quote:

Originally posted by atlantic109:
No sarcasm intended

Then you are a great American with good sense.
Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by Ron Clark:

quote:

A statement on NCL's website. If only they meant it.
Environmental Commitment
Environmental protection is among NCL Corporation's ("NCL") highest priorities. The protection of the oceans on which NCL makes its living is of paramount importance to the company

This really made me laugh. Yeah, right NCL! That's why you dump a toxic ship in Indian waters....What a bunch of liars

You may call it dumping, but from NCL's viewpoint, they are recycling the SS Norway.

Recycling does not mean dumping, even at Webster's.

Puh-leeeeeze! When you have to resort to a definition from Websters in order to spin your pitch, it is time to give it up already. Your cover is wearing far too thin, Ron. Isn't it time for a relief pitcher yet?



On another note, it is nice to see you back Alex! And nice to see you again too Remarc!

More bad press for the shipbreakers:

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/127486.php/Orissa-labour...ng-shipbreaking-yard

Thank you for the report, Adja.

As some of us have said several times on this thread, our Lady's legacy may very well be one of improved conditions for workers at the ship breakers. This is an industry that is going to grow in the coming years given the massive growth of newbuilds that started about a decade ago.

Good. I hope that the SS Norway encourages the shipbreakers to sell the ship to a group who will get her out of India. In retrospect, no one would be talking about the working conditions in Alang if the ship wasn't there to begin with.

I'm glad that Star Cruises is getting what they deserve for sneaking the ship out of Germany instead of selling the ship at or below scrap value.

With the hugh growth of new ships in recent years, I fell that a lot of old ships will be arriving to Alang in record numbers. But the ships that are famous/popular should be speared for other uses, such as floating hotels/museums.

I found this intersting - NCL was still listed as the registered owner of Blue Lady on Equasis as of their last update on January 10, 2007. Star Cruises was still listed as her manager.

Sadly, the last status report of the ship itself on that site, which was updated on August 21, 2006, listed her status as "dead".

I notice that on his website Lanterne now states that the propellers are now completely submerged in the mud/sand. Anyone an expert in dredging? How possible would it be? You know from your childhood days that trying to dig a hole in wet sand never works.

I thought that ships in tow had their propellors removed to prevent "windmilling" which would create drag for the towing tug.
Maybe it's different for ships going to Alang because those ships engines are used one last time, to drive them onto the beach.

any recent photos of the old girl.i last saw her back in 96. i feel ill thinking of her on that beach.

quote:

Originally posted by atlantic109:
I notice that on his website Lanterne now states that the propellers are now completely submerged in the mud/sand. Anyone an expert in dredging? How possible would it be? You know from your childhood days that trying to dig a hole in wet sand never works.

Initial efforts to move CV USS INTREPID from her Hudson River berth this past year failed because the vessel's rudder and props were trapped in accumulated silt. Dredging eventually freed her, but you can bet the operation was expensive!

If she really has sunk that deep, then removal does indeed sound like a major challenge!

I imagine the ideal would be to wait for a really high tide such that she naturally tries to float up a little. The suction will hold her down, so high pressure water would have to be pumped under her keel to disturb the sand, releasing the suction, such that her natural buoyancy lifts her.

Of course removing the top decks would lighten her and make the job easier.

I remember reading last year about the attempts to free a cargo ship that ended up on a beach (in Mexico if I remember correctly). They had immense difficulty!

amazing footage from the beautiful ship on http://www.ssnorway.no

and for you who have not seen the documentary trailer check out www.ssnorway.no/doc

If they do in fact end up having to dredge and move the ship, at least they won't have to deal with EPA for dredging permits, which are very stringent.

Latest pictures show absolutely zero water surrounding the ship. There must have been an awful lot unlawful winching going on

quote:

Originally posted by atlantic109:
Latest pictures show absolutely zero water surrounding the ship. There must have been an awful lot unlawful winching going on

I suspect the photos were taken during one of the extreme low tides that probably prevail at this time of year in that region.

Hard to tell if the stern has sunk into the mud, or the mud has simply accumulated there. No doubt that towing off would be a herculean task, though.

The people maintaining the ssnorway.no website do not seem crestfallen about the situation.

I'm still here lurking in the background . I really hope the Supreme Court of India orders the Norway out of Indian waters. As others have mentioned, Star / NCL are still the owners of the ship, and therefore will be responsible for the cost of removing the ship. Damn, that would look good on them. How does that saying go, "You Reap What You Sow"
I'm still staying positive, and won't give up till they get the OK to start cuting. I also enjoy the posts from Ron Clark. His BS is always good for a laugh.

Call me crazy but I think the pictures are encouraging. The level of deterioration onboard (especially telling from the inderior stills) is far from what has been reported, and I dare say even on the outside she's still cutting quite a figure.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see the original lacquered murals still in place, particularly in the windward/chambord dining room. And as far as the propellers being in the mud...hey, more money for NCL to pay when she is finally ordered out of India - so much the better as far as I'm concerned. If I recall correctly, USS Intrepid was much further in the mud from bow to stern, so to say she'll never be refloated is more than a stretch IMHO.

[...]

Edit: Attention, raffles. If you continue to SPAM you will have to face the same consequences that others will have to face if they continue to post calls for boycott! RF

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Raoul Fiebig,

I would like to see the tug that can pull her off now. She will be gone within the year.

We have two good chances here to rescue the Blue Lady

1 The Supreme Court - They have already conceeded the illegal actions of the breakers. They are aware that the ship is strong and structurally sound - this is why they are prepared to give the defendents in this case the time to submit reports on breakng to confirm whether this can go ahead in India without breaking both Stockholm and Basel.

2 Navillus LLC, and http://www.ss-france.com Join their mail list, hopefully they'll present us with news soon.


Finally ignore the stooges of the breakers, SSNorway.no. All they are after is the breaking of the ship so they can line their pockets.