Somerset to Sydney without flying

[whole diary]

[infoman]

ITV West had a report on their trip on the Wednesday 27th December

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) west then had an item about a "new fuel" for use in airplanes again 27th December

[broadgage]

A friend has just completed a voyage from UK^▸ (United Kingdom) to upstate New York, via cargo ship.
 They were the only paying passenger.
Dining was with the ships officers as is the norm. Roast meat for evening meal, good selection for breakfast.
Drink was serve yourself and declare what you have used, very cheap, spirits £5 a bottle, wine £2 a bottle, beer 50 pence for a large can. Smoking prohibited in all rooms and cabins, but permitted on deck.
The cabin was well appointed, with a day room and a sleeping area. Double bed, the sides of which could be raised to prevent rolling out in bad weather. Bedding basic but adequate, cotton sheets perfectly clean but not ironed, large thick wool blankets, pillows filled with kapok which is unusual.

Unlimited access to the bridge with a stern warning not to spill tea/coffee/ coke into the expensive radar display screen ! this has happened more than once.

They had their own Inmarsat telephone which was very useful. Expensive though at about £1 a minute.

[stuving]

A friend has just completed a voyage from UK^▸ (United Kingdom) to upstate New York, via cargo ship.

Does upstate New York imply staying on board to go via the St. Lawrence Seaway?

[broadgage]

No not via saint Lawrence seaway, though a pleasure trip thereon may be taken.
They are staying with relatives in the USA for while before returning via cargo ship.

[IndustryInsider]

What sort of price did they pay and how long did it take?

[broadgage]

Time taken varies, but was 14 days for this trip, Southampton to New York state.
Fares also variable, but about $1,000 is common, less for repeat customers who book direct with the shipping line.
Departure was delayed awaiting one piece of urgent cargo. Normally the ship carries only containers, but on this voyage, a very large steel tank or vessel was conveyed in addition. Loading this and securing it took some time.

The voyage was routine, as most are.

One previous voyage was in extreme weather, and verging upon dangerous, with the very experienced captain "looking worried" and the multi racial crew praying to various gods for deliverance. That sort of thing is very rare.
 
Another voyage was very cold, and the heating broke just after leaving port. Mended with telephone advice from myself

[TaplowGreen]

One previous voyage was in extreme weather, and verging upon dangerous, with the very experienced captain "looking worried" and the multi racial crew praying to various gods for deliverance. That sort of thing is very rare.
 

To be fair there's quite a lot of looking worried and praying involved if you're planning to travel with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) these days, irrespective of weather conditions!!! 

[IndustryInsider]

Time taken varies, but was 14 days for this trip, Southampton to New York state.
Fares also variable, but about $1,000 is common, less for repeat customers who book direct with the shipping line.
Departure was delayed awaiting one piece of urgent cargo. Normally the ship carries only containers, but on this voyage, a very large steel tank or vessel was conveyed in addition. Loading this and securing it took some time.

The voyage was routine, as most are.

One previous voyage was in extreme weather, and verging upon dangerous, with the very experienced captain "looking worried" and the multi racial crew praying to various gods for deliverance. That sort of thing is very rare.
 
Another voyage was very cold, and the heating broke just after leaving port. Mended with telephone advice from myself

Sounds like the sort of thing everybody should have on their bucket list to do once.  But probably only once!

Though surely the heating issue should have been sorted by the technicians aboard the ship?  Even if passengers are largely on their own, they still have a duty of care for them surely?

[broadgage]

I was very surprised that the heating breakdown could not be rectified by those on board. Despite almost no marine experience, I diagnosed the problem and suggested how to cure it by phone.

Details, all accommodation spaces were intended to be heated by hot air. Outside air was drawn in, filtered and warmed by a hot water coil before being supplied via ducts to all areas.  The air temperature was adjusted by controlling the hot water flow automatically with manual backup adjustment.
The range of adjustment was from 24 degrees up to 45 degrees. In each compartment the volume of heated air but not the temperature thereof was manually adjustable.
The hot water was from the engine cooling system, with a small oil fired boiler for use in port.

No heating observed.
Fan observed to be running.
Air filters clean and not blocked.
Automatic hot water valve observed to be shut. Opened manually, still no heating.

After I suggested some simple tests, it was found that a fire damper in the air duct was shut and blocking almost all air flow.
This possibility had been considered but ruled out as the duplicated warning lamps  on the bridge were not lit.
No spare fusible links carried on board. I suggested as a TEMPORARY  measure that the broken link be replaced by a loop of nylon fishing line as this would promptly melt in case of fire and release the damper.
The closed valve in the hot water circuit was a red herring and not the cause of the problem. The lack of air flow resulted in the hot water in the heating coil "confusing" the sensor which "thought" that the air was too hot  and therefore closed  the valve.
The non functioning warning lamps on the bridge were found to be due to incorrect voltage lamps fitted. 6 volt lamps fitted on a 24 volt system they would have failed instantly when called upon.

During investigations, the captain was heard to exclaim "Oh no, they are taking my ship apart, and are certain to loose some of the bits"

[broadgage]

Though surely the heating issue should have been sorted by the technicians aboard the ship?  Even if passengers are largely on their own, they still have a duty of care for them surely?

There was considerable concern on board regarding the lack of heating, and in particular for the welfare of crew, many of whom were from warmer countries than the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).
Concern however did not translate into any effective action, in defence of the officers and crew it must be said that training was limited to strictly MARINE matters and not including heating systems.
Heating on more modern ships tends to be electric, in the interests of simplicity and reliability. Ducted hot air is now VERY last century.