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

[HappyInVan]

5 minutes ago, tamsno said:

Thanks for the comments and pics.  Back to my earlier comment regarding the April transatlantic I'm booked on, won't this have to be fixed before then?

 

I'm sure that HAL wants it to be fixed ASAP. Hopefully repairs are ongoing. 

 

For yourself. don't worry about it till final payment. You'll will have more info then.

 

 

[VMax1700]

Just now, Oceansaway17 said:

I notice when Carnival ship in Ft. Lauderdale was backing out yesterday, a tug was very close by and backed out with it.  But no line were attached  but rather just kind of babysitting it was it back out

There were strong winds yesterday and today in Port Everglades and a strong current.

[wesport]

My last post before I get a divorce😂

[HappyInVan]

1 minute ago, VMax1700 said:

Why?  🤔🙄

because the wake is 'unbalanced'??

 

No. See wesport's complaint in Post #4. His walls are shaking.

 

 

[MisterBill99]

7 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

well I wonder how long the will ask for tug assistance and how much it costs.

To me, anything broken should get fixed as quickly as possible. 

 

More and more pods having issues, ships are back to doing things the old way with tugs. Allure of the Seas has an issue too.

 

Correct, and Allure left theirs unfixed for several months until it could go into dry dock. Of course, they had 2 operating azipods, but they still had to adjust the schedule of several sailings. It appears that this was a compact enough route that they did not have to adjust anything other than the return time. I wonder if the other itinerary(ies) they do have as much flexibility?

 

I'm sure the cost of a tug is nothing compared to what it costs them to cancel a cruise. And the question is whether they can fix it on the fly (as HappyInVan suggested) or if it has to go back to Freeport for a repair (which obviously they did not have time to do last week).

Edited December 22, 2019 by MisterBill99

[NavArch64]

I could be wrong, but,  marine traffic shows NA returning to Nassau on 12/24 … not proceeding to amber cove as originally scheduled … the pod saga continues. Does anyone know what HAL is saying?

[NavArch64]

Thanks for the screenshot in the Crows Nest … this confirms my observations and conclusions over the last week. No starboard AZIPOD! Why doesn't HAL just tell the truth? I am booked on NA for March 28 .. plenty of time to fix it. The pod saga continues.

PS My professional integrity required absolute honesty and transparency over 50 years. I am disappointed that HAL doesn't share this.

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, HappyInVan said:

 

Ahhh. So the propeller will work at the same speed?

 

 

To get maximum speed, the propeller will turn at the same maximum speed that it does when there are two pods.  Large propellers are limited in speed to relatively low rpm's, because at high revolutions you generate too much cavitation and lose efficiency.

[Sunshineliving]

I'm booked for this Saturday and would like to know what is going on. First time in an aft cabin.

[chengkp75]

47 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

Hope that they will still go forward with the repairs whenever the ship is in port. Assuming that this is a Version X Azipod.

This is again assuming that it is a thrust bearing failure, which is the only major difference between azipod models.  There are other failures that could be done in port, even with the older azipod model.

[chengkp75]

20 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

well I wonder how long the will ask for tug assistance and how much it costs.

To me, anything broken should get fixed as quickly as possible. 

 

More and more pods having issues, ships are back to doing things the old way with tugs. Allure of the Seas has an issue too.

 

On another note, after two Carnival collided in Cozumel, I notice when Carnival ship in Ft. Lauderdale was backing out yesterday, a tug was very close by and backed out with it.  But no line were attached  but rather just kind of babysitting it was it back out.  Thought that was interesting.

 

Tug assistance will depend on the Company's policies and local regulations.  At least in the US, the USCG requires the escort tug in all ports for ships that no longer have redundant steering.  The tug does not need to be tied to the ship, it is just there in case the other steering system (the other pod's azimuthing) fails.

[chengkp75]

29 minutes ago, tamsno said:

Thanks for the comments and pics.  Back to my earlier comment regarding the April transatlantic I'm booked on, won't this have to be fixed before then?

Most likely will be, but is not required.

[chengkp75]

19 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

I'm sure the cost of a tug is nothing compared to what it costs them to cancel a cruise.

Tugs in the US (typically more costly than elsewhere) run about $5-6,000 per tug for a two hour service.

[chengkp75]

21 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

Correct, and Allure left theirs unfixed for several months until it could go into dry dock.

And Carnival had a ship in Alaska for nearly two years operating on one pod.

[HappyInVan]

18 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Correct, and Allure left theirs unfixed for several months until it could go into dry dock. Of course, they had 2 operating azipods, but they still had to adjust the schedule of several sailings....  And the question is whether they can fix it on the fly (as HappyInVan suggested) or if it has to go back to Freeport for a repair (which obviously they did not have time to do last week).

 

Allure may be of the pre-X generation. In any case, 2 is always better than one.

 

It may not be mutually exclusive. There may be ongoing work, with final assembly/inspection in Freeport (or elsewhere). It is in HAL and ABB's interests to effect a repair as soon as possible.

 

In any case, none of us know what the problem is. So, everything we say is mere speculation.

 

 

[rafinmd]

I wonder if they removed the blades from the damaged pod to reduce drag and minimize stress on that pod.

 

Roy

[MisterBill99]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

Most likely will be, but is not required.

 

But wouldn't it really need to be in order to make it across the "pond" in the allotted time? This isn't like the Caribbean where they have a fairly short distance to go between each port.

[MisterBill99]

BTW here is an updated post from HAL after I asked about plans for repair or changes to other cruises. They deleted their original reply to me and my follow-up question and left this:

 

We have approval needed from ALL appropriate authorities. The ship is cleared to sail. Currently, the only impact is an hour later arrival to Half Moon Cay. Once plans are firm we will update our guests and travel partners.

 

The moderator of a HAL FB group who had insisted that the ship was repaired apparently knows Orlando Ashford and has a call into him to learn the full details. He was going to get back to me when he learns more.

Edited December 23, 2019 by MisterBill99

[TAD2005]

It's pretty obvious that it wasn't repaired in Freeport.   Multiple pictures of the display in the Crow's Nest shows the right side azipod at zero RPM in cruise.  There's also a few pix of the ship's wake showing only one prop wash.

If everything was back to normal, HAL would not be saying "We have approval needed from ALL appropriate authorities. The ship is cleared to sail ".   

[MisterBill99]

4 minutes ago, TAD2005 said:

It's pretty obvious that it wasn't repaired in Freeport.   Multiple pictures of the display in the Crow's Nest shows the right side azipod at zero RPM in cruise.  There's also a few pix of the ship's wake showing only one prop wash.

If everything was back to normal, HAL would not be saying "We have approval needed from ALL appropriate authorities. The ship is cleared to sail ".   

 

Is there another place where this is being discussed?

[CruisingAndDiving]

6 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Is there another place where this is being discussed?

Post 53 in this thread shows one of the pics of the azipod display 

[MisterBill99]

Just now, CruisingAndDiving said:

Post 53 in this thread shows one of the pics of the azipod display 

 

I know that. But they said "Multiple pictures of the display in the Crow's Nest shows the right side azipod at zero RPM in cruise." and there is only one of those posted here.

[moomoosmom]

9 hours 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. 

We were on the Statendam and were towed in this morning by tugs.  The weather was bad and they are being careful after the Carnival Cozumel fiasco.

[3rdGenCunarder]

So if they didn't fix the azipod, what did they do at the shipyard in Freeport?

 

[above sea level cruiser]

7 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

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 21^st 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.

 

 

 

"opened up the azipod and proceeded with repairs".  Where do you get your information?