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VAN GOGH Cruise Revived
December 30: Contrary to previous reports, the January 4th sailing of 1975-built MV VAN GOGH (ex CLUB 1, CRUISE CLUB 1, ODESSA SKY, GRUZIYA) From Falmouth, Cornwall, will now go ahead despite travel company Travelscope going in to administration. The Association of British Travel Agents has stepped in to allow the sailing to go ahead as planned while more than 30 companies have expressed interest in buying parts of the troubled Gloucester-based holiday firm.
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FRAM Bumps Iceberg
December 29: The Hurtigruten Group's 2007-built FRAM lost power for about 50 minutes and drifted in to an ice cliff near Browns Bluff in Antarctica. No serious damage or injuries were reported and the the engines were restarted after approximately 30 minutes, however, FRAM's life boat was smashed against the ice therefore the current cruise and the January 2 cruise had to be cancelled due to maritime regulations. 12,700 gt FRAM is now headed back to Ushuaia with her 318 passengers, it has been reported that she is "accompanied by another expedition ship ACADEMIA for safety".
Ghost Fleet Thinned
December 27: The U.S. Maritime Administration announced it will pay just over US$2 million to dismantle the obsolete ships: 1960-built PRIDE (ex MORMACPRIDE) (C3-S-33a), 1961-built SCAN (ex MORMACSCAN) (C3-S-33a), 1962-built SOUTHERN CROSS (ex MORMACTRADE) (C3-S-33a), all built for Moore-McCormack and the 1963-built CAPE CHARLES (C3-S-37c), from the James River Reserve Fleet. All four vessels are to be scrapped at two recycling yards; Marine Metals Inc. and Esco Marine both at Brownsville, TX. The ships will be towed to Texas from Virginia in early January 2008.
A ship recycling facility, North American Ship Recycling (opened 2004), near Baltimore, MD, had previously won the disposal contract for these ships in mid-2007, but the company suddenly shut down its operation in October, leaving two other vessels abandoned at the dock. 1945-built Navy Resue vessel HOIST and the 1944-built cable layer SPHINX will now be scrapped at Bay Bridge Enterprises in Chesapeake, VA.
Syndey Heritage Fleet Added
December 26: I have added a new Australia section to the Preserved Ships page on Maritime matters. The Sydney Heritage Fleet and links include; BOOMERANG, 1903-built schooner; JAMES CRAIG, 1874-built barque; JOHN OXLEY, 1927-built coaster/pilot steamer; KANANGRA, 1912-built double ended ferry; LADY HOPETOUN, 1902-built Edwardian steam launch; WARTAH, 1902-built coal-fired tug - Martin Cox. Also added are links to NOMADIC, white Star Line and OLYMPIA, click here for Preserved Ships page on Maritime Matters.
DUKE OF SCANDINAVIA Sold
December 26: DFDS Seaways, which operates cruise ferry services between the UK and Holland, Denmark and Norway, has sold 1978-built DUKE OF SCANDINAVIA, (ex DANA ANGLIA), to Brittany Ferries, to whom the ship has been chartered for almost one year.
Cruise Runway Party
December 26: Frances' ten-year old satellite channel "Fashion TV" announced plans to hold a fashion show and party on board its cruise ship F-DIAMOND (ex TOR HOLLANDIA, ARIADNE, OURANOS) in Ho Chi Minh City for New Year. F-DIAMOND is expected to return to Vietnam in late February to continue promoting Vietnam's tourism.
EPA Seeks Swift Public Input on Cruise Ship Waste Report
December 25: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) is seeking public comment on the Draft Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report that will be used to help the agency develop the final report and identify a range of alternatives for addressing waste streams from cruise ships.
The draft report assesses five waste streams from cruise ships: sewage, graywater, oily bilge water, solid waste and hazardous waste. For each waste stream, the draft report discusses the nature and volume of the waste stream generated; existing federal regulations applicable to the waste stream; environmental management, including treatment, of the waste stream; potential adverse environmental impacts of the waste stream; and actions by the federal government to address the waste stream.
EPA also is seeking public input on options, alternatives, and recommendations on whether and how to better control and regulate the five waste streams. EPA intends to use this public input to help identify a range of options and alternatives to address these waste streams as it completes the Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report.
EPA has performed a comprehensive, multi-year evaluation of cruise ship sewage and graywater to better understand the nature of these waste streams. Complete results of that evaluation will be made public in 2008, and are summarized in this draft report as well.
The public has 45 days to comment on the draft report.
Schooner Sale
December 24: The last remaining wooden hulled, three masted top sail schooner is for sale, having been listed on www.kathleenandmay.co.uk. The 1900-built KATHLEEN AND MAY, 136 gt (99 tons net), with a registered length of 98.4 feet, breadth of 23.2 feet and a hold 10.1 feet deep, is listed on its own website as available for US$7 million dollars. Steve Clarke of Bideford, Devon is her current owner and her last public appearance was attending the Gloucestershire Tall Ships Festival in October 2007.
Pionering Maritime Information Site Ceases News Updates
December 23: NSnet - Maritime News and information was conceived in 1993 as an experiment in applying emerging information and communications technologies in the maritime industry. In late 1993, it went on to establish one of the first sites available on the Web. The project team was led by the Marine Systems Division of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The Division has since been dissolved and government support of the project ended on June 30, 2001. Although no longer affiliated with the University, some of the original team members are still maintaining the site; however, lack of financial support from the industry forced the NSnet team to end regular summaries of maritime news items on December 21, 2007. The Shipbuilding Pictures, The Afterguard web log, and the Maritime Glossary will remain available and the news summaries have been archived. Click here for www.NSnet.com
Ferry Rescue
December 22: The Philippine Coast Guard reported rescuing passengers form Sulpico Lines' ferry MV DIPLOG PRINCESS, which ran aground 600 meters from the pier at Tagbilaran, Bohol while carrying 825 passengers . After a tug failed to pull the ship free, Sulpicio Lines sent sister ship AGAYAN PRINCESS to collect all the passengers and ferry them to Zamboanga del Norte.
Travel Company Halts
December 22: It was announced today that Gloucester-based travel company Travelscope went into administration and ceased operations, affecting up to 40,000 travelers. Passengers currently sailing on 1975-built VAN GOGH (ex GRUZIYA) will be able to finish the cruise as planned. The ship arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall January 4th.
AIDAAURA Returns to Shipyard
December 21: Reports have come in that AIDA Cruises' 42,289 gt AIDAAURA has suffered a mechanical failure on a voyage from her scheduled dry-docking in Genoa, Italy to Palma de Mallorca. The problem, not yet specified, seems to involve the propulsion system and a return to the shipyard in Genoa has been made necessary. The 2003-built AIDAAURA was sailing without passengers when the problem occurred but her cruise from Palma de Mallorca to Aruba has been cancelled.
Ship Cam Page Updated - (2)
December 20: I have updated the Maritime Matters ship cam page. A few vessels are no longer transmitting, but I have added some new cams from LOGOS II, OCEAN VILLAGE (1 & 2), FRAM, QUEEN VICTORIA, BREMEN, EMERALD PRINCESS, HANSEATIC, three Carnival ships and the new NORWEGIAN GEM. Pleaseclick here for the ship cam page on Maritime Matters.
GEM Fatale!
December 19: NCL's NORWEGIAN GEM was christened in New York today by Godmother
Cindy Cardella of Fairfield, N.J., the winner of NCL's Search for the Latitudes "It" Girl Contest. Cardella was chosen by NCL and the public from five finalists vying for the Godmother crown following an online video contest hosted on www.gemitgirl.com. The new Godmother received close to 10,000 votes from the public and will receive a seven-day cruise in the ship's 5,000-square-foot Garden Villa for her and five of her entourage.
QV in the Lens
December 12: Click here for SHIPPING NEWS photos page for QUEEN VICTORIA maiden arrival photos from Rotterdam.
COASTAL RENAISSANCE Arrives in BC
December 19: MV COASTAL RENAISSANCE, the newest addition to the BC Ferries fleet, arrived at Nanaimo on December 13 after a 48-day, 9,990 nautical mile journey from her builders, Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, in Flensburg, Germany. The 21,980 gt ferry is the first of three "Super C class" ships ordered by BC Ferries and was launched on April 19. At 160 meters in length and with a beam of 28.2, she is the largest double-ended ferry in the world. Powered by Four MaK 8M 32C diesel engines giving a service speed of 21 knots, she will carry 1,650 passengers and 370 cars. COASTAL RENAISSANCE will operate on the Departure Bay - Horseshoe Bay route beginning in March of 2008. During her passage form Germany, there was a minor incident in the Panama Canal: the ship came in contact with a structure on one of the locks, sustained a dent and a cracked window. The ship will be open for a public preview to visitors in Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria in late January and early February 2008, according to a BC Ferries release.
Boston GEM Party: A First Look at NCL's NORWEGIAN GEM
December 15: Peter Knego blogs from a two night preview of NCL's latest Freestyle ship, the 93,500 gt, 2,384 passenger
NORWEGIAN GEM.
DREAM Collides
December 14: Norwegian Cruise Line's 1992-built NORWEGIAN DREAM (ex DREAMWARD -- ship was stretched in 1998 by inserting a 130-foot midsection) collided with a container-carrying barge on Monday afternoon, December 10, outside the port of Montevideo, Uruguay. The NCL ship had just begun a cruise in Buenos Aires the day before. Images of the collision are available by clicking here for photo sequence of collision off Montevideo.
The collision resulted in the closure of the port as five containers and three cars fell from the barge into shallow water. The Navy had to clear the containers from the bottom. The NORWEGIAN DREAM returned to port for two days of repair to her bow and forward ballast tank. CELEBRITY INFINITY was also trapped for 24 hours in Montevideo along with several cargo ships. No injuries were reported.
Footnote: Readers may recall on August 24, 1999, NORWEGIAN DREAM collided with container ship EVER DECENT in the English Channel, resulting in bow damage and some passenger injuries. EVER DECENT caught fire and a number of containers fell in to the sea.
NORWEGIAN DREAM departed Montevideo at 7PM, December 13, on a reduced itinerary.
Let There Be Keel
December 12: In a vast dry-dock at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line executives and press gathered for a milestone in maritime history: the first 570-ton keel section of RCL's 220,000 gt, 5,400-passenger Genesis 1 project was laid in place. In shipbuilding tradition, several coins were placed beneath the lowered hull section.
The "Genesis 1", as she is now called, will become the world's largest cruise ship and will be delivered in 2009. She will be the first cruise ship to cost over US$1 billion dollars.
DELTA QUEEN, Uncertain Future
December 12: The complete three part story of the vintage steamer DELTA QUEEN is now available on Maritime Matters. Click here for DELTA QUEEN page one, page two or the recently added page three. The story, written and sumptuously illustrated with images from Shawn Dake, blends the saga of a contemporary cruise aboard the 1927-built steamboat with historical facets from her 80 years of service. A postscript on the final page brings the reader up to date with the current uncertain future of the DELTA QUEEN and provides links to websites that enable the readers to perhaps influence legislation that may help to preserve DELTA QUEEN.
Q6 Naming and Preview Blog - updated
December 11: Peter Knego blogs from Southampton, where the QUEEN VICTORIA is named in a lavish ceremony by HRH, Duchess of Cornwall. Click here for Peter's Q6 Naming and Preview Blog.
Great American Maritime Author Passes
December 10: Frank O. Braynard, born in 1916 in Glen Cove, New York, died today at the age of 91. The author, artist and maritime historian, along with Nils Hansell, launched the world's first Operation Sail event with tall ships and naval vessels sailing into New York harbor in 1964. He was also chief organizer for OpSail '76 and one of the creators of South Street Seaport in New York City. Educated at Columbia University and Duke University, Mr. Braynard authored 34 books, including a six volume encyclopedic work on the ocean liner, SS LEVIATHAN. Survived by his wife, Doris, and known for his kindness, enthusiasm and generous spirit, he will be missed. A memorial is planned for Saturday, January 12, 2008.
Port of Los Angeles Reaches 100
December 8: For much of this year, the Port of Los Angeles has been commemorating its centennial but the big celebration is this Sunday December 9 at the Waterfront Promenade in San Pedro (at Harbor Boulevard and 3rd Street). The event runs from 4PM to 7:30PM with food, music and fireworks closing the festivities.
QUEEN VICTORIA's View
December 6: Click here for the bridge cam as Cunard Line's new 90,000 gt QUEEN VICTORIA makes her way to Southampton. QUEEN VICTORIA bridge Cam. QUEEN VICTORA will arrive in Southampton, from builders Fincantieri in Marghera, near Venice, Italy, on Friday, December 7 and berth at the City Cruise Terminal at 9:30AM.
Cunard press releases have suggested the following locations and times for viewing her arrival:
Ryde and Gosport 7:25AM
Lee on Solent 7:35AM
Cowes 7:50AM
Calshot 8:05AM
Hamble 8:15AM
Royal Victoria Country Park & Weston Shore 8:25AM
Hythe 8:35AM
Mayflower Park 9:15AM
City Cruise Terminal 9:30AM
Cunard News
December 6: While Preparations are being made for the QUEEN VICTORIA naming ceremony at Southampton by HRH Duchess of Cornwall, Cunard Line has also announced a change in the schedule for QUEEN MARY 2. In October 2008 QUEEN MARY 2 will drydock for 24 days for, as yet, unannounced renovations and technical upgrades. Four of her previously announced voyages will be cancelled.
DELTA QUEEN Log By Shawn Dake
December 6: Maritime Matters is pleased to announce the opening of the first part of the "Log of the steamboat DELTA QUEEN, along the southern rivers", by Shawn J. Dake, please click here for DELTA QUEEN page one.
Early INDEPENDENCE
December 5: RCCL's new 160,000 gt INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS (the third unit in the Freedom class) will be delivered early adding two extra cruises in May 2008. INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS (built in the Aker Finnyards drydock in Turku, Finland), will arrive in Southampton two weeks ahead of schedule, on April 25 with inaugural events from April 26 to April 30. The extra first cruise will sail from Cork, Ireland departing on May 2, followed by an 11 night Canary Island cruise departing May 6. Passengers who already booked the inaugural cruise on May 17 will have the option to move to the new maiden voyage on May 2. (Her sister ships are FREEDOM OF THE SEAS and LIBERTY OF THE SEAS. At 1,112 feet (339m) long the class are the largest passenger ships afloat).
BLUE LADY Reposted
December 5: Dramatic images of the first cut of the BLUE LADY, (ex FRANCE, NORWAY) are now also posted on the SHIPPING NEWS photos page.
BLUE LADY Update
December 4: BLUE LADY, in typical breaking tradition, has had the very point of her marvelous bow snipped off, as she sits on the mud at Alang, India. Click here for NORWAY page on Maritimematters.
New Luxury River Cruise Co
December 1: Former Silversea Cruises CEO, Albert Peter, has launched Jewel River Cruise Line with offices in Florida, Switzerland and Germany. Operations begin in April 2008 with the introduction of the MV JEWEL IMPERIAL BLUE (ex HISPANIA) and possibly five other vessels to follow. Two brand new ships are planned for introduction in 2009 and 2010. Jewel River Cruise Line will consist of three companies catering to differing markets: Jewel River Cruises, listed as "boutique-luxury" river cruising; Emerald River Journeys, a premium line and Princess River Journeys, a "contemporary product".
The company's first ship will be MS JEWEL IMPERIAL BLUE, which is currently sailing as HISPANIA. The 1971-built, 305-foot long, 142-passenger vessel will drydock at Hoogedoorn Shipyard in Rotterdam in early 2008 for a US$3.5m refit. She will emerge as an all-suite vessel, accommodating 90 passengers in 45 suites.
