Trouble on the QM2

[DaCruzNut 0]

Just on the local evening news.....The Queen Mary 2 left Port Everglades, a little after 1:00 pm, today. Shortly after sailing through Government Cut, and out to sea, the Captain ordered the ship turned around and headed back to port. No details, but it's said that the Captain wants a 'hull inspection....'

[DaCruzNut 0]

Latest update (6:15 pm); the QM2 is about 10 miles from Miami, heading back. Neither the Coast Guard, nor Cunard, are talking....

[DaCruzNut 0]

10:00 pm news.....

The QM2 is still on its way back to Port Everglades. Apparently, there was damage to one of the four propulsion units. They are not saying whether the ship struck something or the unit suffered a structural failure.

The ship was on it's way to a 58 day circumnavigation of South America.

[Shari2 346]

Thanks for the info, Jeff! I think the QM2 has the same kind of pods that the Celebrity, "Millenium class" ships have and have had so much trouble with.

Just saw Joey's post...I guess they did hit something. I wonder how many people on board, and what they'll do while they are fixing her.

[hazelson 7]

It sounds like it's a good thing she didn't get to much farther out.

[JoeyandDavid 2]

I am interested how Carnival handles this.. That will speak volumes

[DaCruzNut 0]

Cunard/Carnival is not releasing much info...

Apparently, the ship left Port Everglades a little after 1:00 pm, yesterday, to begin its 58 day cruise. They got approximately five miles out to sea when a warning light activated, on the Bridge, indicating that there was a problem with one of the four propulsion pods.

The captain stopped the ship and crew members did a visual inspection.

The captain decided to return to port. By then, the ship was about ten miles from port.

They are still not saying if this was a mechanical failure or if they hit something.

For the full article from our local paper...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/bro...la-news-broward

[JoeyandDavid 2]

I have a friend who has a friend of a friend Lets see what the story is from the "inside" (that is if they get an email back)<]

[DaCruzNut 0]

They've been having problems with the propulsion system from the beginning.

In April, 2005, they released the following:

"The launch of the 150,000 ton Queen Mary 2 could be delayed by problems with the ship's propulsion system.

But Cunard bosses remain confident that hitches with the ship's four 250-ton pods, eventually to be suspended beneath the liner driving the propellers, will not have any serious effect on the launch date of the massive vessel.

Tests on the pods, which are like giant outboard motors have discovered some vibration and wear.

QM2 does not have a traditional rudder and will rely for steering on the pods, two of which will turn to change the course of the ship.

Cunard director Gerry Ellis, said the problems have led to a delay in the Swedish designed pods being fitted to the 1,132 foot long vessel.

QM2, costing £550m is under construction in Saint-Nazaire.

Her maiden voyage to Florida from Southampton is scheduled for January 12, 2004. "

[Joanandjoe 0]

Jeff, that quote was presumably from 4/03, not 4/05.

As noted on a thread on the Cruise Discussion board, as of 11 a.m. this morning, the ship was still undergoing repairs, and did not appear to be close to sailing.