QM2 tragedy

just saw this on the web.....


Nov 15, 10:32 AM EST

11 Die in Queen Mary 2 Gangway Collapse




ST. NAZAIRE, France (AP) -- A crowded gangway collapsed Saturday on
the Queen Mary 2, which is to be the world's largest passenger ship,
killing at least 11 people and injuring 20 others, fire officials
said.

Dozens of people were on the gangway leading from the dock to the ship
when it collapsed, according to the Operational Center Fire and Rescue
Center. Along with workers finishing construction, there were visitors
on the boat at the time of the accident, but it was unknown whether
any were hurt or killed.

The Queen Mary 2 is nearly 80 yards high - about the height of a
21-story building - though it wasn't immediately known how high up the
gangplank was.

The QM2 is currently docked at this Atlantic coast shipyard where it
remains under construction. The 150,000-ton trans-Atlantic liner
recently finished its second test run. The first was in September.

Finishing touches are still being made on the oceanliner which
features a planetarium, 22 elevators and the largest floating library.




Once it is completed, the $800 million QM2 - the world's longest,
tallest and most expensive passenger ship - will join an illustrious
list of massive passenger ships.

The Queen Elizabeth 2 - whose trans-Atlantic route will be taken over
by the new ship in April - was built in 1967; the original Queen Mary
was launched in 1934 and is now a hotel in Long Beach, California.

In sheer size, the QM2 tops them all. It's 377 yards long and will
weigh more than twice the QE2's 70,000 tons.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s Voyager-class ships, about 138,000
tons, are currently the largest cruise ships in service.

The ship is being built by Alstom Marine's Chantiers de l'Atlantique
for the British ship operator Cunard Line, which is owned by Carnival
Corp.

Some 800 companies, mostly French, have been involved in the
construction.

Very sad 12 dead and 32 injured...
Susette
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This was great tragedy at the shipyard where the QM2 is docked. It is NOT a
QM2 tragedy!

--
Greg
lid
(Remove the '.invalid' twice to send Email)

I agree, probably too many fat Americans!
"Gregory C. Read" wrote in message
...
This was great tragedy at the shipyard where the QM2 is docked. It is NOT
a
QM2 tragedy!

--
Greg
lid
(Remove the '.invalid' twice to send Email)

clint wrote:

I agree, probably too many fat Americans!

Where is the Frog lady? I'm sure she'd have some comments about this.

Howie

Right now, the French government is actually right of center. During the
last French election for President, many Communist and Socialist voters held
their noses as they cast their ballots since their choice was between the
current French government, or a candidate who was from the extreme right
wing.

Tom Smith

"Paul Eichelberg" wrote in message
...
"clint" wrote:

I agree, probably too many fat Americans!

You mean among the socialist French workers and their families?