Cruise Talk: Millennium-helicopter rendezvous

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Millennium-helicopter rendezvous

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Topic: Millennium-helicopter rendezvous

Landlocked Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 4297

posted 12-31-2003 02:16 AM

Looks like a multiple evacuation from Millennium on Tuesday morning. Anyone know anything about it?

Posts: 253 | From: Wichita | Registered: Dec 2003 | IP: Logged

phil_a
First Class Passenger
Member # 3679

posted 12-31-2003 04:44 AM

why is it they hover over-head and not land on the helipad? is it lack of experience or just generally safer/quicker?

Posts: 850 | From: W. Australia | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-31-2003 01:14 PM

It probably depends on sea and wind conditions.

See how they have folded down the railings and mast on the bow, to make room.

I saw a holicopter land on the bow of 'Brilliance of the seas'. The ship had been doing just about full speed (25 knots) to get within range of the helicopter. She did not even seem to slow down very much, if at all, for the landing!

Am I right in thinking the QE2's Helicopter pad is marked 'Winch Only' or am I dreaming?

[ 12-31-2003: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 12-31-2003 02:13 PM

Yes Malcolm. I have only seen ones which say "Winch Only" and I recall being surprised that that was the case on QE2 as well.
Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

RANGERVR6178
First Class Passenger
Member # 3946

posted 12-31-2003 02:27 PM

What exactly does "Winch Only" mean? I they have it on the left side of the aft deck on all Carnival Spirit class ship... Wondered what it ment?

Posts: 243 | From: Sarasota, Florida | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 12-31-2003 03:27 PM

We've been on board during several helicopter evacuations - pretty sure we stopped - tricky business getting that stretcher cage down, loaded and then up again.

Come in Sympatico - you were there too........

From the picture times, would say it was only one person.....

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 12-31-2003 03:34 PM

I believe "winch only" means the helicopter is not able to land, but only use the ares to lower lines via winch. Exactly what is shown in the photos above on Millennium.

I don't know why this is the case- perhaps the structure is not strong enough to support the helicopter.

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Mike01
First Class Passenger
Member # 4210

posted 12-31-2003 04:11 PM

Many smaller blue ocean naval ships can use a winch to physically pull the helicopter down to the deck while the helecopter tries to stay airborne. This usually means the pilot is trying to pull away from the stern of the ship but the winch wins in the tug-of-war and makes the bird land. But this is usually only used when the helecopter must land (i.e. rough weather in the middle of the ocean with no land base anywhere around). I would imagine the winch onlydesignation on cruise ships means the helecopter crew must winch the injured abord via a stretcher.

Posts: 17 | From: USA | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged

phil_a
First Class Passenger
Member # 3679

posted 12-31-2003 09:04 PM

found some good shots of Constellation a while back - check out the photo gallery here

[ 12-31-2003: Message edited by: phil_a ]

Posts: 850 | From: W. Australia | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

sslewis
First Class Passenger
Member # 3649

posted 01-02-2004 06:38 AM

Thanks for much interesting pictures!
A bit OT, but QM2 recent misdaventure in the channel could have looked like this!
Pity, no webcam yet, and they opted for a boat transfer.
ssLewis,puzzled

Posts: 2513 | From: Shipspotting Solent shores when weather allows.... | Registered: Feb 2003 | IP: Logged

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