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In October, 2008 the QE2 Royal Cruise Ship Linear made it's last cruising voyage to the Firth of Forth in Edinburgh before making it's way to Dubai where it will turned into a floating hotel. Spectators from the local area came to bid her a fond final farewell before she set off for good.
The QE2, also known as RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 is an ocean liner run by linear company, Cunard QE2 which operated the cruise liners ship between 1969 and 2008. After she retired post 2008, the ship now belongs to Nakheel, a division of Dubai World. Originally she was designed to operate a transatlantic service from Southampton, her own port in England, to New York in the United States of America. She was named after another ship called RMS Queen Elizabeth which served as the main flagship of the fleet from 1969 until it was finally succeeded by RMS Queen Mary 2 in 2004. This linear was built in Scottish Clydebank, Glasgow in Scotland, United Kingdom and was thought to be one of the last great liners until the construction of the QM2. QE2 Greenock was a location it visited before retirement.
QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2 was adapted with a diesel power plant in 1986 and 87 which became the last steamship to cross the Atlantic as a scheduled liner service. Over a total of 40 years, the QE2 cruise run regular world royal cruises. The QE2 had no identical sister ship and never ran weekly round trip to New York but did continue to cross every year of her service period.
The QE2 cruises officially retired from active service on the 27th November, 2008 where she was moored at the Palm Jumeriah, Dubai where she is intended to be turned into a floating hotel. This future is uncertain and currently the future of the linear is unknown.
In July, 2009, it was mentioned what the QE2 could and did sail to Cape Town, South Africa to become a floating hotel for primarily using for the 2010 Fife World Cup. This was confirmed by Nakheel on 20th July, 2009. For this event, the ship went through extensive refurbishment where it was also repainted. Shortly after this, the QE2 cruise ship was registered under the flag of Vanuatu, and Port Vila where it became it's new port with the Southampton symbol being replaced on her stern. She then returned to Port Rashid where she was expected to soon be sailing for Cape Town. Despite the plans, in January 2010, it was announced that she would not be brought to Cape Town. Poor performance financially has meant that the ship will now have to move on to another location, perhaps London, Singapore, Clydebank, Japan or Fremantle.
The QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2 ship ended currently berthed at Port Mina Rashid in Dubai where she is maintained in a sea worthy condition and can create her own power. Every one of her nine diesel generators are used to power the ship. The ship's current crew include 50 people to maintain the ship to a high standard. These jobs include painting, maintenance, cabin checks and overhauls of machinery.
This video is a short news report that I put together for my HND in Film and Television Production where a team of about five traveled out to Dalgety Bay in Fife to get the best view we could. Unfortunately, the information we had been given gave belief that the North side would have been the best point although in reflection, it looked like the Edinburgh side would have been better.
We produced the short report using a Camera Operator, Editor, Production Assistant, Runner and Director. I was half happy with the video although some of the camera shots could have been better. It was quite a challenge as we were using the large ENG DVCPRO Cameras which restricted the shots and speed of moving around which shows in the final piece.
Some interesting history of the British QE2 ship is that it was used during the Falklands War. In May, 1982 the QE 2 ship took part in the Falklands War, carrying 3,000 troops and 650 volunteer crew to the south Atlantic. Before setting sail, she was refitted to Southampton in preparation for war service. Three helicopter pads were added and the public lounges were converted to dormitories. Fuel pipes were also added so that the ship could be refueled at sea. The interior carpets were covered with 2,000 sheets of hardboard. Over 650 crew volunteered for the voyage where it's duty was to look after the 3,000 members of the Fifth Infantry Brigade. The ship transported these troops to South Georgia where it was then blacked out and the radar switched off so that the ship was not detected.
The QE2 Queen Elizabeth ship returned in the UK in June, 1982 where she was met by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother on board the Royal Yacht Britania. After this, the ship underwent conversion back to passenger service, with the funnel being painted with a orange-red and black and white stripes.
Video Produced by Alan Taylor, Alan Andrew Taylor of Willow Creek Pictures
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QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2 Cruise Ship & Liner Retirementby ColemanHeald24,440 views
Which famous liners have you seen?
WillowCreekPictures 10 months ago