QE2 Story Forum
Non-QE2 Area => Ships => Saga Ruby => Topic started by: tdickson on Jan 10, 2014, 08:56 PM
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She set sail with a skeleton staff of just a few, just after a 15.15 hrs this afternoon, sharing exchange whistles from Saga Pearl 11, which was berthed just ahead of her at Berth 101, City Terminal, Southampton. She was waved off from the quayside by many leaving crew members and senior shoreside staff from HD to her new life in Asia, I do believe. I took lots of photos in the rain & hopefully post them when I have time.
Good Luck 'Ruby' in your New Life (Where ever)
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Static hotel in Burma, according to a tweet from Paul Clifton at the BBC.
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Paul Clifton did a nice piece for the BBC including a video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25687591
And Maritime Matters have given her a mention.
http://maritimematters.com/2014/01/the-end-of-a-golden-era-of-cruising/
It will be interesting to see what happens to her. Maybe her smaller size will bring her easier success in retirement than QE2 has had.
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It was one of Saga Ruby's senior officers before Christmas who informed us that there was a plan to take her to Rangoon in Burma
And although much less probable at the moment, from a private conversation we also learnt that there's also a hope that another investor might manage to bring her to the UK.
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Thank you to all for the posts about Ruby...
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I see on Marine Traffic Saga Ruby has now arrived in Gibraltar. What now?
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Bruce, I think they just gave her , her legs one last time
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I see on Marine Traffic Saga Ruby has now arrived in Gibraltar. What now?
I'm told a dry-docking, before heading to Burma to be a temporary hotel there (emerging tourism market but not many hotels fit for westerners). I understand the finances are Singaporean and they're thinking of a 10 year lifespan. After that.... ?
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I'm told a dry-docking, before heading to Burma to be a temporary hotel there (emerging tourism market but not many hotels fit for westerners). I understand the finances are Singaporean and they're thinking of a 10 year lifespan. After that.... ?
Straight into dry-dock by looks of things. Presumably there will also be a name change?
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At least it appears they are getting right to work on her.
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Some updated information here:
http://maritimematters.com/2014/01/saga-ruby-as-burma-hotel/
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I read in the Marine Matters article that she is to be re-named 'OASIS', however when reading further into the posted comments, her name is to be 'AMRA' Could anybody confirm which is it to be also are there any photos of her new livery
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Thank you for this information about Ruby. It is so good that she is not sitting somewhere waiting to be looked after but appears to be entering a new life soon.
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Don't know how 'real time ' this site is, but if you zoom in , she's still listed as Saga Ruby, & berthed adjacent to the dry dock gates :-\
http://www.gibraltarport.com/live-map
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Little update...
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-5.354237/centery:36.12884/zoom:8/mmsi:311000198
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Shipping Times reporting that Saga Ruby will be renamed Oasia
http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk/item_10675.html
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Shipping Times reporting that Saga Ruby will be renamed Oasia
http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk/item_10675.html
Marine Traffic is now showing Saga Ruby as Oasia
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/7214715/vessel:OASIA
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Look what happens when there's a plan
http://maritimematters.com/2014/01/saga-ruby-as-burma-hotel/
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https://en-gb.facebook.com/SagaRuby (https://en-gb.facebook.com/SagaRuby)
page down a bit & there she is 'Oasia' , do so wish QE2 had what seems to be such an orderly transition,
can't find her at sea though.
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Report on work carried out in Gibraltar before she was renamed.
http://www.marinelink.com/news/gibdock-repair-ruby364101.aspx
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Here she is doing 15kn off Africa
http://www.vesselfinder.com/?imo=7214715#
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Thank you very much for all of this information about Ruby. It does seem as though plans are moving along, and yes, I do wish things were good for our QE2 !
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Have been watching this site for a while now & she seems to've disappeared , anybody help here please
http://www.vesselfinder.com/?imo=7214715# (http://www.vesselfinder.com/?imo=7214715#)
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Hi Pete - I tried another Maritime AIS site and found no records for Oasia but found this for Saga Ruby. It is a few days old though.
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/311000198
June
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Presumably she has arrived in her destination port and the AIS transmitter has been turned off.
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Maritime Matters reports that she has arrived in Penang (Malaysia) :
http://maritimematters.com/2014/03/arrival-of-oasia/
There are two rather fine photos in the article.
I hope she can manage a swift transition to a stable new role, where we might enjoy visiting her! Fingers crossed...
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Thanks Isabelle…are we thinking that these are her last moments as a working ship, and that any future movement will be via a tug…always a sad moment in a ships life…I recall saying the same when they stopped engines on QE2 during her dry dock last year…
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I think, really, QE2's last moments as a working ship were November 2008 when her electric motors were stopped for the last time. They haven't been run since.
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Hi Isabelle - Thank you for posting the link to the story and pictures about Ruby. She does look good and I hope she will be well looked after.
Yes, Rob, I agree. Even with all the grand plans that greeted our QE2's arrival in Dubai, her life as we know it ended. It certainly would be wonderful if she could "live" again but it looks ever and ever more unlikely. :'(
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Does anyone have any news on her?
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Following time spent in a drydock in Gibraltar, Saga Ruby is now sailing under her new name, M/V Oasia (see below)
She has reached Phuket in Thailand, and as previously announced by Saga, she may soon be on her way to Rangoon,
Maritime Matters have posted the most recent report from Peter Knego
http://maritimematters.com/2014/03/arrival-of-oasia/
'Saga returns to Gibdock
Riviera Maritime Media (registration)
The 13-day renewal Saga Ruby drydocking project required flexibility on the part of the yard, which was called upon to adapt its original repair plan to ...
http://www.rivieramm.com/article/saga-returns-to-gibdock-15673
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I knew she has been renamed MV Oasia, however I wasn't sure what was happening with her so thanks for letting me know. :)
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She has reached Phuket in Thailand, and as previously announced by Saga, she may soon be on her way to Rangoon,
Maritime Matters have posted the most recent report from Peter Knego
http://maritimematters.com/2014/03/arrival-of-oasia/
At the moment she´s notsailing to Rangoon. She is now close Singapore and the next port of call is Sattahip, Thailand. My gues is that she will never sail to Rangoon and the ownership of her will change soon or it has already been changed. Why stay weeks at Phuket and then sail to Sattahip if the owners has some plans for her at Rangoon?
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Surprised Saga did not get them to change the livery, at very least the funnel!
that's ASSUMING she has changed ownership.
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I wonder if she will be a success?
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Surprised Saga did not get them to change the livery, at very least the funnel!
that's ASSUMING she has changed ownership.
The Queen Mary and Rotterdam still have the same livery, and they are owned by other companies than their original owners.
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That is true Hank. The QE2 is still in her livery too.
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She's on the move
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/7214715/vessel:OASIAhttp://
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Thanks for letting us know. If only our QE2 was on the move...
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Thanks, Pete !
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She reached Sattahip, Gulf of Thailand on 22.4.2014
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/7214715/vessel:OASIA
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Thanks for updating us Rosie! :)
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Any word on Oasia, formerly Saga Ruby ?
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Hi June, looking at this site she is tied up alongside , as denoted by the white diamond with black spot. looks like she's going nowhere any time, maybe in use as a hotel (wouldn't that be nice).
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ports/17432http://
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June, this site shows her alongside & apparently closed up, no lights etc etc. also looks like only 1 lifeboat present at aft end.
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2076041 11 July so a current image of her,( here we go again ).
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Hi Pete -
Thank you very much for the information and link to the picture of Ruby. She does look alone as does our beloved QE2. I hope she can have some care soon.
June :'(
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Believe this (maybe) ??
http://www.oasia-yangon.com/http://
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Hi Pete, well found!
Thanks so much for this, it is good that your crow's nest is such a hive of activity!
When we first heard that Saga Ruby was being sold, all on board were absolutely certain that she was going to be parked in Myanmar.
This was a plan that didn't seem to be a rumour and it didn't change - she could make a wonderful 'Rotterdam V' type of ship.
Just wishing that a) someone would see sense and take similar action with QE2, and that b) both ships had remained here in the UK.
Lots of good wishes to you and Mrs Pete
Rosie
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Thank you very much, Pete, for the link and to Rosie, for your comments. It really is so great that Ruby will have a home even if it is not in the UK. Agreed that I wish the same for our QE2. UK would even be better. Pete, please keep us informed regarding Ruby. June :)
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Believe this (maybe) ??
http://www.oasia-yangon.com/http://
I'm thrilled to see a liner preserved. I hope she lasts indefinitely. This is a reason to visit Burma.
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Regarding reply # 46 above,
I took it upon myself to contact the info link at the OASIA link asking for any information possible regarding the current state of OASIA . Here is the reply: '' Thank you very much for your email that we are happy to read. We are very proud of Ruby and we will ensure in her new role as OASIA, she will still maintain most of her charming features reflecting her amazing voyages.
So far, she is undergoing refurbishments to suit as a floating hotel and I am afraid at this moment, I could not give you an exact date of operation yet. However I will update you once I have details,
yours sincerely, Eugene Win
Director Of Rooms
OASIA Floating Hotel ''
I really wanted to start a new post shouting out ''IF ONLY' for dear old QE2. Somebody seems to have a plan for an old lady of the seas & give her a second life, & not afraid to make contact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I hope it works out for Ruby & her new owners.
Isabelle , I couldn't do the speech bubble thing, I recon if there's chance & you can make next years meet in June, you might run a beginners course for us spanner men (ask Rosie for details) Pete..
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Hi Pete -
Thank you very much for your post regarding Ruby. The fact that you received a reply is very promising. I too do so hope that things will work out well for Ruby and she enjoys an exciting second career.
Indeed, "IF ONLY" for our beloved QE2...
June
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Jonathan Boonazier on LinersLists says he's very concerned for her fate now. He says she's been at the port of Sattahip on the Gulf of Thailand for nearly a year, with nothing happening. He says the port she's in is not suitable for the work she requires, which could be done quickly in Sinapore. From his experience, he says the omens are not good.
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Thanks, Rob, for this news, however disheartening it is. Things seemed so promising for Ruby, but now it does not seem that way, and for there to be a delay of nearly a year is not an indication of good things to come for her. :(
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Jonathan Boonazier on LinersLists says he's very concerned for her fate now. He says she's been at the port of Sattahip on the Gulf of Thailand for nearly a year, with nothing happening. He says the port she's in is not suitable for the work she requires, which could be done quickly in Sinapore. From his experience, he says the omens are not good.
That isn't good news.
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Jonathan Boonazier on LinersLists says he's very concerned for her fate now. He says she's been at the port of Sattahip on the Gulf of Thailand for nearly a year, with nothing happening. He says the port she's in is not suitable for the work she requires, which could be done quickly in Sinapore. From his experience, he says the omens are not good.
I've been a big fan of Jonathan's adventures.
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Jonathan Boonazier on LinersLists says he's very concerned for her fate now. He says she's been at the port of Sattahip on the Gulf of Thailand for nearly a year, with nothing happening. He says the port she's in is not suitable for the work she requires, which could be done quickly in Sinapore. From his experience, he says the omens are not good.
Lets hope her fate will not end up like our QE2's :(
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The AIS on Marine traffic is showing ex-Saga Ruby may be on the move,
Looks as if she might be on her way westwards, perhaps eventually she'll go on to Myanmar
Hi Pete -are you watching?! :)
It'll be good to know what you think.
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Rosie this is exciting news , please post the link as I cannot find it , the one I'm looking at is showing her still in Sattahip, I do so hope she's ready for her new role & they havn't butchered her
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Oh Pete!
Having not had time this am to check her tracks - I have now - they are bizarre!
Take a look here - Can you see?
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/oldshipid:372123/oldmmsi:311000198/zoom:10/olddate:lastknown/_:585430f6fd023eeba9ce0d89dcbf92ce#
(Hoping the Sitting Room's refit/refurb's not getting in the way!)
Very best to you and Mrs Pete,
R.
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It looks like she is still in the Sattahip area , but repositioned, maybe they've been giving her a run she has been stationary for quite some time, what I do find a bit of a worry is the website , that they were using has become vacant (Afloat on the Yangon -Oasia welcomes you ). Maybe I'll sendem an email , let the painting take a back seat for a while, keep you posted if any reply.
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Pete - One of your emails could be Brilliant!
At the same time, maybe you need to think about coming down to the 'pool for the Three Ships and Nuts-in-May
R.
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Rosie, sent 2 off to different addresses, bit rushed right now , will post again tomoz, Liverpool mmmmmmmmmmmm
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Just to update I sent an email to ocean@fleetpro-psm.com who were listed as consultants to Millenium View ltd who purchased Ruby, no reply as yet. I also fired one off to info@oasia-yangon.com (who were kind enough to reply to an email request in October last year,
no reply as yet. Do find it a little worrying not knowing, but at least she still moves!!, although as Rosie states previously , the course is a little wierd, also the list of ports cannot be identified on this page http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/index/port_moves/all/shipid:372123/shipname:OASIA
will try again over the weekend to Eugene Win ,director of rooms, oasia floating hotel at the above email address (maybe somebody will join me, let em know were looking out for her) thinking of joining you in Liverpool Rosie, should've finished painting by then- maybe
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Here is the link to what I found
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:311000198/vessel:OASIA
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Well, I fired a few emails off asking about progress on Oasia (Ruby) but no response, don't know what to think, maybe it's happening all over again . Could do with somebody on holiday getting a photo & posting it (not going to happen is it?)
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Here she is for sale. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1973/Cruise-Ship%2C-561-Passengers---Stock-No.-S2125-2811397/Thailand#.VO3ZwfmsUj4
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Oh, my ! so the original plans have come to naught. That was very worrisome when no news was forthcoming. Thanks, Raymo, for posting this message and link. June :(
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Poor old thing, they cannot even get photos (of such poor quality) correct I do believe that one of the dining room photos is from
Saga Rose, maybe in her Sagafjord days. Sloppy advertising, thanks for finding & posting Raymo, even if it isn't particurly good news.
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Ruby back in Europe (Amsterdam) ??
According to this she is http://www.vesselfinder.com/?imo=7214715
http://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/OASIA-IMO-7214715-MMSI-311000198
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Could it be ?
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Hi Just looked on marinetraffic.com Shes in Sattahip Chon Buri Thailand
Position Midday Today 3/3/2015
http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/oldshipid:372123/oldmmsi:311000198/olddate:2015-03-03%2007%3A56%3A00/zoom:9/_:60be68a286aa22308145a7132f6f28dc
Not to happy when you look at Satellite view
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Hi Roy, suppose we can dream eh? better dream on
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New Picture of her in Sattahip on Marinetraffic http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/photos/picture/ships/1888439/7214715/shipid:372123#
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click left arrow
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Well done Roy, at least she's still posting her presence, thanks for the update- Pete.....
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Found this over 12month old image of her tied up alongside, big hole cut in her port flank, then since nothing, lots of links to photos for her in happier times.
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2098672http://
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The quietness regarding news of Ruby is not a good sign. :(
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Oasia is still in Sattahip still radiating her signal on Marinetraffic at least that's a good sign
Just looked at the picture the only hole in the side I can see looks like the main embarkation entrance With the outer doors open
if I remember correctly they opened inwards
I seem to remember embarking through there when I last sailed on her when she was Saga Ruby
If you wanted to see a Saga ship with a hole in its side Saga Sapphire had a great big hole cut into her Flank when they upgraded a Generator set
But that was much lower into the Engine Room, I am sure there was a video on the Saga Sapphire Upgrade Blog Showing the operation
Link http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:311000198/imo:7214715/vessel:OASIA
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What is the status on Saga Ruby as of November 19, 2015?
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According to Marine Traffic AIS, Saga Ruby (Oasia) is currently moored in Sattahip, Thailand.
By the looks of the current satellite imagery, she appears to be laid up in the port.
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According to YachtWorld.com, Saga Ruby (now Oasia) is up for sale in Thailand.
Most of the photos appear to be stock photos. The listing states that she has been converted to a hotel ship but could still be operational as a cruise ship.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1973/Cruise-Ship%2C-561-Passengers---Coverted-To-Floating-Hotel---Stock-No.-S2125-2811397/Thailand#.V4jNEb_EzCT
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Well done Nick, congratulations for finding this & thanks vmuch for posting for us all to see, a little bit of good news in amongst all the no so good for QE2, some decent if bland updates seem to've been carried out, they've spent money on her , but, find myself wondering why not open her up a a hotel as originally planned on the Yangon, after all, the work seems to've been done,get some cash back whilst the offers hopefully come in. This lady is nearly as close to my heart as dear QE2, hope she has a bit of good luck.
Maybe QE2's owners should look/see.........
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Thanks, Nick, and very well said, Pete !
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Does anyone have any updated news about Saga Ruby, now Oasia ? I think she is still up for sale and some of the photos show some of the cabins as having been redone.
I don't think she ever was opened as an hotel. Does anyone know ?
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Hi June
Marinetraffic shows her still at anchor of Satterhip Thailand Possibly as an accommodation Ship But cannot confirm
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Jonathan Boonzaier saw her a few days ago off a remote island near Pattaya in Thailand (would that be Sattahip?).
Here she is, on a drone video in the shipyard Sattahip (2016) :
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Hi Isabelle
Just checked Marrone traffic She is now at anchor just of the port Satterhip
The picture shows her when she was alongside
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:100.9/centery:12.6/zoom:12
The blue Dot is Oasia
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That does indeed look like where he saw her. She was at sea, but stationary and off an island not far from Pattaya.
Thank you for the map!
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Why would she be anchored off shore ?
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June , she's been at Sattahip for some time now, she was supposed to be on the Yangon river earning her keep after her conversion,
guess they move her offshore to make space alongside for other shipping, but only a guess ,what is it with classic ladies like this, they bought the boat, refit her for cruising or hotel alongside, use her for goodness sake :(
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Hi Pete
It appears she is for sale Guess the Yangon river dried up
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1973/Cruise-Ship%2C-561-Passengers---Coverted-To-Floating-Hotel---Stock-No.-S2125-2811397/Thailand#.V4jNEb_EzCT
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Would to love to know why , Burma up & coming country, Rangoon (excuse my non PC) big tourist place, what's not to loose except the chance.
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Greetings!
A bit off topic.
Today we had some sad news for those of us who love the "traditional" and classic ocean liners.
The famous former "MS VISTAFJORD (1972)" originally of Norwegian American Line is sold for demolition..! :(
She was one of the last remaining true classics, and has a special place in the heart of many of us, as she represents an era of beautiful Cruise ships that included the former Kungsholm 4 among others... :)
She was the last cruise liner built in the U.K, and had different names and operators over the years, (SAGA RUBY, CARONIA) and now at the end was called "OASIA"..
Last year we as we were starting up the new SAL, we looked into her situation with serious intent.
The plan was to purchase her and utilize her in much the same way as our plans was for the K4, but with the difference that the VISTAFJORD is still SOLAS compliant and can move at own power..
She had left SAGA CRUISES fleet a couple of years ago, and was according to the media "sold to Myanmar in order to be a floating hotel"...
We had some negotiations with the owner, and found the ship in Sattahip, Thailand, at a Naval base. No hotel use.
We had the vessel inspected at the site in Thailand, and unfortunately we found pretty much the same thing as with the K4.. A beautiful ship, recently upgraded for several millions usd, and then left wind for wave.. Nothing of the new upgrades used, everything nicely packaged and the new furniture covered in plastic..
The owner had purchased her for well over 10M usd and had thrown another 10M usd on upgrading the vessel.. What a waste..
She was still in savable condition last year, even though some upgrades to her technical equipment and a good cleaning and painting outside would have been needed. BUT the owner was not prepared to negotiate at the price range we wanted.
The thought was to have her start up the new SAL, and be the first ship enter the fleet before the launch of the new KUNGHOLM 5..
She would have been perfect with a stationary role, as our head-office, restaurant, hotel, museum.
As the owner did not want to discuss the price, we closed the case and decided to use all our energy and efforts on the upcoming K5.
So sad that they now decided to sell her for scrap to India instead, and no actual marketing or other was done to the UK or Norway, to let other entrepreneurs know about the possibilities.
BUT, these events gives us even more "fuel" to create a new timeless masterpiece, as the former ones are slowly almost all leaving us, but the demand and love for these special and beautiful ships is not.
Bon Voyage, MS VISTAFJORD!
Team K5
Pictures copyright Rederi Swedish American Line AB
https://www.facebook.com/SALCRUISES/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED (https://www.facebook.com/SALCRUISES/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED) for those on Facebook photos can be seen too
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Very sad news, I worked on the Vistafjord during the 90's, beautiful ship and a great working atmosphere. One of the last cruise ships that actually looked like a ship!!
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Really, really gutted to read this, another waste of a fine lady, obviously too much money some folk have , she was real nice to travel on & a very welcoming atmosphere , very like QE2..
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I have been searching the web, and the only reference that I can find to Ruby being sold for scrap is the SAL FaceBook page quoted by Louis. So I am wondering if this is really a done deal or the assumption made by SAL.
If Oasia (Ruby) has been sold for scrap, her "For Sale" listing has not been removed from the firm handling her sale. It is showing her for sale at $26,000,000 USD.
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I understand from very good friends that recently, Saga Ruby very nearly made it back to the UK.
Unlike QE2 she remains SOLAS compliant, and further details are confidential.
In their statement, SAL ciuises have announced on their Facebook page that she has now been sold for scrap and will be soon taken to India.
http://www.swedishamericanline.com/
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I understand from very good friends that recently, Saga Ruby very nearly made it back to the UK.
Unlike QE2 she remains SOLAS compliant, and further details are confidential.
In their statement, SAL ciuises have announced on their Facebook page that she has now been sold for scrap and will be soon taken to India.
http://www.swedishamericanline.com/
Its a tragedy, it really is, and mirrors QE2. The UK built some of the greatest liners the world ever saw, and here's the last, and she's smaller and in good condition, and we can't even save her. Its so sad.
Our children will look back and wonder how we lost all the beautiful ships and didn't keep any at all.
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Took a while for me to realise Saga Ruby was Cunard's Caronia . . . .
Then I remembered I had some video footage I took of her leaving New York (when we got back off a cruise on QE2). She was indeed a nice looking ship.
QE2 departed New York shortly afterwards and that was the saddest sight ever - watching her sail away with my feet on dry land.
That was the only time I saw them both together.
Sorry to see her go.
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Took a while for me to realise Saga Ruby was Cunard's Caronia . . . .
Then I remembered I had some video footage I took of her leaving New York (when we got back off a cruise on QE2). She was indeed a nice looking ship.
We cruised on her once, as Caronia. Captain : Nick Bates. We had been on QE2, and we went back to QE2 again afterwards. Nick Bates joined us there ;) .
Now at that time I was not yet so interested in the details of ships, but at that particular time anyway, I could not be sure which of the two ships I liked better -- QE2 or Caronia... I wish I could have those voyages all over again, now that I am so much more aware...
Caronia was a wonderful ship, and those passengers on board who had been loyal to her since her Vistafjord days, said she was even better then. And the crew loved her. I never did venture on board again when she was Saga Ruby... did not want to spoil the memories...
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This just in -
https://travelswithanthonytwo.wordpress.com/2017/03/03/vistafjord-for-scrap/
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Hello! New here.
Supposedly to be renovated into a floating hotel.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_Ruby
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Sad to see her go, Vistafjord was my very first ship visit away back in 1986. l was taken by tender out to her, met at the gangway given a grand ship tour with lunch and shown round by Perr and then put back on the tender to go back to Kirkwall, with a lovely gift.
This was a great intorduction to Cunard as a visitor, as l was sailing on QE2 later that year for my first time.
Years later on QE2 on the Hotel Managers table l recounted my ship visit story to a Norwegian host The Purser, (do they still use such names on the new wonder fleet ::) ?) on the table, his name lm afraid totally escapes me just now, but he had a white beard and glasses, he told me he used to work with Perr on Vistafjord and now alas he was sadly very ill.
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Sad to see her go, Vistafjord was my very first ship visit away back in 1986.
Vistafjord was only 14. Huh.
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Peter Newell's excellent report on Saga Ruby, just before she ended her service as a passenger ship.
Little of the interior decor and furniture as we knew her is left now.
http://maritimematters.com/2014/01/a-last-look-inside-saga-ruby/
Millennium View have carried out extensive refitting including black wood installations, with various Blue carpets etc in the public areas...
The only photos are included in the message from SAL on FB
Apparently, she is "definitely" due to sail to India for scrapping.
Today following a period at anchor at Sattahip, she is underway in the Gulf of Thailand.
Pete - take a look at her on the AIS, her slow passage looks a little erratic from here!
Wouldn't it be fantastic if none of the info re India online is true?
Best to you and Mrs P
R.
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If only Rosie, if only, recon she can just about make headway ,looking at that track? why spend all that money buying & refitting her , then to say what the hell 'get rid'? There's years left in her, nobody with vision, around nowadays :'(
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Awful news :( Such a shame, if only something could be done to save her. From the photos she still looks to be in good condition inside, what a shame. One of, if not the last elegant cruise ships left now going - she looked great with her classic liner lines!
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if only something could be done to save her.
We all wish we could save her. It's sad to see ships that actually look like ships are being scrapped today.
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I don't think I can handle any more sad ship news this year...First Marco Polo is to be sold (here's hoping to another career after CMV), then Astoria, then Vistafjord, and possibly the SS United States and Queen Mary might one day join the scrap heap. I'd love an 11th hour bid on the Vistafjord, but those never happen.
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Awful news :( Such a shame, if only something could be done to save her. From the photos she still looks to be in good condition inside, what a shame. One of, if not the last elegant cruise ships left now going - she looked great with her classic liner lines!
Given that she was the last largish ocean liner built until the QM2, it's a shame that she had to end this way. It's a real shame as with her being not too big and not too small, it could have worked as a hotel somewhere in Europe, or perhaps North America, which has a curious lack of preserved liners compared to Europe. Hope you are well Adam!
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Hi not to sure what's happening at the moment marinetraffic indicates her returning To Sattahip on 28th
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:341993000/vessel:OASIA/_:60be68a286aa22308145a7132f6f28dc
Anyone noticed AIS name changed to OASIS
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Hi not to sure what's happening at the moment marinetraffic indicates her returning To Sattahip on 28th
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:341993000/vessel:OASIA/_:60be68a286aa22308145a7132f6f28dc
Anyone noticed AIS name changed to OASIS
Isn't her current name MV OASIA, Roy?
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I believe it is but they have changed the AIS signal to show OASIS, this change can only be done By the onboard crew
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Hi
Reports indicate Oasia Left Satterhip on Monday for India At this time She is at anchor South east of Satterhip still indicating a return on the 28th
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:311000198/vessel:OASIA/_:60be68a286aa22308145a7132f6f28dc
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Oasia / Oasis now on route to Singapore according to Marine Traffic.
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Does the info show if she is under her own power ?
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Looked to be under power.
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Hi
last report 18:24 yesterday Underway Using Engine heading to Singapore
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:311000198/vessel:OASIA/_:60be68a286aa22308145a7132f6f28dc
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Thanks, Bruce and Roy !
Would Ruby be heading to Singapore if she were going to be broken up ?
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China!!
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Hi June & Bruce
it is possible she would go via Singapore to uplift fuel then up the Malacca straight, at the moment she is out of range
It's Sad my first cruise was when she was part of the Saga Fleet as Saga Ruby
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She has to go via Singapore to reach Alang in India
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China!!
This wouldn't be too surprising, Bruce.
Her beautiful sister Saga Rose went to a 'green' scrapping yard up the Yangste
(Way off topic!
Best r'gds to you both - still need to make a date to view the Best Boat!
Might you be in Kotor this midsummer?)
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She is back in range.....
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Where is she located now ? I can't seem to bring her up on my Maritime AIS site.
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Where is she located now ? I can't seem to bring her up on my Maritime AIS site.
She is about half way now of her journey to Singapore 6.373727° / 103.5894°
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Thanks, Davina ! How many crew do you think are aboard ?
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Thanks, Davina ! How many crew do you think are aboard ?
Hard to say but I would say around 20-30
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Hi June
Not to sure which tracking program you use but her AIS signal shows oasis as her name on on my live map traveling down the Riau Archipelago
towards Singapore
If I remember rightly she Uplifted Fuel at Singapore on her outward journey to Satterhipp
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Shame she couldn't have found use as a hotel in Singapore a few years back. It would have given me an excuse to visit.
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She is now about 170 miles away from Singapore
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Sad isn't it
We are all watching Knowing the eventual out come, hoping for that miracle to happen, bit like a family waiting for a loved one to pass, still hoping for a miracle
Thankfully at my age I wont see QE2 do her final Journey , that is provided that the present plans come to fruition
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I asked a Singapore based friend to watch out for Saga Ruby, and got this message from him this morning :
Oasia (Saga Ruby) passed through the Singapore Strait today at noon and is currently heading northwards up the Malacca Strait.
I suspect we all have a fair idea where she might be heading...
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If ever there was a ship that needed marine-style White Knights,
recent events show how necessary these are now...
Godspeed and so many thanks to The Good Ship, Saga Ruby.
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On my sat map AIS Says she is heading for Singapore EOPL, which I think is the Eastern Anchorage
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Looks like she made no stop in Singapore
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No point arriving with full tanks!
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She is up the Malacca Straight at this time, I wonder if they will alter the AIS destination
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Is her AIS still showing her as Oasis instead of Oasia ?
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According to Marinetraffic she is using here own power, and not being towed. That means that she will make here way to the end with some dignity, instead of being towed around.
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Hi
She was off Kuala Lumpur at 03;00
AIS showing: Name as OASIS Destination Singapore EOPL, Underway, Speed 9 Knots, Heading 296 deg
Strange In that area I would expect more frequent updates Also speed seems very low if she is using her own engines
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Thanks, Bob and Roy ! It is true that there is dignity in making her way to the end under her own power.
In regard to the speed, do you think she is conserving fuel ?
That is one thing that I feel so badly about is that QE2's propulsion system was basically ruined. Terrible !!
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Ship now leaving the Strait of Malacca behind
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Ship heading for Bhavnagar in India thats is where Alang is
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Just looked at a satellite view of Bhavnagar it looks to be more organised than the beaches of Alang,
hopefully her demise there will be a bit more dignified
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Just horrible news ! :'(
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As President Trump would put it, "Terrible! Just Terrible!".
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Just done An internet search for breakers in Bhavnagar found this hope Cunard Know
http://ppatelshipbreaking.com
click the pictures
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Do the Breakers know something????? Would love to get their hands on that amount of High grade steel and Aluminium!!!!
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I looked up both Alang and Bhavnagar. Alang is a census town in Bhavnager. Bhavnager is a very large area that includes Alang, so by saying Ruby is headed to Bhavnagar, she could very well end up at Alang. The actual city of Bhavnagar is a bit inland, so the green company, who lists Bhavnagar as its headquarters, must have a ship breaking location somewhere on the coast.
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Hi June
On Google Earth there are what appear to be as number of dry docks, North of the town, on the Un Named River, East of the stayed bridge
only time will tell her final destination
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Just done An internet search for breakers in Bhavnagar found this hope Cunard Know
The picture of QM2 ???
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Just done An internet search for breakers in Bhavnagar found this hope Cunard Know
http://ppatelshipbreaking.com
click the pictures
Clicking on the gallery gives me:
"The gallery was not found"
?
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Hi Peter
Click the Right arrow the second picture is QM2 (just checked the site the pictures are now changing automatically)
Oasia is East of Sri Lanka (Marinetraffic live map identity shows Passenger Vessel as she is out of reach of terrestrial stations
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I looked up both Alang and Bhavnagar. Alang is a census town in Bhavnager. Bhavnager is a very large area that includes Alang, so by saying Ruby is headed to Bhavnagar, she could very well end up at Alang. The actual city of Bhavnagar is a bit inland, so the green company, who lists Bhavnagar as its headquarters, must have a ship breaking location somewhere on the coast.
There is an office address and a site address on that website so their headquarters could be inland and remote from the actual shipbreaking yard
Gav
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I was now able to get to the gallery. Wonder if Cunard knows that QM2 is advertising a ship breaking company...
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Hi Peter
Click the Right arrow the second picture is QM2 (just checked the site the pictures are now changing automatically)
Oasia is East of Sri Lanka (Marinetraffic live map identity shows Passenger Vessel as she is out of reach of terrestrial stations
D'oh - I see it now; I never thought to look in the header and just tried to go straight to the gallery first time round!
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Not far now for her....she is current going up the India coast
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Hi on cruise in Crete at moment just come through the Suez Canal
another ship intended for Alang. Ocean Gala has I believe been refused entry to the Suez Canal
Not to sure of her previous names
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Ocean Gala used to be the Stardancer, remember seeing her tied up behind the Cunard Princess in LA when we were doing mexican cruises in 1988. She was a Cruise ferry before that.
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She is now on her final leg,tomorrow she arrives.....
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Ship now about 100 miles away from Alang
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:'(
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Good bye old girl :-(
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Hi on cruise in Crete at moment just come through the Suez Canal
another ship intended for Alang. Ocean Gala has I believe been refused entry to the Suez Canal
Not to sure of her previous names
If that is the case then the Indian Breakers would have taken a bath on this. The likely hood she is that she could end up being scrapped in Turkey if a quick solution can't be found.
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She is just off the coast of Alang but still heading north
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Ship now stopped off Bhavnagar
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Ship now stopped off Bhavnagar
The boarding party is now aboard. Preparations are probably well in hand for her beaching.
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She this afternoon was moved under own power close to the beach of Alang,looks like she will be beached in the morning
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All this time she was still transmitting a position signal, the last report now was seven hours ago, is she out of reach of base stations, ore does that mean that probably everything has been turned off for good?
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Acc. to Marinetraffic the last signal is 1 hour old and she is anchored in front of the beaching plots at Alang. But what does it matter? The story is told and another ship on which a little piece of my heart is addicted to will be history soon. :-[
Good luck to all who are still interested in nowadays cruise business with all their same looking, ugly car carriers with windows. With the scrapping of Vistafjord only 10% of my earlier enthusiasm on cruise liners has survived and they belong to QE2.
BTW: I have posted in a german speaking forum some scans of memorabilia of a cruise my parents did in 1979 on Vistafjord, one I did on Vistafjord in 1998 and some pics when I saw her in Stavanger in 2009. Somebody is interested to see them posted here, too?
Brgds
Stephan
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Hi Stephen
Yes, please - it would be excellent to see images of the ship (when new-ish) as Vistafjord.
We sailed on board and loved her too.!
There is a Topic for her as Saga Ruby under Ships on this website.
I heard even as late as yesterday that her current owners were still asking for genuine and realistic buyers.
If anyone is as serious as my friends were (with their offer which was turned down), then please do contact me asap!
Can't say now that it won't be too late - however, lots of things could be possible /impossible
and fingers crossed she wont be scorched overnight.
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It's painful to follow this.
I'd love to tour that beautiful ship.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:341993000/imo:7214715/vessel:OASIA
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It's painful to follow this.
I'd love to tour that beautiful ship.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:341993000/imo:7214715/vessel:OASIA
Hi Rob
Do you remember telling me firmly not to go to bed, or go to sleep for the entire 48 hrs that I spent on her very soon after you began the early days of TQS? :) I was so happy to take your good advice, too! :)
Of All the ships, bar One - she should be saved.
(Having said that, we did have a little engine trouble in the Canaries!)
R.
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As the signal is now 9 hours old I'm afraid it's done :'(
I post the pictures later that day...
EDIT: I found this FB discussion group where someone says she "isn't due until April 12". If you scroll a little down you see a picture showing her at Alang roads, the lifeboats already dismantled. Maybe the last picture of her in one piece. Heartbreaking! :'(
https://www.facebook.com/groups/shipbreaking/?ref=group_cover
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Looking at https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:341993000/imo:7214715/vessel:OASIA (https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:372123/mmsi:341993000/imo:7214715/vessel:OASIA) I see the information that she was still active 2 hours and 4 minutes ago. I think that means she hasn't gone yet :(
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I'd love to tour that beautiful ship.
Good selection of interior photos here - http://maritimematters.com/2017/03/former-vistafjord-sailing-into-history/
Wonder what happens to all the plaques from ports visited??
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The discussion... sadly... now continues here...
https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,7635.0.html
... in Alang...