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Did they fix Nieuw Amsterdam's azipod or is she sailing with one operational?


MisterBill99
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I have not seen any posts about the status of Nieuw Amsterdam's broken azipod other than that she got back to Port Everglades today and has left for the new  cruise. I asked on FB if anyone knew if they actually fixed the azipod and someone pointed me at a post from HAL earlier in the week which said "The ship has been cleared as safe to sail by several regulatory authorities and meets all international safety standards."  Between that and the previously announced plan to return an hour late to Port Everglades next Saturday, I wonder if she isn't running on one azipod and got approval to operate that way. After all, why would they say what they did if the ship was running under normal power? Or maybe I'll just suspicious.

 

I have not seen any posts here or on FB from anyone currently on the ship.

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I just looked at a real time Marine program that shows the Nieuw Amsterdam currently cruising at 15.1 Knots.  She would need both Azipods to making that speed although it is certainly possible that an Azipod might have an operational restriction would could reduce the current cruising and/or max speed.

 

Hank

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1 hour ago, MisterBill99 said:

Between that and the previously announced plan to return an hour late to Port Everglades next Saturday, I wonder if she isn't running on one azipod and got approval to operate that way. After all, why would they say what they did if the ship was running under normal power? Or maybe I'll just suspicious.

 

I have not seen any posts here or on FB from anyone currently on the ship.

 

 

There would be a bunch of posts if the itinerary was impaired.

 

The pod party is over. The last person please turn out the lights. Thanks.

 

 

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4 hours ago, wesport said:

I am in an aft cabin on her this week. Much vibration. Walls are actually shaking. Sailed when it was getting dark, so I can’t see the wake. Captain only made one announcement that she was cleared to sail.

What deck are you on? I'm in an aft cabin next week.

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9 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I just looked at a real time Marine program that shows the Nieuw Amsterdam currently cruising at 15.1 Knots.  She would need both Azipods to making that speed although it is certainly possible that an Azipod might have an operational restriction would could reduce the current cruising and/or max speed.

 

Hank

 

When the ship left to go to Freeport last week, at one point it was sailing at around 16knots.

 

On the HAL twitter feed, someone asked if the system was repaired or if clearance was given to sail on one azipod -  HAL's response was "The Nieuw Amsterdam has been approved as completely safe to sail with one azipod propulsion system by all relevant authorities."

 

So, they didn't answer the question as to whether the system was fixed, just that it was cleared to sail on one azipod.

 

Someone in another thread mentioned they'd like to see the display in the Crow's Nest that shows the engine speed, heading, etc. That would be a good way to tell if they're using both engines or not.

 

Either way, I haven't received any communication from HAL about my 1/4 cruise being impacted - I would think if they were going to alter the itinerary, they would have contacted us by now. As long as I can get on the ship I'll be happy - I don't care where it goes!

 

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14 minutes ago, robear14 said:

 

When the ship left to go to Freeport last week, at one point it was sailing at around 16knots.

 

On the HAL twitter feed, someone asked if the system was repaired or if clearance was given to sail on one azipod -  HAL's response was "The Nieuw Amsterdam has been approved as completely safe to sail with one azipod propulsion system by all relevant authorities."

 

So, they didn't answer the question as to whether the system was fixed, just that it was cleared to sail on one azipod.

 

Someone in another thread mentioned they'd like to see the display in the Crow's Nest that shows the engine speed, heading, etc. That would be a good way to tell if they're using both engines or not.

 

Either way, I haven't received any communication from HAL about my 1/4 cruise being impacted - I would think if they were going to alter the itinerary, they would have contacted us by now. As long as I can get on the ship I'll be happy - I don't care where it goes!

 

They must be using both Azipods to achieve the speeds of last evening.  But folks need to understand that although an electric motor (which drives each Azipod) might be functional it's speed may be restricted for mechanical reasons.  For example, they do constantly analyze the lubricating oil for signs of bearing failure which can be detected if there are too many metal particles in the fluid.  If there is degradation they can implement restrictions until a time when they can make the major repairs.  This is not uncommon with Azipods.   We are aware of some vessels that operated for months under speed restrictions.  There is a Chief Engineer who regularly posts here on CC and perhaps he will see this thread and enlighten us all with more details.  

 

As to aft vibration, we have experienced this on quite a few ships (mostly with Azipods).  There can be several causes such as cavitation, damaged prop, etc.  Our personal solution is to avoid aft cabins (which are popular with many cruisers) and book cabins in the forward quarter of the ship (forward of most of the major mechanical systems).  I also have a personal dislike of the "shimmy" that is often felt towards the aft of many vessels.  

 

Hank

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21 minutes ago, robear14 said:

Either way, I haven't received any communication from HAL about my 1/4 cruise being impacted - I would think if they were going to alter the itinerary, they would have contacted us by now. As long as I can get on the ship I'll be happy - I don't care where it goes!

 

I am booked for that sailing. I would be disappointed if Sint Maarten/St. Martin were missed (political unrest on the French side is another consideration).

 

However, there is an Internet tradition that if there is any change whatsoever, one must post "MY ENTIRE CRUISE WAS RUINED!!!!!"

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2 hours ago, robear14 said:

 

When the ship left to go to Freeport last week, at one point it was sailing at around 16knots.

 

On the HAL twitter feed, someone asked if the system was repaired or if clearance was given to sail on one azipod -  HAL's response was "The Nieuw Amsterdam has been approved as completely safe to sail with one azipod propulsion system by all relevant authorities."

 

So, they didn't answer the question as to whether the system was fixed, just that it was cleared to sail on one azipod.

 

Someone in another thread mentioned they'd like to see the display in the Crow's Nest that shows the engine speed, heading, etc. That would be a good way to tell if they're using both engines or not.

 

Either way, I haven't received any communication from HAL about my 1/4 cruise being impacted - I would think if they were going to alter the itinerary, they would have contacted us by now. As long as I can get on the ship I'll be happy - I don't care where it goes!

 

Will look tonight when we leave Nassau 

3EC4B114-E160-4A02-A8F8-0EFB176AB2DB.jpeg

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1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

They must be using both Azipods to achieve the speeds of last evening.  But folks need to understand that although an electric motor (which drives each Azipod) might be functional it's speed may be restricted for mechanical reasons.  For example, they do constantly analyze the lubricating oil for signs of bearing failure which can be detected if there are too many metal particles in the fluid.  If there is degradation they can implement restrictions until a time when they can make the major repairs.  This is not uncommon with Azipods.   We are aware of some vessels that operated for months under speed restrictions.  There is a Chief Engineer who regularly posts here on CC and perhaps he will see this thread and enlighten us all with more details.  

 

As to aft vibration, we have experienced this on quite a few ships (mostly with Azipods).  There can be several causes such as cavitation, damaged prop, etc.  Our personal solution is to avoid aft cabins (which are popular with many cruisers) and book cabins in the forward quarter of the ship (forward of most of the major mechanical systems).  I also have a personal dislike of the "shimmy" that is often felt towards the aft of many vessels.  

 

Hank

Hank, I will disagree with you, 15 knots from a 24 knot capable ship would require about 50% propulsion power (or less)(power to speed is an exponential relationship), so operating on one pod is possible at this time.

 

I believe that this is a case of intensified "azipod shimmy".  All azipod equipped ships will experience "shimmy", or a side to side vibration, caused by the sweeping back and forth of the water flow caused by the pod swinging back and forth to maintain course.  Since there is only one pod, and it is offset to one side, the swinging of the pod will be increased, and the "shimmy" will be increased.

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1 hour ago, BSinPNS said:

I noticed on last night's sailaway, tugs were nearby. That is unusual for Port Everglades unless there is a lot of wind and that may have been true last night. 

It was very windy there yesterday - other ships appeared to be using tugs for help as well.

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3 minutes ago, robear14 said:

It was very windy there yesterday - other ships appeared to be using tugs for help as well.

If the ship only has one azipod working, there is no redundant steering, so the USCG will require an escort tug to accompany the ship from the sea buoy to the dock, and back.

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11 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Hank, I will disagree with you, 15 knots from a 24 knot capable ship would require about 50% propulsion power (or less)(power to speed is an exponential relationship), so operating on one pod is possible at this time.

 

I believe that this is a case of intensified "azipod shimmy".  All azipod equipped ships will experience "shimmy", or a side to side vibration, caused by the sweeping back and forth of the water flow caused by the pod swinging back and forth to maintain course.  Since there is only one pod, and it is offset to one side, the swinging of the pod will be increased, and the "shimmy" will be increased.

I was hoping you would spot this thread a comment :).  We bow to your expertise and thank you for correcting my post.  I used to think that the "shimmy" was more my imagination then fact, but then we met others who had the same complaint.  I once mentioned this to a Celebrity Cruises Captain and his quick response was "why do you think my cabin is near the bow?"  This Captain is known for his great sense of humor :).

 

Hank

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7 hours ago, wesport said:

I am in an aft cabin on her this week. Much vibration. Walls are actually shaking. Sailed when it was getting dark, so I can’t see the wake. Captain only made one announcement that she was cleared to sail.

 

Ohh. So there is noise and vibration.

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12 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I just looked at a real time Marine program that shows the Nieuw Amsterdam currently cruising at 15.1 Knots.  She would need both Azipods to making that speed although it is certainly possible that an Azipod might have an operational restriction would could reduce the current cruising and/or max speed.

 

Hank

 

 

From the wiki page on NA...

 

"Speed:    
23.9 knots (44.3 km/h; 27.5 mph) max
21.8 knots (40.4 km/h; 25.1 mph)"

 

You're probably right. Looks like the safe rating per azipod is @12 knots max. I doubt that one azipod could be run at 15 knots for extended periods?

 

Perhaps there has been a partial repair on the failed pod, as others have mentioned.

 

 

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Just now, HappyInVan said:

Perhaps there has been a partial repair on the failed pod, as others have mentioned.

 

 

Did anyone ever say that the second azipod was completely out? So it may just be a status quo. Would they have needed government approval to sail with one god and one damaged azipod?

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1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

If the ship only has one azipod working, there is no redundant steering, so the USCG will require an escort tug to accompany the ship from the sea buoy to the dock, and back.

 

 

Your posts are extremely interesting and educational.  In language that is understandable to the non-mechanically-minded!  Thank you !

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29 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Did anyone ever say that the second azipod was completely out? So it may just be a status quo. Would they have needed government approval to sail with one god and one damaged azipod?

 

Exactly my point. No one on this site knows the diagnosis. So, everyone is making guesses. That's why I suggested that we should hold our horses, don't alarm the passengers, and wait for the official announcements.

The only facts we know is that the Captain abandoned the departure on the 14th. So, the vessel's capacity must be materially impaired.

 

HAL cancelled that cruise. Immediately, booked the NA into Freeport wetdock.

 

To me, it suggests that HAL already had a diagnosis from the pod OEM. That Freeport would be the place to confirm the solution and effect the repairs.
 

On last Tuesday afternoon, HAL was able to announce that the 21st departure would proceed. Means that they'd opened up the azipod, and proceeded with repairs. The NA being tied up in Freeport till Friday.

 

The uncertainty is what degree of effectiveness was restored to the azipod.

 

Yes, the NA has clearance to depart with one pod. But, it is not optimal. That's why a quick fix (if possible) is preferable.

 

In time, the truth will come out. As I said, the pod party is over. The last person should please turn out the lights.

 

 

 

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