Save the SS France, Norway, Blue Lady

SS France, SS Norway

ssMaritime

The new SS France-Norway-Blue Lady NEWS/CAMPAIGN page is now located at

However, this page is worth reading, as it contains a great deal of detail about NCL’s and Star Cruises’ handling of SS Norway over the past years. You will find some of the details herein quite shocking and certainly revealing. It shows that promises made by NCL/Star were not entirely true to say the least! This page also contains many news reports and official NCL documents - most via a link.

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ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

Tribute videos: 1. “Who wants to live forever” (SS Norway & other ships). 2. “Nevermore” (SS Norway) both by Maja Bij.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFWacTqMeyM by Mark (shipgeek)

Videos: 1. BBC - Michael Palin video of a Bangladeshi Breakers Yard – ships seen include the SS OceanBreeze, ex Southern Cross.This video (like the next one) clearly reveals workers carrying parts of a ship by hand without any protection! 2. CBS 13.05 minute video of another breakers yard in Chittagong Bangladesh. It reveals a tragic picture of the life of workers in a breakers yard. It is the same in Bangladesh and India. Child labour is rampant in both India and Bangladesh. Please Note: Being a CBS video, an advertisement will come first.

Photo pages: 1. Exclusive Alang photo page of the Blue Lady – these photos are exclusive to ssMaritime & are ©.

2. Sandra & Andreas Tietgen’s Photographic portrait of SS Norway seen in Bremerhaven

My Earlier comments are located below this Photograph

It is claimed in some circles that I have given false hope. The truth is, and I have said this over and over again, I feel “that the Norway could well be lost and that the court may well favour the breakers.” But, I and the thousands of supporters, who beg me to hold on, will hold on to the end, which will be until the Indian court will make their decision on December 4. Until then we will continue to hope for a miracle, but, we must remain realistic enough to be prepared for the possibility that we will have to say - Au Revoir SS France – Norway – “Jamais être oubliê” – “Never to be forgotten”! I do not think that is giving false hope, but hoping for the best, whist remaining realistic!

As time passes and considering the current situation of the SS Norway/France (Blue Lady), it stands to reason that I have been asked; “Why do you not give up and end this campaign?” Keeping all things in mind, there is no doubt that the situation with the ship does not look good, and it would be far easier for me to follow the lead of all other SS Norway based Web-pages and declare her as lost. Indeed things do not look good, but the truth is, there is still a court case going on, which could see her being ordered out of Indian waters, and we should know the outcome of this case on December 4. In the meantime, why not hold onto to the little hope there is. Many have emailed and asked me to continue the campaign, but I have clearly stated that we have to keep in mind that the court case may well go against us, then she will be demolished by Priya Blue, which will cause around 1 in every 6 of their workers to contract asbestosis of whom many will sadly die a painful death. Priya Blue certainly don’t care, the companies rich bosses sit up high in their castle and let the human army do all the dirty work and for the lowest pay possible and condemn them to the consequences associated to their toil. It will be interesting to see if the Indian Justice system cares? Frankly I doubt it! However, in the meantime, we will continue this campaign in defiance of those who seem to get great pleasure in attacking and mocking me, but will do so whilst I am still being realistic, that she could well be lost. However, there is time, thus please continue sending your emails to all the officials listed on the September 29 update. Also, contact the Indian Embassy in your country regarding the ship’s toxic waste, etc. Details of which are well described on this page, and the various attachments.

PLEASE NEVER FORGET that it was NCL and Star Cruises who managed to circumnavigate International the laws and Government requirements, whilst they were ridding themselves of this great ship. We are told statements were made in Germany that she was going to Asia to be redeployed there, and stated the same in Malaysia. I have proof of what Star Cruises said in Malaysia, as the following letter proves: This attachment contains a letter by Md. Badron Bin Ismail, the Director General of the Malaysian “Safety Navigation Division & Peninsular Malaysian Marine Department.” You will find it very revealing. Some of you will know that this site has been hijacked and compromised on a number of occasions. I obviously have enemies in India and in Asia. We are working in upgrading our security that this will no longer be possible.

NEW I thought that the following statement by Rezwana Hasan of 60 minutes (USA) makes it quite clear what the conditions at the breakers yards are really like!

“You can’t really believe how bad it is here, until you see it. It could be as close as you’ll get to hell on earth, with the smoke, the fumes, and the heat. The men who labor here are the wretched of the earth, doing dirty, dangerous work, for little more than $1 a day.”

Let us not stop fighting for those who work in “hell” both in India and Bangladesh. Their governments should hang their heads in shame, allowing such evil human abuse in their countries. So many die of asbestosis, and other dangers found in these yards. When the SS Norway – France saga ends please, please help me to place further pressure on these governments. Should our beloved ship stay on that rotten beach, don’t just abandon this fight; let’s do this, should it happen, in memory of this great liner! Let this campaign see lives saved and force others ships containing asbestos to shipyards that have all the safety equipment in place, such as found in the Ukraine and other Eastern Europe countries.

October 30: Below, under “beware” you will note that the Norwegian group offered CD’s with photographs of the Blue Lady on eBay for a minimum of US$100. Remarkably, since placing the said notice on this page, these CD’s have been removed from sale. I hope that I am denting these profiteers of a ship we love. I now many will love to have a piece of the ship, etc. Please do not buy anything, be it from that a certain American or this Norwegian – “let’s make a quick buck” crowd. They are preying on your emotions. PLEASE, let’s prove to all and sundry (if she is to be broken up) that we will want to remember her as she was, a proud and a great liner and have not some tragic little piece of what will then be a dead ship hanging on a wall! Should she be broken up, I believe that there will be several major pieces from the ship placed in a major museum. Go and see them, it will make you proud that no one will be profiting, but will actually out-laid a great deal of money to preserve part of the France/Norway. (Please do not ask me which museum at this stage, this will be announced at a later date, should it happen).

October 29: The second group I mentioned earlier have told me that they are still interested and they have the backing of some very high profile people, including a Royal family, even as Mr. Knut Kloster who originally purchased the France fully supports the idea. However, it seems that they, like Dubai, will now have to wait for the court case to end. Again, remember my warnings the chances of her being saved are slim. I will believe that she has been saved when the i’s on a bill of sale have been dotted and not before. One positive with the second group is as follows. For the Indian point of view, this concern has no Middle Eastern background. Remember Indians in the UAE are considered as servants, not masters, and this could have harmed our effort so far. I am just being frank.

October 24: I agree with all those who have made contact, the photographs taken at Alang are tragic to look at. And yes, I do have many interior shots, but I cannot release these as yet, the reason for this will be explained in the future.

BEWARE: Do not get stung! The Norwegian scavengers have just joined eBay (never sold anything on eBay before) and are selling their CD’s of photographs taken of the Norway this month. Their staring bid is US$100.00 and they have dozens of CD’s listed. Please be wise do not let these scavengers make a fortune on you. They are hoping to make massive profits just because of your love of the ship. I noted today that yet another profiteer is profiting from photographs taken of the ship at Alang on the basis that she is dead and buried. Tragic!

October 20: The BBC is currently in India doing an investigative report in relation to the Norway and Priya Blue. Also, the Indian Press is pursuing details relating to the real identities of Priya Blue/owners, etc. It has also been reported that the union concerned will make their own protest regarding the conditions of the ship yard workers to the Parliament.

John Voet has again assured me that “Project Dubai” is still working towards obtaining SS Norway, but as we all know nothing can be done until the Supreme Court decision on December 4.

October 15: Here is an interesting and revealing article published by “Frontline” - India's National Magazine published by “The Hindu” news service.

Again I am sorry but at this stage there is little worthwhile news coming from the US/Dubai or India. I know we are all aware that the scavengers continuing to buy container loads of fittings from the ship. I am told how they are preserving maritime history, and in part they might be, but they want to strip the ship even before the breakers have received permission by the court to break her up. I find it strange that not one of these scavengers (so-called lovers of classic liners) have lifted one single finger to help us, or even promoted the idea of saving the SS France/Norway, I suppose the profits are too good. The sad thing is, thanks to these ship lovers, will there be anything left should we, be by a miracle, manage to save her at the last minute? Will I buy a piece of memorabilia from SS Norway/France? No way, I prefer to keep her in my memory as the France and Norway with all her beauty. The only buyer I can support, should she be lost, is Monsieur Michel Perrin, who will obtain several original items from when she was the France. These will be obtained not for profit, but to be displayed in two French Museums. Monsieur Perrin has already reserved these items on the basis “if she is to be broken up.”

October 4: The following gives a tragic view of how dangerous the ship breaking yards are as they break up ships without providing their workers proper protection. Below is a short excerpt of an article by Julio Godoy of Inter Press Service.

“The Panamanian flagged ship Probo Koala unloaded more than 550 tonnes of toxic waste at Abidjan port in C- te d'Ivoire a month back. Emissions from that toxic waste have killed seven people and poisoned thousands.” … “A particular danger is the export of ‘end of life ships’ contaminated with asbestos and electronic waste to scrapping yards in Asia. Earlier this year the French government was forced to abandon export of its asbestos contaminated military aircraft carrier Clemenceau to the Indian scrapping yard Alang. But another ship, the SS Norway, formerly owned by the French government, and which is said to contain 1250 tonnes of asbestos, is waiting to be dismantled at the same scrapping yard. Asbestos is known to cause a progressive disease of the lungs, and can provoke lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma, a form of cancer in the sac lining the chest or abdomen.” Read the full article at … www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14135.

October 3: Project Dubai continues with their plan to obtain the SS Norway-France, however a new player has arrived on the scene, and this effort may just be able to topple Bleu Ribband-Gulf Dessert LLC effort. Obviously, I will back anyone with a viable plan and hope this one will have some impact. This effort will not have to wait for a court decision and could well buy the ship earlier. This new effort comes from a whole new direction and is very different that any before it. Quite a story, one which I cannot reveal as yet! However, I again stress, as I have done many times before, nothing is sure in this game, and SS Norway/France is indeed sitting on the beach, although can be easily be removed at the suitable high tide with her ballast blown. With close interest I will follow both efforts. More as it comes to hand.

Please read the following Indian Naval “Confidential” report regarding ship breaking activities at Alang. Use some of the details contained and send emails or faxes to those listed below. When emailing/faxing them, please do not state where you found the report, it is supposed to be “confidential.”

Tell them of your concern for the wellbeing of workers at the breakers yards. Remember a court has already decided that one in six workers end up with the fatal disease of asbestosis, for sadly the breakers are not able to provide sufficient protection for their workers. The breaking up of a ship is labour intensive and they have to literally carry piece by piece from the ship across the sand onto the shore. If the Blue Lady is broken up, she is a danger to all workers at the breakers yard. However, should “Project Dubai” obtain her she will be towed to a certified facility to have the work done. This will be a facility that protects their workers according international regulations. As you will see, those men mentioned below are vital to the result given on December 4, and a humbly written request will do much towards the cause! Please remember, Indians appreciate respect, thus, do not make demand, but “humbly request” etc.

Friends, please remember even if she is lost, during this campaign we did achieve something very special and powerful during this campaign. We have made it known to the world that (according to a finding by the Indian court) one in every six workers in Indian breakers yards contract asbestosis and 99% of these die. Thus it is time that ship owners who want to sell their ships for scrap take responsibility and have toxic waste removed before ships are sent to the breakers. NCL/Star Cruises got away with it by telling American, German and Malaysian authorities that she was going to the next port for repairs and that she would be returned to service, either as a cruise ship or a casino berthed in Singapore. Yet Colin Veitch disclosed to a close European maritime friend of mine, whilst he was on a NCL cruise, that NCL did not intended to return SS Norway to service. If SS Norway, ex France is lost, it is entirely due to the way Star Cruises/NCL handled the ship from Miami to Alang. However, we also need to remember that over the past years there have been a number of failed, or badly run, attempts to save the Norway, coming from the Dutch, German, French and a number of others. But then again the asking price for the ship was ridiculous and she was sold for less than half of the original asking price. Then late on the scene came John Voet and the Bleu Ribband-Gulf Dessert LLC, with a proposal that certainly seemed to be viable and the Arabs had the funds. It was for that reason I supported them and coined the name “Project Dubai.” Now our beloved liner sits on a beach, and only thanks to BANI and Greenpeace and your support, she may (???) be banished from Indian Territorial waters in December. But at this stage that is a very big IF. I believe that John Voet and Rashid al Noori are counting for this to happen and buy her at an acceptable price. I believe that the Indian court is weak and poorly stacked in favour of the breakers, but, I say again, let’s hope and wait and see. But, I also believe that we must be ready for the worst if the court decides for the breakers.

September 19: I am in constant contact with Helge Jensen ex Fire Chief on SS Norway. He never fails to provide excellent information. Today he wrote about the ships internal condition – “I am in contact with some officers, crew and management from the office in Miami, those that worked with NCL before, and they are all very positive and happy with the job that you are doing for us and SS Norway. We know that she will probably not be able to sail again for to give her new boilers is out of the question. They did have a plan to put in electro diesel motors but that would have been too expensive. Another thing is that basically all the piping onboard to cabins, fire lines etc is very bad and they have been a problem for years. All the fire lines and most of the toilets are supported by salt water and that have always been a big problem.” … For her “To be used as a hotel in Dubai would be great, the water would be taken from ashore and it would not be a big problem to re pipe her. She would be the perfect hotel.” (this item has been slightly edited for clarity reasons). Thank you again Helge for your assistance!

On February 16, 1974, during a world cruise, SS France visits Sydney Australia

Author’s private collection

Page Two contains Project SS Norway-France overflow of material. It is important to familiarise yourself of the events that have led up to this day, and the court decision on December 4, 2006. You will discover many fascinating articles by reporters from all over the world, documents that prove that NCL/Star knew that once Norway departed Miami, that she was on her final voyage, with them using a smokescreen. A document entitled: “Star Cruises deceive the German Authorities," which was written and signed by 14 worldwide organisations. Also there are NCL documents provided by ex staffers that NCL had already fully costed retubing the boilers, even giving her brand new engines long before the boiler explosion. Thus, why send her to Germany to investigate cost of repairs, etc? Then there is a very revealing letter by Md. Badron Bin Ismail, the Director of the Malaysian “Safety Navigation Division & Peninsular Malaysian Marine Department,” who clearly states that Star Cruises advised the department that the Blue Lady was heading for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for “repair works,” whilst she has already been sold to the breakers. NCL/Star Cruises seem to have a real problem with relating the “facts” of their intentions!

Reuben Goossens

News Updates

September 8: Court decision delayed. Dear Friends and Supporters of the “Save the SS Norway - SS France Campaign,” also known as “Project Dubai.” Although health wise this is not my best day I decided to provide an update. I am sorry to say, I have been told that the Indian court will now make its decision on December 4. Should this is the case the ship will have been sitting on sand for three and a half months, which obviously is not good. I have just been told by the ex Fire Chief of SS Norway that she was dry-docked in 2001. Now five years later her keel will be rapidly deteriorating sitting with all her weight on the beach, thus there is no doubt as time passes it will be more difficult to remove her be it in December or January. My fear is that the court will announce further delays for they certainly do not seem to be in a hurry. The longer they keep her on the beach it may solve a problem for them and the breakers. I have to be truthful, it is possible that the fabulous, SS France, SS Norway may be lost if the court keep on delaying their decision. I have been India a number of times, and I know well how big money speaks! Enough said.

Friends, I will continue with this project for as long as it is feasible, but should it come to a time that this campaign conclude (although we will continue to hope), I am sure you will know how much I have appreciated your overwhelming support, especially your kindness during my current health crisis. How can I ever thank you?

No matter what happens, tell your travel agents and friends, why you will never sail with NCL/NCL America/Star Cruises again, as Star Cruises is a company who has been greatly responsible for the situation SS Norway finds herself in. We need to understand should she be broken up (which is becoming more likely) that at least one in every six workers at the breakers-yards will be exposed to asbestosis, a condition that “ … is an incurable disease caused by exposure to asbestos that destroys the lungs and eventually kills its victims.” The following item was been sourced from AFP News:

“A Supreme Court committee has found that one in six workers at a ship-breaking yard in western India that dismantles old ships showed signs of having been exposed to asbestos, a report said. The report said 15 out of 94 workers exposed to asbestos while working at the Alang ship-breaking yard in Gujarat state showed preliminary symptoms “consistent with asbestosis,” the Indian Express newspaper said on Wednesday. Asbestosis is an incurable disease caused by exposure to asbestos that destroys the lungs and eventually kills its victims.” Read the full AFP News report HERE.

Last year France with great honour recalled their Aircraft Carrier le Clemenceau due to the asbestos onboard. France will now have it removed at a location that has the proper facilities to do so. Considering that Blue Lady was despatched to Alang by Star Cruises (on the pretence she was going to be repaired in the UAE) from Malaysia, I very much doubt, that Malaysia or Star Cruises owned by the Genting Casino Corp, will prove to be that honourable. Read a part of an earlier report, just to remind ourselves how NCL/Star Cruises misinformed the German authorities in “clear violation of Article 16 of the European Union Waste Shipment Regulation, and Article 6 of the Basel Convention, as well as the Basel Ban Amendment.”

“Earlier the company (Star Cruises) ensured the departure of the Blue Lady (Norway) from the port of Bremerhaven, Germany on May 23, 2005, by misinforming the German authorities. This has triggered a continuing criminal offence that persists to this day. It has dragged Germany and India into becoming a participant in violating international laws. Newly discovered evidence confirm that as far back as 2004, the owners of the SS Norway, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) and its mother company, Star Cruises Ltd (NCL), misled Germany by declaring that the vessel was going to Asia for re-use. It did the same in Malaysia.” … “It is incumbent on Germany to take Blue Lady back at once (as was done in Europe in the case of Le Clemenceau) as its export is a clear violation of Article 16 of the European Union Waste Shipment Regulation, Article 6 of the Basel Convention, and the Basel Ban Amendment. Star Cruise’s NCL has acted inappropriately in the past, when it purposely covered up an environmental crime it committed. Efforts are on in Germany to take Star Cruise to task for its act fraudulent misrepresentation to the German authorities.” Read the full PRESS PELEASE here.

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Contacts & email addresses

September 29: Here is a MUST read article. Read it and please FAX/Email it to those listed below the article. This is yet another reason to contact Indian officials. Let them know that 1. you know about it, and 2. that you care!

Mr. T K A Nair, Principal Secretary and Dr Sanjay Baru, media advisor, Prime Minister. FAX: 91-11-23019545

Mr. Gopal Subramaniam, Additional Solicitor General of India as well. FAX: 91-11-23074216

Mr. Prodipto Ghosh, Chair, Technical Committee. FAX: 91-11-24362746

Justice Arijit Pasayat. FAX: 91-11-23383792

Email: The Minister of health - resp-health@hub.nic.in

Email: Minister of Environments & Forests - harjit-s@nic.in

Director of Human Rights in India - ionhrc@nic.in

You can also obtain further email addresses from - http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/

Also email:

Mr. Colin Veitch - Veitch at CVEITCH@ncl.com

Mr. Chee Tut Chong - ctchong@starcruises.com.my

Miss Jane Poh - sjpoh@starcruises.com.my

NCL CEO Colin Veitch - CVEITCH@ncl.com

You could also Email the following media outlets with the latest news regarding the court case and the campaign itself.

abramsreport@msnbc.com - Imus@msnbc.com - hardball@msnbc.com - msnbcinvestigates@msnbc.com - business@MSNBC.com - WebEditors@newsweek.com - www.CNN.com – www.BBC.com - Contact Good Morning America - Contact World News Tonight - Contact Nightline - Contact Primetime - Contact 20/20 - Contact World News Now - Contact Weekend News - Contact This Week

URGENT - Gopal Krishna: I request that you consider providing some financial support for Gopal Krishna to continue our fight, please, please do so, per; 1. Direct transfer, 2. Post a cheque.

Details.

Name of Bank: Standard Chartered Bank. Address: Standard Chartered Bank. Branch-New Delhi, M-1, South Extension Part II, New Delhi- 110049, India. Account No: 52810173502. Name of the account holder: Gopal Krishna
Swift Code no of Bank: SCBLINBBDEL - MICR Code: 110036008 - My PAN No: AHJPK6491P?

Gopal’s postal address.

Gopal Krishna. A-1/125, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi-110029
E-mail: krishnagreen@gmail.com, Mobile phone: India-9818089660

The Alang scavengers: I am sure many have seen the online page of a Norwegian scavenger who has many pages of exterior and interior photographs of Blue Lady at Alang. A consortium of European and American scavengers has contracted to buy all or most her interior fittings right up to taps and sinks. I have been asked, "Can the breakers sell these items?" Frankly yes they can, as only the demolishing is in question by the Indian court. Although saving SS Norway/France is becoming slimmer by the day (to the joy of the Alang scavengers), we still hope to see her ordered out of Indian Territorial waters, and see Project Dubai, or another organisation buy her!

Six great links:

Two brilliant tributes to SS France/Norway:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7R4L9nedEU4. Thank you Maja.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gDlrVFcgk4

Articles on breakers yards:

NEW - http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=34818 - NEW

http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=11934

http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=11308

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/317229.stm

http://merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=211&category=Nation&catID=2

September 22: Directly below this lengthy update your will find a host of interesting links, make sure you read them!

September 5: Gopal Krishna has confirmed that the Supreme Court should hear the matter any day now although they have not fixed a specific date. The technical report was submitted on 31st August, 2006, and the final decision now lies in the hands of the court.

September 4: Received an update from John Voet of Bleu Ribband-Gulf Dessert LLC, this morning with news that the “Technical committee” report has now been completed, and is being reviewed by legal and other experts. The court will take this report as well as the technical information provided by Gopal Krishna. I believe that this is an important week to raise all issues on the court deliberations in regard to treaties, law, and the breakers Priya Blue having the capabilities to do the job, which we all know they cannot. Remember Priya does not have the officially recognised safety gear and equipment to protect their workers.

It is our hope that the court will order Blue lady off the beach either during the next king tide or the one following it. Then, our bargaining power will have increased dramatically as Bridgend Shipping will have to rid themselves of her.

Please continue to send more emails to keep up the pressure on the Indian Government, etc. See the listing further up the page.

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August 26: New Articles & Press release:

1… Aug 23 - www.meretmarine.com, France - ENTER - 2… Aug 25 - Baltimore Sun, USA – ENTER - 3… Aug 25 - Khaleej Times, UAE – ENTER – Press release, INDIA – ENTER. A new photograph is shown below the paragraph titled; “Important.”

August 23: I am aware that NCL and Star Cruises are obviously “livid” with me as I brought this campaign to the world. None of the unpleasantness was required for they could have taken another course of action. I asked Star Cruises on a number of occasions, especially after the promissory note expired, that they take the ship back from Bridgend, and resell it to “Bleu Ribband-Gulf Dessert LLC” and they would have come out of the whole situation, smelling like a rose, the good guy’s in fact! The negatives presented were reports by 14 recognised organisations who accused NCL/Star Cruises of “deception” and breaking the “Basel Convention” etc. I have received a number of viruses, all having originated from Jane Poh’ email address at Star Cruises. I questioned Jane and she wrote back – “the e-mails were not from me but by someone who has spoofed my e-mail address.” All I can say, is I am so pleased that I have the best possible anti virus systems, which has protected me from so many attacks.

I wish to thank all those who have emailed over the past week regarding the drags of the world we call the “naysayer’s. I think the following comment by Stephen (surname withheld) says it all.

“It is my humble opinion, though, that you have given the “Naysayer’s” far more recognition than they deserve, they simply aren’t worth your valuable time. You have nothing to defend from them; they cannot taint your honor, when they have nothing with which to taint it. The mere fact that you bother to respond to them gives them far more credibility than they deserve.”

Stephen, thank you, and all who have written me over the past week. You are right, to hell with these hateful nobodies; thus, I have dumped the garbage just where it belongs!

August 19: We need to understand that SS Blue Lady has not been rammed up onto the beach as with many other ships that do so with their engines running at full steam. As the TV2 French photo proves (see the photograph below), she was towed toward the beach by tugs at high tide, and then left at anchor. Whereas another photograph online, shows her at the same place during low tide when her keel does rest on the sand. That photograph certainly looks bad, but we have to understand that there is a 32 to 36 foot difference between low and high/king tides. Thus, during the high tide she is mostly afloat, then, with her ballast proper, she will have feet to spare as she did when tugs placed her there. We have been told by experts, that there is no damage to her bow or keel!

Wednesday 16: SS Blue Lady beached - seen here at high tide

Honestly, the problem now is not a problem with physically moving the ship, but with the various sub-contractors that are entwined in the dismantling process.

Court decides against Star Cruises owners of SS Blue Lady

August 18: A win at last! Star Cruises (still the official owners of Blue Lady) receives a major setback!

We continue to hold NCL/Star Cruises & the Breakers as being responsible for the current situation

I received a Press Release from Mr. Gopal Krishna BANI & Ingvild JENSSEN Greenpeace, which stated that;

“The Indian Supreme court has determined that SS Blue Lady cannot be broken until further from the Supreme Court. The court also observed that the only permission granted by it on 5^th June 2006, was for anchoring at a safe place in the territorial waters of India off Alang. It made it clear that no permission whatsoever has been granted for breaking of the ship.”

The Press Release also stated;

Can she be refloated? We need to understand that at high tide, Blue Lady is mostly afloat, however at low tide she looks to be firmly aground. I have received news from my Alang contact that there is no damage to her hull and that at a king tide she could be refloated. Although doubtful, should the court demand that she is taken further out to sea and placed at anchor, I suggest that Star Cruises wise up and reclaim her (she is still owned by them) and resell her to Dubai. Alternatively, they could be ordered to return the ship to Germany, which will cost them millions. I wonder which option in that case would be the preferable one. However, we need to understand, that the breakers will continue to do everything in their power to ensure she is broken up, one way or another, thus we should not get our hopes up too much!

However, the good news is, the thousands of emails we have sent to the various individuals as required has paid off. Now keep them up for people power could still, with a great deal of luck, bring “the baby home.” Read the full Press Pelease here.

Vive Le France!

Documents

Below are a series of documents which provide interesting fact of recent events. You will find an interesting letter by Prof M.G.K. Menon to the chief Justice of India Mr. Shri Y.K. Shabharwal, as well as the official report by the “Gujarat Pollution Control Board and Technical Committee,” as well as other interesting documents.

NCL/Star Cruises and Bridgend Shipping/Priya Blue ship breakers seemed close to beaching the Blue Lady, ex Norway, France and see the commencement of her breaking up. But, things have changed rapidly. According to a Press release of August 18 “criminal action” may be taken out against Star Cruises.

There is no doubt that the Malaysian “Genting Casino Group” (who owns NCL/NCL America/Orient Line and Star Cruises) handled the Norway in a worst possible way, as the documents we have been provided prove. Many decisions were made by Colin Veitch CEO of NCL and his bosses at Star Cruises, which tragically led her to Alang. After the tragic boiler explosion on May, 25, 2003, NCL/Star decided to relocate SS Norway to Bremerhaven to have her repaired, and as claimed by Colin Veitch, that she would return to Miami and recommence cruise duties. But, how convenient it was that she was in Bremerhaven at a perfect time to become an accommodation ship for the workers on the troubled NCL America Pride of America that had sunk during construction! It should be noted, that as soon as the Pride of America departed, so did SS Norway and she heading for Malaysia for the reason (according Star Cruises) that she would be used in some way in Singapore or Malaysia. Obviously this did not occur for in no time at all, as Rajesh Shah of Kumar Steel at Alang told me at the time, Star Cruises invited Bangladeshi and Indian breakers onboard inspections. Thus, NCL/Star on three separate occasions, as we have been told in these documents, have “misled” various Maritime Safety Authorities, including the American Authority, the European Maritime Authority, whilst at the same time they were “violating Article 16 of the European Union Waste Shipment Regulation, Article 6 of the Basel Convention, and the Basel Ban Amendment.” When she departed Port Klang, Star Cruises even “misled” their own authority, being the Malaysian “Safety Navigation Division” and the “Peninsular Malaysian Marine Department” as the paragraph located below “Beauty and the Beast” reveals.

“Beauty and the Beast”

SS Norway departs Bremerhaven 25 May 2005 heading

For Port Klang as the hideous NCL America POA departs

On December 28 2005, SS Norway had been sold to a Bangladeshi breaker and she departed Port Klang on January 6 heading under tow to Chittagong. However, the ship was returned to Star Cruises and placed at anchor just outside Port Klang by the breakers. This was due to a massive outcry by Greenpeace and a host of other organisations in relation to the safety of the workers at the breakers yard in Bangladesh, as the ship was carrying masses of asbestos and other toxic waste, which could not be safely removed under the working conditions these yards were able to provide. The Bangladeshi Authorities were wise and returned the ship to Star Cruises. Then, SS Blue Lady departed Port Klang again on May 5, 2006, with Star Cruises having told the Malaysian “Safety Navigation Division & Peninsular Malaysian Marine Department” that she was going to Dubai to be repaired, whilst in fact she had already been sold to Bridgend Shipping/Haryana ship breakers. Thus, Star Cruises, “misled the Maritime Authorities on three separate occasions”, and they attempted to “bypass the system.” However, then came “Project Dubai,” which commenced the largest protest and support group in maritime history. View some of the documents below and make up your own minds. In our possession there are other documents, which for reasons we are unable to place online for obvious reasons, having only read them, they are interesting, but more so that they were sent by to “Project Dubai” by an ex NCL staff member.

The documents below which have been provided to “Project Dubai” by various sources seem to prove these facts.

NCL claimed that SS Norway was going to Germany in order to obtain costs of repairs required. However, two informative Interoffice memo’s prove that NCL had already obtained costs, even for brand new engines to be installed – see NCL1.pdf & NCL2.pdf

"Star Cruises deceive the German Authorities." Written and signed by 14 organisations.

Star Cruises told Md. Badron Bin Ismail, the Director of the Malaysian “Safety Navigation Division & Peninsular Malaysian Marine Department,” that SS Blue Lady was heading for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for “repair works.” Read Md. Badron bin Ismail’s letter-HERE.

“Gujarat Pollution Control Board and Technical Committee” report regarding the suitability of SS Blue Lady being beached. Written and signed by 14 organisations.

“An Indian panel “violated the guidelines” for ship-breaking laid down by India's Supreme Court by approving the scrapping of a controversial Norwegian cruise liner this week.” Read the full report HERE.

An interesting letter by Prof M.G.K. Menon to the chief Justice of India Mr. Shri Y.K. Shabharwal

CE John Voet and CEO Rashid al Noori of “Bleu Riband-Gulf Dessert LLC” made various offers, offers that would have been happily accepted by other breakers in the past. But, where there invested interests behind the scene?

Classic Comments – Commenting on Classic Liners in danger of demolition and more

Please Note: All information received regarding “Project Dubai” regarding saving SS France – Norway” has been provided to me by Mr. John Voet of Bleu Ribband-Gulf Dessert LLC, as well as management and representatives of various companies and other organisations involved in this effort. Certain documents were sent to “project Dubai” by ex NCL staffers, and others “in the know” or “in the loop.” I have read these documents, but returned them to the source. Although I make every effort to ensure that the information given are correct, I cannot guarantee of its accuracy. But, all those I have placed online are signed and the providers names are on them! However, I do not take any responsibility for these items or statements made on them.

In relation to running this campaign; There are those who have told me “Reuben you are sticking your head out and you could end up looking like an idiot if things go wrong,” well so be it. Having had contact with John Voet of “Bleu Ribband-Gulf Dessert LLC” for some time, I believe the company to be genuine in their attempt, thus, I have supported their efforts. Other campaigns were originally included on this page, but these have fallen by the wayside. One of these was a French effort, which obviously would have been perfect solution for this fine French Liner, but it was not to be, which saddened me.

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