CruiseInd 2.0 » QM2

Lets talk about Duck Tails

Greg — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:15:41 +0000

A recent maritime certification compliance with SOLAS is an increase in stability requirements. As vessels superstructures get taller they need a stable base (hull). A popular enhancement done in drydocking a modern cruise ship is the addition of balconies. This can sometimes be done by extending the stern superstructure of a vessel as was done with the Veendam left (notice the addition of a ducktail). Another option is the addition of a sponson. [1] A sponson is the extension of the hull on the sides of a vessel. These mostly are reserved for Ro/Ro vessels as they contain a large, unrestricted vehicle deck. An example can be seen in the Ro/Ro ferry Princess of Scandinavia right. The addition of Sponsons can be unappealing to a vessel. This is another reason that cruise ships resort to a duck tail.

This month saw the drydocking of 3 ships and the addition of ducktails to two of the ships. P&O’s Arcadia at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany received hers below.

At the same time in the same shipyard, Cunard’s Queen Mary2 was going through her routine Drydock.

The QM2 will leave on December 5th and the ORIANA will leave December 17th.

On the other side of Europe, in Cadiz, Royal Caribbean’s Splendour of the Seas is going through a rather massive drydock. A lot of interior changes are being made as well as the addition of an entire row of balconies to the ships superstructure. Her duck tail is rather more pronounced. Here it is all painted.

[1] Contemporary ideas on ship stability By Dracos Vassalos

Photos from SHIPS & THE SEA – BLOGUE dos NAVIOS e do MAR

Queen Mary 2 to be Reflagged in Bermuda [w/Render]

Greg — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +0000

vs.

Just doesn’t look right to me!

(Photo Credit: Flickr user LeHavreShips®Karl via Creative Commons license)

Small Fire Breaks Out in Queen Mary 2’s Engine Room

Greg — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:50:55 +0000

from Cunard:

[The Fire]was swiftly dealt with by the ship’s company and had no impact to any guests, crew or to the structural integrity of the ship.

QM2 Update [w/Pics]

Greg — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:09:31 +0000

I found some pics from Cruise Page’s message board, posted by Aad. Have a look.

Queen Mary 2 Breaks Away in Zeebrugge

Greg — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:58:15 +0000

Yesterday when the QM2 was calling in Zeebrugge, Belgium, her mooring lines. Reports are that the vessel broke her bow lines from high gusts of wind. The vessel then drifted into the harbor before being helped back with the assistance of local tugs.

Damage is reported, but only as minor, and located in the stern area. Ill update as more becomes available.

UPDATE 2:09pm : de Volkskrant is reporting that the ship was only delayed. This doesnt apprea as bad as the MSCin march. gCaptian has the details on the MSC one here.