Displaying items by tag: April 2021

25th November 2020

Cruise Operator P&O Cancels Sailings Up to April 2021

Cruises by P&O were abandoned in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Above AFLOAT's photo of the operator's 'adults' only Arcadia in Dublin Bay during an 'anchorage' call off Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The Vista class cruiseship is currently among a quartet of cruiseships in UK waters offshore of Teignmouth, Devon having previously been at anchor off Weymouth this summer.

Operator P&O Cruises will not resume cruise sailings until at least April next year.

The company ended its cruises in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic and has not resumed any of its voyages since.

The Southampton-based firm, which is part of the Carnival group, said the continued pause in operations was because of "the current uncertainty around European ports of call".

The latest round of cancellations affects 19 planned cruises.

For much more click BBC News here to include a comment from P&O's CEO in addition the sight of idle cruiseships at anchor of the UK's south coast formed an 'unusual attraction' during the summer.

Among these cruiseships as Afloat identified in the report's photo offshore of Weymouth is Arcadia (on left) an infrequent caller to Irish waters.

Published in Cruise Liners

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About the TP52 Racing Yacht

The TP52 racing yacht is a remarkable example of cutting-edge technology in the world of competitive yachting. Measuring 52 feet (15.85 metres) in length, this vessel is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, making it an incredibly light and agile craft.

The TP52 features a 6.25-metre high rig, complete with a fractional asymmetrical spinnaker and a self-tacking jib. This design reduces the workload of the crew, allowing for more efficient manoeuvres and freeing up the crew to focus on the mainsheet upwind and on two-sail reaches.

The spinnaker rigging set-up, measuring 15.00 m2, presents a challenge to even the most experienced crews, requiring them to be fit and perfectly coordinated. Maneuvering the boat requires athleticism due to the vessel's lack of inherent stability and the high speed generated by the fully battened mainsail and jib.

The TP52's hull is constructed of fibreglass-reinforced polyester in a foam sandwich layout, resulting in a weight of just 74kg. The fully battened mainsail and jib are made from a transparent Mylar laminate with orange or red Dacron trimming, while the spinnaker is manufactured from ripstop Nylon.

The mast is made up of three parts, featuring an aluminium bottom and middle section, with a polyester-fibreglass composite tip to increase mast bend and decrease overall weight. The capsizing moment, which can be generated by a heavy mast tip, is also reduced through this design. The TP52's foils are constructed from either aluminium or fibreglass, depending on the specific requirements of the vessel.

Overall, the TP52 racing yacht is an exceptional example of the latest advancements in yacht design and technology. Its lightweight construction, advanced rigging, and high-speed capabilities make it a top contender in the world of competitive yachting, challenging even the most skilled and experienced crews.