Cunard’s Queen Victoria Lost Anchor In Storm
News of the loss of the anchor and chain from Queen Victoria off Devon has just come to light.
The incident happened in a storm last October to the 90,000 gross tonnage passenger ship.
Queen Victoria lost anchor and chain. Being recovered and reattached in Weymouth Bay. ©www.thetraveltrunk.net .
If the current Covid-19 situation is not enough hassle for Cunard. Then having to pay out for a specialist anchor recovery barge company to raise it from the sea bed. Is probably another cost they could do without. I guess?
Meanwhile a spokesperson for the Cunard company has explained about the incident off the Devon coast. And the current situation off the Dorset coast:
“In October 2020 due to gale force winds Queen Victoria’s anchor detached. It was subsequently recovered and reattached.
“In recent days an anchor handling barge has visited Queen Victoria to conduct routine maintenance on the ships anchor cable.
International Safety Management Code Guidence
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency the (MCA) have provided some background information regarding anchor loss:
Under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which provides an international standard for the safe management and operations of ships at sea, it is required that vessel operators consider the risks of losing an anchor and what provisions they have in place; as well as outline further measures they might implement; to mitigate those risks. The vessel’s flag state is required to audit the vessel and issue certification to clearly show the company have in place appropriate procedures.
Should a cruise vessel lose its anchor, the vessel is required to notify the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) as the flag state within the territorial waters or the local harbour authority, if they are within their limits, to reduce any potential risks to nearby vessels and users carrying out other activities – such as fishing – at sea.
If the lost anchor/cable is fouling an anchorage, it is likely that that the local harbour authority will require it to be removed. The removal is often organised by the insurer but it can be done unilaterally by the local harbour authority themselves who would then attempt to recover the costs incurred for that operation. The local harbour authority may still require the recovery of an anchor/cable even if it is not fouling a particular anchorage, to ensure that the seabed is kept clear of detritus.
The MCA frequently engages with vessel operators whom have anchored their vessels around the UK to ensure that they have put measures in place, such as – for example but not limited to – having completed satisfactory checks on a vessel’s engine and that effective anchor watch on the bridge, which the MCA would expect, is being maintained at all times.
Queen Victoria Lost Anchor Latest News
The loss of Queen Victoria’s starboard anchor and chain had it of been in passenger service could have been potentially a major problem.
Shetland based Delta Marine were given the task. Their barge Voe Vanguard is now working in Weymouth Bay, Dorset . Nearly 700 miles from their Lerwick base north of Scottish mainland.
Delta Marine carry out a great deal of work in the off shore wind power industry. Operating worldwide. With specialist anchor handling capabilities. Their multipurpose vessels are designed to provide solutions for the modern maritime sector.
Delta Marine barge reattaching the anchor on Queen Victoria. ©www.thetraveltrunk.net .
Queen Victoria, has been a firm favourite among many its cruise guests. The Queen Victoria, is scheduled to resume cruising on May 17, 2021. She has capacity to carry 2,061 guests.
Recovery of such a weighty object requires a specialist barge. Firstly, a grapple hook has to be dragged across the seabed. Secondly, to then try to catch the chain. Then attempt to recover with a crane from their lifting barge.
Queen Victoria behind Queen Elizabeth as she has her anchor reattached. ©www.thetraveltrunk.net .
Thirdly, if that does not work then divers can be sent down attach the lifting strops and then raise the chain to the surface. Fourthly, it may be that an ROV or remote operated vehicle is used to make the attachment.
Loss of an anchor can result in a fairly hefty insurance claim. Cruise ships appear to be more vuneralable to this type of event. Although, not quite as many as oil tankers. As with the incident off Torquay most anchor losses happen mainly in bad weather. Other reasons are failure of the windlass or the motors that drive it. With the third top reason being operational errors.
