, 2016, 11:31:56 pm
That's it Martin! Just can't rely on Mermaids really....

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: BarryM on June 18, 2016, 08:58:22 am
"Remastering"? That's a new one for the nautical lexicon probably thought up by some PR type who had never swung a Monday hammer in their life and wouldn't recognise it anyway!  (Come to think of it, most current marine engineers wouldn't recognise one either.)
We just had 'drydocking' where (hopefully) all the bits that had broken, fallen off or burnt out were replaced unless the budget was tight.
Barry M
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: derekwarner on June 18, 2016, 09:46:52 am
Couldn't agree more BarryM

I read between the lines that the abnormal/unplanned Drydocking [to repack the bearings in the Mermaid Pods <*<] was also the appropriate time to replace Westminster Royal patterned carpet in the 1st Class suites & probably hang a few newer faked or forged painting types works of art in the galleries or walkways 

Yes to ...''re Master" the vessel {-)......................

Derek
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: imsinking on June 18, 2016, 09:52:29 am
Monday Hammer ? ? we used those for 'centre popping'  %%  used a 'Tup' for the real heavy stuff . . .
The early AZIPODS were a nightmare and , as Martin says , the vertical stack bearings were being hammered thru thrust transfer . . when that happened the wear ridge thrown up prevented removal of the stack unit . . .it's sorted now and AZI's are generally reliable .
Aren't the MERMAID pods puller prop type rather than the pusher prop type ? they will get sorted eventually.
Bill
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 18, 2016, 10:33:53 am
I think the 'art gallery' in the side gangways is being converted to provide additional cabins. More profitable I would think!

There are a lot of very good paintings of previous Cunarders around the ship though.

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on June 21, 2016, 07:25:42 pm
This Vid shows her on the way from  Southampton to her 'Re-mastering' in Hamburg and interesting to see that they started work whilst under way. Anyone for a nice bit of teak?  about 20 minutes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRRGJq9pxgc
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: ballastanksian on June 21, 2016, 08:28:52 pm
I thought that Cunard ran her as a cargo ship when the passenger lists were short to make a few bob, but I suppose these are teak panks and not deck cargo :}

Seeing all those lounges and resturants makes me want to do a trans atlantic now:O)
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on June 22, 2016, 05:46:09 pm
Ian - I am sailing on her Transat come July 17th - her second trip since this 're-mastering', during which the decks have been replaced - amongst much more!  I read last night that the new carpeting filled 32 containers!
Seems I timed my booking right! :-))

http://www.cunard.co.uk/cruise-ships/queen-mary-2/remastered/


Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 22, 2016, 06:30:33 pm
You will love it Nemo.

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 22, 2016, 09:40:27 pm
I am told that the latest deck plans show that the art gallery will be retained but that the passageway on the other side of the vessel will be converted to single cabins.

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on June 23, 2016, 10:20:54 am
You will love it Nemo.Colin

Colin - I took your advice and got the Haynes Manual (last time it was a Triumph Herald!) which I will take on board. Looking forward to the experience very much O0
Bob.
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on June 24, 2016, 08:21:15 pm
Latest vid .......    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nFlbdniFlc&feature=youtu.be&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eqm697&utm_campaign=qm2_refit&sisearchengine=536&siproduct=qm2_refit&utm_content=main_video       
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: derekwarner on June 25, 2016, 12:16:13 am
Well.....whilst the words remastered/remastering did technically exist the Books of words %)...I do believe it will now have a long lasting meaning for luxury vessels during what we knew as refit............

Just how one would quality the 'level' of work to use the term 'remastered' is rather difficult to assess ;D...and secondly would the place of the work have any level of qualification?

After yesterday.....the QM2 may need to go to an alternate non EU crydoack for her next berthing.......how big is the dock in Malta?.....as our Captain Cook drydock is just long enough...but a bit squessy beam wise  for comfort
Derek
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: BarryM on June 26, 2016, 01:41:15 pm
Cunard "remasters" its vessels but now Tesco "recalibrates" its stores. To put it another way that we can understand, they are stopping 24-hour opening. Doesn't it make you want to reach out and slap their PR people with a blunt slice of reality?

Barry M
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: dougal99 on June 26, 2016, 05:43:30 pm
Going forward, from soup to nuts, it's like kicking a whale down the beach  <*<
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: ballastanksian on June 26, 2016, 06:01:18 pm
Ooh, lets get Blue sky thinking and idea slaughter this until the next corporate bondage weekend.

One day I will cross the Atlantic on a liner and experience the wonder of ocean views and numerous eating locations.

The Planetarium bit looks fun:O)
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on June 26, 2016, 11:13:41 pm
There was an article on the changes in today's Sunday Times. Looks like they have successfully updated those areas that needed refurbishment. Should be an even better experience to travel on her now.

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on July 27, 2016, 08:28:40 pm
I can now confirm this Colin as my voyage over the past week was amazing. The ship is in excellent condition and I can only recommend her to everyone who wishes to have a fantastic experience. The service, food, crew and entertainers were outstanding. The QM2 is no 'cruise ship' but a true ocean liner. The only blot on the voyage was no fault of ship or crew, but 20 hours of thick fog over the Grand Banks causing 3 loud blasts on those great horns every 90 seconds!! Nobody got any sleep that night!
I did spot one wee thing that none of the crew apparently had spotted in an otherwise immaculate vessel (or rather its small cousin).......  ;)  OOps!
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on July 27, 2016, 08:50:41 pm
Very glad to hear you enjoyed it Bob - not something you will forget.

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: derekwarner on July 27, 2016, 11:15:40 pm
Hey Nemo....did you get an souvenirs ? ...like a QM2 ashtray %), or a QM2 bath towel O0...or a QM2 coat hanger :embarrassed:....or is every thing  :police: chained down?

However glad you enjoyed it....... Derek

PS...... The Grand Banks....is this not a densely populated fishing boat area?....hence the 90 second blasts?
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Stu on July 28, 2016, 07:04:15 pm
I have spent a lot of time on Mary and her two sisters the Elizabeth and the Victoria as I work for ABB.The Mary used to suffer with bad oil leaks on her pods as we were asked to look at them for carnival but carried out no work, on the vic and Liz we changed the thrust bearings out for the new heavy duty ones we supply as standard. 

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll196/spoons9975/IMGP2379_zpsco1ok3lo.jpg) (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/spoons9975/media/IMGP2379_zpsco1ok3lo.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Capt Podge on July 28, 2016, 07:21:05 pm
I did spot one wee thing that none of the crew apparently had spotted in an otherwise immaculate vessel (or rather its small cousin).......  ;)  OOps!

but did you spot the date (on the pics) Nemo....OOps!  {-) {-)

Must have been a great trip for you though, would love to try it for myself sometime....

Regards,

Ray.
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on July 28, 2016, 08:16:52 pm
Hey Nemo....did you get an souvenirs ? ...like a QM2 ashtray %), or a QM2 bath towel O0...or a QM2 coat hanger :embarrassed:....or is every thing  :police: chained down?
However glad you enjoyed it....... Derek
PS...... The Grand Banks....is this not a densely populated fishing boat area?....hence the 90 second blasts?

Derek. I got 2 pairs of Cunard slippers (too small for me) - and  a nice set of toiletries was acquired for the missis who could not come on the trip, sorry 'Voyage' as Cunard likes us to call it. Unfortunately I could not get the dressing gown and towels in my suitcases as they were far too fluffy ok2,  so that was about it. Not forgetting an invite to the Captains Cocktail Party - pity it was full of snobs - but the free champers made up for them!

Actually, when the fog cleared, I spotted several large stationary fishing vessels, but whether we were still  on the Banks  I know not.

This ship is amazing, despite 2600+ passengers and almost the same amount of crew, walking around the ship it seems deserted at times due to its size. Public rooms were extremely elegant and the furnishings and décor were outstanding in my humble opinion. It has to be on your bucket list boys!
* I have never, ever slept on a better bed!  Full marks Cunard  :-))
Bob.
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Nemo on July 28, 2016, 08:29:13 pm
This nice model was on display on QM2. Named 'The Swan' I cannot remember it's history. Maybe someone here can identify it? Note the dinky toolbox, complete with tools. It is a fine piece of steam model engineering.
Bob.
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on July 28, 2016, 08:45:59 pm
Yes, the bed was just amazing....

Colin
Title: Re: Tight fit for QM2 in Hamburg.
Post by: Colin Bishop on July 28, 2016, 09:31:26 pm
PS to last post. The beds are made by Sealy and you can buy them yourself. They are supposed to be the same as the ones on board:

https://shop.sealy.co.uk/cunard/

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1888438

Colin