Star Princess to Arcadia

Star Princess Belfast Nov 97

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Being called to the Staff Captain's Office I was asked if I would like to pay off and fly to Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades to sail Princess Cruise's Star Princess to Belfasts Harland & Wolf Shipyard for an extensive multi million ppund refit and dry docking to emerge as P&O Arcadia and join the expanding fleet of buff coloured funnels and exciting oppertunity not to be missed. Joining on 11/11/97 and set sail for Northern Ireland, two weeks later docking at Belfast after some pretty horendous weasther but two weeks on shipboard familirisation that put me in good stead for the six week dry dock. I spent the first two weeks in the ops room assisting Safety Officer with hot work and permits to work carrying out extensive rounds ensuring all the safety procedures where in place and that a proper fire watch was being maintain by the ship yard also answering the many fire alarms that where going off. All the ships lifeboats wher taken ashore to a large magazine for overhaul in the third week as i ahd good wood work and fibreglass knowledge I was sent to assist the Boat Coxswain affect repairs and renew signage call sign retro reflective tape after yard workers had polished top sides Painted the white hulls after yard cleanig and bring up to date all small gear and freshwater.Sailing just befor new year to southampton we were well drilled in Lifeboats Liferafts and MOB carrying out a full MOB once of Belfast Loch.I paid off Southampton 05/01/98 off after Inaugral Cruise AT Mayflower Terminal Berth 106 Southampton for a spot of well earned leave.

Arcadia lifting of the blocks new anti fouling and anodes. When fully afloat the lifeboats where reconnected and davits and boats put through load test all passed with flying colours by now I had complete hands on knowledge of the working of these including the hydrostatic release gear.