'Voyages of Discovery - M/V Discovery severe engine trouble fixed (at last) - Page 4

**neil** · 07-17-2008, 05:40 AM

Hi

This morning mv Discovery is anchored off the ports of Felistowe and Harwich in what is know as Bawdsey Anchorage.

She is shown as arriving there at 07.06 hrs this morning so she may have spent the night drifting about in the North Sea.

Two cruise ships and two ferries are now on the Harwich passenger terminal.

Neil

**Ally** · 07-17-2008, 05:45 AM

That doesn't sound good in regards to the repairs, Neil. I have my doubts about the next cruise tbh as having to take her in/out of port all the time to allow shipping to use the quay is time consuming in itself....let alone carrying out repairs on two engines and getting some sea time for testing too.

**neil** · 07-19-2008, 05:43 AM

Hi

mv Discovery was back alongside the passenger terminal at Harwich on Friday 18th July about 7.00 am.

The ports AIS system had been down yesterday so it is not known where she had been but it does not appear to have been to any shipyard for repairs.

Trust they have AA or RAC breakdown cover when she sails again !

Neil

**Ally** · 07-19-2008, 05:51 AM

I am wondering if the repairs can be done at the quayside...she has one blown crankshaft seal, which was the original problem from March. Not sure what the second engine problem is though.

They don't have too many more days to play with before she is due to leave for her eclipse cruise.

Mel · 07-20-2008, 04:23 PM

We're booked on their Dec. 26/08 Antarctic cruise, hope everything is in working order by then! We were on the May 31st Fjords, Faroes, Fire and Ice cruise and were verrrry disappointed that Flam and the Faroes were eliminated from the itinerary totally because of the engine problems. We were given $200 p/p on board credit and subsequently received a letter saying we would get 10% off the price of a future cruise with them (on top of the 5% past passenger discount). We did like the ship, speakers, staff and food, so decided to go with them again and give them another try! Cruising to the Antarctic is very expensive and they are quite a bit less than most others. Wish us luck!

**Ally** · 07-21-2008, 03:16 AM

Hi Mel & welcome to the family

I hope that your next cruise does go off OK for you...all digits crossed

The OBC they gave you and the percentage off seem odd as many who have been on the ship but who were Brits didn't get anything at all. Very strange state of affairs.

Please keep us informed as to how things go in regards to your next cruise

**neil** · 07-25-2008, 01:09 PM

Hi

mv Discovery departed Harwich at about 3.00pm today.

At 5.00 pm she was cruising at 15 knots in the North Sea.

This departure was an hour earlier than that shown on the amended schedule issued by the company for this cruise.

A copy of the schedule is below !

Neil

**Ally** · 07-25-2008, 01:14 PM

That itinerary looks shorter (less ports) than originally published..or am I imagining that?

15 knots isn't exactly good speed either...I thought she could do more than that

At least she left on the cruise though...hopefully she will complete it without further incident

**neil** · 07-25-2008, 01:41 PM

Hi

The ports are about the same as in the Summer Voyages 2008 brochure apart from an extra stop now at Hammerfest !

The times in some of the ports have been changed and in some cases shortened !

It will be interesting to see if she arrives in these ports at the revised advertised times !

The AIS system operated by Haven ports is picking up her signal at present but the main AIS maps for the North sea are showing nothing !

They are picking up the Classic International cruises ship Funchal which is around the northern Scottish islands !

If they read this forum they will know we can track them, and see what is the ships speed, so perhaps her AIS system has been turned off !

Neil

**Ally** · 07-25-2008, 01:47 PM

hmmm...switching off AIS...isn't that illegal, Neil?