Ask the QE2's Captain (Ian McNaught)

[Rob Lightbody]

In the second of our 'Ask the Captain' features (the first being Robin Woodall) we all have the opportunity to ask QE2's last Captain, Ian McNaught, the questions we've always wanted asked.

Closing date is Friday the 6th 13th of August.Once again, like we did with Captain Woodall, please post your questions here, which will let me compile them into a coherent list for Ian to answer for us.

This is open to all our members however I would appreciate it if real names could be given to Ian.  If you don't wish to put your real name on this topic and/or on your profile, please send it to admin@TheQE2Story.com with the subject of 'my real name for ask the captain'.

Many thanks to Captain McNaught for agreeing to talk to us.
To see how this worked previously, click here for the forum topic and here for the webpage that resulted.

[Peter Mugridge]

One thing I'd like to ask is when would they use "sprint and drift" as opposed to running at a constant rate?  By which I mean, at which sea state would the former cease to be economical?

I am asking because we had some "sprint and drift" in the Med on our Sept 2002 voyage ( under Paul Wright ); I noticed that the engines seemed to be running hard for a while, then not for a while, then hard again.  He confirmed to me when I asked him that they did indeed sometimes use "sprint and drift" when the sea was calm but I completely forgot to ask the question above in relation to it!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you -- Rob and Ian. What a wonderful opportunity!

I would like to ask Captain McNaught to mention just two things that made QE2 special to him, over and above any other ships where he has worked up to now.

[Cruise_Princess]

Yoooooohooooo!!!  Guess who...as if you don't already know.....It's Etta and Ann....we're BACK!  LOL

In the very unlikely event of our beloved QE2 becoming operational again....if asked ...would you be her Master again?   

also just wondered...have you gathered a large personal collection of QE2 items throughout your time with her.....

( hugs to Sue by the way!)

[Matt]

How possible do you see Australia being the home of the QE2 having sailed her farewell voyage through our country and seeing the support of the community? Which Australian port did you feel was the most emotional and atmospheric farewell to the QE2?

Cheers,
Matthew.

(More to come as i think of them  

[cunardqueen]

Well done Rob

"How are you enjoying your new command and do you find it strange to be Master of a ship that can sail the world over and not be recognised in the same was as QE2 was?"

Cheers

Myles

[Jem]

Thanks Rob,

In this day and age do you think the North Atlantic could sustain 2 Atlantic Liners?

Jeremy

[highlander0108]

Here's my question and should you decide to pass on this question, it is understandable.

"Thank you for the most memorable 22 days I have ever spent at sea, all on QE2, and all under your command.  Now, if ever the circumstances allowed you the opportunity to command the only true liner currently in service, QM2, would you return to Cunard?"

Cheers,
Ken

[Cabin 1004]

My question for Captain McNaught is this:

Is there any real chance that a group can be formed (and enough money raised) to make a serious offer to buy QE2, bring her to Glasgow, and maintain her as an attraction there -- and, if there is, will you take an active part in such an effort?

[Andrew W]

Hi - great that you convinced him to do this. I have a couple.

1. What was the last thing you did before leaving QE2 in Nov 2008 ?
2. What went through your mind when QE2 touched bottom in Southampton Water as she came up the river for the last time ?
3. If you could have any command today of any ship - which would it be ?

Thanks, Andrew

[Twynkle]

Thank you to Rob for this!
It's great to have an opportunity to express very many thanks too, to Captain McNaught.
His generous contributions during his many years of Service on board QE2 have made a significant difference.

The question to him now is, 'If you had been given the opportunity to choose something special to keep, what might you have chosen?'!

[Lynda Bradford]

I would like to ask the Captain what were his feelings the first time he took command of the QE2?

[Alex Tarry]

Hi Everyone, Thanks Rob for arranging this...what a great opportunity!

Ok, question for Captain McNaught:-

"What was the fastest speed you every experienced from QE2 during your command?"

Also many thanks for looking after my wife and I on our several trips on board with you in command...including very memorably the final TA.

Many thanks and all the best,

Alex...

[Andrew Collier]

Well done Rob for arranging, and thank you to Captain McNaught for participating!

My question is in two parts, as Captain of the ship, I'm sure you would have had access to all areas at all times.

Were there areas you never went, and which part of the ship did you find most exciting to visit?

And did the feeling of excitment, as i'm sure you must have felt at least in the beginning, for exploring the ship ever wear off?

Cheers 

Andrew

[QE2tandemcrossQM2]

I have had two wonderful cruises on QE2 in September 2008 (Indian summer) and October 2008 (last westbound). The last westbound tandem cossing in October 2008  together with QM2 was really unforgettable. I will never forget the moment in NY, when Captain Ian McNaught stopped walking along the floor to shake my hands and to say Good Bye to me until next cruise while I was sitting on the ground near the theatre. My personal impression during my cruises was, that Captain IanMcNaught was the best Captain for Cunard and for QE2.
So my questions to the Captain are:
1.) Do you see any possibility in the near future to go back to Cunard and become Captain of QM2? I think it is the ship, you like the most, because it is the last liner.
2.) No question, you miss QE2 very much, because it was always your ship you wanted to be Captain on, since you were young. Does your new ship make feel you a little bit sad when thinking about your years on QE2?
3.) Do you see any chance to bring back QE2 to Great Britain where she should be?
4.) What about the danger of scrapping QE2? 
5.) Would you like to see her and walking around the floors in her actual condition in Dubai?
6.) What was your reason to leave Cunard and to go to Seabourn?

Thank you very much. Hope to see you one day on Queen Mary 2.

Regards

Stephan

[Rob Lightbody]

Closing date for entries extended to this Friday - 13th

[Speedbird178]

Dear Captain McNaught,
I was a passenger aboard one of your very first voyages in command of the QE2.  I was crossing westboung ex-Southampton 26MAY03, arriving NY 1st June 2003.  I had a personal vehicle on board (an M-reg Volvo 850 Estate), and a dozen pieces of hold baggage, which in Southampton had been removed ostensibly for security reasons from the vehicle and placed in the hold baggage room (against my preference that it all be together).  Mid-voyage I bumped into you on deck, and asked you if I could have all my hold baggage put back into the vehicle so that on arrival the vehicle could just conveniently be driven off (per my original plan) in one easy neat operation with all baggage aboard.   You said politely but firmly no, citing security reasons.  The irony was that, in Southampton when they removed all the baggage from the vehicle they evidently could not lift the ten-ton exercise bike so they left that in the vehicle (the fly wheel of which could easily have been stuffed with C4 explosive).  So, I ended up having to decant all that hold baggage, pay a porter to move it in the lift downstairs in New York, and then re-pack everything in a rush.  When they opened the stern hatches, there was my vehicle -- covered in black garbage bags!  (The garbage bags in the 70s I used to watch staff throwing off the stern in the middle of the night, leaving a wake of garbage bags in the cean as far as the eye could see.   My question:  Was your real reason for saying no the eminently practical problem of getting to the vehicle under all that garbage, or was/is there a real security policy impediment?  If the latter how do you explain the exercise bike?  In the end that inconvenience cost me a computer (broken by stevedores as they slung it and other hold baggage down the belts).  Just wondering.   No hard feelings.  Wish you the very best in your new position.

[Rob Lightbody]

Thank you everybody for your submissions so far.

Today is your last chance, and then we will be closing this topic to allow us to put together a coherent selection of questions to send to Captain McNaught.

Cheers,

- Rob.

[bswan]

I would like to ask Ian, What was it that made QE2 so special to you?? Did you finish with Cunard as QE2 was the last great liner and you fealt that you needed a change in direction with your career going to Seabourn?

Having met you on the final world cruise i found you to be the nicest man who was friendly with everyone, crew and passengers. You were a real asset to Cunard, do come back one day.

[QE2 Canuck]

Rob... thanks for this opportunity to connect with Captain Ian.....

Message and question for Ian......My late husband and I sailed on the QE2's Farewell to Bermuda cruise in May 2003 not long after you took command as master of QE2...... My husband was born in Sunderland and he enjoyed a nice chat with you about school days, etc. in Sunderland and area.....I was very sad to see you leave Cunard... I just returned from a 20 day voyage to Norway and back on Queen Mary 2 with Capt. Nick Bates......what a wonderful voyage that was....Capt Nick is retiring at the end of this month.....I would dearly love to see you take command of Queen Mary 2.. QE2's true sister !!  If that chance came, would you consider it ?

Thank you very much... Linda Crooks...Sarnia, Ontario Canada.