ships monthly - march 2014 uk

NORWEGIAN GETAWAYLatest cruise giant makes her debut in Southampton

EXCLUSIVE

4.25

FERRY NEWS Brittany Ferries orders LNG powered ferry

Preservation le Keeping the life-savers alive

www.shipsmonthly.com

March 2014

WINDFARMWORKFORCE

The ships behind the windpower revolution

PLUS

Aircraft carriers Illustrious class Port pictorial Leith remembered BC Ferries Canadian lifeline

ADVENTUREOF THE SEAS

SHIP OFTHE MONTH

Mainmast BooksWarsash Nautical Bookshop

6 Dibles Road, WarsashSouthampton SO31 9HZ

www.mainmastbooks.co.uk

[email protected]

Tel: 01489 572384Fax: 01489 885756

MAINMAST BOOKS

Postage UK - 3.50 for a single book (heavy books marked H are charged at 4.50. 1.50 for single CDs, DVDs or Videos. Add 1.00 for each additional itemup to a maximum of 6.50. Orders of over 100 sent post free in the UK. Overseas delivery: add 15% of the book value (20% Australia & NZ) to your order for

postage (minimum 7.50 for books 4.00 for DVDs) . For large orders, please contact us for a quotation.Visitors are always welcome at our shop in Warsash. Opening hours are 9.00-5.30 Mon-Fri, 10.00-4.00 Sat, closed Sunday & Bank Holidays.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Visa Debit, Electron, American Express, Diners. Pay by Paypal on our website or to [email protected]

Free UK postage on orders of 100.00 or more

Deep Sea and Foreign Going RoseGeorge travels from Felixstowe toSingapore, via the Bay of Biscay, SuezCanal, Gulf of Aden and MalaccaStraights, to chart the murky character-rich waters of international shipping. PB.234 x 156 mm 14.99 [32702]

Remembering the Free Enterprise I Captain R.P.Blowers This limited edition book follows the career of

this pioneering vessel and includes awealth of images of her in operation onthe English Channel and in Greece.Limited print run of 300 copies.40pp. PB. A4 Illustrated 7.95 [33092]

Cunard - A Photographic History JanetteMcCutcheon The images here give an idea of thesplendour that was ocean liner travelon the Cunard Line in the golden ageof shipping with a mixture of colourphotographs, period advertising andpaintings. 128pp. PB. 170 x 248 mm19.99 [33031]

Post-War Canadian Pacific Liners - Empresses ofthe Atlantic William H MillerBegins with the renovated Empressof Canada and Empress of France,taking us through the new buildsof the 1950s, including theEmpress of Britain, Empress of

England and the company's swansong, the beautifulEmpress of Canada, constructed in 1961. 128pp. PB.170 x 248 mm 19.99 [33033]

Giants of the Seas : The ShipsThat Transformed ModernCruising Aaron Saunders Showcasesthe 40 most influential cruise ships ofthe last three decades beginning withthe ground-breaking Sovereign of theSeas. The text explains the significance of each shipand highlights their new features ("Why She Matters").A highly enjoyable browse for anyone interested inthese great ships. 192pp. HB. 269 x 214 mm. Manyoriginal and archival photos, deck plans etc. 150 colourphotos. Index. 30.00 [32938]

Loch Class Frigates Patrick BonifaceAmongst the best A/S frigatesproduced by Great Britain during thewar. This well illustrated volumerecords the design and service recordof these vessels. 256pp. HB. 240 x

195 mm 25.00 [33087]

Gathering Storm : The NavalWar in Northern Europe:September 1939 - April 1940Geirr H Haarr A substantialsurvey of the fierce navalstruggles, from 1939 up to theinvasion of the Norway in April1940. Geirr Haarr has researchedextensively in German, British, andother archives, and the work isintended to paint a balanced and detailed picture of thissignificant period of the war when the opposing naval forceswere adapting to a form of naval warfare quite different tothat experienced in WWI. 550pp. HB. 234x156mm 35.00[32217]

By Steamer to the Ayrshire CoastAlistair Deayton 96pp. PB. 235 x 165 mm14.99 [32912]

By Steamer to the Argyllshire CoastAlistair Deayton 96pp. PB. 235 x 165 mm 14.99[33034]

Ports of Scotland Yearbook 2014Comprehensive reference book for all portusers. and interesting guide to Scottishports and shipping for ship enthusiasts.300pp. PB. A4 Printed in full colour

24.00 [33116]

See Mainmast Books at the

OCEAN LINER SOCIETY

SOUTHAMPTON SHIP SHOW

A date for your diary: Saturday 22 February 2014 atthe NOVOTEL SOUTHAMPTON Its walking distance tothe Southampton Central Railway Station and toSouthampton Dock Gate 10. Well be there with a standpacked with the latest maritime titles etc, includingsome very special show day offers! We look to seeingold friends and new at our stand.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

Tramp Ships : An Illustrated HistoryRoy Fenton What a wonderfully evocative

collection of over 300photographs ofindividual ships whichillustrate thedevelopment of thetramp ship from the19th century to thepostwar years!Captions gives thedimensions, the owners

and the builder, and outlines the career of eachship, with design features and notes on machineryincluded. 176pp. HB. 260 x 240 mm 30.00[33041]

Also reviewed in Ships Monthly March 2014

White Star Line : APhotographic History JanetteMcCutcheon 128pp. PB. 170 x248 mm 19.99 [32937]

The Isle of Man Steam PacketThrough Time Ian Collard 96pp PB.235x165mm 15.999 [33148]

Lifeboat Service inScotland : Station by StationNicholas Leach 128pp. PB. 235 x 156mm 15.99 [32892]

Seaforth World Naval Review2014 Conrad Waters 192pp. HB.240 x 254 mm 30.00 [33043]

JUST PUBLISHED

Trinity House 1514 to 2014: LightUpon The Waters Andrew Adams &Richard Woodman As part of its 500 yearcelebration Trinity House has published itsofficial history written by well-knownmaritime author Captain Richard Woodman,

an Elder Brother ofTrinity House, and thepilotage expert andYounger Brother of theFraternity, CaptainAndrew Adams; thestory of thecorporation fromincorporation in 1514

to the current day has been thoroughlyresearched and written up and illustrated witha great many fascinating images. HB.29.99 [32998]

Ferry & Cruise Annual 2014Ferry Publications Includes featureson: Liburnija , Nordstjernen, Spiritof London, Marco Polo, MSC, theDover Ostend line, P&O at 175 and Ferries ofLake Constance. 160pp. New softback A4format 18.50 [33091]

www.shipsmonthly.com March 2014 3

What a contrast there was in Southampton in January as the last British-built cruise ship took her curtain call and the latest mega cruise

ship steamed into port a few days later. It was a fond farewell for Saga Ruby as she left Southampton for the last time on 10 January, and a warm welcome for Norwegian Getaway. Saga Ruby was built on the Tyne by Swan

Hunter in 1972 as Vistafjord, becoming Caronia in 1999. She took her current name, Saga Ruby, in 2004 when acquired by Saga Cruises, and became something of a favourite. But the 40-year-old ship has now retired from service and is to become a floating hotel in Singapore. Saga Ruby measured 24,292grt and could

carry a maximum of 670 passengers impressive figures for the 1970s. But she is totally dwarfed by the massive new Getaway which, at 145,655gt, is almost six times as big in terms of gross tonnage and, at 325.7m in length, almost twice as long.

These stark differences reflect the changes in the cruise business in the four decades that separate the building of these ships. No longer is the destination what matters now the ship itself is the destination, and passengers on Norwegian Getaway need never leave what is in effect a resort. They have everything to hand for their comfort and entertainment.Norwegian Getaway provides everything that

is expected from a modern cruise ship in terms of facilities and accommodation and more, but it is unlikely she will match the notable longevity achieved by Vistafjord/Saga Ruby. And as Gateway prepares for a Miami career, Saga Ruby goes into retirement and brings to an end the era of British-built cruise ships.

Nicholas LeachEditor

[email protected]

TM

TM


Kelsey Media, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berrys HillCudham, Kent TN16 3AGEDITORIALEditor Nicholas [email protected] Editor Mark HydeADVERTISEMENT SALESJulia Johnston Tel 01733 [email protected] Advertisement [email protected] Sales [email protected] Supervisor: Hannah ShipmanTel 01733 353352Email: [email protected] Manager [email protected] Publisher: Vicky OphieldDigital Marketing Manager: Rebecca GibsonMANAGEMENTPublisher: Gordon WrightChairman: Steve AnnettsChief Executive: Steve WrightFinance Director: Joyce Parker-SariogluCommercial Director: Martyn HammondOperations Director: Phil WeedenHead of Audience Development: Andy CottonSubscriptions Marketing Manager: Daniel WebbSubscriptions Marketing Executive: Lauren Campbell-BrownNewstrade Circulation: Eleanor BrownCIRCULATION DEPARTMENTSubscriptionsUK new subscriptions orderline: 0845 872 7385UK new subscriptions renewals: 0845 450 1019UK customer services: 0845 872 7388UK Fax: 01858 469 804UK postal address: Freepost RSXY-XXGK-EUYSKelsey Media, Market Harborough LE16 9EFOverseas order hotline: +44 (0) 1858 438856Overseas customer services: +44 (0) 1858 438857International Fax: +44 (0) 1858 469 804Overseas postal address: Kelsey Media, Unit 4, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough LE16 9EF, UKSubscriptionsUK 51.00 Europe 64.49 RoW 70/49Kelsey Shop www.kelseyshop.co.ukBack Issues 0845 873 9270 Books 0845 450 4920DISTRIBUTIONMarketforce, Bluefin Building, LondonCall 020 3148 3333 for your nearest stockistPRINTINGWilliam Gibbons & Sons LtdKelsey Media 2014 all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers. Note to contributors: articles submitted for consideration by the editor must be the original must be the original work of the author and not previously published. Where photographs are included, which are not the property of the contributor, permission to reproduce them must have been obtained from the owner of the copyright. The editor cannot guarantee a personal response to all letters and emails received. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Publisher. Kelsey Media accepts no liability for products and services offered by third parties.Kelsey Media uses a multi-layered privacy notice, giving you brief details about how we would like to use your personal information. For full details, visit www.kelsey.co.uk , or call 01959 543524. If you have any questions, please ask as submitting your details indicates your consent, until you choose otherwise, that we and our partners may contact you about products and services that will be of relevance to you via direct mail, phone, email or SMS. You can opt out at ANY time via email: [email protected] or 01959 542524

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welcome

Contrasting cruise ships

Subscribe to Ships Monthly Find out how on page 54Ships Monthly is also available digitally Please visit www.pocketmags.com

Contributors this month

Ted Scull

Ted Scull is a writer, lecturer

and former educator living

in New York. Since he first

went to sea as a teenager,

he has spent over five years

aboard passenger-carrying

ships of all types.

Malcolm Fife

Malcolm Fife is a professional

photographer who has been

taking pictures of ships and

harbours for over 20 years.

He is also interested in local

history and has written

books on the subject.

Andrew Cooke

With a lifelong fascination

for ships and the sea,

Andrew Cooke is a writer/

photographer specialising in

the cruise and ferry sectors,

and contributes to ferry

and shipping books.

Steve Newman

A writer and photographer

specialising in eco-

adventure cruising,

Steve Newman writes for

national newspapers and

magazines and blogs about

this expanding industry.

KELSEY media

Data protection Kelsey Media uses a multi-layered privacy policy giving you brief details about how we would like to use your personal information. For full details, visit www.kelsey.co.uk, or call 01959 543524. If you have any questions please ask as submitting your details indicates your consent, until you choose otherwise, that we and our partners may contact you about products and services that will be of relevance to you via direct mail, phone, email and SMS. You can opt out at any time via email: [email protected], or 01959 543524.

The new Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Getaway debuted in Southampton in January.

contents

Subscribe today See page 54 for more info

HMS Illustrious returned to a warm welcome at Portsmouth on 10 January. The helicopter carrier, now in her final year of service, spent three weeks providing emergency relief aid in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines last November. MARITIME PHOTOGRAPHIC

Regulars6 WaterfrontNews of Norwegian Getaway making her debut in Southampton, ice breakers trapped in the ice, fire evacuation from the ferry King Seaways and Tallink veteran sold to Albania.

10 FerryRed Falcon upgraded, Brittany Ferries LNG power vessel project, new link with France and Spanish service increase. Russell Plummer

12 CruiseNew role for Melody, the former Cunard Adventurer goes for breaking, first RCI ship scrapped, and four MSC Cruises ships to be lengthened. William Mayes

14 NavalNews of the RNs future nuclear-powered submarine, the Royal Australian Navys Landing Helicopter Dock project and new type of frigate for the German Navy. Gary Davies

16 CargoNew container ships delivered to MSC, fire and collision off Korea and a gearless bulk carrier arrives on the Great Lakes.

18 TugsWorlds first LNG tug takes to the water, more new tugs for Multraship and last of the ETVs sold by J. P. Knight. Jack Gaston

33 Adventure of the SeasBehind the scenes on Royal Caribbeans cruise ship Adventure of the Seas, which has been operating out of Southampton during the past year. Andrew Cooke

49 Ships pictorial A selection of ships pictured around the world.

66 View from the Bridge Captain Christopher Rynd, master of Queen Mary 2, talks about his career and the ship he now commands. Byron Clayton

Chartroom60 Ships mailA selection of letters from readers.

62 Ships libraryReviews and details of new maritime books.

63 Ports of callCruise ship calls around the UK in March. Edwin Wilmshurst

63 Mystery shipCan you cast any light on this mystery ship?

March 2014 Volume 49 No.3

Features20 In the thick of the actionProfile of the Illustrious class, the Royal Navys most potent aircraft carriers of World War II. Paul Brown

26 Capital port for ScotlandRecollection of some of the ships seen at the port of Leith since the 1970s. Malcolm Fife

30 Maritime MosaicPhotographs of some of the ships operated by British Columbia Ferry Services, better known as BC Ferries, which serves the west coast of Canada. David Fairclough 38 Windfarm supportersExclusive aerial photos of the wide variety of service ships that support the booming windfarm construction industry.

42 Preserving the life-saversFollowing on from the preservation files covering submarines and tugs, this time we look at some of the many preserved lifeboats found in the UK and Europe. Nicholas Leach 46 Cruising down the riverA river trip with Pandaw River Cruises, which harks back to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. Ted Scull

52 Unremarkable little shipHow the small coaster Greenisland waged an amateur war in the Clyde and North Channel during World War I. Donald Johnston 56 Exploring the worldA look at the world of expedition and adventure cruising, which has seen a significant expansion in recent years. Steve Newman

WWW.SHIPSMONTHLY.COM

NORWEGIAN GETAWAYLatest cruise giant makes her debut in Southampton

EXCLUSIVE

4.25

FERRY NEWS Brittany Ferries orders LNG powered ferry

Preservation le Keeping the life-savers alive


March 2014

WINDFARMWORKFORCE

The ships behind the windpower revolution

PLUS

Aircraft carriers Illustrious class Port pictorial Leith remembered BC Ferries Canadian lifeline

ADVENTUREOF THE SEAS

SHIP OFTHE MONTH

ALSO AVAILABLE DIGITALLY

WWW.POCKETMAGS.COM

The new NCL cruise ship Norwegian Getaway arrives in Southampton in January for a couple of nights before crossing the Atlantic. MARITIME PHOTOGRAPHIC

6 March 2014 www.shipsmonthly.com

Centenary marked RAMSEY STEAMSHIPTo mark the centenary of the founding of the Ramsey Steamship Co, the companys small coaster Ben Maye (1979/548grt) was dressed overall for a commemorative charter voyage marking another event that took place in 1913. The Bideford-built ship docked in Dublins Docklands on 5 October 2013 to re-enact the role of the steamer Hare, which undertook a voyage 100 years ago from Liverpool to bring food supplied by the TUC to thousands of striking workers in an event known as the Lockout of 1913.

Hundreds of people lined Sir John Rogersons Quay on the Liffey to witness Ben Maye, and dockers unloaded symbolic food parcels to the needy on the quayside next to the last of the surviving former warehouses. JA

FERRY INCIDENTA 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson after a re alert sparked an emergency evacuation from the DFDS vessel King Seaways when she was 30 miles off the Humberside coast after leaving North Shields for IJmuiden on 28 December 2013.

Two crew members and four passengers, including a pregnant woman, were winched off the 31,395gt ferry King Seaways and

taken to Scarborough Hospital by helicopters from RAF Lecon eld near Hull and RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, with a further 15 passengers and eight crew members treated for smoke-related injuries by doctors travelling aboard.

RNLI lifeboats from Bridlington and Filey also put to sea after re broke out in a cabin at around 2245 but, according to DFDS, it was extinguished within 15 minutes. King Seaways, carrying 946 passengers and

127 crew, returned to North Shields at around 0400 and passengers were kept on board for ve hours while police investigated.

They said earlier that another male passenger aged 28 had been detained by the ships staff following the incident and charged with affray. After little more than a week back in service, King Seaways headed for Poland and annual re t, reaching theRemontowa Yard in Gdansk on 10January. RP

Next generation for K Line

NEW CAR CARRIERSJapans third largest shipping line, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), has announced that it intends to order an additional four new next-generation pure car and truck carriers. The extra vessels come after another recent order for four vessels placed with Japanese shipbuilders Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co Ltd and Japan Marine United Corporation, with each yard building four vessels, deliveries to

start from 2015 through to the rst quarter of 2017.

The vessels have a capacity of 7,500 units, which compares to around 6,200 on their largest vessels to date. The new vessels also boast a wider beam of 37-38m compared to the 32.2m of the Lines current vessels. In a statement, the company said: By adding this series of eight new ships with better stability and better fuel ef ciency, we can handle an even wider cargo mix. AM

Impression of the new PCTC vessels ordered by K Line.

WATERFRONT

CASUALTY The general cargo vessel Abuk Lion (2008/5,599gt), on a voyage from Aughinish alumina plant on the river Shannon to St Petersburg, suffered engine trouble off the south west coast of Ireland. She departed the Shannon on 26 December 2013 but, after engine failure, began drifting eastwards, so the captain asked for tug assistance at about 1500 on 28 December 2013.

The tug Celtic isle, which is based in Foynes, was in Cork over Christmas

and was deployed to tow the stricken freighter. Celtic isle reached the ship at 0300 on 29 December, nding her 30 nautical miles south of the Old Head of Kinsale in gale force eight winds.

At rst light a tow was secured to Abuk Lion. LE Roisin arrived on scene, along with the Coastguard helicopter from Shannon, but the 13 crew were safe and well despite battling heavy swells. The tow line parted once, but was reconnected, and Abuk Lion reached Cork about 2000 and was anchored before being brought in.

Towed back to port

The coaster Abuk Lion is brought into Cork by the tug Celtic Isle and, towing astern, the Cork tug Alex; the vessel was berthed in Ringaskiddy ro-ro berth, where repairs were undertaken. ERIC BARREL

Fire evacuation from King Seaways

King Seaways alongside at North Shields. ROY CRESSEYABOVE Ben Maye in Dublin last year.


Above The 3,500dwt Hartman M2 Runner has been designed to transport very long or tall cargoes. HaRTMan

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news

ReplicA There is a growing number of historic replicas afloat, and several are making ocean crossings, but in a much safer manner than the originals. One such is an 85ft replica of Ferdinand Magellans galleon, naO Victoria, which crossed the atlantic last winter aboard DYT Yacht Transports semi-submersible yacht carrier Super Servant 4.

Managed by Fundacion naO

Victoria, the sailing ship was loaded aboard the DYT vessel in Palma de Mallorca, Spain and delivered to Port Everglades, Florida in time for Christmas. It has since undertaken a cultural exhibition tour to educate people about the first complete circumnavigation of the world by Magellans expedition in the 16th century. The original naO Victoria was launched in 1519 as one of five ships in the explorers Spanish expedition. JS

bRieF NeWSWorldopaldelivered Damen Shipyards Group delivered World Diamond, the fifth Platform Supply Vessel in a series of six, to World Wide Supply of Norway on 5 December 2013. World Opal is a Damen PSV 3300 CD. Equipped with azimuth thrusters and dynamic positioning (DP2), the design has slender hull lines to minimise fuel consumption and enhance crew comfort.

arcticdrillshipproject Russias Krylov State Research Center is working with Italys Fincantieri Group on a project to develop a drillship capable of navigating in ice up to 1.5m thick and in ambient temperatures of -40C that would be capable of working independently for a period of four months. According to Fincantieri, Russia plans to buy dozens of such vessels by 2030, as the steady retreat of arctic sea ice allows access to vast hydrocarbon reserves. JS

dualFuel Siem Offshore has agreed contracts with Remontowa Shipbuilding in Poland for four dual-fuelled Platform Supply Vessels of the VS 4411 DF design. Siem Offshore currently has two vessels of similar design under construction. The vessels will have dual-fuel systems able to use either LNG or marine diesel.

chinanavigation Hong Kongs China Navigation Company (CNCo) has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire Pacifica Shipping (Pacifica) from the Skeggs Group of companies in New Zealand. Pacifica will remain an independent operation headquartered in Auckland. JS

csscincreasesshipsize The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has elected to increase the size of three container ships ordered from compatriot builders Shanghai Waigaoqiao SB and Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industry from 16,000TEU to 18,000TEU. They will be the largest container ships built in China when delivered in 2015. JS

Trapped in the ice for christmas AuRoRA expediTioNSThe expedition cruise ship akademik Shokalskiy (pictured), operated by the australian-based aurora Expeditions, became trapped during the Christmas period in ice while on a cruise 1,700 nautical miles south of new Zealand. The cruise was intended to recreate the australasian antarctic Expedition of 1911-14 led by Sir Douglas Mawson, but ice closed the clear water behind the ship too quickly, preventing the vessel from escaping on Christmas

Day. akademik Shokalskiy had 74 passengers, scientists and crew aboard, but they were not in immediate danger.

The Chinese supply ship Xue Long and the French supply ship Lastrolabe were despatched to the scene but, although both have ice-breaking capabilities, were unable to reach the stranded Russian ship as the ice thickened, although Xue Long got within seven miles. The australian ice class survey ship aurora australis, owned by P&O Maritime Services, which arrived four days after the ship

became trapped, was thought to be the solution, but that ship too was turned back by ice that was too thick, and ice might close her exit route.

almost a week after Shokalskiy became trapped it was decided that, once the weather allowed, most of the passengers and crew would be evacuated using the helicopter from the Chinese ship, but the helicopter deck in the expedition vessel could not take Xue Longs helicopter, so a landing area had to be cleared. The evacuation finally took place on 2 January. WM

long narrow tweendecker cARgo ShipThe Hartman Marine Group of The netherlands, in conjunction with Conoship International and Vuyk Engineering Groningen, has developed a new type of ship specifically to cater for long and odd-sized cargoes, such as offshore equipment and windmills.

Known as the Hartman M2 Runner, the design features a high freeboard and narrow superstructure located on the starboard side of the stern as well as a 219,000ft hold equipped with a removable and adjustable tweendeck. The 22.9m by 15m vessel is classed to sail in open top configuration, with the hatch covers lifted, which allows the carriage of tall or large objects. JS

galleon across the Atlantic

A replica of Ferdinand Magellans galleon NAO Victoria is visiting several US East Coast ports this year after being successfully transported across the Atlantic by DYT Yacht Transport.


Danes choose Wrtsil TANKERSDenmarks Terntank Rederi A/S has chosen Wrtsils new two-stroke, low-pressure, dual-fuel engine to power two new environmentally advanced 15,000dwt tankers it is having built for European coastal services. This will be the rst installation of the newWrtsilengine, which is IMO Tier III emissions compliant in gas mode without NOx abatement equipment.

The modi ed Wrtsil RT- ex50DF engines use an LNG- and gas-handling system that is substantially simpler and of lower cost than previous models, since only low-pressure gas compression is required. Daily bunker consumption is expected to be just 14 tons compared to an average of 22 to 25 tons per day for conventionally-powered ships of the same size. JS

ABOVE A see-through rendering illustrates how new Terntank Rederi ships will employWrtsillow pressure, dual-fuel engines. TERNTANK REDERI A/S

WATERFRONTTallink veteran sold to Albania

BALTIC FERRYOne of the most familiar and liked ships to sail the Baltic, Vana Tallinn, was sold to charterers Albanian Ferries for an undisclosed gure in December 2013. Built in 1974 as Dana Regina for DFDS by Aalborg Skibvrft, the 10,000gt 154m ship could take 1,064 passengers, with berths for 864, and could take 300 cars, with another 600 lane metres, sailing from Esbjerg to Harwich for 16 years.

Then, as Nord Estonia, she came to the Baltic under Swedens Nordstrm and Julin ag, going to Tallinn for the rst time on the rst service between

the Estonian and Swedish capitals. There followed a year chartered to Larvik Lines Thor Heyerdahl between Larvik and Frederikshavn. In 1994 she was bought by Inreko and renamed Vana Tallinn for the Tallinn-Helsinki route.

Interestingly, the vessel belong to one-ship company TH Ferries from 1996 to 1998, when Inreko was in dispute with Tallinks other operators. Eventually, Vana Tallinn was sold to Hansatee, Tallinks sole owners, before its name-change to Tallink Grupp, continuing under the companys wave logo still operating the Hel-Tal route. This century Tallink decided to build its

own eet and, as the new ships came into service, Vana Tallinn was moved to Paldiski-Kapelkskr and Stockholm-Riga.

From April 2009 until Albanian Ferries chartered her in June 2011, the ship had been laid up in Tallinn. After an extensive re t which has given the 39-year-old ship a new lease of life, she was renamed Adriatica Queen, and is now crossing from Dulles to Bari in Italy, taking 1,500 passengers, with the same berths available in nine cabin classes. Cargo capacity is either 250 cars or just 50 plus 32 trailers. The sale leaves the rail ro-ro Seawind (1972) as the oldest unit in Tallinks eet. JP

Icebreaker launchedStreamlined bulker ARCTIC RESCUE VESSELArctech launched the ice-breaking multi-purpose emergency and rescue vessel Baltika for the Russian Federal Agency of Sea and River Transport on 12 December 2013 at Helsinki Shipyard. The vessel is to be operated by FGI Gosmorspassluzhba (Russian Marine Emergency Rescue Service) and will be used in ice-breaking and rescue work in the Gulf of Finland.

The vessel incorporates new types

of innovative technology and features an asymmetric hull, patented oblique design and three 360-degree rotating propulsors, which allow the vessel to operate ef ciently sideways, astern and ahead. In oblique mode the vessel will be able to generate a 50m-wide channel in 0.6m-thick ice. Bow- and stern- rst the vessel can operate in 1m thick ice. The vessel is based on the ARC 100 concept, which has been developed by Aker Arctic Technology.

BULK CARRIERImabari Shipbuilding Co Ltd has completed the 95,000dwt bulk carrier Raga at its Marugame Shipyard. The bulker is unique in that it has adopted a next-generation superstructure called the Aero-Citadel, which, according to the shipyard, offers major bene ts in both air resistance and anti-piracy measures. The Aero-Citadel has a streamlined shape and includes the accommodation quarters, engine room and funnel casing.

This superstructure can reduce the wind pressure during navigation by 25-30 per cent based on wind tunnel testing. The new design also incorporates marine-use LED lighting in the accommodation and engine room lighting systems, reducing the electric power required for lighting. All stairs are placed inside the superstructure as an anti-piracy measure, and the accommodation windows are bulletproof, while water cannons on the upper deck prevent pirate incursions into the accommodation.

The 76.4m by 20.5m Baltika has three main diesel generator sets giving a total propulsion power of 7.5MW.

Vana Tallinn has been sold to Albania and has now left the Baltic. JOHN PAGNI

The bulker Raga measures 234.9m by 38m and ispowered by a single Hitachi-MAN B&W 6S60ME-C (Mark 8) diesel engine.


news

Southampton call for latest megaship NEW CRUISE SHIPNorwegian Getaway, the latest mega cruise ship to be built for Norwegian Cruise Lines, made her debut in January and, after stopovers in Europe, crossed the Atlantic to America ready to begin operations from Miami. The 145,655gt ship was delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line during a ceremony on 10 January in Bremerhaven after she had been completed by Meyer Werft. Norwegian Getaway is the second of two Breakaway class ships built for NCL, the rst, Norwegian Breakaway, being delivered nine months ago.

After leaving the builders yard, the 4,028-passenger ship sailed to Rotterdam for inaugural festivities, which continued when she called at Southampton on 14 January. She undertook a couple of short cruises to

nowhere with travel agents and media on board before departing for her transatlantic cruise to New York on 16 January, taking a leisurely ten days to make the Atlantic crossing.

Upon reaching the United States, Getaway will dock in New York for Super Bowl weekend and become the Bud Light Hotel. And then she will go for her naming on 7 February to Miami, where she will operate year-round starting on 8 February on week-long Eastern Caribbean cruises visiting St Maarten, St Thomas and Nassau.

Like Breakaway, she has distinctive hull artwork. While Breakaways hull was designed by Peter Max, Getaways hull art was commissioned from Miami artist David LEBO Le Batard, whose work features a mermaid, pelicans and colours inspired by the sun and ocean in Miami. She also has a similar power

output to Breakaway of 62,400kW in total, of which 35,000kW is propulsion power giving her a speed of 21.5 knots.

Almost identical in many respects to sistership Norwegian Breakaway, she has been designed so that her interior spaces are outward-looking, with plenty of outdoor spaces; the main public areas face the sea so that guests connect with the water, and know that they are on a ship. NCLs freestyle cruising is intended to give passengers as much choice as possible, and this philosophy has shaped the design of the public areas of Getaway.

Among the signi cant features are the Waterfront, a quarter-mile-long outdoor boardwalk with eight al fresco dining venues and lounges, The Grammy Experience with artefacts chosen by the Grammy Museum at Los Angeles, an Ice Bar and The

ABOVE The Ice Bar on Norwegian Getaway is one of several impressive attractions on the new ship, most of which attract an extra entrance fee.

Norwegian Getaway arriving in Southampton on 14 January. CHRIS BROOKS

Illusionarium, a small purpose-built theatre hosting a special effects magic show. A wide range of cabin options include The Haven by Norwegian, a top-ship, 42-suite exclusive enclave, and studio cabins which offer single occupancy accommodation.

ABOVE Norwegian Getaway leaves the building dock at Meyer Werft in Germany, prior to coming to the UK and going on to Miami for year-round cruising.

The funnel with its climbing wall.


New link with France

IRISH FERRIESA new direct passenger/car ferry service from Dublin to Cherbourg has been launched by Irish Ferries with a rst sailing on 18 January using

chartered ro-pax vessel Epsilon, the former Cartour Epsilon, leaving Ireland on Saturdays at 1530 and returning to Dublin at 1100 each Monday. The new route is being advertised as an economy alternative.

LD LINESLD Lines has extended its sailing programme to introduce a new Ireland-France-Spain connection from Rosslare via Saint-Nazaire to Gijon, served by the recently chartered ro-pax ferry Scintu (2009/26,094gt), now renamed Norman Atlantic. She shares sailings with Visentini-built sister Norman Asturias (2007/26,500gt), which launched a Poole-Santander service back in November.

Poole now has one return sailing each week to Santander with passage

times of 26 hours, and a second from the Dorset port to Gijon taking 25 hours each way. Norman Asturias can carry up to 2,255m of vehicles, with cabin berths for nearly 500.

Christophe Santoni, LDs chief executive, said: We are very pleased with the early response from hauliers to the new Poole-Santander service, which is a key addition to our existing route between France and Spain. The additional services will further expand our Motorway of the Seas Atlantic network providing improved links between the UK, Ireland, Spain and France.

Spanish service increase

FERRYRussell Plummer

FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . .NILSDACKE TT-Line opened a new route between Trelleborg, Sweden and the Polish port of Swinoujscie, on 7 January with the 1995-built Nils Dacke, which carries foot passengers in addition to cars and trucks. In the summer the larger Peter Pan and Nils Holgersson will switch.

ARKFUTURA The 18,469gt DFDS ro-ro, built in 1996 as Dana Futura, and eetmate Britannia Seaways (1999/24,196gt), previously Tor Britannia, are taking part in the ARK-operation transporting chemicals not loaded with ammunition from Syria. Part of the year-long programme to destroy the countrys chemical weapons will see chemical tanks packed into containers for transportation to American vessel Cape Ray, which has been equipped with mobile destruction facilities.

BORESONG P&O Ferries have extended the charter of the 2011-built vessel throughout 2014, together with sisterships Norsky and Norstream, both completed in 1999. All three have spent their entire working lives to date on P&O Ferries North Sea freight routes, including working out of Teesport.

PRINCESST After being linked with Cal-Macs Ullapool-Stornoway vessel Isle of Lewis, new Swedish operator Gotlands Baten looks to have secured the Japan-built Princess T to launch a route from Vasterik to Visby, Gotland in the coming summer. Completed by the Kurushima Dockyard in 1986 with space for more than 900 passengers and 1,000 lane metres for vehicles, she rst sailed as Queen Diamond for Diamond Ferry until being sold to South Korean owners in 2004.

SOLENTRed Funnel is spending 2 million on a complete refurbishment of passenger areas of Southampton-East Cowes car ferry Red Falcon, the work bringing two new lounges with additional toilet and baby-changing facilities, a pet-friendly lounge, a child play zone, a designated quiet zone, plus air conditioning in all passenger lounges.SMC Design and Southampton-based

interior re tters Trimline have been awarded the contract, which aims to increase the number of seats by 55 per cent before Red Falcon returns to service on 4 April.

Originally delivered by Ferguson Shipbuilders from the Clyde in 1994, Red Falcon went to Poland in 2004 to be lengthened to boost capacity to 215 cars on three decks and 895 passengers, similar changes also being carried out on Raptor Class

sisterships Red Eagle and Red Osprey. Work on Red Falcon was due to start in February in the ABP port at Southampton before a move to Portsmouth for annual dry-docking and completion. Although shipbuilding is to cease at Portsmouth Dockyard, BAE systems has signed contracts to continue handling dry dockings of the Red Funnel eet and also all seven of Wightlinks Portsmouth and Lymington-based car ferries.

Delayfor Loch Seaforth LEWIS CROSSING Construction of new vessel Loch Seaforth for the Caledonian MacBrayne service from Ullapool to Stornoway is running a couple of weeks behind schedule after part of the roof of the FSG building hall at Flensburg in Germany was damaged during severe gales in November 2013, which delayed work on a couple of earlier vessels on the proli c FSGproduction line.

Hull sections for the Stornoway vessel, which is due to replace Isle of Lewis (1995/6,753gt) during the coming summer, are ready for assembly, and it has emerged that FSG subcontracted construction of Loch Seaforths three upper decks to a Polish yard in Gdansk for delivery in sections to Flensburg.

Designed to run 24 hours a day, and costing a total of 42 million, Loch Seaforth will carry up to 700 passengers and 143 cars (or 20 commercial vehicles) and is to have an open deck at the stern to permit the carriage of dangerous goods.

Big spend on Red Falcon

Red Falcon is being completely refurbished. NICHOLAS LEACH


Stena Alegra heads south to the Cook Strait

500,000 overhaul MERSEY FERRIESHalf a million pounds has been spent on the winter overhaul of Royal Iris of the Mersey in a bid to extend the working life of the 54-year-old vessel and limit the cost of future maintenance. The work followed dry docking at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead for hull repairs and the application of an improved anti-fouling paint.

Built originally as Mountwood for the Mersey crossing from Birkenheads Seacombe and Woodside piers to Liverpool, she was given the traditional name when extensively re tted in 2000. The blades of Royal Iriss twin propellers have been re-tipped, and the Wrtsil main engines and auxiliaries, which were also tted in 2000, were stripped down for a 24,000 hours service.

Back at Mersey Ferries Duke Street berth in Birkenhead, 110 square metres of Royal Iris of the Merseys hardwood decks were also renewed before a return to the cross-Mersey and river cruise service in January.

NEW ZEALANDRo-pax ferry Stena Alegra was not idle for long after being displaced on Stena Lines cross-Baltic service between Karlskrona, Sweden and Gdynia, Poland by the introduction of the chartered Brittany Ferries vessel Cotentin as Stena Baltica. The 1998-built Stena Alegra, originally Cenargos Dawn Merchant, left for New Zealand at the end of November 2013 and was due to begin a six-month charter to Interisland Line in January.

A vessel was urgently needed to

operate on the Cook Strait service between Wellington and Picton after route regular Aratere (1998/12,596gt) lost a propeller while at sea early in November 2013, not being expected to return to service before the end of the Southern Hemisphere summer season.

Stena Alegras passenger capacity of 350 is little more than half that of Aratere, but the lead ship of Cenargos Racehouse service can handle up to 78 trucks compared to Arateres 28. Stena Alegra was bought by Stena RoRo in May last year after a career starting with Merchant Ferries.

BRITTANY FERRIESFrench operator Brittany Ferries has ordered a 52,500gt liquid natural gas powered ferry to take over its main UK-Northern Spain and France-Ireland services. What is known as the Pegasis project, with construction placed in the hands of the STX France yard in Saint-Nazaire, will result in a 25-knot service speed vessel with a length of

210m and a beam of 31m, and will be able to carry up to 650 cars, with accommodation for 2,400 passengers in 649 cabins.

Costing 270m (25 million), it will enter service in spring 2017 with the 2004-built Pont-Aven, currently Brittany Ferries largest unit at 40,589gt, replacing the Portsmouth-St Malo routes long-serving veteran of the eet, Bretagne (1989/25,015gt).

Brittany Ferries and STX have been studying the feasibility of powering a cruise-ferry by LNG for the past two years. There are also plans to convert Pont-Aven, Mont St Michel (2002/35,592gt) from the Portsmouth-Caen route and Plymouth-based Armorique (2009/24,968gt) to LNG fuel, with Brittany Ferries expecting French state support amounting to 40 per cent of the total costs.

LNG power for new ferry

An impression of the new LNG-powered

Brittany Ferries vessel.

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FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . . FERRIES IN THE NEWS . . .AMORELLA The Viking Line vessel ran aground near Langnas on a December 2013 voyage from Turku to Stockholm after suffering a power failure. None of the 1,945 passengers was injured and, after dry docking at Rauma, Amorella resumed on 22 December 2013.

BERGENSFJORD Fjord Lines new Bergensfjord completed her rst sea trials in December 2013, and she is on track for a debut on 3 June, with the previous holder of the name going for conversion at Lindo, Odense to operate as the day ferry Oslofjord on a new Stromstad-Sandefjord route from early May. Completed as Bergen in 1993, she sailed for DFDS on the Harwich-Cuxhaven route as Duchess of Scandinavia from April 2003 until closure of the service in November 2005.

PLYCA Following trials with Plyca (2009), Transfennica are to t the same exhaust scrubbers to ve more ships from a 2,800-lane-metre series built in Poland. Alfa Laval equipment goes into Timca (2006), Kraftca (2006, pictured), Genca (2007), Trica (2007) and Pulpca (2008).

QUEENMARY Efforts continue to return the former turbine steamer, now lying at Tilbury, to the Clyde, where she operated on excursions from 1933 to 1977. The Friends of TS Queen Mary have been fund-raising and doing groundwork in Glasgow with the aim of establishing the vessel as a tourist attraction. They have support from Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, where the ship was built by Denny, and it is hoped a ve-day tow north might take place during April.

ABOVE Stena Alegra has been chartered for service in New Zealand.


New role for Melody Sahara INdIa The smallest unit in the MSC Cruises fleet, Melody (1982/35,143gt), has been sold after spending almost a year laid up. Her new owner is Sahara India Pariwar, a multinational group involved in finance, leisure, hotels, construction, property and industrial activities. This appears to be first ship to be owned by the company, but it seems unlikely

that her future is destined to be in the Indian cruise market, as the corporate structure lends itself more towards Melody, now renamed Qing, being used in an accommodation role, either for workers or as a hotel. Sahara India Pariwar has controlling interests in New Yorks Plaza Hotel and the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Melody was built as Atlantic, the second new ship for Home Lines, at La

Seyne in France. Her time with Home Lines was quite short, as that company was acquired by Holland America Line in 1988 and Atlantic was not required.

She went to Premier Cruise Line, becoming Starship Atlantic, and was later sold, in 1997, to MSC Cruises, becoming the largest unit in that companys small fleet. But she was an oddity in a growing fleet of large ships, and never got the MSC prefix added.

MSC CrUISES The four smallest and oldest units in the fleet of MSC Cruises will be lengthened by 24m between August 2014 and November 2015 by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, adding 59 crew cabins and 193 passenger cabins and increasing the maximum passenger capacity by almost 600.

MSC Armonia, Lirica, Opera and Sinfonia each have a gross tonnage of around 59,000, but the additional accommodation will increase this to around 65,000. MSC Armonia and Sinfonia came to the fleet through the demise of Festival Cruises in 2004,

while MSC Lirica and Opera were built for the company to a very similar design. All were built at the St Nazaire shipyard of what was then Chantiers de lAtlantique.

The lengthening will also provide additional restaurant space and other leisure facilities, with MSC Armonia being the first ship to be extended, this taking place between August and November 2014. MSC Sinfonia, Lirica and Opera will follow during 2015. MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia date from 2001 and 2002 respectively, while MSC Lirica and MSC Opera were delivered in 2003 and 2004. The other eight ships in the fleet are newer and larger.

Lengthening back in fashion

abovE MSC Armonia will be the first of four MSC ships to be lengthened. W. MAYeS

Melody has been sold for further service. brIEF NEWS

P&OCruises Azuras October 2014 dry-docking has been postponed until early 2015, and three new cruises have been inserted into her schedule.

rOyalCaribbean The keel (the 620-tonne first block) of RCIs Quantum of the Seas was laid at the Meyer yard in Papenburg on 19 November 2013.

MsC While manoeuvring in strong winds in Piraeus on 19 November 2013, MSC Magnifica came into contact with a mooring light, causing minor damage.

Carnival Carnival Sunshine was christened by Lin Arison, widow of Carnival founder Ted Arison, in New Orleans on 17 November 2013. This is the second time Mrs Arison has named this ship, as she was the godmother in 1996, when the vessel first entered service as Carnival Destiny.

Saga CrUISESWhen Saga Ruby (1973/24,492gt) returned to Southampton from her final cruise on 9 January two days late due to bad weather, she was expected to be taken by her Saga crew to Gibraltar, either to be laid up or to be handed over to her new owners, if the deal had been completed.

Although details are still sketchy, Saga announced the sale of the ship to Asian interests for conversion into a hotel in late November 2013, just before Saga Ruby sailed on her last voyage for the company. Unfortunately, that last cruise did

not go quite according to plan, as a generator problem, discovered while the ship was at Tenerife on her way to the Caribbean for Christmas, forced a radical change of plan.

Without that generator it was not possible to run the ships air conditioning at full power, so instead of the Caribbean, her passengers were offered the Mediterranean, as it would have taken too long to get parts made to repair the generator. Saga offered a generous 40 per cent refund to those passengers who wanted to stay with the ship, and it appears that only a very small number chose the option of returning home with a full refund.

End of an era for Saga ruby

CrUISEWilliam Mayes

abovE January saw the withdrawal of Saga Ruby, a truly classic ship. WILLIAM MAYeS


LOUIS CRUISESForty-two years is not a bad age for a cruise ship, especially one built at a time when the economical expected life for such a ship was around 25-30 years. So perhaps it is not surprising that Louis Cruise Lines Louis Rhea (1971/14,194gt) has nally succumbed

to the breakers torches after a year when she has not been used.

Few will recognise this ship under that name, but working backwards she was Louis Cruises Coral, and before that Royal Olympic Cruises Triton (although she rst took that name when acquired by Epirotiki in 1991). From 1977 to 1991 she was Norwegian

Caribbean Cruise Lines Sunward II, but when built by the Rotterdam Drydock Co in 1971 she was Cunard Lines rst modern cruise ship, Cunard Adventurer. She survived her sister, Cunard Ambassador, in passenger service by almost 40 years, as that ship was seriously damaged by re in 1974. Cunard Adventurers single tall

QE2-style funnel was replaced in 1977 by the twin sloping funnels that were a trademark of the NCCL eet.

Louis had just changed the ships name from Coral and had published itineraries for 2014, but these have now been abandoned and the ship sold to Indian breakers. For her delivery voyage to Alang she was renamed Cora.

Coral, built as Cunard Adventurer, has recently been sold for breaking.

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ABOVE The 1982-built Kristina Katarina in Las Palmas following the suspension of operations.WILLIAM MAYES

Closed for restructuring KRISTINA CRUISESAt the beginning of December 2013 the small Finnish cruise operator Kristina Cruises suspended operation of its ocean cruise programme in order to allow a restructuring of its debts. At the time, the companys single ship, Kristina Katarina (1982/12,907gt), was operating one-week cruises in the Canary Islands and, when the operation stopped, the ship was in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.

The company had been known to be in nancial dif culties since it replaced the 250-passenger Kristina

Regina with the 450-passenger Kristina Katarina in 2010, and had dif culty lling the extra capacity. The companys 2014 ocean cruise programme, starting in March, has been published, and the company is con dent that it will be able to operate as planned. The veteran former Hurtigruten ship Nordstjernan ran aground close to Haugesund while en route to Bergen on 12 November 2013, causing some hull damage. She was towed to Haugesund, but the following day made her own way to a shipyard at Olen, to be dry-docked.

First modern Cunard cruise ship goes for breaking

ASIA STAR MARITIME Formosa Queen (1970/22,945gt), Asia Star Maritimes only venture into shipowning, has been sold for scrap, possibly without ever operating for her nal owner. She was built by Wrtsil at Helsinki as Song of Norway, and, after just eight years service, was returned to the same yard to have an 85ft mid-section added.

The last years of her career were somewhat chequered after leaving the Royal Caribbean eet in 1997. After 27 years in the Caribbean, she was purchased by Britains Airtours (My Travel Group, later styled as Sun Cruises) and renamed Sundream, as that company started to focus on

cruising. Airtours withdrew from the cruise market in 2004 and Sundream was sold to Tumaco Navigation of Greece, renamed Dream Princess and chartered to Israels Caspi Cruises. Her name was later shortened to Dream for an operation between Karachi and Dubai that lasted for a single voyage.

She then went back to Caspi Cruises, before being acquired by Clipper Group and renamed Clipper Pearl. She was chartered to the Peaceboat Organisation, but that was terminated early. Then, as Ocean Pearl, she operated for Happy Cruises and was a well-maintained ship. When Happy Cruises went bust, Ocean Pearl was laid up in Tilbury until sold to Asia Star Maritime to become Formosa Queen.

First RCI ship scrapped

Ocean Pearl has been broken up in China. WILLIAM MAYES


US NAVYThere were starkly different launch methods as the US Navys latest Littoral Combat Ships took to the water. The Independence class, Jackson (LCS 6), was sedately transferred from land to sea through a multi-step procedure

from a new assembly hall at Austal USAs Mobile facility on 14 December.

The 127m trimaran was lifted via self-propelled modular transporters to a deck barge and towed to the Southeast Shipyard of BAE Systems, where she was lowered into deeper water via a oating dry-dock. Austal

is currently working on four other vessels, Coronado, Montgomery, Omaha and Gabrielle Gifford, as part of a US$3.5 billion 10-ship order.

Four days later, Milwaukee (LCS5), the third Freedom class, was launched in more dynamic fashion into the nearly frozen Menominee River. The narrow

waterway requires ships built at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine (MMC)shipyard to be slipped in sideways. Other ships in the class, Detroit, Little Rock and Sioux City, are in various stages of construction at MMC, with Wichita and Billings at early stages of material procurement.

The future USS Milwaukee makes a dramatic entrance

LOCKHEED MARTINSplash and ripple

From Flanders Fields WORLD WAR I Soil gathered from 70 World War I battle elds arrived in London in November 2013 ahead of events to mark the centenary of the start of the con ict. The process of bringing the sacred soil to the UK began on Armistice Day last year with a ceremony at the Menin Gate, attended by the Duke of Edinburgh. It was collected in sandbags by more than 1,000 British and Belgian

schoolchildren and brought to the capital by BNS Louise-Marie.

After transfer to HMS Belfast, moored in the Pool of London, the bags were loaded onto a Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery gun carriage and escorted by the Household Cavalry from the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, and mounted of cers from the Metropolitan Police, to Wellington Barracks. The soil will be placed into the ground at the Flanders Fields Memorial Garden.

Designed to endure

NEW FRIGATE The rst of a new type of frigate developed for the German Navy was of cially named Baden-Wrttemberg (F222) during a ceremony at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Hamburg shipyard on 12 December.

The Type 125 class is designed to be able to deploy to an area of operation for up to two years at a time, spending 208 days a year at sea without requiring base support or dockyard

maintenance. For such operations, a dual-crew system will operate, with technological innovations and a high level of automation allowing safe operation of the ships with a complement of just 120.

Four Type 125s, costing 650 million apiece, will replace the remaining ve Type 122s from around 2016/17. The exact schedule is uncertain due to a manufacturing issue that has required costly remedial work to previously completed parts of the hull.

With a displacement of around 7,100 tonnes, the Type 125 will become the largest frigates in any navy.

ABOVE: The Belgian frigate Louise-Marie alongside HMS Belfast. BILL SCOTT

NAVAL Gary Davies


ROYAL NAVYThe Secretary of State for Defence has announced the award of additional multi-million pound contracts in the UK and US for further development work and long-lead production of the UKs future nuclear deterrent. The latest investment is part of a ve-year assessment phase for the detailed design of a submarine which will

replacethe current Vanguard class from 2028 onwards.

The rst artist concept of how the so-called Successor class may look has been revealed, showing a heavily-raked, centrally-positioned sail and X-stern rudder con guration. What is certain is that the new submarines will be larger than the Vanguards, feature a new PWR3 nuclear reactor and carry fewer Trident II D5 ballistic

missiles and warheads. These are to be housed in quad-pack common missile compartments being jointly developed with the US Navy as part of their Ohio class Replacement Program. The Successor programme will become the most complex project ever undertaken by British industry and also one of the most expensive, with cost estimates of 11-14 billion for the platforms alone.

The path to Successor

Chemical brothers JOINT OPERATIONSAn unlikely international naval alliance is preparing to dispose of the Syrian governments stockpile of chemical weapons under a diplomatic deal brokered by Russia and the United States. Warships from Russia and China have been despatched to escort two Danish and Norwegian cargo ships from the Syrian port of Latakia to Mediterranean waters close to Italy, where about 700 tonnes of chemical agents that include dangerous elements used for mustard gas and the nerve agent sarin are to be shipped for disposal.

The deadly cargo will be neutralised on board MV Cape Ray, a US Navy-owned ro-ro ship mobilised from the Ready Reserve Force eet. The operation to make the agents safe using two portable hydrolysis systems is expected to take two to three months, depending on sea conditions.

NUSHIP Canberra began first of class sea trials in January 2014. ANDREW MACKINNON

RANThe Royal Australian Navys A$3 billion Landing Helicopter Dock project has passed signi cant milestones, with both ships at sea as the new year began. NUSHIP Canberra embarked on rst-of-class sea trials in January as the hull of the second continued on its way to Australia, as cargo, after completion in Spain.

Canberra had earlier conducted successful initial harbour acceptance trials at the Port of Melbournes Webb Dock, where various types of

Army vehicles, including an Abrams main battle tank and an armoured personnel carrier, were driven onto the ship via integral side ramp, manoeuvred around her two garage decks and disembarked down the steel beach and out through the well dock. Canberra is due for delivery in May.

The future HMAS Adelaide was loaded onto the semi-submersible Blue Marlin at Vigo for transit to Australia in mid-December 2013, and is to arrive at BAE Systems Williamstown shipyard in Victoria in February.

Aussie carriers at sea

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news BRIEF NEWSITALIANNAVY The Marina Militare has received its second FREMM multi-mission frigate from the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia. The delivery of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) con gured Virginio Fasan vessel is part of an order for eight vessels, in two versions, to replace ageing Lupo and Maestrale class ships by 2021. An option for two more has yet to be exercised. Carlo Margottini, the second ASW variant, is due to be delivered early in 2014. TURKISHNAVY The government has selected a Spanish design to meet its requirement for a large amphibious ship to enhance the navys modest amphibious capability. The winning bid from a 2010 request for proposals is based on the Armada Espaolas Juan Carlos I class strategic projection ship. Subject to contract negotiations, the LHD will be built by Istanbul-based Sedef Gemi Insaati in partnership with Navantia. Two similar ships are under construction for the RAN.

BANGLADESHINAVY Long-held aspirations for a three-dimensional navy have moved a step closer with reports that a US$200 million deal for submarines has been agreed with China. Subject to nal approval, the navy will get a pair of Type 035G Ming-class diesel-electric submarines in 2019. The type is a development of the Soviet Romeo class of the 1950s. Crew training is already under way, along with plans for a new base on Kutubdia Island.

ROYALDANISHNAVY Denmark has ordered an additional Knud Rasmussen class arctic patrol ship to carry out sovereignty enforcement and shery protection patrols around Greenland, the security of which is a Danish responsibility. The 72m ice-strengthened ship will differ from two sisterships by having improved support for marine environmental research missions and a hydrographic multi-beam survey sonar. The as yet unnamed OPV will enter service in 2017.

The first released image of the Successor class is unlikely to resemble the final design. BAE SYSTEMS


Fire and collision off Busan ChemiCal Tanker The Hong Kong-registered chemical tanker Maritime Maisie suffered a catastrophic fire after a collision in waters off Busan, South Korea. On 29 December 2013, at around 0215 South Korean time, approximately 9.2 nautical miles from Busan, the 2003-built Maritime Maisie collided with the car carrier Gravity Highway, which was on sea trials from Hyundais Mipo Shipyard.

According to South Koreas Yonhap news agency, the collision caused an immediate fire on board the tanker. The South Korean authorities deployed 16 coastguard boats and a number

of navy vessels and helicopters to the scene for rescue. A total of 91 personnel 27 crew members from the tanker and 64 from the car carrier were rescued by the coastguard, with some sustaining light burns, but nobody was seriously injured.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control at about 1000 local time. The 44,404dwy Maritime Maisie, which was en route from Busan to Ningbo, was fully laden with 29,337 tonnes of flammable chemicals when the collision occurred; officials report that 4,000 tonnes of Paraxylene and Acrylonitrile were lost in the blaze, but no spill has been detected. AM

ChemiCal Tanker Stolt Tankers has chosen to buy the complete main propulsion systems for six new chemical tankers it is having built by Chinas Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group from Finlands Wrtsil. The packages will consist of Wrtsil RT-flex50 two-stroke main engines along with controllable pitch propellers, tunnel gearboxes and shaft generators.

The combination of a two-stroke engine and shaft generator requires optimal coordination between the

engine and propulsion controls, which is facilitated by having all systems supplied and delivered from the same source. Each of the 38,000dwt tankers will measure 185m by 32.26m and will have 43 stainless steel tanks with a total volume of 44,000m3.

They will also have IMO I, II and III capabilities and will be able to handle the full range of difficult-to-handle liquid cargoes that Stolt specialises in. The first of the ships is expected to be delivered in December 2015, with the others following through 2016. JS

The 1998-built Stolt Capability is to be followed by a new generation of highly efficient chemical carriers

being built in China. STOlT TANKERS

CarGO

COnTainer ships Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the worlds second largest shipping line, has taken delivery of two new post-Panamax vessels. The 9,403TEU MSC Asov is the first of three wide-beam vessels ordered in September 2010 by Germanys Schulte Group from the Jiangnan Shipyard Co ltd, at Shanghais Changxing Island, backed by a long-term charter to MSC.

MSC Asov and her sisters MSC Ajaccio and MSC Amalfi have the split superstructure known as a twin-island design. They measure 299m by 48.2m (19 containers wide) and have a 111,000dwt. The vessels have a reefer capacity of 1,000 containers and are to be deployed on MSCs Far East-SAF-ECSA Ipanema service.

MSC Adelaide is the last in a series of six wide-beam vessels ordered from South Koreas Sungdong Shipyard, two

by the Greek owner Costamare and four by Zodiac Maritime, all backed by long-term charter to MSC.

MSC Adelaide and her sisters MSC Athens, MSC Athos, MSC Abidjan, MSC Agrigento and MSC Alghero are of the standard single-island design and have an 8,800TEU capacity with an overall length of 300m and deadweight of 110,875. These ships form part of a large order by MSC for ships of between 8,700 and 9,500TEU. AM

Colliers last voyage Uk BUilT COllierOn 19 December 2013 the 2,535dwt Shoreham (pictured), which had been under arrest for almost a year in the Spanish port of Santander, made a short voyage to the scrapyard in the same port, and four Russian sailors that were still on board were flown home the following day. The vessel was operated by Independent Shipping ltd, part of the Dudman Group.

Shoreham had arrived under the Cook Islands flag at Santander almost a year earlier, on 13 January 2013, to load cement and clinker on a normal voyage, but along with other vessels operated by the group was detained under arrest. She has now been sold for scrap to help pay off company debts. The vessel was built at Goole as the collier Ballygarvey in 1992 for the collier fleet of John Kelly of Belfast. RC

newbuilds delivered to msC

aBOVe: Firefighters attend to the chemical tanker Maritime Maisie, which suffered a major fire following a collision off South Korea.

Wrtsil drive for newbuild


Cold arrival on Great Lakes

Unusual trip to Aberdeen

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newsRMS Riga goes to Riga COASTERThe small 1,380dwt coaster RMS Riga, built by J.J. Sietas at Hamburg in 1984 as Kirsten, went to the breakers last year, sailing to Riga for eventual scrapping. In recent years she had been a regular visitor to Goole on the weekly RMS Line service running to Steurzelberg on the Rhine in Germany. She carried loads of empty drinks cans to be recycled.

In her earlier career she was well known in Cornish ports when named Tudor from 1988 to 2002. Along with her sisterships Pandor and Eldor, she was speci cally tted to carry china clay slurry from the Cornish ports. In 2002 she was renamed RMS Homburg and started trading on the service to Goole, being renamed RMS Riga in 2006 when owned by Riga Shipping of Latvia but chartered to RMS. RC

GREAT LAKERAlgoma Central Corporations newest ship, and the rst of her class, the 39,400dwt Algoma Equinox, arrived on the Great Lakes in early December 2013 to load iron ore at Superior, Wisconsin for discharge at Quebec City, Canada.

The gearless bulker is the rst in a series of eight Equinox class vessels being built for Algoma by the Nantong Mingde shipyard, with

delivery of the remaining seven to occur at approximately three-month intervals into 2015. The series consists of four gearless and four self-unloading ships, with Algoma to own six of the vessels, while the Canadian Wheat Board will own two, the latter to be operated and managed by Algoma.

The new ships have been designed to optimise fuel ef ciency and operating performance, with a 45 per cent improvement in energy

ef ciency expected over Algomas existing eet. The substantial advancement comes from the use of a Tier II-compliant main engine and improved hull form, together with an increased cargo capacity.

To meet new environmental regulations, the Canadian bulkers are being tted with fully integrated IMO-approved exhaust gas scrubbers, marking the rst application of such scrubbers on a Great Lakes-St. Lawrence class vessel. JS

The gearless bulk carrier Algoma Equinox enters the Port of Duluth-Superior on the Great Lakes following a 61-day, 14,700-nautical mile

delivery voyage from the Nantong Mingde Heavy Industries shipyard in Nantong, China. PORT OF DULUTH-SUPERIOR

Green Dolphin design BULK CARRIERClassi cation society DNV GL and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) have introduced a new Eco design for a handymax bulker as a follow-up to their Green Dolphin 38 handysize design, of which about 80 have been ordered.

The new Green Dolphin 575 design uses technologies that are already

available for commercial use to bring better fuel and energy ef ciency while providing a robust hull and operational exibility. The 190m Green Dolphin 575 will be available in single-hull standard or double-hull (open hatch) con gurations and will feature ve cargo holds. The core design would be powered by an ef cient Tier II long-stroke, low-speed main engine. JS

ABOVE RMS Riga, which has now been scrapped, approaching Goole on one of her regular weekly trips to the port.

GENERAL CARGOIn November 2013 the general cargo vessel SCL Akwaba, which has 138 reefer plugs, paid a rare visit to the Scottish port of Aberdeen. The 11,800dwt vessel, built in China in 2008 and ying the ag of Switzerland, arrived from South Korea. She is normally operated on Nirint Shippings

service from Asia to the Caribbean and Canada, and was only renamed from Safmarine Akwaba in June 2013.

On leaving the Scottish port she sailed to Bergen and Rotterdam before returning to Singapore and service to the Caribbean and Canada via Panama. SCL Akwaba is still operated by Enzean Ship Management of Zurich, who operated her as Safmarine Akwaba. RC

ABOVE The multi-purpose container vessel SCL Akwaba arrives at Aberdeen on 17 November 2013. This was a rare appearance for the Swiss-registered vessel, as she normally serves the Asia to Caribbean and Canada service via Panama. DAVID DODDS

The new Green Dolphin design for the handymax

sector. DNV GL


system, which comprises one AGA Cryo LNG storage tank and two cold-boxes. The fuel system is designed for weekly bunkering to be carried out by the crew.

Borgoy and Bokn measure 35m by 15m, with a draft of 5.5m.They are escort tugs built to an advanced design, with a static bollard pull of 70 tonnes and a free running speed of 13.5 knots. Working in the escort mode, steering

forces of 100 tonnes can be generated at ten knots. Electrical power aboard these unique vessels is supplied by a pair of Nordhavn auxiliary generators, powered by Scania diesel engines, rated at 300kVA, 240kW, 400volts 50Hz.

A hydraulic system serving the towing winch, bow thruster and deck crane is powered by pumps driven by the main engines. Also driven by the

main engines are two Jason fire pumps supplying the fire fighting system. The tugs are equipped with a towing winch on the foredeck designed for escort work and capable of precise control.

Accommodation is provided for up to six persons in two single and two double berth cabins, with a mess room and galley. Care has been taken to reduce sound levels throughout.

Worlds first LNG tug takes to the waterBorgoy and sistership Bokn

are the worlds first tugs to be powered by environmentally friendly Liquid Natural Gas.

ASD tuGTSM Brehat, a new 20.35m ASD tug built for Thomas Services Maritimes in Rouen to a design by MacDuff Ship Design, has been delivered by the Padmos Shipyard at Stellendam in the Netherlands. Sister to TSM Albatre delivered in 2013, the compact multi-purpose tug is powered by two Mitsubishi S12R MPTAW-2 engines generating a total of 2,575bhp coupled to Rolls Royce US155FP propulsion units for a bollard pull of 32 tonnes.

MacDuff design

EMErGENcy toWiNGBritains last two Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) have been sold by J. P. Knight (Caledonian) Ltd of Invergordon to Resolve Pioneer LLC, part of the Resolve Marine Group in the USA. Both vessels were part of the five-tug fleet taken over from Klyne Tugs (Lowestoft) Ltd in 2007. Funding for the ETVs operated on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) was withdrawn in 2012, and the vessels

employed have been sold off. The purpose-built Anglian Monarch,

a 58m tug with a bollard pull of 152 tonnes, was completed in 1999 by Matsura Tekko in Japan for Klyne Tugs, and was sold to Resolve in August 2013, being renamed Resolve Monarch. In November 2013 Anglian Earl was also sold to Resolve and dry-docked in Rotterdam before leaving European waters. Anglian Earl was formerly Maersk Logger, built in the Netherlands in 1987 with MAK diesels.

Last EtVs sold by Knight

LNG FuELLED tuGSIn October 2013 the Sanmar shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey completed the first of two shiphandling/escort tugs for the Norwegian tug owners Bukser og Bergings AS (B&B). Named Borgoy and Bokn, they are the worlds first tugs to be fuelled by Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and will be operated at the Krst gas terminal in Norway, under contract to Statoil.

The tugs were designed by B&B with the assistance of Marine Design AS in Norway and built by Sanmar. Two Rolls-Royce Bergen C26:33L6PG, spark ignition, lean-burn engines fuelled entirely by LNG, develop a combined output of 3,410kW (approximately 4,574bhp) at 1,000rpm. Using environmentally friendly LNG eliminates sulphur emissions, brings particulate matter close to zero and reduces the discharge of CO2 and NOx by 26 and 80-90 per cent respectively.

The main engines are coupled to Rolls Royce US35 fully azimuthing propulsion units of the latest type. The Bergen gas-fuelled engines can operate on low load without any restriction, have a very quick and step-less ramp-up time from 0 to 100 per cent load, and are easy to service.

The LNG system was designed by AGA Cryo and integrated with the Rolls-Royce propulsion system. Rolls Royce Acon control and monitoring equipment is installed for the gas fuel

First of a compact kind PoWErFuL & coMPAct Bulani, the first of a new compact ASD tug built by Sanmar in Turkey, has been completed for P&O Maritime for use in the port of Maputo in Mozambique. Designated the RAmparts 2400-PO60, the tug is a shallow draft broad beam vessel of 25.2m with a bollard pull of 60 tonnes, powered by Caterpillar 3512C main engines driving US 205FP Rolls-Royce propulsion units. With a speed of 12 knots, the new tug is intended for in-harbour operations and is configured as a day boat.

AboVE TSM Brehat and sister TSM Albatre were designed by MacDuff Ship Design in Scotland.

Pictured on duty as an ETV in Dover, Anglian Earl has been sold to the Resolve

Group in the USA.

AboVE Sanmar Shipyard in Turkey have completed Bulani, first of a new design.

tuGS Jack Gaston


More new tugs for Multraship

ASD FIRE FIGHTERSDutch towage and salvage specialist Multraship Towage & Salvage BV of Terneuzen have taken delivery of the new tugs Multratug 26 and Multratug 27 as part of their eet replacement programme. The vessels are Damen ASD 2810 tugs ordered in April 2013 from stock at Damen Shipyard in

Galati, Romania and handed over in July. The virtually identical Damen standard vessels are 28.67m by 10.43m with a draft (aft) of 4.80m, equipped to the owners speci cations, including FiFi1 re- ghting systems.

A pair of Caterpillar 3516C TA HD/C main engines are rated at 3,730kW each at 1,600rpm (total 5,000bhp) to drive Rolls Royce US 205 azimuthing

propulsion units incorporating xed pitch propellers of 2,400mm diameter. During trials the tugs achieved a bollard pull of 60 tonnes ahead and 55 tonnes pulling astern, and a free running speed in either direction of 13.4 knots. Electrical power is supplied by two Caterpillar auxiliary generators. Hydraulic power is provided by pumps driven by the main engines.

DOUBLE-ENDER Construction has started on the rst example of the unique Ef cient Double-ended Dynamic (EDDY) tug at Holland Shipyards BV at Hardinxveld-Giessendam in the Netherlands. The EDDY concept, rst conceived in 2008 by consultants Baldo Dielen Associates, is a highly ef cient double-ended vessel with a fully azimuthing propulsion unit at each end.

Designated the EDDY 30-65, the rst vessel will measure 30m by

13.46m, with an operational draft of 4.75m. It will meet Bureau Veritas class notations BV 1+HULL+ MACH, Escort Tug, AUT-UMS Unrestricted Navigation. A bollard pull of 65 tonnes is expected with a top speed of 14 knots.

The propulsion system will be diesel-electric, hybrid, with two Mitsubishi S16R diesel main engines coupled directly to a pair of Schottel SRP 3000 propulsion units. Each SRP 3000 will have a 460kW electric motor coupled to the opposite end of the power input shaft.

The rst EDDY tug in build

Capsized and sunk ANCHOR HANDLERThe anchor-handling tug Gudri capsized and sank in bad weather in the Bonny River estuary in Nigeria on 5 November 2013. The tug was monitoring an LNG carrier aground in the estuary at the time. The tug crew and some local of cials on board were rescued unhurt, and the vessel was last reported as lying on its side partially submerged.

Gudri (pictured) is the former Typhoon, well known to many in the deepsea towage and offshore industries. Built in 1976 for Wijsmuller, the 50m twin-screw anchor-handler was powered by Werkspoor diesels developing a total of 9,200bhp, for a bollard pull of 116 tonnes. The tug became Smitwijs Typhoon in 1999 and was sold to Jampur in Dubai 2012.

ABOVE The prototype of an entirely new tug, EDDY Tug, is under construction at Holland Shipyards in the Netherlands.

The choice of propulsion system offers considerable exibility, enabling

the EDDY to sail in hybrid transit mode using one or two generators and the electric motors at speeds of up to nine knots.

Multratug 26 and 27 are equipped for

fire-fighting and were ordered as

part of Multraships fleet replacement and modernisation

programme.

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news

ABOVE: SMS Towage are offering a new shiphandling service in the port of Belfast with the tugs Irishman and Masterman. ALAN GEDDES

SMS opens in Belfast HARBOUR TOWAGESMS Towage Limited started a new harbour towage service in Belfast on 1 October 2013 with two modern and highly-manoeuvrable tugs in competition with the established towage provider Svitzer.

The independent Northern Irish company is trading under the well-established brand of SMS Towage, which operates on the river Humber

and at South Wales ports. The vessels deployed in Belfast are the ASD tugs Irishman and Masterman. Irishman is an established member of the SMS eet and was built in Japan.

Masterman is an agile and powerful ASD tug originally built by Sanmar in Turkey to their Ulupinar design in 2009 for the German owner H Schramm & Sohn as the Max. The 24.39m tug is powered by two Caterpillar 3512 diesels.


In the late 1930s the Royal Navy underwent considerable expansion and modernisation as the prospect of hostilities with Germany increased. Between 1936 and 1939 five battleships of the King George V class and six fleet aircraft carriers of the Illustrious class were ordered. These 11 ships were to

provide the nucleus of the British battle fleet in World War II, supplemented by various largely elderly earlier battleships and carriers. The six carriers were completed in three different groups as the design evolved. Four were completed in 1940-41 and were constantly in the thick of action during the war, while the other two were not completed until 1944.The most modern carrier in

the pre-war fleet was Ark Royal, completed in 1938 and capable of carrying 72 aircraft, which were stowed in two hangars, one above the other. While she had 4.5-inch side armour and armoured protection over her main machinery and boilers, magazines and aviation fuel

Paul Brown profiles the Illustrious class, the Royal Navys most potent aircraft carriers of World War II.

In the thick of action tanks, she lacked fully armoured decks, making her vulnerable to shore-based bomber aircraft. It was decided to address this

shortcoming in the new class by fitting three-inch-thick armour to the flight deck over the hangar and to the hangar deck itself, with 4.5-inch side armour and hangar end bulkheads, thus creating an armoured box around the hangars. Supporting the 1,500-ton

weight of each of the armoured decks was a major design challenge, and 6ft-deep deck beams were provided. Because of this there was height for only one hangar (of 16ft height) and the number of aircraft that could be stowed was halved when compared with Ark Royal. The three-inch deck armour was designed to withstand 500lb bombs. The first three ships Illustrious, Victorious and Formidable were completed to this design.The reduced aircraft capacity

was a cause for concern, and the design of the fourth ship, Indomitable, was modified to include a 16ft-high lower half-hangar, increasing the

Above Formidable after being struck by a Japanese suicide (Kamikaze) plane while off the Sakishima Islands, where she was operating in support of the Okinawa landings in May 1945. Fire-fighters are spraying foam onto the burning wreckage of the aircraft, and the island structure of the carrier has been badly scorched.

Above The launch of Indefatigable on 8 December 1942 at Clydebank. Her completion was delayed by periods of suspension, as the construction of escorts was given priority.

HMS Victorious with Sea Fury aircraft on deck, in a post-war view taken before 1950. Her early post-war service included trooping duties bringing servicemen back from the Far East, and a period in the Training Squadron.


AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

aircraft capacity from 36 to 48, and the upper hangar height was reduced from 16ft to 14ft. The hangar side armour was reduced from 4.5-inch to 1.5-inch, and the hangar end bulkheads from 4.5-inch to 2.5-inch, a major sacrifice in protection. The design of the last

two ships, Implacable and Indefatigable, was further modified with an enlarged lower hangar, increasing the number of aircraft to 60, but both hangars were of 14ft height, which was to limit the types of aircraft that could be stowed.

Illustrious had a full load displacement of 28,600 tons and was powered by three Parsons single reduction geared turbines, producing 110,000shp and giving a speed of 30.5 knots. She was armed with 16 4.5-inch dual-purpose guns in twin mountings, 48 two-pdr anti-aircraft guns and eight 20mm AA guns. During the war the anti-aircraft armament was increased by the addition of 44 more 20mm and three 40mm guns. The combination of a

permanent deck park and outriggers allowed the first group of ships to increase their aircraft capacity to 52, while the capacity of Indomitable was increased to 56. The wartime complement of Illustrious was 1,997, including the air wing.

ABOVE Formidable at sea during the war, with Swordfish biplanes on deck, some with their wings folded. The opening for the forward deck lift, which carries aircraft between the flight deck and hangar, can be clearly seen.

ABOVE A post war view of Illustrious at speed. Her post-war service was mainly limited to trials and training, and periods in reserve, before she was sold in 1956 for breaking up at Faslane.

War theatresThe ships gave extensive war service, being at the centre of many naval operations in the major war theatres of the Atlantic, Arctic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Far East. Illustrious was completed in May 1940 and was deployed to the Mediterranean, providing distant cover for convoys and leading the successful attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto on 11-12 November 1940.

Two strikes by her Swordfish torpedo bombers crippled three Italian battleships for the loss of just two aircraft, in what was the Fleet Air Arms most convincing victory to date. On 5 January 1941

Illustrious herself sustained major damage and many casualties during an attack by Ju 87 dive bombers 60 miles west of Malta. Two bombs exploded in the lowered deck lift, wreaking havoc in the aft

section of the hangar. Another bomb plunged straight through the armoured deck and caused further devastation in the hangar. While temporary repairs were being carried out at Malta, the ship was hit by two more bombs. She was sent to the US Navy yard at Norfolk, Virginia, for permanent repairs, but during the return passage to the UK in December 1941, accompanied by Formidable in very heavy seas and poor


visibility, she ploughed into the stern of her sistership and had to be docked at Liverpool for repairs (while Formidable was repaired at Belfast). In 1942 she was in the

Eastern fleet, and covered the assault on Madagascar, while 1943 was spent in the Home Fleet, including offensive action on the Norwegian coast, and in the Mediterranean, where she supported the Salerno landings. During 1944 and 1945 Illustrious was in the East Indies and the Pacific and launched air strikes against Japanese forces and airfields.

Victorious was completed in May 1941 and joined the Home Fleet. In May she joined the group hunting for Bismarck and, even though they had not yet worked up, her Swordfish aircraft launched a torpedo strike on the German battleship, but the one hit did little damage. She subsequently launched air strikes against targets in Norway and provided cover for Arctic convoys. In 1942 she was deployed to

the Mediterranean, providing cover for Malta convoys and the North Africa landings. In November, as she was returning to the UK, her aircraft attacked U517 with depth charges, causing heavy damage, which led the submarines crew to scuttle their boat.In 1943 Victorious was

detached to the Pacific to join a US Navy task force supporting

landings of US forces. In 1944 she rejoined the Home Fleet and on 3 April her Barracuda bombers attacked Tirpitz in northern Norway, damaging the German battleship, though three aircraft were lost. In July 1944 she joined the Eastern fleet at Colombo and for the next 12 months was engaged in numerous operations against

ABOVE Victorious, after her major modernisation, leaving Portsmouth. Her angled flight deck is clearly shown, as is the Type 984 radar scanner atop the island superst

ships monthly - march 2014 uk

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