QM2 engine problems again

[Navaleye]

QM2 had a minor fire in the gas turbine exhaust today. As a result we had a two minute power outage. Following the reset the problem with number 3 pod has resurfaced and we are remaining in Lisbon until the problem has been fixed. I suspect we will skip the call to Vigo tomorrow.

[Host Hattie]

:eek: Thanks for the update, I hope you aren't delayed too much and can enjoy your evening in Lisbon.

[robbie_3]

We had a QM2 steering pod problem in Tortola on 20th November, we stayed there overnight but it didn't seem to effect the rest of our itinerary. Got back to Southampton the night of 2nd December instead of the next morning to allow it to be fixed.

[Ray66]

Looking at the webcam, it looks like they've just left.

[Host Hattie]

That doesn't seem that much of a delay, hopefully they can still get to Vigo tomorrow.

[Navaleye]

The pod problem has been resolved. Until the next time anyway. Sailing at 7pm

[Darcie2]

Oh dear I suppose the problem is it has such a tight schedule it can't afford to be In dock for any length of time. Hope it's ok for the 15/12 when we set sail !! Tell me which is the best site to view the Atlantic weather forecast

[Navaleye]

We are still in Lisbon. The Harbour Master has decided to embark on his own job justification scheme and has decided to delay us until he has come on board and satisfied him self all is well. Until he does that we can't or a pilot which delays things even more. Doubtful we will make Vigo but Southampton arrival will not be affected.

[Host Hattie]

How frustrating for everyone, thanks for the update and hope you are on your way soon.

[chengkp75]

We are still in Lisbon. The Harbour Master has decided to embark on his own job justification scheme and has decided to delay us until he has come on board and satisfied him self all is well. Until he does that we can't or a pilot which delays things even more. Doubtful we will make Vigo but Southampton arrival will not be affected.

 

Since there are only two steerable pods, if one goes down, the ship has lost its redundancy in steering, so the harbor master is ensuring that the transit out of port will be made safely. The USCG does the same thing for any ship that only has one means of steering, it requires notification prior to entry into port, and a tug escort for the entire time the ship is in confined waters, not just while docking. I believe most countries and ports have similar laws.

 

And since the problem recurred after a power outage, it definitely appears to be in the electrical supply and control to the pod, and not a mechanical pod problem.

Edited December 12, 2015 by chengkp75

[Ray66]

Sailing at 21.2 knots at the minute. ETA in Vigo is 9.00am

[Loveboat1995]

Sadly every ship has a mechanical glitch now and again. Even ships like the old QE2 had troublesome turbines for her first two decades of life. Good to hear everything is back up and running! Enjoy your trip! :)

[Winchester Ranger]

Hmm Azipod 3 yet again, how many times has that thing been "fixed" now ?

[retafcruiser]

It sure seems that the choice of pod propulsion has been a maintenance nightmare for all cruise lines that have incorporated it in their ships. I know there are some advantages, but I really believe ships would be better served with diesel/electric/shaft propulsion.

Edited December 13, 2015 by retafcruiser

[chengkp75]

It sure seems that the choice of pod propulsion has been a maintenance nightmare for all cruise lines that have incorporated it in their ships. I know there are some advantages, but I really believe ships would be better served with diesel/electric/shaft propulsion.

 

Again, based on the description, I don't believe this is a pod issue, but a problem with the inverter/harmonic filters that supply variable frequency power to the pod motor, which is the same system used in electric drive on shafted propulsion.

[BlueRiband]

It sure seems that the choice of pod propulsion has been a maintenance nightmare for all cruise lines that have incorporated it in their ships. I know there are some advantages, but I really believe ships would be better served with diesel/electric/shaft propulsion.

 

There's no denying that first generation Mermaid pods had issues, mainly with bearing wear. Carnival, Crystal, and RCI sued Rolls-Royce over this problem. (The early Mermaid installations were also on the Crystal Serenity and all four Celebrity Millennium class ships.)

 

In recent years however bearing technology and pod reliability has greatly improved. All Carnival new builds stipulate podded propulsion, and RCI's Freedom class ships have pods. The advantage of pods are about a 7% overall fuel saving, freeing up space in the hull, and superior manouverability. QM2 - and other podded ships - need tug assistance only in strong wind and tide situations.

Edited December 13, 2015 by BlueRiband

[fishywood]

We are still in Lisbon. The Harbour Master has decided to embark on his own job justification scheme and has decided to delay us until he has come on board and satisfied him self all is well. Until he does that we can't or a pilot which delays things even more. Doubtful we will make Vigo but Southampton arrival will not be affected.

 

I am glad to see that all appears to be well and the itinerary has not been disrupted. However one must take with a grain of salt the fact that Cunard loves to blame the local authorities for any delays when they could have easily been avoided.

 

Two years ago on the Northern Highlights cruise the QM2 was held overnight in Stavanger for a maintenance issue. That evening Captain Oprey came on the PA with a windy tale of how due to the poor weather forecast the Elbe river pilot will not wait for the ship to be even briefly late so we will be delayed docking in Hamburg until many hours after the next available window to board the pilot the following morning--even with 60% of the ship scheduled to turn over in Hamburg. Those of us with any sense knew the story was rubbish; with a sea day between Stavanger and Hamburg there is no reason the QM2 could not quicken her pace to make up a delay of even 8-10 hours or more--unless there were truly legitimate issues forcing her to operate below speed, or Cunard did not wish to expend the additional fuel. Of course neither of those reasons would ever be shared publicly. As for the weather, while unseasonably cool for late May the winds and seas were all but dead calm.

 

Bottom line was we entered the Elbe about the time we should have arrived in Hamburg and were not alongside until around 2 PM, with boarding still taking place when I emerged from second seating dinner. Thankfully not involving me, and again good to see that the current sailing has resumed normally.

[Underwatr]

That's really not a new thing. Back in 2010 QM2 had a power loss while tied up in Quebec City, resulting in a six-hour delay in our departure. Even though we had two sea days en route back to New York we didn't make up any of the lost time.

Edited December 13, 2015 by Underwatr