Author Topic: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)  (Read 16393 times)

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Offline Jem

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #15 on: Aug 21, 2009, 04:36 AM »
I keep thinking of more...

Given the choice, would you prefer open bridge wings like QE2 has, or enclosed ones like the newer ships?  Obviously for practicalities sake the enclosed ones make more sense, but isn't "something" lost?  Don't you feel cut off from the action?
I prefer the open bridge wings, your more in contact with the elements, for instance when docking and you can feel the strength of the wind on your cheeks.
I wonder what the old salts from WW2 thought when totally enclosed bridges arrived. The Convoys to Murmansk must have been a nightmare with an open bridge!

Cheers

Offline jdl

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Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #16 on: Aug 21, 2009, 10:18 AM »
What a fantastic opportunity!

I have a couple:

1. What was your proudest moment during your time on QE2?
2. How would QE2 compare to other cruise vessels that you served on - no doubt she had her challenges but did her 'soul/character' make up for this?

Thanks in anticipation.

John

Offline Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #17 on: Aug 21, 2009, 11:16 AM »
1. What was the most difficult decision you had to take in your capacity as Master of the QE2?

2. Was there ever a time when you were required to be at a social occasion with the passengers and you felt that you should really have been on the Bridge (or in the Engine Room, etc.) instead?

Offline Andrew W

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #18 on: Aug 23, 2009, 03:48 AM »
Extending from Isabelle's question - was there a time where you made an excuse that you had been called to the bridge when talking to a passenger. (we probably should not insist on an answer to that one !)

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #19 on: Aug 23, 2009, 11:08 PM »
Thank you for your questions everybody!

I'm going to edit them together and send them to Richard to pass to his father.

A big Thank you to the Woodalls from all of us, in advance, and to everybody who thought up a question (or even tried to!).
« Last Edit: Aug 23, 2009, 11:52 PM by Rob Lightbody »
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #20 on: Sep 08, 2009, 01:33 PM »
Robin's answers to our questions are now available via a link on the main www.TheQE2story.com web site.  The direct link to the page is www.theqe2story.com/features/RobinWoodall.html.

I have unlocked this topic again, so that we can all post our feedback about his answers.

The one that most amazes me, is about the new penthouses and big funnel catching the wind more - that had never even occurred to me!

Thanks again to Robin, Richard and everybody for their questions.
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Offline Beardy Rich

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Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #21 on: Sep 08, 2009, 04:35 PM »
I missed this thread or I would have asked the following question. Perhaps someone else knows the answer to...
It was rumoured that either the Captain or ship's security officers (SPO's) had access to firearms onboard.
Was this true?
Rich Drayson. Ex Snr Mechanic QE2 1984-1988.

Offline Jem

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #22 on: Sep 08, 2009, 05:55 PM »
Just like to say a BIG Thank you to Captain Woodall for answering our questions. Interesting to hear that he thought she should have been scrapped!!

Cheers.

Offline Louis De Sousa

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Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #23 on: Sep 08, 2009, 09:49 PM »
Quote
It was rumoured that either the Captain or ship's security officers (SPO's) had access to firearms onboard.
Was this true?

If i am not mistaken the SPO's had access to firearms.

Louis

Offline Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #24 on: Sep 08, 2009, 10:32 PM »
That turned into a very fine page.

Congratulations and thanks to all concerned -- Robin and Richard Woodall, Rob Lightbody and Michael Gallagher. This page is a real asset to the QE2Story Forum!

I'm interested that QE2 got her good feeling "as the years went by". Perhaps not from the outset, perhaps not from the outset of the "new QE2" either... Which may mean for the future that, as QM2 gathers some patina, she too may develop some good feeling of her own, which may mature over the years and endear her to her passengers and crew... perhaps...

Offline Isabelle Prondzynski

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #25 on: Sep 09, 2009, 07:35 PM »
Just like to say a BIG Thank you to Captain Woodall for answering our questions. Interesting to hear that he thought she should have been scrapped!!


I have heard this too, from other people who were very fond of QE2. And would myself have much preferred it to the original Dubai plans.

I wonder when Captain Woodall thinks the moment for scrapping would have come... December 2008? Earlier? Later?

KEV

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Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #26 on: Sep 09, 2009, 11:12 PM »
What a priviledge and opportunity to share these  with a former Captain. Well done to everyone involved for setting it up, the questions and of course Captain Woodall for such frank answers. I'm only sorry I was away at the time.

Offline Chris

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #27 on: Sep 11, 2009, 05:41 AM »
What a fantastic collection of Questions and Answers. Thanks to all involved especially Captain Woodall!

Chris.
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Offline Andrew Collier

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #28 on: Sep 11, 2009, 09:41 AM »
Many thanks Captain Woodall for taking the time to do this, very interesting!

And many thanks to Richard and everyone else for making it happen, and being part of it, cheers!  8)
The Virtual Staff Captain

Offline Twynkle

Re: ASK THE QE2'S CAPTAIN ! (Robin Woodall)
« Reply #29 on: Sep 20, 2009, 02:04 PM »
Thank you, Captain Woodhall
For your time and the interesting answers you have given us;
many thanks too, to Richard. 
« Last Edit: Sep 20, 2009, 03:52 PM by Twynkle »