Lifeboats/Davits Removal 2016 and Discussion After That

[Davina]

With the lifeboats now removed it would be great I think to have a new thread about it to start I have made a timeline of what has happened so far.All we can do is await to see what happens in the future.

28th March 2016 Lifeboat number 5 was the first to be lowered followed then by number 7.Over the next days more followed by the 17th of April 2016 all Staboardside Lifeboats were lowered on to the dock apart from Lifeboats 1 and 3.

10th May 2016 all the 8 Staboardside Lifeboats were removed from the dockside and moved to a parking lot area about 150 meters away from ship.

12th May 2016 The Portside Lifeboats were lowered into the water,all 8 lowered on this same day.Lifeboats 2 and 4 remain in place.

23rd May 2016 The 8 Portside Lifeboats were today removed out of water and put togther with the Staboard side one

28/29 August the last 4 Lifeboats 1 2 3 4 were removed.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Very good idea to start this thread and to keep an eye on what happens to the lifeboats from now on.

Hope they are in safe hands and treated with the dignity they deserve...

[Davina]

21st June 2016 the lifeboats gathered in parking lot about 150 meters away from ship,the guy who took the photo does not want to be named

[June Ingram]

The picture of the lifeboats with QE2 on the left is a great picture.  She is keeping watch over her "little hatchlings". 

[Twynkle]

Very good idea to start this thread and to keep an eye on what happens to the lifeboats from now on.

Hope they are in safe hands and treated with the dignity they deserve...

Yes, Isabelle
The removal of them is very worrying.
I can only think that the davits are so badly rusted that there needs to be extensive work done on QE2's Boat deck before they can be replaced.

The Tenders belong on board QE2.
The sooner they are re-installed the better.

[Davina]

21st June 2016 the lifeboats gathered in parking lot about 150 meters away from ship,the guy who took the photo does not want to be named

[June Ingram]

Thanks very much, Louis and your photographer, for obtaining these photos of QE2's lifeboats. 

Are they surrounded by fence ? And can anyone walk near that area or is there a security checkpoint before one gets to the lifeboat area ?

[Brandon Sterkel]

It is heart wrenching to know that over half of the lifeboats are not on the ship. They deserve to be with their mother ship. However, it is comforting to know that they are not too far away. Hopefully they will make their way back on board.

[Davina]

The Lifeboats still in place photo from 1st August 2016,thanks to Akhil Akhi

[Davina]

+++UPDATE 28th August 2016+++

Lifeboats 1 and 3 the last 2 remaining on her Staboardside have been lowered down onto the dockside.The 2 remaining on the Portside are planned to be lowered tomorrow.

[Brandon Sterkel]

Thanks for the update, Louis. I hope this is not a cause for concern.

[Davina]

+++UPDATE 29th August 2016+++

As I type this Lifeboats 2 and 4 the last 2 remaining on QE2 are have been lowered into water,they will be removed then and placed with the others.

[June Ingram]

Thanks, Louis, for this not good news.  It is disheartening to hear that QE2's last boats have been removed.  There is something particularly wrenching about hearing this...

[Davina]

++++UPDATE 30th August 2016++++
Just got this photo where you can see no lifeboats more left.
The other thing that is missing is the davits.These have been since the last 2 weeks been removed bits by bits.Work is still in progress with the removal.

[Brandon Sterkel]

Thank you Louis for the sad news.
My heart dropped when I read that the davits had been removed.

[Rob Lightbody]

The news about the davits is utterly appalling.

I'm sorry, there's only one way to assess that information. They have no idea what they're doing.

Poor, poor QE2.

[Davina]

The news about the davits is utterly appalling.

I'm sorry, there's only one way to assess that information. They have no idea what they're doing.

Poor, poor QE2.

Rob I can only try a give news of what is going on what the are planning its all secrets even the workers onboard have no clue.

[Brandon Sterkel]

Louis, do you know if the davits are being stored close to the ship?

[Rob Lightbody]

Rob I can only try a give news of what is going on what the are planning its all secrets even the workers onboard have no clue.

Thanks Louis, it is difficult for you when you have to bring us bad news. I always try to think of reasonable explanations for their actions, and to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I don't find myself able to this time.  This action deserves our criticism.

[Davina]

Louis, do you know if the davits are being stored close to the ship?

Not sure

[June Ingram]

Thanks, Louis, for the news even if it is bad news.  I too felt utter sadness when I found out the last boats had been removed and now the davits.  Our poor QE2.  It is not right; it is not fair; there is nothing right about her plight !

[Rob Lightbody]

BBC might run a story after I alerted a couple of key people...

I've given them Louis' contact details.

[Chris Frame]

The unthinkable is happening... Her unique, one of a kind, timeless, instantly recognisable, legendary ocean liner design is being cut apart... no one can deny she is in peril.

[QE2forever]

++++UPDATE 30th August 2016++++
Just got this photo where you can see no lifeboats more left.
The other thing that is missing is the davits.These have been since the last 2 weeks been removed bits by bits.Work is still in progress with the removal.

Oh, no…. What are they doing to her? 

[Davina]

Just to clear out everyone the removal of the davits has nothing to do with scrapping the ship its just part of her conversion

[Peter Mugridge]

Just to clear out everyone the removal of the davits has nothing to do with scrapping the ship its just part of her conversion

I assume this is a permanent removal in order to create more space on the boat deck regardless of the damage it does to the atmosphere of being on board a ship, whether it can sail anywhere or not?

[Brandon Sterkel]

Louis, do you know if the davits will return on board?

[Davina]

Louis, do you know if the davits will return on board?

Maybe who knows

[Twynkle]

Dear Louis
Thank you so much for all your watchfulness.
To know that essential areas of her superstructure are being removed I can't imagine what this must feel like, both for you, and all those for whom she was their Home at Sea. It must feel really bad at the moment.

Keeping fingers crossed that these activities will mean that her Owners are planning to begin something that is more constructive - and hope they will be well held to account for taking responsibility in caring about and for a ship which still maintains a great reputation. There are many here and abroad who will be holding QE2's best interest in mind
QE2 is still crucially important; she will always remain as a significant part of the Maritime Heritage of this country as well as very many ports around the world.

Rosie.

[Lynda Bradford]

This is terrible news, but after the removal of the lifeboats it is what could be expected.  I wonder what will be next to go!

What would be the metal of the davits? Could they be looking at how to finance the conversion of the ship by bit by bit removing metal or item of value?

I really do not know what to say! Very sad news.

[Davina]

I just think everyone is jumping to conclusion lifeboats and davits removed yes its sad and hearbreaking but we have no clue what they planning,just lets give DP World the benefit of the doubt.

And I wish peope would stop calling those workers onboard m**** or what so ever they are qualified workers and working under extreme conditions.They deserve the same respect as her service crew,the V-Ship crew or the Ukrainian crew.

[cunardqueen]

BBC might run a story after I alerted a couple of key people...

I've given them Louis' contact details.
   

Trouble is when people keep shouting fire, there comes a stage no one believes it..
Can you imagine how this story might be treated.."QE2 lifeboats removed" Hardly earth breaking news..

Perhaps if the story ran QE2 being dismantled it might get some response. It seems any previous news features have bought no comment from Dubai... And really why should it, THEY bought QE2. They have told us really nothing from day one.
No one still really knows what the workers are doing inside the ship, is that not more important.?

This could and might very well turn round and bite Cunard quite squarely on their arse..

[Lynda Bradford]

I just think everyone is jumping to conclusion lifeboats and davits removed yes its sad and hearbreaking but we have no clue what they planning,just lets give DP World the benefit of the doubt.

And I wish peope would stop calling those workers onboard morons or what so ever they are qualified workers and working under extreme conditions.They deserve the same respect as her service crew,the V-Ship crew or the Ukrainian crew.

I am glad to report that doing a search for the word "Moron" this word has not been used in relation to the workers on this discussion forum. 

Some information from the owners on the plans for the ship would be useful.

[Davina]

No one still really knows what the workers are doing inside the ship, is that not more important.?

I do but for the protection of my contact I cant say nothing

[Rob Lightbody]

Nothing I ever say is directed at anyone working on board.

They do what they're told.

I'm always referring to the managers and decision makers.

[Davina]

I am glad to report that doing a search for the word "Moron" this word has not been used in relation to the workers on this discussion forum. 

Some information from the owners on the plans for the ship would be useful.

The word was not used here but from some members on Facebook

[Davina]

30th August 2016 A close up of QE2 with the missing davits,photo taken this late afternoon,the guy was be stay un named

[cunardqueen]

Can we only imagine if the 88 guests viewing this topic entered photos in the the competition... 

But that is a stunning if somber photo of QE2... Davina 

[Twynkle]

30th August 2016 A close up of QE2 with the missing davits,photo taken this late afternoon,the guy was be stay un named

Hi Louis,
Thank you for the update.
If, and it may be a big If, QE2's Owner is planning to use her as a hotel, or possible a residence of some sort, do you think  it could be that taking down both the tenders and davits has been done so that views from her 'Penthouse' suites and public room windows as well as from the open decking on the Boat Deck can be clear of an obstructed  view?
Rosie

[Rob Lightbody]

The word was not used here but from some members on Facebook

Our moderation and courtesy has always been better here than in general on Facebook, I'd rather not be trying to moderate Facebook from here too!

I'm sorry, removing the lifeboats and davits is a mistake. She had them for forty years. They are part of her famous profile. They are part of the charm of walking on her boat deck  They are part of the essence of the ocean liner. It's a serious error of judgment I tell you.

Look at ss Rotterdam and how carefully she was handled. Then look at the acknowledged mistakes with irreversible structural changes to queen Mary.