Epic Interrupted

[mking8288]

33 minutes ago, SeaHunt said:

 

I'd like to ask chengkp75 if he thinks they could possibly be heading to this shipyard that's located in Freeport?  Notice the shipyard does say "AFLOAT REPAIRS" 

 

Good question to ask, among others ... 

 

I'm sure a few others are, like me, tracking the Epic on AIS (still within reporting range) ... left San Juan 3 hours ago, speed - no faster than 18 knots - fluctuate a little, around 17.5 to 17.7 at the moment.  That would suggest, not using all engines or power for full speed - rather around 80% of its 22 knots speed.  

 

The other question - what is there for ship passengers to do at Freeport at 8:30 p.m. - okay, on a Friday night ??  nevermind if it doesn't dock until 10 p.m.   Probably not a whole lot, if anything at all - highly unlikely if restaurants are still open, ships closed, maybe a few bars ??   The stop is basically, IMHO, useless for those on this cruise.  Stopping at GSC for 1/2 a day instead, those onboard will probably get an update tomorrow ... 

 

Not touching the topic of compensation, cruise contract or what's fair & reasonable or not ... to be constructive.  

 

[Mr. California]

I'm curious as to what, if any.  repercussions, or any disciplinary actions,  from NCL, the captain or any senior officers may face,  because of this incident ? I'm sure they will conduct a full investigation. Should they find fault or negligence...I always understood that they're "career enders".

[trivimp]

3 hours ago, MrMarc said:

Just for fun, what if airlines operated the same way that cruise lines do.  I know they're totally different, but imagine the situtations....Sorry, but we are going to skip Clevland and go straight to New York.  We will give you credit you can use on your next flight... lol

This happens all the time.  Flights are redirected due to weather, due to mechanical issues, whatever.  Last time my daughter flew out to see me, the first leg of her trip got diverted to a different airport due to high winds, and she missed her connection.  The airline did finally get her here, but it was half a day later than expected (& not a penny of compensation.) 

[don't-use-real-name]

2 possible reasons for the Freeport stop:

 

1 to satisfy the PVSA foreign port stop requirement ?

 

2 Quick inspection and estimate of future repairs to the hull of the EPIC ?

[chengkp75]

7 hours ago, SeaHunt said:

 

I'd like to ask chengkp75 if he thinks they could possibly be heading to this shipyard that's located in Freeport?  Notice the shipyard does say "AFLOAT REPAIRS" 

 

http://grandbahamashipyard.com/

 

"GRAND BAHAMA SHIPYARD LIMITED, A WORLD LEADER IN DRY-DOCKING AND AFLOAT REPAIRS, REFITS, REFURBISHMENTS AND REVITALIZATIONS"

 

The Yard has three dry docks, capable of docking vessels up to 82,500 tonnes, a pier and a deep water wharf, over 300 m in length and is strategically located in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, approximately 93 nm east of Miami, Florida along all the major shipping routes.

The yard boasts over 57,000 f2 of workshop space to accommodate on-site projects.

 

 

 

The AIS time for ETA comes from the ship's ECDIS or electronic chart, and is continually updated, as the ECDIS recomputes the remaining time in real time.  So, if the ship is still accelerating as it goes out of AIS range (which it will be for most of the way to Freeport), the AIS ETA won't update.  Going to 20 knots over this distance, instead of 17 knots would save 8 hours, and going full speed of 22 knots would save 12 hours.

 

As for going to the shipyard in Freeport, I would think that's unlikely.  The steel needed to do the repairs can be pre-cut and waiting on the dock in Port Canaveral, if not this time then next time, and they can certainly do at the very least one patch in a turn around day.  There are any number of ship repair companies that can supply the manpower, welding machines, and a couple of cherry picker cranes to the dock there and get this cut out and re-inserted in 10 hours.  These are well above the waterline, so present no real challenge.

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, Mr. California said:

I'm curious as to what, if any.  repercussions, or any disciplinary actions,  from NCL, the captain or any senior officers may face,  because of this incident ? I'm sure they will conduct a full investigation. Should they find fault or negligence...I always understood that they're "career enders".

No, they are not "career enders".  The company is required to have in place a document called the ISM (International Safety Management) code, which must delineate the company's policies and procedures for nearly every phase of company operation, both ashore and onboard.  This document will outline the proper procedures and policies for conducting a docking operation, for every member of the "bridge resource team" (the officers and crew on the bridge), the officers and crew at the mooring stations fore and aft, and the engineering staff.  Yes, there will be an internal investigation of this incident, as required by the ISM, as well as investigations by the USCG (because it was a US port), the Bahamas Maritime Authority, and the classification society all as required under ISM, and part of this investigation will be to determine if the policies and procedures in the ISM need revision.

 

But, if the Captain was found to have followed the published policies and procedures as stated by the company's ISM code, then he cannot be found negligent, and there won't be any disciplinary action taken.  Things happen.  The ISM policies and procedures are written to mitigate as many adverse outcomes as possible, but it is never possible to predict every possible risk or even find an economical way to mitigate a very small percentage risk.

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

2 possible reasons for the Freeport stop:

 

1 to satisfy the PVSA foreign port stop requirement ?

 

2 Quick inspection and estimate of future repairs to the hull of the EPIC ?

I think #1 is the reason, also by giving another port, there is less call for refunds, etc, but that's as close to a customer service response that I'll get.

 

The inspection and estimate was done in San Juan, that would take about a half hour of the class surveyor's and Chief Engineer's time to look at it from the outside and then the inside.  These kinds of minor dents are common, and there are standard minimum size plating inserts that class will allow (usually a 1 mtr x 0.5 mtr minimum), and the framing behind the plating is all standard sizes.  They will have used a paint marker to mark out where to crop out on the inside as they discuss it, and the materials required were sent to repair shops in Florida before the ship left San Juan.

[FreestyleNovice]

Not sure if these were already posted:

 

 

[FreestyleNovice]

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for the pictures FreestyleNovice.

[FreestyleNovice]

Here's a better perspective of one of the two: 

 

 

[bjay3]

Have the people on board been told what's going on and where they are going??

[RedwingHockeyFan]

At least it wasn't an iceberg!

[pe4all]

10 hours ago, OceanBlueWaters said:

Wait?!  But what if I don't want another cruise with NCL?  Why can't I get 50% off THIS cruise? 

Now I am forced to book a future cruise with NCL to perhaps recoup some $? What if I don't want to book another cruise with NCL?

I am not on this cruise and totally feel for what they are going thru and do hope they arrive home safely.

Everyone with 5,000 + replies you are free to quote NCL's T&Cs to remind me that I/we/they should be grateful what NCL offered to their passengers...

JMO

We were are a Carnival ship that had a mechanical issue.  It occured as we were leaving San Juan, and we missed our last 2 ports as we SLOWLY headed back to Miami to make repairs, so the next cruise would leave on time, or close to it.  We were "awarded" a 50% future cruise credit, 50% off our cruise fare for the cruise we were on, and $50 pp obc, plus free computer time and cabin phone calls back to wherever.   Everyone seemed to be quite happy, except for 2 couples who were supposed to be married on St. Thomas and had some of their wedding guests waiting for them on the island!  (they got married on the ship instead - I think CCL "comped" all the wedding costs for ship photographer, cake, celebration, etc.)  Stuff happens.  The ships really get very little "down time" from cruise to cruise.  And if they need a part, it is not a matter of going to a store and picking one up to replace the broken one!  It is just a matter of luck - or bad luck - to be on a ship that has a problem during your cruise.

 

 

Edited February 14, 2019 by pe4all

[fstuff1]

3 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

I think #1 is the reason, also by giving another port, there is less call for refunds, etc, but that's as close to a customer service response that I'll get.

 

The inspection and estimate was done in San Juan, that would take about a half hour of the class surveyor's and Chief Engineer's time to look at it from the outside and then the inside.  These kinds of minor dents are common, and there are standard minimum size plating inserts that class will allow (usually a 1 mtr x 0.5 mtr minimum), and the framing behind the plating is all standard sizes.  They will have used a paint marker to mark out where to crop out on the inside as they discuss it, and the materials required were sent to repair shops in Florida before the ship left San Juan.

 

wait.. the chief engineer is also responsible for the ship's structure AS WELL AS THE ENGINES?

i would have thought the staff capt be incharge since the deck is his area of responsibility?

 

[PelicanBill]

50% of base fare toward a future cruise is pretty generous for NCL given this cruise was not a hardship on passengers and not shortened.  Many cruises have changes of ports and by cruise contract definition this is not a reason for compensation. 

 

Breakway Oct. 2016 - was supposed to be Bermuda.  Went to hurricane damaged Port Canaveral and Nassau, Nassau was 3-9pm with most of city closed and almost no excursions in both ports.  Both ports at about 50% closed from hurricane damage 2 days before. Cruise was shortened 1 day staying in NYC an extra night before departure. No compensation.

 

Breakaway December 2017 - was supposed to be a 12 day eastern/southern caribbean trip. Hurricanes damaged 2 of our 6 ports.  They threw out the itinerary and replaced it with Port Canaveral, GSC and Nassau, which had been done by practically everyone on board before. Following that we had Costa Maya changed to Cozumel with 6 hours notice due to a medical emergency, and all 3 other ports (Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios) had severe wind that shortened each port by 2 hours with delayed docking/tendering and most excursions canceled.  No compensation.

[shof515]

14 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

 

wait.. the chief engineer is also responsible for the ship's structure AS WELL AS THE ENGINES?

i would have thought the staff capt be incharge since the deck is his area of responsibility?

 

 

the chief engineer is the ship mr fix it. they have to fix and repair pretty much anything. the staff captain just does the technical side of the ship 

[MCC retired]

If the ship is going to Freeport , it is for  repair as there is a major shipyard there .

[Briji04]

I’m the OP. I think NCL is doing the best they can in the situation. I never felt unsafe once. However, if you read some of the things ppl are saying to the media or on twitter you’d think we were sitting in the dark while the band played on.  

The ship maintained power the entire time. We just reduced speed to almost stopped while they checked out the engines before deciding to go to San Juan. 

 

Passengers are eating NCLs food. They are definitely taking advantage of their beverage package. They are  hogging deck chairs and spending money in the casino.  Then complaining they are only getting 50% off.

 

Yeah we skipped a couple of ports. Life is full of disappointments. But we are all still alive. 

[dad son team]

13 minutes ago, Briji04 said:

I’m the OP. I think NCL is doing the best they can in the situation. I never felt unsafe once. However, if you read some of the things ppl are saying to the media or on twitter you’d think we were sitting in the dark while the band played on.  

The ship maintained power the entire time. We just reduced speed to almost stopped while they checked out the engines before deciding to go to San Juan. 

 

Passengers are eating NCLs food. They are definitely taking advantage of their beverage package. They are  hogging deck chairs and spending money in the casino.  Then complaining they are only getting 50% off.

 

Yeah we skipped a couple of ports. Life is full of disappointments. But we are all still alive. 

Have they given you any update on your schedule as far as getting back to PC on time, or why they are stopping in Freeport (possibly)?

[clskinsfan]

1 hour ago, PelicanBill said:

50% of base fare toward a future cruise is pretty generous for NCL given this cruise was not a hardship on passengers and not shortened.  Many cruises have changes of ports and by cruise contract definition this is not a reason for compensation. 

 

Breakway Oct. 2016 - was supposed to be Bermuda.  Went to hurricane damaged Port Canaveral and Nassau, Nassau was 3-9pm with most of city closed and almost no excursions in both ports.  Both ports at about 50% closed from hurricane damage 2 days before. Cruise was shortened 1 day staying in NYC an extra night before departure. No compensation.

 

Breakaway December 2017 - was supposed to be a 12 day eastern/southern caribbean trip. Hurricanes damaged 2 of our 6 ports.  They threw out the itinerary and replaced it with Port Canaveral, GSC and Nassau, which had been done by practically everyone on board before. Following that we had Costa Maya changed to Cozumel with 6 hours notice due to a medical emergency, and all 3 other ports (Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios) had severe wind that shortened each port by 2 hours with delayed docking/tendering and most excursions canceled.  No compensation.

 

Agreed it happens. If you cruise enough you will have port changes. It is just part of this type of vacation. As a side note one of the most missed ports is Half Moon. We have been there 3 times and never missed it on any of our cruises. All in October. So we have been very lucky in that regard. While we have missed Grand Cayman twice and still have never made it to shore there due to wind. 🙂 So you just never know. It is all luck of the draw.

[www3traveler]

35 minutes ago, Briji04 said:

I’m the OP. I think NCL is doing the best they can in the situation. I never felt unsafe once. However, if you read some of the things ppl are saying to the media or on twitter you’d think we were sitting in the dark while the band played on.  

The ship maintained power the entire time. We just reduced speed to almost stopped while they checked out the engines before deciding to go to San Juan. 

 

Passengers are eating NCLs food. They are definitely taking advantage of their beverage package. They are  hogging deck chairs and spending money in the casino.  Then complaining they are only getting 50% off.

 

Yeah we skipped a couple of ports. Life is full of disappointments. But we are all still alive. 

Love your attitude.  

[puppycanducruise]

8 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

Love your attitude.  

+1

Great way to look at it.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

12 hours ago, MrMarc said:

Just for fun, what if airlines operated the same way that cruise lines do.  I know they're totally different, but imagine the situtations....Sorry, but we are going to skip Clevland and go straight to New York.  We will give you credit you can use on your next flight... lol

the thing is that the cruise contract mandates delivering you to the disembarkation port, no matter what. So, when Jade broke down in PR, Norwegian flew us back to Miami. Oh, and 100% compensation and future credit.

 

Sort of same with airlines - if something happens and they take you to a different airport, they usually bus or fly you to your original destination. But usually no compensation at all.

IMHO.

Edited February 14, 2019 by Itchy&Scratchy

[SeaTheW0rld]

Freeport?  Gawd.  The disaster continues.