Poll - Were they right to remove QE2's Lifeboat Davits?

[Rob Lightbody]

Were they right to remove QE2's Lifeboat Davits?

Speculation says the reason for this is is to clear more room on the boat deck, and/or improve the view from the ship.

[June Ingram]

I have voted and my vote is - They should not have removed QE2's Lifeboat Davits. 

[Louis De Sousa]

My vote was yes

[Rob Lightbody]

So in summary, you're happy they've cut off the Lifeboat davits, and you want the ship scrapped...

[cunardqueen]

I voted yes..

  So in summary, you're happy they've cut off the Lifeboat davits, and you want the ship scrapped...
 

Hmm thats not what the question is about ...its a simple yes or no..what the end game is who knows...
Can you imagine how much more space it will create... re adjust the railings, deck over where they were placed, and who knows, a deck side cafe, chairs and tables, Umbrellas... its a hot climate   

[Brandon Sterkel]

I voted no. Those davits along with the lifeboats form QE2's majestic profile. They have been with her for 40+ years and taking them away changes the way she looks.

[Twynkle]

I voted yes..

Hmm thats not what the question is about ...its a simple yes or no..what the end game is who knows...
Can you imagine how much more space it will create... re adjust the railings, deck over where they were placed, and who knows, a deck side cafe, chairs and tables, Umbrellas... its a hot climate   

Hi Myles - Losing the Lifeboats was potentially redeemable, they could at the very least be re-instated /replaced... -
Losing the Davits is something else - their motors will be gone, the hooks, lines, etc to rehang the lifeboats has been lost...It's like her losing her eyelashes....Just Plain inappropriate...(Don't please, ask about her teeth...)
The boat Deck isn't the only place where umbrellas are lovely!!
Anyone who dares move the railings will have to pay my fare and I'll go and varnish them and put them back.

Anyway - let's keep fingers crossed that this is just 'temporary'....Here's hoping....

Rosie

[holynougat]

Of course it was the wrong decision, unless the plan is to replace them, which seems highly unlikely. The argument that 'it will improve the boat deck visibility' is to entirely miss the point. The whole charm of QE2 should be the fact that she is a ship - by changing her to make her more like a hotel is to reduce her appeal.
I wish they would just scrap it rather than make us watch them ruin it one piece at a time.

[Rob Lightbody]

Of course it was the wrong decision, unless the plan is to replace them, which seems highly unlikely. The argument that 'it will improve the boat deck visibility' is to entirely miss the point. The whole charm of QE2 should be the fact that she is a ship - by changing her to make her more like a hotel is to reduce her appeal.
I wish they would just scrap it rather than make us watch them ruin it one piece at a time.

Exactly right. Practicalities is missing the point. I drove a classic car which is simultaneously charming and hideously impractical.  You can't make an old historic object practical.  What you can do, as with the Rotterdam, is carefully considered alterations necessary to fit a static hotel into an old ship.  We were all accepting that the staterooms would need drastically altered, for instance, but using their logic, the next thing they'll do is remove the portholes and replace them with more practical upvc double glazed square ones...

[pete cain]

Oh and a glass topped funnel , don't forget Rob,
 after all this time leaving her in Limbo, why now start all this utter tasteless crap, mind you she is sited in the tastless capital of the world , so really no surprises there eh!. My heart bleeds.............................................

[Adam Hodson]

I voted no, just doesn't look right without them - I think Rob's description was spot on:

Practicalities is missing the point. I drove a classic car which is simultaneously charming and hideously impractical.  You can't make an old historic object practical.

[pete cain]

Having thought about this topic (unlike the present scrap merchants), I feel obliged to comment,   what unobsructed view exactly are they presenting to their clients?. One side a parking lot, the other a view to an horizon never to be reached.
When in service QE2 had millionaires living in her 'top notch suites ' with somewhat obstructed views, they paid their money & took the choice that was QE2.
 Those obstructed views of Sydney harbour, Bar Harbour, Singapore, Manhatten,etc, etc, et al, & yes Southhampton, were an accepted part of being on 'The Most Famous Ocean Liner In The World'.
As for cafe style seating in lieu of the real thing, I can only say I was witness to folk moving those beautiful wooden deckchairs under the lifeboats for welcome shade, & being prepared to shift them as necessary if she changed course, or if the sun shifted, myself included
  Is removing the Lifeboats & supports preserving her heritage, so to afford a vista over a sandbank worth it, answers on a postage stamp.

[June Ingram]

Well said, Pete !  Hear !  Hear !

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I am not at all sure that achieving unobstructed views is the objective...

Not that I have a view on what the lifeboat and davit removal really means... I am just waiting to see whether any more clarity  emerges... my fear is that we are still far from seeing the end of the deconstruction...

[John Drew]

Hi Guys,

I used to maintain both the lifeboats / launches and davits during my time on there they are now gone and my hard work over the years to keep them in great shape can never been seen again, if they put them back I will forgive them if not I had better keep myself away from Dubai as I will get in trouble voicing my opinion out loudly at that.

John.

[Rob Lightbody]

Hi Guys,

I used to maintain both the lifeboats / launches and davits during my time on there they are now gone and my hard work over the years to keep them in great shape can never been seen again, if they put them back I will forgive them if not I had better keep myself away from Dubai as I will get in trouble voicing my opinion out loudly at that.

John.

I had wondered how those who looked after this equipment were feeling seeing it removed.  It must be tough.  I can imagine carrying out maintenance work on it where you had to consider that the next time it might be used is in an emergency. We can be thankful that that emergency never came, but we felt safe knowing the boats were ready if needed.  We also enjoyed their services when taking a tender to shore.

[QE2forever]

I voted "no" - unless they're planning to put them back.

My fear is that they're now going ahead for a crappy, tasteless thing like the Ming Hua Sea Center in China, which was once the French liner "Ancerville".

But… am I wrong or was it a clause in the sale contract saying that her external appearance couldn't be spoilt?

[Rob Lightbody]

But… am I wrong or was it a clause in the sale contract saying that her external appearance couldn't be spoilt?

That's been repeated a few times recently, but I don't think it's true. I think they can do what they like as long as they're still working on the Dubai hotel project...

[Twynkle]

Hi Guys,

I used to maintain both the lifeboats / launches and davits during my time on there they are now gone and my hard work over the years to keep them in great shape can never been seen again, if they put them back I will forgive them if not I had better keep myself away from Dubai as I will get in trouble voicing my opinion out loudly at that.

John.

Hi John
Your message about your work is incredibly important - and well as the work you did for us (pax).
I often watched the Deck 'gang', and the mechanical work involved looked hard, and probably highly dangerous too....
Did you drive the Lifeboats as well as maintain the lifeboats, davits, motors and gears etc?
That greasing (of the suspension 'wires') looked horrible!
All the best
Rosie

[pete cain]

In memorium.

[June Ingram]

Very well said, Pete !

[June Ingram]

After reading this article, I am not sure why the lifeboats and davits have been removed.  Are "they" starting dismantling right now ?

http://gulfbusiness.com/dubai-world-unit-istithmar-cut-staff-report/

[Rob Lightbody]

After reading this article, I am not sure why the lifeboats and davits have been removed.  Are "they" starting dismantling right now ?

http://gulfbusiness.com/dubai-world-unit-istithmar-cut-staff-report/

Hi,  As far as I'm aware, Istithmar has had absolutely nothing to do with QE2 since the end of 2012. She was taken out of their hands, literally.

I am aware of the name of the company that is now in charge of her, and all their main people, but am not at liberty to put that information here.

I have nothing but good to say about how QE2 was handled under Istithmar, and believe me they were under a lot of pressure.

[June Ingram]

Thanks, Rob, for your message; much appreciated !

[cunardqueen]

   After reading this article, I am not sure why the lifeboats and davits have been removed.  Are "they" starting dismantling right now ?   

If they are, and given how those in Dubai treat the matter, we will be the last to know
However given how "they" are cutting back on staff why on earth go to the trouble of dismantling the lifeboats etc

I am aware of the name of the company that is now in charge of her, and all their main people, but am not at liberty to put that information here.
   

No need to keep it a secret Rob The name of the Company is already known.....

[Rob Lightbody]

No need to keep it a secret Rob The name of the Company is already known.....

Good!  Feel free to email them and ask them what they're up to!!

[Rob Lightbody]

Incidentally, I spoke to John 'QE2 London' about the davits removal and he actually agreed that it would make the boat deck fabulous. He could see their point.

[cunardqueen]

   I am aware of the name of the company that is now in charge of her, and all their main people, but am not at liberty to put that information here. 

I believe the company is called.." wedontknowwhatwearedoing .com 

[John Drew]

Hello Rosie,

In reply to your question, no I did not take control of the boats as regards sailing them with passengers onboard, that was for the deck crew or coxswains. I did at times take control while out on the water for a test runs, ( looking for problems sometimes you have to operate the boats engines etc yourself) the main problems were rebuilding gearboxes, blocked water strainers, water leaks from the engines causing overheating or worst still electrical faults like starters and alternators. The worst / funniest incident that I recall was when we could only use the boats on one side due to the rough or choppy water, they lowered an auxiliary launch sent it to the forward gangway and loaded it up with passengers when I got a radio call that the engine had cut out and would not start. I went down to look climbed past the passengers to the engine area lifted the cover and the boat was full of water or it was sinking, I could see that the deck crew had not put the two bilge drain plugs back in. I got back off up the gangway told the mate or Deck Officer in charge that they had better get everyone of ASAP which he did. We ended up towing it back to the davits and lifted it up enough to drain the water put the plugs back in then lowered away and it went back in service no problem. John.

[Twynkle]

Hello Rosie,

In reply to your question, no I did not take control of the boats as regards sailing them with passengers onboard, that was for the deck crew or coxswains. I did at times take control while out on the water for a test runs, ( looking for problems sometimes you have to operate the boats engines etc yourself) the main problems were rebuilding gearboxes, blocked water strainers, water leaks from the engines causing overheating or worst still electrical faults like starters and alternators. The worst / funniest incident that I recall was when we could only use the boats on one side due to the rough or choppy water, they lowered an auxiliary launch sent it to the forward gangway and loaded it up with passengers when I got a radio call that the engine had cut out and would not start. I went down to look climbed past the passengers to the engine area lifted the cover and the boat was full of water or it was sinking, I could see that the deck crew had not put the two bilge drain plugs back in. I got back off up the gangway told the mate or Deck Officer in charge that they had better get everyone of ASAP which he did. We ended up towing it back to the davits and lifted it up enough to drain the water put the plugs back in then lowered away and it went back in service no problem. John.

Hello John - And Thank You so much!
This little event must have made for an interesting de-brief!
Just wondering now what might have happened had you not been called / or already ashore for precious few hours leave etc...Curious things to over-look - bilge plugs!
As well as travelling in them, very many of us all absolutely loved both watching the Lifeboats both being lowered, hoisted as well as afloat and at work from above and afar - the best thing of all was to spend the time (when QE2 was at anchor) making non-stop return trips on them - (yes, the deck Officer i/c on the gangway realised he'd got a nutter when permission to stay on was requested by yours truly) - those flappy 'windows, the magnificent sea-spray as well as the bumping about, the terrible fumes - I'd have paid extra had this been a requirement!
I remember once learning that Anchor Days weren't the flavour of the month for some (Officers, Crew etc) - and always felt just a tad guilty enjoying them so much!
All the best - and many hopes that it's not incredibly hard to know what's happening to QE2 (as your home) now
Rosie