Re: QM2 Weathers the Storm

[Twynkle]

Hello Again, QE2forever!
Tracking you and QM2 up the Eastern seaboard on the MarineTraffic site was interesting.
It was possible to see both the 'apparent' wind speed and direction as well as QM2's speed too.
It appeared that she averaged 23 - 25 knots, from New York until she was at the equivalent of off N. Newfoundland, when she'd turned Eastwards again.
It's tempting to be curious about how much her turbines had done during this time!
Was there evidence of watertight doors being closed - and apart from the weekly Tuesday drill, were there extra drills, as well as other out of the ordinary precautions taken too?
Expect those window seats in the Library were making reading a bit tricky there - they are usually the first things to feel a wee bit shaky if there's a stiffening breeze!
F11 > 12 must have been challenging - as well as noisy.
Happy Hallowe'en to you as well.
Rosie

[QE2forever]

Just back from QM2.

I attended the very interesting "Behind The Scenes Tour", during which we visited many interesting places, including the bridge. I think I heard a fellow passenger ask the watch officer about turbines, from what I understood it seems they have been used some time during the storm to help maintain 23 knots against facing winds, waves and current.

I haven't noticed any extra precautions, apart from requiring all passengers to clear the outside decks soon after leaving New York and subsenquently closing them off.  But Captain Oprey gave us frequent updates on the situation on the public address system. Quite a few people were really worried and he did very well to reassure them.

The effects of Sandy were quite noticeable during the first night of the crossing (howling winds, creaking walls, considerable pitching) although honestly, we didn't suffer much because our cabin was located amidships (4092) - and Queen Mary 2 is such a fantastic seaboat.

Here are a few pictures taken as we hurriedly left New York on the afternoon of the 28th October, just before the rising water level would make it impossible to clear the Verrazzano bridge:

[Jeff Taylor]

Did they rig any lifelines in the public rooms?  I had that experience in QE(1).

[QE2forever]

Did they rig any lifelines in the public rooms?  I had that experience in QE(1).

Not that I am aware of.

I also remember experiencing that on QE2 once, sometime during a crossing back in the 90s.

[Lynda Bradford]

Peter Shanks' blog mentions QM2 escaping Hurricane Sandy using full speed with her Four Diesel Engines and Two Gas Turbine Engines.  Well done QM2 Captain and Crew. 

http://wearecunard.com/2012/11/good-evening-mr-bond-and-goodbye-hurricane-sandy/

[Rob Lightbody]

Peter Shanks' blog mentions QM2 escaping Hurricane Sandy using full speed with her Four Diesel Engines and Two Gas Turbine Engines.  Well done QM2 Captain and Crew. 

http://wearecunard.com/2012/11/good-evening-mr-bond-and-goodbye-hurricane-sandy/

Its a great piece.  I'm so glad to see Cunard highlighting QM2's uniqueness in this way, they don't do nearly enough of this in my view.

Captain Oprey took the ship out of New York and headed north away from the storm at full power. Now when we say full power on Queen Mary 2, we are talking of the sort of power that every other ship and every other captain can only dream of. With the four diesel engines and our two gas turbines (yes, we have two gas turbines the same size as Boeing 747 jet engines) we were able to escape the clutches of Hurricane Sandy. Forgive me for talking in nautical/technical terminology, but the ship was doing 24 knots into an 80 knot headwind. Now many of our bloggers will understand just how awesome that is.

and

For any ship to be doing 24 knots is a complete stretch, but for Queen Mary 2 to be able to do 24 knots into an 80 knot headwind and make the necessary distance to ensure the safety of our passengers as well as their comfort was an awesome achievement and exactly what the ship is built for. I am told by colleagues and passengers who I met on Sunday that the ship was hardly moving as she went through large swells and into that headwind.

[Rob Lightbody]

Just back from QM2.

Thanks so much for the historic photos!  Wish I'd been aboard for this.

[QE2forever]

Thanks so much for the historic photos!  Wish I'd been aboard for this.

You were aboard, Rob!