QE2 after Dubai

[Thomas Hypher]

I think that you'll find that there is only a small % of HMS Victory - probably 30/35% - that is original. It is constantly being worked on and parts replaced.
Many years ago now, I used to live in the same Sgt's Mess as the Royal Marine Sgt Maj of the HMS Victory RM Detachment. There were about 25/30 RN/RM crew onboard at the time and they were the Guides. The RM Sgt was the Chief Guide and responsible to training guides and ensuring standards were maintained.
At the time the Crew used to live in the building that was demolished to build the Mary Rose Exhibition Building, but before that they actually lived onboard HMS Victory.

Yes that's the other problem with preservation (particularly with aircraft for example) at what point do you have a near replica or still the original. There are WW2 fighters that were dug out of peat bogs etc etc and some made flyable and they are passed off as preserved when they are virtually new aircraft due to what remained and was usable after decades. The line between preservation and replicas is blurred to say the least!

However if QM or HMS Belfast for example are anything to go by QE2 should remain mostly as original as she was at the end of Cunard service for some years yet.

[Thomas Hypher]

It is not out of the question that QE2 could be moved by using a heavy lift vessel.  There is one out there now that could handle her.  A tow would just be way too risky.

Would that be one of the ships that sinks under the ship it's picking up and then re-floats itself (like after HMS Nottingham's grounding in Australia for example)?

[June Ingram]

Yes, I think so.  Although I have seen some huge (high) drilling platforms loaded on top of a heavy lift vessel.  QE2's length would probably also necessitate the kind that sinks under the ship.

[Thomas Hypher]

Yes, I think so.  Although I have seen some huge (high) drilling platforms loaded on top of a heavy lift vessel.  QE2's length would probably also necessitate the kind that sinks under the ship.

Semi-submersible heavy lift ship from some quick research:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy-lift_ship

And the specific one you may be thinking of (an idea was to use her to carry Costa Concordia, intact it seems, to Genoa before they decided to tow the wreck):

http://gcaptain.com/megamachines-dockwise-vanguard-worlds-largest-heavy-lift-ship/

Although QE2 would be longer than her by some margin 

[June Ingram]

Hi Thomas -

I think you may be right.

On a quick search also, I did find many companies having heavy lift ships, not all large enough to handle QE2, but many more than a couple of years ago when this method of transport was discussed.

June   

[dellboy]

I think the Dockwise Vanguard is big enough with an overhang bow and stern.https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,3945.msg57885.html#msg57885

[Thomas Hypher]

I think the Dockwise Vanguard is big enough with an overhang bow and stern.https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,3945.msg57885.html#msg57885

After I wrote my post I looked up Costa Concordia's length and she was only very slightly shorter than QE2 is - so I agree with you. It would be an amazing thing to see!