ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Robert J Smith on May 22, 2016, 12:50:41 PM
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The Royal Mail Ship (RMS) ST HELENA is to make a call to London on her final voyage.
PLA Cruise ship schedule show her alongside HMS Belfast between the 7th & 10th June.
PLA arrivals shows her arriving in Tilbury Docks on the 5th June (NESPP @ 0500)
From their website
The new schedule includes the following four key components:
A final voyage to Tristan da Cunha in April 2016.
The RMS being anchored in Jamestown on the proposed official opening of the Airport on 21 May 2016.
A final voyage to the UK and after disembarking her passengers RMS making a promotional trip up the river Thames and mooring alongside HMS Belfast near the Tower of London.
The RMS anchored in Jamestown for five days prior to its final sailing to Cape Town.
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It'll be sad to see her go, the end of an era - the very last British liner.
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Is this still the case???? the last I heard the opening of the airport had been delayed due to design problems (cross winds too strong) and RMS St Helena was to continue until these were resolved.
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Yes and no, Simon!
http://traveller24.news24.com/News/Flights/st-helena-airport-step-closer-to-operating-as-final-rms-journey-on-the-horizon-20160512
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Do we know which tide she will be coming up on? Hopefully it will be the afternoon one @ 1621.
Jon Godsell
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As Bob Smith said at the outset, she is due to pick up the pilot at 05.00 hrs at the North East Spit (off Margate). That means that, providing she progresses up the estuary at normal speed, she should arrive off Tilbury locks around 09.00
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As Bob Smith said at the outset, she is due to pick up the pilot at 05.00 hrs at the North East Spit (off Margate). That means that, providing she progresses up the estuary at normal speed, she should arrive off Tilbury locks around 09.00
Sorry I didn't make myself clear, I meant at what time is she likely to Pass through Tower Bridge which, I presume, will be on the 7th. As I have to travel down from Liverpool getting to Gravesend/Tilbury for around 0700 is a bit of a tall order.
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Hi Jon
Tower Bridge lift website has her inbound on the 7th @ 16.45 & outbound on the 10th @ 17.45.
http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times/
Regards
Bob
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Hi Jon
Tower Bridge lift website has her inbound on the 7th @ 16.45 & outbound on the 10th @ 17.45.
http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times/
Regards
Bob
Hi Robert,
Thanks for that, I might well do a flyer down in that case.
Cheers,
Jon.
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Another chance to see her on Saturday 11th June when she will be alongside at Tilbury. Its too late to get tickets to look over her but will offer photographic opportunities from the Gravesend side of the river.
http://rms-st-helena.com/2016/05/16/rms-st-helena-open-day-tilbury-london/
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There are some problems in the airport opening, so the Company is planning another two months operations!
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Apparently there has been an almighty cock-up with the airport in St Helena in that, it would seem, they never noticed until it was completed that there were prevailing wind conditions that make landing extremely hazardous there. Maybe the ship will be back in service for quite a while yet!
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Looks a bit hairy,think I'll take the boat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9hR7Iw5PUQ
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Yes Bob, a great way to waste
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All
RMS St Helena South African agents state that sailings to the island will continue until 'at least' 16 September 2016, with a review thereafter as to extension/curtailment of service.
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On the BBC today that opening of the airport has been postponed "indefinitely".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36493860
Looks like the RMS might continue for a while yet (hopefully).
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Confirmed today that AWS (formerly Andrew Weir Group) has purchased the Dutch-owned cargoship "Eemslift Christiaan" to take up the service from South Africa to St. Helena upon withdrawal of the current "St Helena". To be renamed "Helena" the new acquisition will be modified to accommodate a limited number of passengers (12)
Brgds
Phil
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As well as hearing about a replacement cargo ship some weeks back via Galley Radio there is apparently moves afoot to construct a pier which that vessel can moor alongside, so negating the need to use lighters for all cargo transfers.
That in itself should be an interesting exercise for the civil engineers, bearing in mind the constant swell experienced on the island.
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Already showing on AIS as HELENA.
Any special reason that she has spent the last 13 months in the Rotterdam area?
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Probably laid up with no work.
Weirs rarely bought something brand new, normally something at a knock down price!
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She was in a ship yard in Rotterdam being renovated/converted for 9 months. Name of yard forgotten but about 5 miles to east of Erasmusbrug. Saw her several times - superstructure and upper works undergoing substantial repair/alteration. In floating dry dock for part of this time.
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Thanks Piet.
Perhaps at Bolnes, Ridderkerk, as here:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2293730