Medway Queen

Engines arrived at Abels yard Bristol for storage yesterday.

Understand construction on the replica will start next year.

 

That is quite correct - now we just have the problem of getting a rivetted hull MCA certified for a viable passenger complement.

I understand that they won't certificate for the same as a welded hull ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

 

I am still somewhat puzzled by the whole project but good luck to them!

To me the ship won't be the Medway Queen but a replica. I am also yet to see anything to convince me she will have a viable future. Building her is one thing, certification and operation a whole different story!

 

Well theres a nice bit of encouragment for the Medway Queen gang. Thanks very much!!!

We couldnt just let her rot and how can you patch a hull thats virtually shagged??

JS

 

JS,

As I have said I wish you the best of luck! Personally I do struggle with the concept though - being a rivited hull I am doubtful she will be able to obtain a passenger certificate?

I am also yet to see anything about the plans for the future post completion and it is this that leaves me puzzled about the direction of the project.

Please convince me I am wrong . .

Regards

 

Sorry, I think I must have missed the story behind this one. Can someone fill me in on what this project is? Has the original plan to restore the Medway Queen now been abandoned completely or is the plan to build a new hull and re-use as much as possible from the original ship?

 

I'm not surprised the Medway Queen needs a new hull! The last time I saw her was about 21 years ago when she was awash on the Chatham side of the Medway near what I think used to be a Seaplane slipway.(Sunderlands were built on the Medway.) That was my last year at sea,so there has has been another 21 years of corrosion since then. Colin

 

The plates of the old hull were simply life expired

At Damhead creek it became a running battle to keep her afloat, and when she went down to get her up again without breaking her back

The last time she was gentled up and then stripped of everything of value.

The old hull was scrapped and the HLF have agreed to fund a new one into which the artefacts recovered will be fitted. For accuracy the HLF have insisted on a rivetted hull - which the MCA say they will not certificate.

What part of "Trust Government" don't I understand???

 

There was a brief article about Medway Queen on Points West this evening.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7814094.stm

 

Best of luck with the project.You can do it, remember Tornado!

 

The Work has Started

You can watch it live here

http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/home.html

 

I've been aboard! Will take a few pictures next time I pass.

 

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news...oine-Life/article-3429517-detail/article.html

 

thanks for that Ian, very interesting, especially about the riveting done the old way, there are video's of that on the sight as links above, but to give direct links:-

http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/videos.html

then scroll down the list.


the webcams are here:- http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/webcams.html

 

An interesting article............. www.advancedmanufacturing.co.uk/news/hull-rebuild-progress

 

Can I please ask if anyone can fill me in a bit here.

Firstly, I'm exremely pleased that all this is going on and we haven't lost MQ as we have others. But I don't understand something.

As I understand it the new hull is rivetted and substantially paid for by the Lottery funding. Good. My stupidity tax is not entirely wasted then! However, I also think that the MCA will not licence a ship to carry passengers with a rivetted hull. It wants a welded one.

So if I understand it correctly the MQ needed a rivetted hull to get the funding but as such can't carry passengers. If so, how on earth will it ever earn its keep?

OK, alongside as a conference centre or a museum, fine, but this is not a long term secure future. Occasionaly forays with the small numbers of passengers allowed hardly justify the expense of keeping her active and would be very expensive.

As I said, I'm pleased at what is happening, but have I misunderstood or is she pretty much condemned to be a white elephant because she can't be licenced to sail?

Have I got this wrong?

Thanks.

 

In my understanding you have summed up the situation quite concisely.

The only hope at this stage seems to be that after she is completed she may be granted an exemption but I can hardly see that being a likely scenario.

I hope there is someone wiser on the Forum that can put our minds at rest.

 

I agree entirely.

But I guess at least she has been saved and will exist.... one thing for sure her days were numbered at Damhead creek.

Stan

 

I am not saying that it was the wrong decision but in many ways once a new hull has been built I can only really consider it a "newbuild" or at best a replica despite the intention to refit much of the recycled fittings.