PedroPedro

Hi ChengKP,

Suggest spending more time boning up on diesel electric ship propulsion systems. 

Most cruise ships use Azipods which are electric motors in pods suspended below, not inside, the hull. 

The new Promas system has the electric motor inside the hull driving the screw through a traditional shaft. Radically different. Including electric supply systems.

These are entirely different diesel electric ship propulsion systems. 

Respectfully, Peter 

I, too, applaud Heidi’s evening tone.

As a matter of fact, though, most ocean cruise ships by far use an entirely different propulsion system. Viking Ocean was the first cruise line  to use the Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion system, a truly revolutionary technology change that promises to save fuel. 

While it’s impossible from here to know whether this cutting edge technology is contributing to Viking Ocean’s repeated engine failures, that cannot be ruled out. 

The engines driving the Promas shafts are electric motors and electric problems translate to engine failures.

Well expressed, Captain Morgan! Thanks. Pedro 

We’ll have to agree that we disagree. I think a ship’s loss of power is always a safety issue. And you do not. 

Viking Sky would not have had a major, truly life threatening, problem had not one diesel generator after another failed.

Situation became so dire that during an intense storm at night helicopters were used to evacuate passengers. Obviously ship loss with all aboard was seen as a worst case.

Fortunately (not by design) Jupiter’s failure did not escalate and the weather was good. Fortunately.

Changkp, 

Is it your position that keeping the engine running on a Viking ship is beyond the control of Viking so they are not responsible for consequences?

If you bought a new Toyota and the engine soon seized up, would hold Toyota responsible? 

Parallels an assertion made on this message board that because Viking does not actually own the Viking branded ship sailing on Yangtze, when the voyage goes wrong Viking is not responsible. 

My ridiculous example makes that parallel assertion obviously spurious. 

Do you get it now?

Well, Chengkp, if I book a flight on AA that happens to be on a plane chartered and operated by another company, but AA logo painted on tail, AA magazine inside and AA on cocktail napkins, and AA on receipt for buying a snack, and my luggage is lost, I look to AA for compensation. If AA says, hey, not my airplane, that would be unacceptable. 

Well, what you say is perfectly correct, Chinese ship and Chinese crew, however when flying United, AA, etc often the aircraft complete with crew is leased from a third party. If something goes poorly you still hold UAL and/or American  responsible. Many Olive Gardens are owned and operated by independent company and if you get a poor meal, we all hold Darden’s feet to the fire. When we booked Viking in China we expected Viking to assure the quality of the subcontractor they employed. They did not.

Back to the Viking Jupiter: a friend aboard just commented: 

“Got a letter that says all has been fixed, inspected, and cleared to go, but they are not leaving now.  Why not?  They are waiting until early morning.  Why?  Then going all day to Edinburgh.  They are then skipping the only 2 stops that I was taking the trip for, Orkney and Shetland Islands where I am very interested in the stone age archeology.  Total disaster.  They said they will be refunding the money paid for excursions, but must buy stuff on board.  Outrageous.  I spent a lot of money on excursions in Orkney and Shetland and don't want to have to burn up that money in the Spa or whatever.  This is a total fiasco.  Many persons I've spoken to say they would prefer to skip Edinburgh since most of us has seen it, as have I.  This is the 2nd Viking incident that V has refused to make me whole, much less do what airlines and others do, give a voucher for a future free flight.  Sadly this is not what I wanted, expected, and it is eating up my vacation time.  V has no clue on what the impact of their questionable mechanical failures have done to me, likely many others.”

LOL your comments (but no fun seen in passenger plight!). Yes, fits Torsten Haagen’s modus (joke: only going along with your kidding). 

Safety at sea must always be priority one, above even customer satisfaction and corporate marketing reputation.

p

Hi Chengkp, 

Your surprising and explicit statement that Jupiter had grounded did not look like a typo, pretty darned specific even about nature of the bottom (soft). Do you have non public information from Viking?

In any case, you did not answer whether you receive compensation from any cruse line or association? Or any other pseudonyms you use? 

Respectfully, Peter 

Hi Chengkp,

Had not read previous to your current post that Viking Jupiter had run aground. Wow! Far more serious a loss of control than Viking’s press release reveals.... Minor electrical problem? Seriously....

Your continuing to hide behind a pseudonym makes me wonder whether you are in any way compensated by Viking or any cruise related organization? Please clarify. Also other pseudonyms you have used? 

Did you comment when a Viking River ship hit a barge in China’s Yangtze River, cutting a large hole in it’s hull, only by luck it was above the waterline? Did you defend Viking? See picture below of steel plates being welded over the gaping hole. Do you think that that evident navigation failure did not compromise passengers safety?

Respectfully, Peter

Hi Chengkp,

You make reasonable points and cite what may prove correct information.

Do you believe, however, that had the weather not been severe, the Viking Sky loss of power would not have been a life threatening situation? And that had the weather been equally rough that the Viking Jupiter situation would not have a been potentially deadly disaster, especially considering close to land?

If one Rolls-Royce Promas system were actually fully functional the Jupiter (which in addition  has multiple thrusters) would have been at least as maneuverable as almost all ships sailing those waters, so one can both conclude that  more impairment was involved and that Viking so far is (as usual) less than forthcoming with the full story (still waiting re: Sky).

When one starts out by questioning the knowledge of another person (an unsupported personal attack) one shadows ones own objectivity. I shared my real name and am easily searchable. 

How about you? 

Know of no way to evaluate the technical competency of these VO ships except by noticing problems, but inadequate crew ability can also dramatically impact quality. Or maybe interface between man and machine not working?

These ships have four huge Mas diesel generator sets powering (in different combinations) two electric powered Rolls-Royce Promas shaft, propeller, rudder assemblies, latest most versatile technology that should provide full maneuverability even if half are out of service. Something safety wise looks to be very wrong.

Aviation authorities grounded Boeing aircraft with analogous human-automation interface ambiguities. Wonder if maritime authorities will similarly act? Viking Sky loss of power came close to creating a massive loss of life at sea.

Hanoi,

Do you find the near total loss of Viking Sky off coast of Norway in March as routine? Loss of ship power at sea is always a very dangerous situation. Had the weather been severe, being close to land would present far more danger for passenger lives than if in open sea.

Respectfully, 

Peter