QE2 nearly sinks Tug

[guernseyguy]

From another board:

 

When QUEEN ELISABETH 2 left the Norwegian city Ålesund Sunday evening, there was an incident with the tug MULTIMAMMUT. Apparently there was a line still attached between the tug and liner which should not have been, and as the QE2 moved out, it pulled the tug very far over until the bridge nearly was awash. The line then came loose from the tug, and the tug righted itself immediately.

 

As I understand things, the tug had not taken on water, but would have done so if the bridge had gone under. No persons were injured. It seems to have hit the news just a few minutes ago - there is yet only one newsitem out on it, and a rather information-challenged one at that. The local newspaper in Ålesund doesn't seem to do much updating of its website on Sundays. There is no information or indication of fault yet.

 

Images of the incident, and then of QE2's departure, at links below.

 

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/31064/1.jpg

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/31064/2.jpg

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/31064/3.jpg

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/31064/4.jpg

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/31064/5.jpg

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/31064/6.jpg

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/slideshow/31064/0.jpg

 

The link to the TV story is: http://pub.tv2.no/ look for 'Dratt under av cruiseskip' and I'll post a (very rough) translation later if I can ever get the online translation to work!

 

Peter

[Calliope]

The tugboat might not have been evacuated, but I bet her captain had a mass evacuation!

 

I'm sorry that really is bad. ;-)

[guernseyguy]

Translation of Norwegian TV report:

 

Gone under at cruiseskip See they dramatic pictures at slepebåten as deemed at to go under as cruiseskipet Queen Elisabeth II left Ålesund Sunday. He rakk never to be afraid. A good many owned grabbed autobahn at harbour in Ålesund Sunday to see facts renowned cruiseskipet Queen Elisabeth in sommerværet. But as boat lays at pier happen to facts : Slepebåten Multimammut drape fast in boat by a styrevaier and becomes gone down into lake. The boat stepped at half awash a prior stuck at vaieren smoke. As was jumping slepebåten at surface afresh as a ballad. All the hatch in boat was closed , but styrhuset , and facts savage come additional lake in failing this stuck owned threadbare her , say captain Rolf Aare at TV 2. Facts goes at sec. Facts getting we no matter interval at , say he. About the boat savage circle know I no matter. I was not feeling that it deemed at to circle. Neither became damaged in bad luck

 

Which does not leave me much wiser.....

The QE2 certainly seems to be having an eventful time in Norway in general and Ålesund in particular!

Peter

[sandramerle]

How did you find Alesund, did you do tours there ,and please could you tell me what the weather was like, and what type of clothes to expect to wear at this time of the year, we are going on QM11. Anything special you saw or did there. Any other info on the other places you visited would be great. I can also be emailed at sanmerle3@aol.com

[Blazerboy]

Sandra Merle- hope this finds you!

 

We were just in Alesund on the previous QE2 cruise. We didn't take any tours, just wandered around on our own. The ship docks right in town, so access to everything is easy by walking. Make sure to get the color map if they offer them at the pursur's desk. The Art Nouveau district is interesting, with a small "museum" set up to talk about it. We then hiked up an over the hill behind it, looking at the architecture, and seeing the views from the far side of the island. Back to the center of town, and we found a bakery at the entrance to a mall that had good pastries to fortify us for our unintended hike to the viewing platform above the City. Walking through a lovely park, we saw the signs for the view that announced only 419 steps to the top. Doesn't sound like much, but was quite the workout. There are benches at varoius points to rest, and people of all ages seemed to do it. Probably not recomended for anyone with mobility issues, as it is steep, and the steps can be a little uneven, but with good shoes and a deep breath, well worth the views on the way up. When we got to the top, we ran into the Cunard-sponsored Alesund Highlights tour, and, rather than feeling resentful that they got to ride up in a bus, felt virtuous at having worked off some of the calories from the cruise. Views of all the islands that make up Alesund were great. We saw a few cute antique stores, but with the value against the dollar, weren't tempted.

The weather was lovely while we were there- partly sunny, and I wore jeans, a shirt, and a wool blazer over it. Was quite warm by the end of the hike, but I'd guess the temperature was around 60 degrees Far.

[Oslo Dutch]

Saw it happening, it was pretty scary stuff. The ship didn't stop utnil we were out of Aalesund.

 

 

Reint

[Crouton]

Yikes!

 

I would have to imagine that the initial force knocked the skipper over or something (wasn't on the tug bridge?) so that he couldn't compensate by turning or moving the tug.

 

The line is still visible in all the photos (ie, it didn't snap), so it looks like the tug recovered because someone, on tug it appears, was finally able to give it some slack.

 

It's hard to tell, because it looks like all the propeller wake/wash is QEII's, but it appears from the photos that the tug also finally got underway and/or then had to worry about hitting the pier!

 

I would love to know the actual details/facts regarding the above if anyone learns them.

 

Hard to believe that no one on the tug was injured.

[Jimsgirl]

Not suprised, so many of the staff on board seem to be drawn from a "labor pool down at the docks"

Drunk staff tearing down tapestries - no one knows what happened to them or the tapestries.

Waiters that barely understand or speak "the Queens English",

Items on menu that are "not available"

Dining room that opened 45 mins LATE

Bar that NEVER opened on time in 12 days.

Missed ports, - yes I know this happens, but the Captain lied about the reason "bad seas at the port" when everyone could see the water was very calm, plus he did not tell anyone for hours, just sailed on out at sea, until people began to ask "WHY". The ship has missed ports on at least 2 cruises in last month and each time passengers were not informed until long after the event

 

I believe QE2 has "staff relations" problems, on day I saw a group of staff of all grades having a meeting the the Dining room during the morning,

As for the drills, well these seemed to take place every day of the cruise, for hours at a time, so it would indicate that the level of competence was not very high.