Radiance of the Seas - Propulsion Problems - Engine, Propeller, or Azipod Issue? How long to fix?

[Ourusualbeach]

Sept 8th cancelled.

 

100% refund plus 100% FCC 

[Sai1]

There was a post in a FB group that I couldn’t copy. It was from Michael Bayley in the Royal Executive Office (I have talked to him before…he is very nice). He said the repairs required special expertise to come in from Europe. Repairs are underway and they are “confident “ they will be going ahead with the sailing on the 15th. 

[strickers]

[pspercy]

I gather these pods on Radiance are too small for anyone to climb into etc. So what lengthy work can be done on the parts accessible from inside the ship if the ship is not in a dry dock?

[chengkp75]

6 minutes ago, pspercy said:

I gather these pods on Radiance are too small for anyone to climb into etc. So what lengthy work can be done on the parts accessible from inside the ship if the ship is not in a dry dock?

The pods can be entered, just not when running.  Routine maintenance can be done while in port.  Also, if the failure was in the azimuthing system (the electro-hydraulic system that revolves the azipod around), that is accessible within the ship, it is not in the pod.  The frequency drive that alters the electricity to the azipod motor to allow for varying speed, is also inside the ship.  Either one of these systems could stop the use of the azipod, and yet be repaired with the ship wet.

 

But, I am still thinking it is a bent propeller problem, and that can be repaired by divers, or the shaft seal (that keeps the sea water from the oil in the pod bearings) could have failed, another diver capable job.

 

The only real job that needs a dry dock for these older model azipods is to renew the thrust bearing.

[Ourusualbeach]

9 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

But, I am still thinking it is a bent propeller problem, and that can be repaired by divers

Would that require "specialists" to be flown in from Europe?

[chengkp75]

34 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Would that require "specialists" to be flown in from Europe?

The art of straightening a blade in place, so that it no longer causes vibrations, or cropping a blade to remove the damaged portion (and the corresponding piece from the opposite blade, again to balance the "wheel"), is dying with the aging shipyard demographic.  I know there are more of these guys in Europe than we have today in the US, so yes, in my opinion it could require some techs from some of the prop repair companies in Europe.

 

Most of the manufacturer's technicians for most equipment on these cruise ships come from Europe, as the equipment is manufactured there.  They will fly in techs for dry docks, from all over.

[HicksRA]

The task of straightening a prop blade under water puzzles me. I’d think they’d need heat and or a die to get the prop back in alignment. Are the blades removable separately?  I thought it was one solid unit. 

[Ourusualbeach]

48 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

The art of straightening a blade in place, so that it no longer causes vibrations, or cropping a blade to remove the damaged portion (and the corresponding piece from the opposite blade, again to balance the "wheel"), is dying with the aging shipyard demographic.  I know there are more of these guys in Europe than we have today in the US, so yes, in my opinion it could require some techs from some of the prop repair companies in Europe.

 

Most of the manufacturer's technicians for most equipment on these cruise ships come from Europe, as the equipment is manufactured there.  They will fly in techs for dry docks, from all over.

Thanks for the explanation.  I knew if it was technical related they would be flying people in just wasn't sure about a seemingly more mechanical repair.

[Mm1aca]

Holding the Radiance in Seward speaks volumes.  Bayley states repairs are underway so moving to a large dry dock (Vancouver/Victoria) isn’t necessary. 
Once the repairs are completed the ship is already there awaiting embarkation on the 15th. If the problem was beyond their ability to correct in Seward they would be limping toward a dry dock.
Keep the Faith. 
*We don’t sail until later in the month but are following the progress.
Wishing happy sailing for all.😊

[SamTimeDining]

Can a ship of this size be fully and properly stocked with a week of provisions in the small town of Seward? I always assumed for these North/South sailings that the ship received mostly everything it needed for 2+ weeks while in Vancouver.

[roupa]

Might see fresh salmon on the menu more than once .  😉

I’ll even appreciate a limited menu since I won’t have to cook!

[pspercy]

5 hours ago, SamTimeDining said:

Can a ship of this size be fully and properly stocked with a week of provisions in the small town of Seward? I always assumed for these North/South sailings that the ship received mostly everything it needed for 2+ weeks while in Vancouver.

 

Fly it in then train/truck it  down from Anchorage as needed ?

[jcl410]

6 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

The art of straightening a blade in place, .....   I know there are more of these guys in Europe than we have today in the US, so yes, in my opinion it could require some techs from some of the prop repair companies in Europe.

 

 

Do you think that ABB makes their own blades? While I was on board, the Hotel Director specifically said that the techs. were coming from ABB. (I know that engineering isn't his responsibility, but he should be in a position to know that factoid.... ) He gave the impression that the engineers could not tell what was going on with the Azipod, hence why they were flying folks in...  

 

Aloha,

 

John

[chengkp75]

13 hours ago, HicksRA said:

The task of straightening a prop blade under water puzzles me. I’d think they’d need heat and or a die to get the prop back in alignment. Are the blades removable separately?  I thought it was one solid unit. 

Straightening, you are correct about the heat.  But a crack can be welded up underwater, or as I say, sometimes they remove the bent/cracked section until a new prop can be installed in dock (though this reduces the speed the prop can run at).  Some azipod props are single units, some have separate blades.

[chengkp75]

7 hours ago, jcl410 said:

Do you think that ABB makes their own blades? While I was on board, the Hotel Director specifically said that the techs. were coming from ABB. (I know that engineering isn't his responsibility, but he should be in a position to know that factoid.... ) He gave the impression that the engineers could not tell what was going on with the Azipod, hence why they were flying folks in...  

 

Aloha,

 

John

Yes, they do.  Even if the prop is made by someone else, the cruise line would engage ABB to make repairs, and the reps from the prop manufacturer would be subcontracted to ABB.

 

Thanks for the further insight.

[A&L_Ont]

On 9/4/2023 at 7:31 AM, smokeybandit said:

I'll go with internal failure before I go with iceberg late in the season.

Something to consider; glaciers calve more later in the season from prolonged heat, leaving more ice chunks in the water.  

[twangster]

Radiance is on the move from the Seward pier.  Likely to make room for the two other ships arriving into port today.  

 

Her AIS destination is Seward tomorrow so she isn't going far.  

[strickers]

Combining with a sea trial?

[twangster]

9 minutes ago, strickers said:

Combining with a sea trial?

 

Not sure there is enough information to know.  

 

With a Viking and SilverSea ship arriving she had to get off the pier.  

[twangster]

At 5.1 knots it looks like she may be heading out of territorial waters to cycle her environmentals.  

[Jimbo]

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

At 5.1 knots it looks like she may be heading out of territorial waters to cycle her environmentals.  

Tracking says it won't return until September 9th to Seward.

Edited September 7, 2023 by Jimbo

[graceandlaw]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Tracking says it won't return until September 9th to Seward.

What do you all use to track the ships movements? 

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, graceandlaw said:

What do you all use to track the ships movements? 

Cruisemapper is one of the better ones since it also provides ship position away from land (most don’t ). 

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

At 5.1 knots it looks like she may be heading out of territorial waters to cycle her environmentals.  

When you gotta go, you gotta go