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Queen Elizabeth 2's return to Southampton from Dubai may just be a distant dream (From Daily Echo)
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Queen Elizabeth 2's return to Southampton from Dubai may just be a distant dream
2:57pm Wednesday 24th June 2009
THE stormy waters of legal wrangling are likely to scupper any plans to bring Southampton’s former liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, back to the city.
Yesterday the Daily Echo exclusively revealed approaches have been made to the port of Southampton by shipping agents about the possibility of QE2, now languishing beneath the desert sun of Dubai, making an astonishing comeback to her old home in the docks.
QE2 was sold for £50m to Dubai development company Nakheel who plan a multi-million pound make-over that would transform the ship into a world-class luxury hotel and tourist attraction.
Cunard, which operated the liner from the time of her maiden voyage in 1969, said in a statement: “Any departure from the original purpose for which QE2 was purchased by Nakheel would require the agreement of Cunard.
“Consent for the return of QE2 to Southampton has neither been sought nor given.’’ Hampshire marine historian and author John Hornsby, also said strict legal restrictions were likely to torpedo any scheme to bring QE2 back into service.
“I should think it would be highly unlikely that the new owners would legally be allowed to use her again as a passenger liner,’’ said Mr Hornsby.
Although the sight of QE2 berthed once again in Southampton would be welcomed by the liner’s many local admirers, most were sceptical that the Cunarder would ever return.
John Lillywhite, chairman of the Southampton Branch of the World Shipping Society, said: “It would be wonderful but I’ll only believe it on the day I see her sailing up Southampton Water.’’ It was on Tuesday, November 11, last year, that QE2 said an emotional farewell to Southampton, the port where she had been based for 40 years.
However, the global financial downturn, seems to have these plans on hold and at present QE2 is alongside a container berth in Dubai with just a skeleton crew on board.
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Your Say YourEcho
allsaintsnocurves, Southampton says...
3:49pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Lone Ranger, Southampton says...
3:52pm Wed 24 Jun 09
allsaintsnocurves wrote:Are you kidding
I agree that the funds should be raised to get the QE2 permanently moored in Southampton. The use for the ship could be mixed, but what a tourist attraction seeing the ship moored off the coast. Better here than Dubai.
Raising the funds to bring it back and refurbish it would be astronomicle.
We cant even find the money to keep two care homes open in Southampton let alone this
Keith Oftergrass, Portswood says...
4:18pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Big Adam, Southampton says...
4:28pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Public: Yes?
Echo: Well it was a load of old EXCLUSIVE rollocks
Public: No shi..
Echo: But we don't really want to tell you this so let's just EXCLUSIVELY reveal the shocking reason Southampton is being denied this wonderful event is due to "legal reasons"
Public: Legal reasons?
Echo: Yes, we're too stupid and/or lazy to bother mentioning the new SOLAS Safe Return to Port regulations so we are calling it "legal reasons".
Public: Ahhhhh
Echo: But the good news is that tomorrow we will EXCLUSIVELY reveal that even though the QE2 can't carry passengers any more, some very important people are talking to Port Bosses about redeveloping the Royal Pier and mooring her alongside as a tourist attraction.
Public: Great! But what about funding.
Echo: Oh don't worry about that, on Friday we'll be EXCLUSIVELY revealing that the Royal Pier story was rollocks too! Ha-ha!
Public: D'oh! Oh well, we were only interested if it included a chav-tastic ice rink anyway. Hic!
Echo: Sssssh! Don't spoil it! Next week Shaznee-Jade, our cleaning lady, will be EXCLUSIVELY revealing plans for the "Fire and Ice" Benny Hill themed ice rink in the shape of an aeroplane. It'll be perched on a 200m pylon on the end of Town Quay and will represent the ultimate advertisement for Southampton. Take that Portsmouth!
Public: Yaay!
Big Adam, Southampton says...
4:29pm Wed 24 Jun 09
chunkybutt, dibden bay says...
10:38pm Wed 24 Jun 09
why not just beat the wife and stay home and save a few quid.
The QE2 in Southampton Docks for the last time
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BrixtonSaint, London says...
3:31pm Wed 24 Jun 09
Imagine the old girl permanently moored in Southampton as its flagship hotel, conference centre and museum. THIS could be the catalyst for other great things getting the green light in the city.