Cruise Talk: Turn Around Time

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Cruise Talk » Technically Speaking » Turn Around Time

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Topic: Turn Around Time

waterboy
Just Boarded
Member # 8340

posted 02-22-2007 05:08 PM

I am amazed at how a cruise ship can bunker ,unload and load pax, and stores in 12 hours. Does anyone know how long this took in the days of coal fired ships? Thanks.

Posts: 5 | From: Land locked Ohio | Registered: Jan 2007 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 02-22-2007 05:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by waterboy:
I am amazed at how a cruise ship can bunker ,unload and load pax, and stores in 12 hours. Does anyone know how long this took in the days of coal fired ships? Thanks.

It usually took a few days. Liners in New York and Southampton, for example, were in port anywhere from 2 to 5 days between crossings. Coal bunkering was a slow, messy process. Even with outer doors to open decks sealed shut, and clothes draped over furniture, the entire ship had to been wiped clean of coal dust which seeped in everywhere.

Other lengthy procedures were loading of provisions and baggage. In the old days, cargo and luggage were hoisted up in nets and on pallets by cranes and lowered onto decks or down into hatches. Nowadays huge shell doors in the hull allow forklifts to come and go from pierside with provisions and luggage.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

J.S.S.Normandie
First Class Passenger
Member # 6253

posted 02-22-2007 05:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Linerrich:
....Even with outer doors to open decks sealed shut, and clothes draped over furniture, the entire ship had to been wiped clean of coal dust which seeped in everywhere.

Rich

I never knew the dirt and such got inside the public areas. On large ships like Mauretania it must have taken forever to clean!

Posts: 1197 | From: Massachusetts where the Brittania was trapped! | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 02-22-2007 08:32 PM

The t.s.s. Statendam of '29 took 6 days to turn around.
The t.s.s. Nieuw Amsterdam of '38 took 2 days to turn around.
The m.s. Rotterdam of '97 around 10 hrs to turn around (with the absent of cargo)

Greetings Ben.

[ 02-22-2007: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 02-22-2007 08:42 PM

A bit off topic - is Finnjet still holding the record with only 1.5 hours turn around time? (for ships doing overnight trips)

[ 02-22-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 02-22-2007 10:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by J.S.S.Normandie:

I never knew the dirt and such got inside the public areas. On large ships like Mauretania it must have taken forever to clean!

I have seen pics of either Mauretania or Lusitania w/tarps covering the sheltered promenade decks during coaling. I assume this was to keep some of the coal dust from covering the decks and seaping into the public rooms.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

6263866
First Class Passenger
Member # 5115

posted 02-22-2007 11:03 PM

Linnerrich, thats evry intresting, I haven't even thought about coaling as a factor, and coal dust.

Posts: 580 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Cunard Fan
First Class Passenger
Member # 7530

posted 02-22-2007 11:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
I have seen pics of either Mauretania or Lusitania w/tarps covering the sheltered promenade decks during coaling. I assume this was to keep some of the coal dust from covering the decks and seaping into the public rooms.

Is that what the tarps you see one the Titanic A deck prominade were for? I always figured they were just for shap or when the weather was bad.

Posts: 2327 | From: Pasadena just north of Queen Mary | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 02-23-2007 12:18 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Cunard Fan:
Is that what the tarps you see one the Titanic A deck prominade were for? I always figured they were just for shap or when the weather was bad.

They could also be used to keep ocean spray off the covered decks at sea or for shade but the pics I have seen were taken when coaling.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 02-23-2007 07:26 AM

For the younger members on this forum (and anyone else for that matter) I highly recommend that you read John Maxtone-Graham's classic "The Only Way to Cross." He really paints an accurate picture of ocean liner life and operations during the early 20th Century.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 02-23-2007 12:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Linerrich:
For the younger members on this forum (and anyone else for that matter) I highly recommend that you read John Maxtone-Graham's classic "The Only Way to Cross." He really paints an accurate picture of ocean liner life and operations during the early 20th Century.

Rich

I still have my 1972 printing that I received as a child-back in 1973!. I don't know how many times I have read it but it is a wonderful book.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Colin
First Class Passenger
Member # 1676

posted 02-27-2007 10:53 AM

There's a plaque somewhere on QE2 (used to be outside the theatre) that marks a record turnaround in NY.

After a late arrival, and the captain wanting to leave on time, they disembarked the passengers, restocked and embarked the new passengers in three hours and a bit (dont remember exactly).

Regards, Colin.

Posts: 283 | From: Inverness, Scotland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Brian_O
First Class Passenger
Member # 3910

posted 02-27-2007 12:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Colin:
There's a plaque somewhere on QE2 (used to be outside the theatre) that marks a record turnaround in NY.
After a late arrival, and the captain wanting to leave on time, they disembarked the passengers, restocked and embarked the new passengers in three hours and a bit (dont remember exactly).
Regards, Colin.

On October 13, 1983 QE2 turned around in just under 4 hours. She didn't dock until about 5 pm and she sailed just before 9pm while I was still trying to get a cab at the MYPST.

Brian

Posts: 2698 | From: Pointe-Claire, QC Canada | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

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