QE2 shipshape again after fault

Published on Sunday 9 September 2007 00:40

THE QE2 was ready to set sail again yesterday after breaking down during a Mediterranean cruise.

The liner was delayed for 24 hours in the Croatian port of Dubrovnik after suffering a mechanical fault.

Replacement parts had to be flown out to the Cunard vessel, which has about 1,750 passengers on board.

A company spokesman said they had now been fitted and the QE2 would be leaving for Trieste, in Italy, this afternoon.

The liner is midway through a two-week cruise, having set off from Southampton last Saturday. It is due back this Saturday, when it will set off on a 40th anniversary cruise.

The eight-day voyage around Britain, commemorating her launch in September 20, 1967, by the Queen at Clydebank, includes her first visit to Newcastle (September 16) and return visit to the Clyde on September 20.

The iconic vessel has just over a year left at sea before sailing to Dubai to become a floating hotel. Earlier this year, it was sold to the Dubai World company for 50m and will be berthed from 2009 at a specially constructed pier at The Palm Jumeira development.

The 70,000-ton QE2 is 964ft long and 105ft wide and can carry up to 1,900 passengers and more than 1,000 crew.

In 2004, the QE2 handed over its position as Cunard's flagship to the new 150,000-ton QM2.