Liverpool's flagship cruise ship sets sail - and breaks down (From Daily Echo)
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Liverpool's flagship cruise ship sets sail - and breaks down
10:05am Thursday 31st May 2012 in Business
Ocean Countess
LIVERPOOL’S flagship cruise liner broke down just after being launched to a great fanfare.
Ocean Countess was the first ship to be launched from Liverpool after it fought to overturn restrictions on its terminal.
She suffered an engine breakdown hours after her send-off, due to an electrical fault which left her without power for three hours.
The ship had to be diverted for checks to be carried out.
Southampton has opposed the lifting of restrictions, pointing to the public subsidy used to build Liverpool’s facility.
Comments(52)
soton-mike80
says...
10:45am Thu 31 May 12
In all seriousness though - I do feel sorry for those people on board. Hope it doesn't ruin their dream vacations!
ToastyTea
says...
10:52am Thu 31 May 12
ohec
says...
12:13pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey
says...
12:27pm Thu 31 May 12
Willy47
says...
12:30pm Thu 31 May 12
loosehead
says...
12:35pm Thu 31 May 12
Smiting the liars & cheats of Liverpool council?
So this is the top quality ship you all want is it?
Chris storey
says...
12:36pm Thu 31 May 12
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
loosehead
says...
12:41pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey wrote:Is Liverpools local rag that boring you have to post on ours?
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
apreston
says...
1:04pm Thu 31 May 12
So before shouting illegal moves get your facts right because your own port moves vessel from one berth to another so are you saying they are also acting illegally.
Huey
says...
1:14pm Thu 31 May 12
The two ports will have to abide by whatever is decided.
Working WITH Liverpool and establishing a good relationship with cruise authorities there will be the best way to ensure each port's cruise industy develops and progresses in a sustainable way.
Chris storey
says...
1:25pm Thu 31 May 12
loosehead wrote:My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots, but if there are only idiots there, they have no choice.
Chris storey wrote:Is Liverpools local rag that boring you have to post on ours?
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
Please answer, Is the port of Civitavecchia to blame for the the Costa Concordia disaster?
Shoong
says...
1:29pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey wrote:'My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots'
loosehead wrote:My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots, but if there are only idiots there, they have no choice.
Chris storey wrote:Is Liverpools local rag that boring you have to post on ours?
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
Please answer, Is the port of Civitavecchia to blame for the the Costa Concordia disaster?
Sorry, can't see how that is not possible from that neck of the woods.
Karma springs to mind and the persecution complex, even in victory, is getting boring now.
Chris storey
says...
1:53pm Thu 31 May 12
Shoong wrote:Just another silly tit for tat reply from the village idiots.
Chris storey wrote:'My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots'
loosehead wrote:My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots, but if there are only idiots there, they have no choice.
Chris storey wrote:Is Liverpools local rag that boring you have to post on ours?
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
Please answer, Is the port of Civitavecchia to blame for the the Costa Concordia disaster?
Sorry, can't see how that is not possible from that neck of the woods.
Karma springs to mind and the persecution complex, even in victory, is getting boring now.
Shoong
says...
2:11pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey wrote:Come on, keep going, let's see those true colours and call me something really offensive. I dare ya.
Shoong wrote:Just another silly tit for tat reply from the village idiots.
Chris storey wrote:'My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots'
loosehead wrote:My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots, but if there are only idiots there, they have no choice.
Chris storey wrote:Is Liverpools local rag that boring you have to post on ours?
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
Please answer, Is the port of Civitavecchia to blame for the the Costa Concordia disaster?
Sorry, can't see how that is not possible from that neck of the woods.
Karma springs to mind and the persecution complex, even in victory, is getting boring now.
mummsie
says...
3:36pm Thu 31 May 12
arizonan
says...
3:37pm Thu 31 May 12
I am sure all the passengers aboard the Ocean Countess would appreciate the gloating comments from the readers of this newspaper at the interruption of their holiday.
On a more positive note, just read that travel agencies specialising in cruises are talking about 'split' round Britain cruises.
Picking up half the pax in one port and half in another.
This will give people new to cruising a sample and cater for those people that want a shorter cruise around Britain.
If that comes about, one of the megaliners could load 1500 pax in Liverpool, which is the maximum the temporary facility can handle,
As most of these round Britain cruises are 50/50 Americans and Brits, this would give the Americans a much more interesting point of departure than some of the other ports in the UK.
loosehead
says...
3:45pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey wrote:Is that why idiots from Liverpool post on this website?
loosehead wrote:My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots, but if there are only idiots there, they have no choice.
Chris storey wrote:Is Liverpools local rag that boring you have to post on ours?
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
Please answer, Is the port of Civitavecchia to blame for the the Costa Concordia disaster?
Martin Titaniconian
says...
3:46pm Thu 31 May 12
mummsie
says...
4:00pm Thu 31 May 12
arizonan
says...
4:13pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey
says...
4:52pm Thu 31 May 12
Shoong wrote:Intelligent?
Chris storey wrote:Come on, keep going, let's see those true colours and call me something really offensive. I dare ya.
Shoong wrote:Just another silly tit for tat reply from the village idiots.
Chris storey wrote:'My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots'
loosehead wrote:My local rag would never publish a spiteful headline like that, nor would it print frivolous comments from idiots, but if there are only idiots there, they have no choice.
Chris storey wrote:Is Liverpools local rag that boring you have to post on ours?
Willy47 wrote:I just read the post where you lot of ignorant clowns never stop ****, it amuses me.
you read it
Please answer, Is the port of Civitavecchia to blame for the the Costa Concordia disaster?
Sorry, can't see how that is not possible from that neck of the woods.
Karma springs to mind and the persecution complex, even in victory, is getting boring now.
100%HANTSBOY
says...
6:14pm Thu 31 May 12
arizonan wrote:Think I saw it at the Wightlink terminal one day.
Has this, 'Tugboat' never operated out of Southampton?.
800 pax capacity? And only 719 pax on this trip!!!! Good luck !!!
Meanwhile I'm looking forward to seeing Cunarders Liz Vic and Mary soon.... oh,not to mention the 7 P&Os coming in soon (on the same day)
Chris storey
says...
6:37pm Thu 31 May 12
100%HANTSBOY wrote:Patience dear boy, patience.
arizonan wrote:Think I saw it at the Wightlink terminal one day.
Has this, 'Tugboat' never operated out of Southampton?.
800 pax capacity? And only 719 pax on this trip!!!! Good luck !!!
Meanwhile I'm looking forward to seeing Cunarders Liz Vic and Mary soon.... oh,not to mention the 7 P&Os coming in soon (on the same day)
100%HANTSBOY
says...
6:47pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey wrote:Patience dear Ocean Countess passengers,patience!
100%HANTSBOY wrote:Patience dear boy, patience.
arizonan wrote:Think I saw it at the Wightlink terminal one day.
Has this, 'Tugboat' never operated out of Southampton?.
800 pax capacity? And only 719 pax on this trip!!!! Good luck !!!
Meanwhile I'm looking forward to seeing Cunarders Liz Vic and Mary soon.... oh,not to mention the 7 P&Os coming in soon (on the same day)
Just looked on Marinetraffic.com and can't find your "flagship". Perhaps it is lost in the Irish Sea Triangle or perhaps it's shielded from the tracker by your "Dafodil" Mersey Ferry.
julesvern
says...
7:08pm Thu 31 May 12
ronn12
says...
7:24pm Thu 31 May 12
Proud from LIVERPOOL
says...
7:26pm Thu 31 May 12
julesvern wrote:By comparison your own papers headline condems the area your cruise passengers have to use.
Yesteday the Caribbean princess was berthed at that world herritage site known as the pier head. Is that a tugboat. Check out the pic's. Today's Liverpool Echo website. What a city.
" Town Quay is not a great advert for city "
10:54am Thursday 31st May 2012 in Readers' Letters
I PAID my first visit of the year to Town Quay to wave my niece off on a cruise.
I couldn’t believe another year has gone by and yet nothing has been done to remove the fencing stopping people from using the seats that are there.
Lo and behold someone from the council has decided to install four new seats right by the road with all the traffic going by so that we can inhale all the fumes, and if you can see over the cars parking in front of you, you can see the disgraceful sight of the wrecked pier! What a great sight for tourists and locals.
--------------------
-------
One of the most important things for a passenger is to embark and dis-embark in a pleasant and attractive scenario. How many cruise passengers can embark or dis-embark in a " World Heritage Site " and find themselves surround by a breathtaking site within yards of their cruise ship.
A wonderful photograph was published a few years ago now
showing a passenger diving into the swimming pool on one of the super cruise ships moored at the Pier Head, with the three graces ( Liver Building , Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building ) immediately behind them. This wasn't done using photoshop this was REAL.
Its about time that Southampton and other critics got REAL to what Liverpool is like as a destination, not the one they are given by the perverted and corrupt media in this country ( The Leveson inquiry says a lot about ther media ).
If I can get hold of a copy I will send it to the Daily Echo so that they can have it to illustrate further articles about my wonderful home city.
100%HANTSBOY
says...
7:28pm Thu 31 May 12
ronn12
says...
7:29pm Thu 31 May 12
ronn12
says...
7:38pm Thu 31 May 12
I wouldn't poke a crappy stick at it ,let alone go back there !
You are a laughing stock, your terminal looks like something out of a ikea flat pack , Liverpool is not doing to bad at the moment . We will be making the cruise industry a top priority here to make it a great success ...
ronn12
says...
7:40pm Thu 31 May 12
Proud from LIVERPOOL
says...
7:43pm Thu 31 May 12
100%HANTSBOY wrote:It takes 1 to 2 years for a shipping line to organise their cruise calender from scratch, come back in a year or so and the smile will be on my face not yours . Remember think BIG but have patience and when the cruise passengers put pressure on the cruise companies. Those companies will realise the advantages of turn-around cruises from LIVERPOOL.
Fairs fair she's a biggen 3600 passengers but I also read the Cruise Calender 2012 on your Echo homepage and noticed that your next 'Cruise ship' is the Aida Cara 1 with a capacity of 180 passengers! Wow! Our Isle of Wight ferry is bigger than that!!
The fact that Liverpool has got to build its business up from its present level, shows that Liverpool was not sneaky and have a hidden group of sailings it could magically bring out of the box.
Its share of the cruise liner trade will grow again ( we have done it before ( Cunard 1840 ).
Those in charge of Southampton cruise terminal should be worried, we do mean business but it will take time.
Proud from LIVERPOOL
says...
7:47pm Thu 31 May 12
Please don't accuse anybody of cheating or fraud.My city of which I am extremely proud has done things in a clear, honest and fair way, the result of which has been to have the change of use given by an independent assessor ( similar to having a change of use on a shop or business premises ).
If you feel so angry over this , God only Knows what you make of the long lasting benefits London has gained from the £20 Billion invested in the Olympic facilities paid for by the taxpayers of the whole of this country who did not have a say as to whether this money should be spent. Of course it's alright to spend £20 Billion on the Olympics because they are being held in London ( in the South East ) with a few tit bits held in a few odd area's outside the South of England.
100%HANTSBOY
says...
8:16pm Thu 31 May 12
ronn12 wrote:And I thought John Bishop was boring and repetitive !
Eat your heart out on a plastic tray !!!!
ronn12
says...
8:35pm Thu 31 May 12
100%HANTSBOY wrote:No your town is boring !!!! Loser
ronn12 wrote:And I thought John Bishop was boring and repetitive !
Eat your heart out on a plastic tray !!!!
MerseyMart
says...
8:44pm Thu 31 May 12
The article would only have any justification if there was a proven link between the fact
that Ocean Countess sailed from Liverpool and the problems that it has experienced. But, of course, there isn't.
As the sensible Sotonians, who have stopped posting on this issue realise, the argument has gone as far as it can. Liverpool has agreed to pay back the money requested by the government and has now opened its cruise liner terminal so the issue is resolved. Gloating about stricken cruise liners is beneath you.
loosehead
says...
9:19pm Thu 31 May 12
MerseyMart wrote:Merseymart you must know there are people close to your city who could easily find fault with it.
This article is a great advert for Britain's No.1 cruise port isn't it? Its local newspaper revelling in the fact that a British cruise liner has had difficulties at sea?
The article would only have any justification if there was a proven link between the fact
that Ocean Countess sailed from Liverpool and the problems that it has experienced. But, of course, there isn't.
As the sensible Sotonians, who have stopped posting on this issue realise, the argument has gone as far as it can. Liverpool has agreed to pay back the money requested by the government and has now opened its cruise liner terminal so the issue is resolved. Gloating about stricken cruise liners is beneath you.
for someone like ronn to slag down our city shows he doesn't know it that well.
we had a post that The Town Quay wasn't up to it?
that poster has got as much of a clue as Ronn or Proud have.
Town Quay you can walk right to the end & see all the River but they have stopped people using the seats close to the edge to stop children climbing on the railings for safety.
I don't know with this present council but there are drawn up plans & with private money our Mayflower Park is being expanded so the old pier will be a thing of the past & the capacity for the boat show will be increased.
do you think it gains any friends when idiots go on about Carnival & Cunard lines back to where they belong?
you & many posts from Liverpool state we have nothing to feel threatened but then comments like that?
We asked for a free & open competition & we nearly got it until your council jumped the gun! Please don't insult our intelligence & say it was just a case of moving it from one place to another.
Your council were told to wait until either the money was paid back or an agreement on repayment ( costing you more) was reached.
You were also told to wait until the EU had ruled on it in both cases you haven't obeyed Mike Pennings reasons for allowing turnaround status so the people you the citizens of Liverpool should be firing your venom at is your Council not us .
we are only stating the truth as it was laid down by a government minister or can't anyone of you see this is a total breach of those conditions & could scupper your cities turnaround status?
If I was single I would love to visit my cousins & see the city of my dads birth but my wife wouldn't ( I'm under the thumb) so the last thing I would do is slag down your city or it's people but your council that's a different matter!
Chris storey
says...
9:30pm Thu 31 May 12
loosehead
says...
9:39pm Thu 31 May 12
Chris storey wrote:I hope you actually live in Liverpool!
Is this "tugboat" the same liner that you lot have been whining about for months, how fickle you are, but it's just the start and you know it.
ronn12
says...
9:45pm Thu 31 May 12
loosehead wrote:I am not from Liverpool for your information
MerseyMart wrote:Merseymart you must know there are people close to your city who could easily find fault with it.
This article is a great advert for Britain's No.1 cruise port isn't it? Its local newspaper revelling in the fact that a British cruise liner has had difficulties at sea?
The article would only have any justification if there was a proven link between the fact
that Ocean Countess sailed from Liverpool and the problems that it has experienced. But, of course, there isn't.
As the sensible Sotonians, who have stopped posting on this issue realise, the argument has gone as far as it can. Liverpool has agreed to pay back the money requested by the government and has now opened its cruise liner terminal so the issue is resolved. Gloating about stricken cruise liners is beneath you.
for someone like ronn to slag down our city shows he doesn't know it that well.
we had a post that The Town Quay wasn't up to it?
that poster has got as much of a clue as Ronn or Proud have.
Town Quay you can walk right to the end & see all the River but they have stopped people using the seats close to the edge to stop children climbing on the railings for safety.
I don't know with this present council but there are drawn up plans & with private money our Mayflower Park is being expanded so the old pier will be a thing of the past & the capacity for the boat show will be increased.
do you think it gains any friends when idiots go on about Carnival & Cunard lines back to where they belong?
you & many posts from Liverpool state we have nothing to feel threatened but then comments like that?
We asked for a free & open competition & we nearly got it until your council jumped the gun! Please don't insult our intelligence & say it was just a case of moving it from one place to another.
Your council were told to wait until either the money was paid back or an agreement on repayment ( costing you more) was reached.
You were also told to wait until the EU had ruled on it in both cases you haven't obeyed Mike Pennings reasons for allowing turnaround status so the people you the citizens of Liverpool should be firing your venom at is your Council not us .
we are only stating the truth as it was laid down by a government minister or can't anyone of you see this is a total breach of those conditions & could scupper your cities turnaround status?
If I was single I would love to visit my cousins & see the city of my dads birth but my wife wouldn't ( I'm under the thumb) so the last thing I would do is slag down your city or it's people but your council that's a different matter!
Chris storey
says...
9:48pm Thu 31 May 12
loosehead wrote:Why, are you coming to visit me? oh no you can't because your wife won't let you will she;)
Chris storey wrote:I hope you actually live in Liverpool!
Is this "tugboat" the same liner that you lot have been whining about for months, how fickle you are, but it's just the start and you know it.
MerseyMart
says...
9:51pm Thu 31 May 12
There was some about this issue in Liverpool. Of course, the Mayor and council could not open the cruise liner terminal to turnaround passengers if that was illegal.
However, Mike Penning was well aware (as we all were) that Ocean Countess was planned to use the terminal on May 29th and, if he believed that what he was doing was illegal, then he should have slapped a court injunction on use of the terminal. No such injunction was forthcoming and so the opening went ahead.
There is a bit of politics involved here and is really about Mayor Anderson's status. As the mayor of a major city, he is theoretically the same status as a cabinet minister and, in the absence of a clear directive from Mike Penning it was his prerogative to make the decision that he did.
As for the condition of your Town Quay, well I can't make any comment as I've never seen it, however I think you are being a little cheeky since you denigrated our 'pontoon' only yesterday. Have you actually seen it close up?
I for one have never insulted Southampton - having never been there (except for a trip via Eastleigh several years ago). In fact, when I used to live in London, in the 90s, I made several trips to Portsmouth and over to the Isle of Wight - and very nice it was. Still, if I wanted to go on a cruise, I think that five minutes up the road would have some advantages over four hours to the south coast - but maybe that's just me being eccentric.
Chris storey
says...
9:55pm Thu 31 May 12
Edwick
says...
12:24am Fri 1 Jun 12
arizonan wrote:It shows you know little about ships as this ship was built as the CUNARD COUNTESS !
Has this, 'Tugboat' never operated out of Southampton?.
Edwick
says...
12:29am Fri 1 Jun 12
At least Ocean Countess only had a minor problem and is under way again and continuing on her cruise.
.
arizonan
says...
6:32am Fri 1 Jun 12
If so, was it considered a Tugboat on that occasion?
Chris storey
says...
10:46am Fri 1 Jun 12
And apparently a few famous people went there.
AlwynM
says...
1:20pm Sun 3 Jun 12
I hope they read this article and see what an awful bunch you really are - wonderfully representative of your port and city!
An absolute disgrace!
loosehead
says...
9:26pm Sun 3 Jun 12
AlwynM wrote:Alwyn try reading some of the posts from Pro Liverpool people & you'll see it's becoming nothing to do with ships but point scoring.
I'd love to say that it is typical of people in Southampton to laugh and scoff at the misfortune of those cruise passengers but I know it's only a small minority.
I hope they read this article and see what an awful bunch you really are - wonderfully representative of your port and city!
An absolute disgrace!
there have been large ships that have sailed from this port that have developed electrical faults.
two rather famous ships left here & had to pull into Plymouth for Repairs & then went on to America I'm sorry I only know of one name & that was the name our park was named after & that was the Mayflower & it was the other ship that needed repairs
SFC_WILL
says...
3:19pm Wed 6 Jun 12
In Liverpool? Never!!
andysaints007
says...
12:20am Fri 8 Jun 12
mooky9 says...
10:45am Thu 31 May 12