Iona strange tracking

[Bin man]

Been watching iona tracking just done a u- turn off the coast of Brest infact doing a 360 degree sharp turn at 9.5 knotsv

[jeanlyon]

Could easily be emergency evacuation.  Ah, just noticed she is "restricted in manoevrability".  So something has happened.

Edited March 15 by jeanlyon

[jeanlyon]

Strange direction as she should be heading to Southampton.

[Bin man]

Yes I noticed that didn't understand what it meant 

[jeanlyon]

It could mean a few things.   So for instance if a helicopter is over her (maybe) and she has to take a certain course, then she is restricted in her ability to manoevre.  It warns other ships.

 

Also, if it was a helicopter evacuation then the ship would have to steam into wind for the chopper.  I'm guessing here, but have seen this before.

Edited March 15 by jeanlyon

[jeanlyon]

yes the wind is West NorthWest, so that may be why she is steaming in that direction.

[Bin man]

Would she be just wasting time to arrive in Southampton on time ? We have some relations onboard everything had tracked ok over the 14 nights strange going ons  

[jeanlyon]

I wouldn't have thought so, because she could just reduced speed if too early.

[jeanlyon]

She is now underway and not "restricted" and turning for SOU.  My guess is a helicopter.  She will make her way into the shipping lane.

Edited March 15 by jeanlyon

[Bin man]

Thanks for that .I see as you say picking up speed and on way back to Southampton 

[Bin man]

You was correct just looked on my aircraft tracking rescue helicopter tracked out to her 

[sogne]

Almost always medivacs by helo ship steams into wind speed determined by sea conditions and helo usually but not alway 8-10knots speed although I have experienced it at 16k in extreme circumstances.

[jeanlyon]

49 minutes ago, Bin man said:

You was correct just looked on my aircraft tracking rescue helicopter tracked out to her 

Yep thought so.  We used to sail our own boat and I am also a Watchkeeper for National Coastwatch, so usually know these things.

[gsgbrumuk]

I was on the sailing.  Yes a passenger was taken ill and was taken off by helicopter.  Before the incident we had been sailing at I think 16knots approx.  After we increased to 21 knots.

Thoughts, prayers and best wished to the passenger, family and friends.

[Bin man]

Did you enjoy the cruise ?

[Orianababes]

Also on that cruise. Yes a medical evacuation by helicopter

 

in answer to Bin Man - We found the cruise most enjoyable. Some hesitancy before boarding following various reports. We were quite taken by all the ship had to offer. Have sailed on all of P&O existing fleet except Iona and Arvia. Now more than willing to sail on all ships in the fleet

[gsgbrumuk]

Bin Man - Yes thank you. Bit wary with some of the reviews but no doubt far more happy cruisers that had not reviewed.  Easy to get lots of steps in with a ship that size!