Ships in stormy seas

[Rob Lightbody]

They'd have been fine on the QE2!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1129302/Pictured-Storm-tosses-massive-cruise-liner-like-toy-boat.html#

[QE2_MATTHEW]

Of course they would. I faced similar conditions on the Atlantic in 2002, we had to go off course on a southerly route yet still caught a good ride. 

[Andy F]

Amazing shots though.  Good find Rob

[Twynkle]

I came across this...

and wondered about memories - more hazy, perhaps!


(I know the vid isn't about the QE2...maybe this one'll not last long!)

Video - Credit to etmackay - and thanks too, to all incredibly brave Seafarers.

[KEV]

 Doubt if the crew were playing snooker here!


I used to work offshore and always thought seafarers are brave whatever the size and type of vessel. Look at the Trawler series on TV for instance. The larger the vessel you would think in theory the better its ability to cope but doesnt always bear true and of course lifeboats are designed for the worst conditions. Theres some quite spectacular footage on youtube of some cruise ships rolling around but fortunately its the exception rather than the rule. I do think though that QE2 was the best design for such conditions . To recall Capt Perkins in our Force 10 Channel/Normandy/Biscay  words to the effect of " Apologies to Passengers for the slightly bumpy ride but rest assured that you are on the best ship in the world to cope with such conditions"

[Andy F]

Agree Kev and while clearly the bigger the vessel the greater protection they afford, even they are not immune, as the amazing shots of QV's first T/A crossing show. 
Agree also the Trawlermen series was compelling viewing and made you appreciate just what those guys go through (ditto RNLI). 

 

[Twynkle]

Not sure how Guests on the qe3 will manage when conditions change during a game of croquet - or bowls, even. ..?

[Andy F]

Incidently, I cannot find Voyager in the 2008 Berlitz Cruise Guide, so has she been withdrawn since.

The last I heard, she was operating for Iberojet Cruises under the name Voyager or Grand Voyager and based in the Med.  Not sure of her current whereabouts though.  I think the dramatic vid Kev posted was taken in 2005 when she was caught in a storm and lost power while off the coast of Menorca en route to Barcelona.  Scary stuff indeed

[Mauretania1907]

Yes, I retired with my Berlitz Guide and found two ships Grand Voyager, formerly Olympia voyager, first name Olympic Voyager, built July 2000 by Blohm and Voss, Germany. Unusual to have a fairly new ship lose all power and I wouldn't like the engineers job in seas like that. I bet they cursed every inch of her. Another ship of similar looks is Delphin Voyager, ex Orient Venus built by Ishikawjima Heavy Industries, Japan in 1990. Now operated by Delphin Cruises, she caters for German-speaking clientiele.
Delpin V is 21,884 GRT and Grand V is 24,391GRT. Grand V caters for Spanish clientiele
who were probably either praying for calmer seas, or for the bloody ship to sink so they could die!

[Mauretania1907]

Yes, definitely Grand Voyager, the poor girl wasn't so flash that particular day. If I were the captain, I'd give her a great boot up the stern for breaking down and then a fervent kiss for staying afloat (I can't swim, not that you'd last more than a minute in those seas) AND my engineers would get a large tot of rum, once they got the 'bitch' going once more.

[Stowaway2k]

Inside Voyager during the cyclone...
wait for after the passenger interviews, as the first few clips are from that Semester at Sea ship, Explorer, in 2005
It's in Spanish, but that doesn't matter...

MV Explorer
   

Here is the Oceanos sinking off South Africa
   

[Jem]

Found this selection here:   http://www.solentwaters.co.uk/Videos/roughseas.html
Not for the feint hearted!!

[highlander0108]

Nice find!  It was a slog to download and view, but parts were enjoyable and downright shocking.  The ship in the beginning plowing through the heavy seas was nice to watch, but I am also the type that specifically booked a winter crossing on QE2 to experience rough weather.  

Ken

[pete cain]

 Once again thankyou to youtube, I,m still trawling my way through  for QE2 related items & came across this thought about our vikki feeling the swell across the Atlantic. If you decide to watch, do it all the way through IT,S  REALLY SCARY...

[Mauretania1907]

Which ship was this? Looks like the party was pooped.