Queen Elizabeth 2 - Dry Dock 2009 (with images)

[QE2 DXB]

Dear Rob & QE2 Forum Members

Attached are some pictures of her recent visit to dry dock in July of this year, looking gorgeous.

[Rob Lightbody]

Thank you.  And thank you again!  She still looks amazing and its wonderful to see her getting some TLC and a dry docking after slightly too many years!

[Chris]

Thank you very much for sharing these magnificent photographs of our beloved QE2.

Thank you also to Rob for creating this forum to keep the legend alive.

[Rob Lightbody]

I'd just like to also say, that you VERY DEFINITELY saw them here first!

[Rob Lightbody]

Thank you also to Rob for creating this forum to keep the legend alive.

Thank you Chris, but from the pics above, it looks like someone else is keeping her alive rather well!

[Chris]

It certainly does. She looks superb - to this day the most magnificent moving object created by man.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you, Rob, and thank you, QE2 DXB, for these truly magnificent pictures that made me draw in my breath because of their splendour. It is a huge joy and relief to see her intact and looking brilliant as ever, after all these months.

Welcome QE2 DXB -- happy to see you here!!

[k.sailaway]

What a truly wonderful sight for sore eyes! We haven't seen her lovely bulbous bow since the tandem crossing with QV in January 2008.

K.

[Twynkle]

Hello!
A very big thank you - for posting these wonderful pictures!

Had they not been posted, it might have been the only time in the history of QE2
that something eventful wouldn't have been recorded in pictures.

She looks very good indeed - Thank you again, and again!

Rosie

[Blue Bombay]

Lovely to see her again.Thank You ;)She looks great as always.

Louis

[Bob C.]

She is looking great although she'd look better with her CUNARD logo's.

BUT I am very glad she's not in drydock to be sliced in half and extended!!!

Thanks very much for posting these outstanding photos!!!

[pjswansea]

It's good to see that they are spending more on her to keep her at her best.  I'd even go as far to suggest that she's in better condition now (I'm guessing that Carnival would have done the bare minimum on the vessel when they sold her).

It's nice to see her props clean!

[MrT]

Excellent Photos - All Good News!

What's that colour in the second from bottom picure, are they changing it to grey or this part of an undercoat or something??

Looks like they are planning for a serious journey, let's hope its to SA...

Alex.

[Blue Bombay]

What's that colour in the second from bottom picure, are they changing it to grey or this part of an undercoat or something??

I really hope it is a undercoating.

Louis

[Rob Lightbody]

They're not painting her grey.  She's perfect, look at her!  Every inch of the ship has been properly painted, this is not a patch-up job.  Picture 2 especially, she's gleaming!

I wish she'd looked like that in August 2008 for my cruise!  She was looking VERY rough at the waterline then.

[MrT]

I know she looks fab, anyone would think they are putting her back into service!

On that point, how does it work, if say she's left for 18 month in SA, would she need another dry dock before she could sail again or does anti-fouling paint still work when stationary???

This is all quite exciting!

Alex.

[Twynkle]

Looking at the second picture down, it's possible to see the reflection of the other vessel reflected on QE2's wonderful hull!

I feel incredibly grateful that these have been posted, Thank You.

The beautiful view from the 'Bit Beneath the Bridge' brings back so many memories.  It was a year ago this week that I stepped off QE2's gangway for the last time.

[Clyde Paddler]

Fab!!  Thank you so much for showing us these pics - it's a great relief to see her looking so wonderful.

Helen

[citrail]

A BIG thank you for sharing these pictures with us

I'm wondering, is the last picture showing her leaving the dry dock?

[Andy F]

I'm wondering, is the last picture showing her leaving the dry dock?

Possibly but looking at the preceding shots, it would appear she was towed stern first into the dock.

Agree a most fascinating and superb set of images, showing her in a way we never thought possible just a few months back.  Well done Rob and many thanks for sharing these with us all!

[usqe2fan]

Thanks to those able to furnish these great photos, and it does appear that a proper drydocking was completed.

One curiousity is that the two bow thrusters appear to have been sealed shut; they were always open in every other drydock photo I have seen.  Sealing them before a voyage would seem to be contradictory....anyone have any insight?

Again, great to see that a drydocking has been done, lets hope for more good news in the near future.

Erik

[Andy F]

Thanks to those able to furnish these great photos, and it does appear that a proper drydocking was completed.

One curiousity is that the two bow thrusters appear to have been sealed shut; they were always open in every other drydock photo I have seen.  Sealing them before a voyage would seem to be contradictory....anyone have any insight?

Again, great to see that a drydocking has been done, lets hope for more good news in the near future.

Erik

An interesting observation Erik, well spotted.  Unlike a tow, given she is believed to be sailing to CT under her own power then it doesn't make sense to seal the BT doors closed.  Unable to say for sure but possible they were simply closed to enable the new anti-foul coating to be applied.  

[hollihedge]

Thank you so much for posting - she is looking beautiful!!

[Cruisemarsh]

She is looking in fantastic condition, that just epitomises the spirit of the QE2.

[Pia]

Thank you for posting these fabulous photos! It's great to see her being looked after so well!

Pia

[Chris]

One curiousity is that the two bow thrusters appear to have been sealed shut; they were always open in every other drydock photo I have seen.  Sealing them before a voyage would seem to be contradictory....anyone have any insight?

Unlike the common Cruise Ship, QE2's bow thrusters had doors that closed (when the thrusters were not in use) in order to keep the hull streamlined and thus increase speed and efficiency. It appears to me as if they're closed in these photos - most likely as they've finished being serviced for this DD.

I was informed last year that one of the thrusters was decommissioned due to it being broken. As the ship was nearing retirement, Cunard did not have it repaired. I wonder if this has been fixed during the latest DD to assist in manoeuvring the ship?

[Jem]

She looks just fantastic! Thanks so much for the photo's. Lets hope to see her at sea once again?? If not for the slightly untidy for deck and no Cunard house flag showing, she looks like she's departing on a voyage right now!
Well done Nakeel for looking after her so well. Long Live The Queen!!

Cheers
Jem.

[highlander0108]

Wonderful photos and worthy of a big sigh of relief to see she's being taken well cared for.    She's does look a bit naked without the CUNARD logo on the side, though. 

Regarding Carnival not spending money on her, I think we all need to think carefully about that one.  They skipped the last drydock and performed a quicker wetdock in order to fit in more farewell cruises, which I am most happy they did.  Except for a dirty, untidy waterline, she looked in fine shape right to the end of service.  She did not go out like the original Lizzy with half a hull being painted.  I witnessed carpets being replaced and teak deck bungs repaired in October as well as some exterior painting.  I am sure there was deferred maintenance of equiment cancelled, but wouldn't you expect that?  On a more serious note, I do wonder if they have attended to whatever was the source of the seeminly recurrent problem of the ship loosing all power.

I wonder if there was any evidence of the grounding on the hull in the form of missing paint or creases in the hull plating.

[Rob Lightbody]

Regarding the Cunard logo - I heard from a knowledgable source, that they simply had no choice about this, since they do not own the Cunard brand, and therefore cannot use their logo.

Also concurr with Chris about the bow thruster doors... I'm thinking we need a separate discussion about the bow thrusters elsewhere... http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,879.0.html

Carnival did look after her very well indeed, but it was sad that after a couple of very thorough dry dockings and paintings, including being stripped right back to the metal and looking beautiful... that she then went out with a poor looking waterline... its so good to see her looking so good again.

[Scott]

I have to echo Chris - Thanks for posting these great photos and thank you Rob for all your hard work. Without the forum we really would not have this great knowledge base!

[WhiteStar34]

It's great to see that the QE2 is being cared for. These are great pictures, and I am extremely grateful to the person that took them. You really do get a sense of how large this ship is when it's in dry dock with people who are very small in comparison. Fabulous!

In reference to the Cunard logo, there should have been some clause in the contract which said, "due to the historic character of the vessel, it can retain the "CUNARD" logo under her bridge without penalty". I say, corporate culture has no respect for the heritage of anybody or anything.

-Wes

[Mauretania1907]

Thankyou, Nakheel.

[ancoaster78]

Many many thanks for the photos, it is really wonderful and very exciting to see the Ship of Ships looking so great again, looking even better that it did at the end of its service with Cunard!

I think it looks rather slick without the Cunard name, equally good with or without!

I have family in South Africa, looking forward to visiting the ship out there next time i'm there :-)

[NairB]

THANKYOU, THANKYOU!!!!

Look at her, just look at her.....

THANKYOU NAKHEEL & FORUM MEMBER QE2 for these photos.

-A Very Happy NairB 

[Kev]

I haven' t been able to contribute much lately due to so many other commitments (And some might say Ive said enough already!) but I do look when I can and enjoy the comments and these photos are ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. It can only be positive to see any work of this type undertaken.

Best Wishes to all.

Long Live QE2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kev

[Mr B]

Such outstanding photographs bring a tear to my eye, and lead me now to think that Nakheel and Dubai World proudly appreciate the vessel they own - the most magnificent and famous ship in the world.


Nakheel, let her sail free on the oceans once more where she will always belong.

[Concorde_QE2]

Thank you very much for posting these pictures. The Ship looks beautiful.

I would rather be seeing her in Southampton though. I am nostalgic of the days of old.

I have a couple of questions.

Is she out of dry dock by now and back at the berth where she was at Port Rashid or is the inspection not over?

MarineTraffic does not report her anywhere in Dubai. Has her Satcom been switched off?

What are the plans between her coming out of dry dock and an eventual steaming to SA?

Thanks in advance for your comments and answers.

[Rob Lightbody]

Good questions. 

Perhaps people can resist speculation on these points, unless they know for sure, so that this can remain a 'clean' topic based mostly on fact!  I suspect only one poster in this thread knows the answers for sure !

[Twynkle]

Yes!  It's been a while since we heard anything, and yesterday's news is so very good.  Just what we needed... from my point of view, the rest can wait!  The photographs - they are really clear.   It's amazing that all that paintwork was done in such a brief period. 

Rob - if it's possible, please would it be possible for you to convey our gratitude to whoever it was that contributed them?  Maybe one day we may know more - in the meantime, Thank You!

[Concorde_QE2]

Thank you very much for your marinetraffic QE2 spotting report.

It may have been a regional problem as zero ships were showing for Dubai this morning.;
The tracker showed all the private yachts with a satcom that are here in Monaco.

So she is still showing. This is a very good thing. :-)

[R A Woodall]

Hi guys and girls just wanted to say, hi to everyone, My name is Richard Woodall, and my dad was Captian of QE2 till the mid 90's when he retired.

It’s great to see pictures of her being painted, and made ready, even though when I spoke to the Nakeel press office this morning for my dad, they can’t confirm officially yet that it is going to south Africa. What they can confirm is part of the dry dock work is to run and check the engines, as she will be going completely under her own steam.

As far as her being there for 18 months, I remember my dad telling me that there was a process that they can go through every week to keep her seaworthy, they had to do it when she was charted for 6 months, and all she did was stay in Yokohama port, and it didn’t go any ware.

[highlander0108]

Just an observation from looking at the gorgeous bow shot, even in grey primer she is stumming.  Commodore Warwick did not make off with his heavy medallion mounted below the bridge when he left the ship.  It is still visible in the photograph!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

The Southampton Daily Echo reads this web site   :

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4543117.QE2_remains_high_and_dry_in_Dubai_/

Well done, Rob, and our member QE2 DXB, for getting such good coverage for these excellent pictures!

[mrs noah]

Great photos ,thanks for posting them.

[QE2 DXB]

Thank you very much for posting these pictures. The Ship looks beautiful.

I would rather be seeing her in Southampton though. I am nostalgic of the days of old.

I have a couple of questions.

Is she out of dry dock by now and back at the berth where she was at Port Rashid or is the inspection not over?

MarineTraffic does not report her anywhere in Dubai. Has her Satcom been switched off?

What are the plans between her coming out of dry dock and an eventual steaming to SA?

Thanks in advance for your comments and answers.

QE2 remains in the ship yard and the AIS remains on whilst the work is ongoing.  Whilst in dry dock the ship’s underwater hull has been shot blasted and repainted. Her main dark grey hull, white sides, and iconic red and black funnel also received a fresh coat of paint and her propellers have been polished. Internal works included an overhaul of her air conditioning and various mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems

[Concorde_QE2]

QE2 remains in the ship yard and the AIS remains on whilst the work is ongoing.  Whilst in dry dock the ship’s underwater hull has been shot blasted and repainted. Her main dark grey hull, white sides, and iconic red and black funnel also received a fresh coat of paint and her propellers have been polished. Internal works included an overhaul of her air conditioning and various mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems

Thank you very much for answering my questions.
These are all very good news.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Here is Dubai World's own Press Release and another superb photograph of QE2 gleaming in her dry dock :

http://www.dubaiworldmedia.net/2009/08/71301502.html

It is so good to see her getting plenty of TLC.

[Rob Lightbody]

Here is Dubai World's own Press Release and another superb photograph of QE2 gleaming in her dry dock :

If you look at their list of all QE2 Press Releases, http://www.dubaiworldmedia.net/news/qe2 , you'll see this is the first one since she arrived in Dubai!

[Chris]

Superb to see QE2 being included in the media releases. She looks very imposing out of the water

[Rob Lightbody]

Superb to see QE2 being included in the media releases. She looks very imposing out of the water

I had thought about this for both QE2 and QM1.  If it came to it, and if it dramatically reduced the cost of maintenance and helped her have a long life, would it really make such a difference if she wasn't afloat?  It would be good to also be able to go underneat, and fully appreciate the entire ship...

[NairB]

Superb to see QE2 being included in the media releases. She looks very imposing out of the water

I had thought about this for both QE2 and QM1.  If it came to it, and if it dramatically reduced the cost of maintenance and helped her have a long life, would it really make such a difference if she wasn't afloat?  It would be good to also be able to go underneat, and fully appreciate the entire ship...

Hmmm...interesting idea Rob. Have her Dry Docked in the fitting out bay at Clydebank lol 

[Heather]

Nice to see the old lady being looked after.  However, I still felt very sad when I saw her sitting there - I would like her to be here with us!!   

[RMS Queen Elizabeth 2]

It sounds like that shot thing of her bottom hull could have cooled her down. I love her new paintwork looks perfection.

She still looks modern and new in my opinion.

[tinker]

she does look magnificent its a shame we cant see interior shots as well .Does anyone know if shes been refloated yet?

[ReineAstrid]

Thank you so much for the wonderful photos - they have nudged me into joining this forum which I found through an item in Maritime Matters. QE2 Elegance and grace just wonderful Elegance and grace..  why do all the good things leave.

[Chris]

There's another (awesome) shot of QE2 in the Dubai Drydock here:

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/showphoto.aspx?photoid=99373

It's uploaded to the Marinetraffic website - not sure how it got there?

Chris.

PS: Note, "Queen Elizabeth 2" painted over, presumably awaiting a fresh coat of paint on the letters.

[Rob Lightbody]

There's another (awesome) shot of QE2 in the Dubai Drydock here:

Date taken: 2009-07-30 13:31
Date uploaded - 4th August - if only we'd known!  And here I was thinking we had the first dry dock photo on the web!

AWESOME image offering an even better (wider angle) view than we had last week.  Thanks for finding and pointing us to it Chris!

Re: The name - she wouldn't need a temporary 'fake' name for her trip to Cape Town would she?  If she's registered differently or whatever?  e.g. Norway which was the "Blue Lady".

Look at all the utility pipes going though the shell door, amazing!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Here's a link that shows the photo in the context of a 39-picture QE2 gallery (which in turn is part of an even larger gallery -- the things one discovers!) :

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/showallphotos.aspx?mmsi=232089000#top_photo

Go to Photo 3/39.
You can even give 5 stars to the picture!

The comment is even better than the picture : QE2 preparing for sea again  

[Concorde_QE2]

The comment is even better than the picture : QE2 preparing for sea again  

My plea to Nakheel:

Steam her back to the U.K. to stay -- not to Cape Town.

[LegendOfTheSeas]

The Southampton Daily Echo reads this web site   :

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4543117.QE2_remains_high_and_dry_in_Dubai_/

Well done, Rob, and our member QE2 DXB, for getting such good coverage for these excellent pictures!

on that Echo website, just check out the comments.