QE2 security

[Twynkle]

This is an intriguing topic!
About the history of screening passengers - and the 'hello / goodbye' with ID cards that became commonplace on QE2 as the crew and passengers joined and disembarked; it would be interesting to know when (and possibly 'why') these procedures were implemented....
 

[Rod]

This is an intriguing topic!
About the history of screening passengers - and the 'hello / goodbye' with ID cards that became commonplace on QE2 as the crew and passengers joined and disembarked; it would be interesting to know when (and possibly 'why') these procedures were implemented....
 

First, may I say that ALL members of this forum should beware of what they read in newspapers, see on the telly etc. They have a job to sell advertising anyway they can.
Regarding security on the ship. Prior to 1971 it was a joke! After the bomb scare when the UK Government, at great expense, sent EOD personell out to the ship at great personal risk, both to the EOD's and aircrew, the Government encouraged Cunard to pay more attention to security....continued

[Rod]

They made available, former EOD techs, who were retiring from the services, to be hired. It was impressed on Cunard that this would be a good idea as the IRA were very interested in the QE2. During 1971 Bob Venning was the first. Shortly afterward quite a few Officers, myself included were given an extensive course on bomb detection by x-ray and baggage x-ray was started., It went on from there.
The article mentioned in the opening to this thread and some of the comments in it seem a tad misguided. YES, at some times the QE2 was in some hairy situations. But would Cunard willingly put 2800 lives in danger for money? I doubt it!

[Twynkle]

.... YES, at some times the QE2 was in some hairy situations. But would Cunard willingly put 2800 lives in danger for money? I doubt it!

In recent years, QE2 had an exclusion zone (50 metres / yards, I think?) - with a big banner tied along the side railings where bunkering was taking place.
Thinking about this - it could have been an extremely 'hairy situation' had some evil creature tried to sabotage the process...

About other hairy situations...
Rod, what else can you tell us - pleeese!?

[Peter Mugridge]

I think most large vessels operate that sort of exclusion zone these days don't they?

[Andy F]

In recent years, QE2 had an exclusion zone (50 metres / yards, I think?) - with a big banner tied along the side railings where bunkering was taking place. Thinking about this - it could have been an extremely 'hairy situation' had some evil creature tried to sabotage the process...

A sign of the times Rosie unfortunately, for the threat remains every bit as real today as it has done now for many years sadly.  Just as security has been stepped up with aviation, the same applies to maritime interests (covered by the same act of law as it happens), which is why you can rarely get anywhere near ships (particularly here in the UK) these days unless travelling.

[Twynkle]

April 2006
Cruise liner QE2 on security alert in Egypt
http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/cruise-liner-qe2-on-security-alert-in-egypt-1.273934

[riskygizmo]

My old Dad was onboard for the first call to China on the 79 world cruise. The Chinese had posted a solitary and rather lonely looking member of the People's Liberation Army at the end of the gangway. Swaddled in a greatcoat and clutching a rifle, he (or she) stood stock still, singlehandedly preventing the curse of Western decadent running dog imperialism from infecting the glorious People's Republic.

Looking over the side, he noticed another soldier marching across the dockside, stopping face to face, about a pace away from the sentry. They snapped to attention and soldier one handed the rifle to soldier two. "Must be the guard commander doing his rounds" thought Dad, then he saw soldier one take off his greatcoat and swap it for the rifle as soldier two slipped it on and buttoned it up. Soldier two then took the rifle back again, they snapped to attention once more, before soldier one marched off across the dock for his tea .

[Twynkle]

About searching Officers Crew and Passengers.
' It would be interesting to know' if the officers as well as crew were searched routinely as they joined QE2...
And the passengers, today on Cunard ships, they are always searched as they come on board, both at the time of embarkation as well as coming on board after going ashore during a cruise.
Do you know what it was that triggered routine searches, and when did these begin?
Thank you!
Rosie

[cunardqueen]

On one of my last QE2 cruises l was busy taking photos and took a couple in the X ray room after checkin only to be approached by a member of security (shoreside) and to delete the ones l had taken inside..

[backinthehatch]

Interesting article by Paul Herrick.  Source http://www.urantiareadersintl.com/fantasyretirement.html

As a passenger you never know what is going on behind the scenes.  Here's a wee snippet :-

Back in the 1970's and 80's the ship used to have its own branch of the B.S.A.C. (British Sub Aqua Club) on
board, the U.K. equivalent of the PADI, SSI. We all had our own diving card and subscription books which were stamped with the QE2 logo each week. Training was carried out in the indoor pool on six deck aft and out in the caribbean and at other places suitable during the world cruise, with the air tanks being filled onboard.
The club used to have around 20 members, and would often be asked to inspect the hull for different incidents that occured around the world durring this time. This was of mutual benefit, as we would be given a tender for our own use in certain ports, I don't know if the club continued to exist on board into the nineties. I believe it was the only passenger ship ever to carry its own branch of a recognised diving club.

[John Drew]

Hello Backinthehatch,

I was the diving officer during part of the 1970s on board, what was your name? we must have dived together do you remember Hal Crook and Stan Childs? there were others as well, I used to fill the dive tanks in my workshop. John Drew. Life Boat Mechanic.