Antartic "Cruise" Ships Fragile?

[spartonboat1]

Anyone here surprised a little about how fragile the cruise ships seem to be that run in the Antarctic? I was under the impression that they were supposed to built to a higher standard, whatever that is, to run down there. I am esp. surprised that their bridges and controls would be so vulnerable to taking seas aboard and esp. suffering damage.

A few years ago I ran across a high seas test of an Ocean rated British built yacht and, based on the specifications and capabilities reported, I was impressed that the Hatts I know, including mine, the now little 43'DCFB Hatt, would fit that classification! E.g, under a known load at the gunnel, about the same as a adult placing their weight there, a certain amount of list was allowed, and any Hatt I know, would meet that test.

Most of you have seen this somewhere...
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/1...-power-antarctic-cruise-ship/?test=latestnews

 

[Avenger]

There's video of it here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7129684n

 

[Pascal]

back then, the old liners running the north atlantic routes had a sheer line and long foredeck... over the years, cruise ship operators have extended the superstructure forward so when these floating condos hit large seas, they stuff the bow and there is no way to dissipate the energy of the wave before it hits the superstructure.

same thing with pleasure boats... look at Sea Ray (and others) absurd reverse sheer line where the bow dips.

this is what makes those old Hatt more seaworthy than many boats: higher bow, long foredeck and sharp entry that parts the waves.

the price we pay is a small forward stateroom with upper/lower bunks instead of a centerline queen but when you're out there and the going get rough the Hatt will just cut thru instead of slamming.

 

[Glory]

There's video of it here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7129684n

Wow! I never quite understood the disire to head to a place where you needed mittens when you go out on deck.

I'd much more enjoy needing a cold drink and sunscreen.

JM

 

[Avenger]

Amen! I gave up on cod fishing after one try for exactly that reason.

 

[Walter P]

Ditto on the cold weather boating....

Years ago when I was still young and foolish (I'm not young anymore, just foolish) my friends and I used to charter out of RI and run out to Cox's ledge in search of Cod. We usually landed a boat load. One day I asked myself if I was having fun and the answer was no. We paid for the boat, captain, mate, bait etc.. and got a bunch of fish that we only kept a few and left the rest for the capt to give away and went home cold and tired. We figured that professionals do this sort of thing for a living. They made $ doing it, while we spent $ and beat ourselves up in the process.

After that, I limited my fishing to warm air, calm seas and cold beer. Eventually even that was becoming less fun (except the beer) so now my rule is the only fish that come aboard my boat are fileted and broiled.

Back in 1953 I made an Atlantic crossing to Europe and back and it was fun for the most part except on the westbound leg back to the US, we sailed fairly far north to the Canadian Maritimes and ran down the coast to NY. It was cold and damp and the seas were hardly calm.

To pay to cruise to the Artic or Antartic for fun for some but not for me.

Walt