Oriana - Row as giant liner sent to work dock

**Ally** · 03-31-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

A 260-metre-long cruise liner with 1 500 tourists aboard docked at the harbour's Eastern Mole berth yesterday after failed attempts to have the huge vessel dock at the V&A Waterfront.

But the Oriana's shipping company reacted angrily, sending the city a blunt e-mail saying the docking at one of the harbour's working berths was "quite unsuited to a high- quality tourist activity".

Philip Naylor, the general manager of fleet, marine and shore operations of Carnival UK, pointed to the economic value of the liner's visit to Cape Town.

"We're bringing 1 500 tourists … and they have an expectation that Cape Town will be easily accessible from the ship," he said.

The Oriana was set to remain docked at Eastern Mole until later today.

Captain Ravi Naicker, the harbour master, said the V&A could only take vessels less than 200m long and for safety reasons the Oriana had docked at the Eastern Mole berth.

"We set up the best infrastructure and I'm confident … that this is the best place central, whereby the tourists can enjoy the magnificent views of the mountain."

Cape Argus: Row as giant liner sent to work dock