ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

SS France, Norway

“Save the SS Norway Campaign” Concluding page & final updates

Before the rebuilding of the SS France to become a cruise ship she was a sleek and graceful ship

Although her beauty continued to shine and was a much loved cruise ship

Author’s collection

NCL/Star Cruises Updates

Provided bywww.timeanddate.com/clocks/free.html

This page no longer highlights the fate of the great SS France, Norway for sadly we have lost the fight, a fight that was, as we have discovered, impossible to win, but we gave it our all! And thank you all my supporters over the years. You know that we reached just over 22 million supporters on this campaign alone? It is amazing.

This page will feature updates as we see the results of NCL/NCLA and Star Cruises disgusting behaviour in regard to both the SS Norway and SS Independence, and now they are (thankfully) slowly slipping downhill financially as both companies are getting rid of their ships. NCL America is now left with only the SHAME (Oops Pride) of America, as all her running mates having either been transferred or sold. NCL has been selling off ships, including Orient Line and the wonderful Marco Polo. Star Cruises is also dumping ships as their ventures are not working out as planned and they pulled out of certain ‘new home’ ports for “specified reasons.” Thus, if interested, I will keep you up to date with the news as it comes in. Also, there are certain ITEMS of interest that will remain and they will be expended on with more links to be placed on this page in due course. These links will have documents that prove the tales that NCL/Star have told, which were, well, nor exactly 100% true! Thus, I hope that this page will make for interesting reading in the future.

For interest; I have commenced my FINAL Preservation (Save the) Campaign, but do so on my own account. This is a very personal campaign with a ship that means a great deal to me. I do believe that she will find a new home very quickly and she will be saved from the breakers. Details and a link to this new page is located below the item - “What about the Save a Classic Liners Campaign?

Visit Gopal Krishna’s webpage (Greenpeace & BAN India) at …

http://www.mediavigil.blogspot.com

Reuben Goossens

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

NEW VIDEOS

SS Norway Departs Bremerhaven

By Paul Thomas – 6.35 min.

“The ex-SS France, SS Norway being towed from Bremerhaven on her way to an uncertain future in Asia, May 2005. I filmed this from NCL's 'Pride of America', on which I was working as part of the fit-out team. Here, we are returning from sea trials in the North Sea and were returning just as the Norway was leaving. This was an extremely sad event - I had managed to get aboard the Norway, briefly, while she was in Bremerhaven and she was truly a beautiful ship. Sadly, she is currently being broken up in Alang. No way to treat a lady…” Paul.

SSNorway Engine Facilities

Come and take a tour of the engine room in this old NCL video on youtube. Parts of the film is a little shaky, but most if it is OK.

ON THIS PAGE:

The latest Photo of the ex SS Norway, France (Blue Lady) at Alang - 2008

What about the Save the Classic Liners Campaign?

My FINAL Campaign – for the US 1914 built SS Media, later SS Roma, MS Franca C, MV Doulos

NEWS Updates

Veitch off the Star Cruises Board of Directors

NCL fined US$14.75 million - May 22

NCL found guilty for 8 deaths and wounding 10 - May 2

NCL sell’s two more ships – Norwegian Dream & Norwegian Majesty – April 29

NCL America gets rid of two more ships – Pride of Hawaii & Pride of Aloha – April 26

ITEMS

A Special Request for ex SS Norway Officers, engineers & crew members

My concluding Message as Director of the “Save the Classic Liners Campaign”

NTSB Report – Part 1 & 2

When did this Campaign” commence?

Facing the Facts

How did ssMaritime come about?

Timeline May 2003 – May 2008 – There is a links down the page

This page contains links; please use them as they contain important information. In the future I will expand this page for future reading as it will always be of interest to all who love this great ship!

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Blue Lady at Alang

This photo was taken on May 12, 2008 – Today - all of her bow and stern has gone!

It is not with joy that I publish this image of what was one a great Liner and cruise ship, but it will remind us what Chinese/Malaysian Casino operators Genting Corp owned Star Cruises and NCL/NCLA Cruises have done to the SS Norway and now to the SS Oceanic (ex SS Independence). Obviously the SS United States will be next on their hit list as she is badly neglected and rotting away at her berth in Philadelphia! ssMaritime and on my cruise site Cruise-Australia have placed a BAN on Star Cruises and NCL!

Please Note: January 2009, Sadly the Blue Lady has now almost been demolished and there is little left of her on the beach. I have been asked to place further photographs online, but I have decided not to do so, as the one above I find sad enough and I feel we should remember her as fondly as possible!

SS Norway’s - Sheer beauty

She was ultimately destroyed by NCL’s greedy Asian Casino Lords Genting Corp - Star Cruises

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

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What about the “Save the Classic Liners Campaign?

Although I have officially retired from the "Save the Classic Liners Campaign", which I originally founded, please remember that the Campaign goes on strongly with Alex Naughton at the helm in the UK.

You can view his website at: www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/savetheclassiclinerscampaign.html.

His email address is: ajnaughton@hotmail.com. Please continue to support this vital campaign as there are still a good number of significant ships and old liners that are worth saving. Such as: SS Topaz, ex Empress of Britain - Oceanic, ex Independence and a other excellent ships. You will find them listed on Alex’s website. In the USA we have an US coordinator Corey Abelove and you can email him in regard to the SS United States or the SS Oceanic (Independence) at: our_flagship@yahoo.com (our_flagship@).

Thank you all for being such great friends for so long and God bless you all!

Reuben Goossens – HOWEVER - I will continue with one more personal campaign …..

“MV Doulos Preservation Campaign”

MV Doulos and the author in Brisbane Australia - July 31, 2008

Enter the “MV Doulos Preservation Campaign” page here

From August 1, 2008, I spent almost a month onboard MV Doulos as a “Ministry Guest” of OM Ships on the 17^th. My voyage down to Sydney was a delight and you will find my report and updated pages on the ship reflected on my new 30 webpage site created especially for the Doulos at www.ssmaritime.net. This new ssmaritime dot.net site mirrors ssmaritime.com will only highlight the historic 94 year old passenger ship MV Doulos, ex Linea C (Costa Cruises) MS Franca C, San Miguel’s SS Roma, Mallory Steamship SS Medina built in the USA in 1914. We are now looking for a new future for this remarkable ship, and as her Chief engineer, Dominic Bothello, told me, “She can easily sail on for another 20 years for she is that good. However, we have SOLAS 2010 to contend with.” Obviously that means we will have to find another role for her for the cost to keep her sailing is simply prohibitive. What are the options? She could become an excellent floating Boutique hotel, although a good amount of work would be needed, or a preference would be floating Bible College, possibly to be located in Asia?

Reuben Goossens info@ssmaritime.com.

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NLC’s CEO Colin Veitch US$10 million payoff

and off the Board of Directors of Star Cruises

June 20: Colin Veitch Resigns from Star Cruises Executive Board, signs US10 million non-compete! The Board of Star Cruises Ltd has announced this week that Colin Veitch, has resigned as an executive Director of the Company effective as off June 17, 2008. According to the announcement, Veitch resigned as an executive Director in order to concentrate on his role as president and chief executive officer of NCL Corporation Ltd. (NCLC). As part of the announcement, Star Cruises also noted that "Veitch has confirmed that he has no disagreement with the Board and there is no matter in relation to his resignation that needs to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the Company"

Comment: Veitch has been a name of burden on the back Star and now they have dumped him. However, it was Star Cruises who forced him to make statements in regard the SS Norway, SS Independence and SS United States, as they were the senior owners of NCL at the time! Frankly, it would be best if NCL disposed of Veitch as soon as possible as the company stands little to no chance of survival with him at the helm in my personal opinion as well as that of other cruise personalities who have confided I me.

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

NCL Cruises Fined 14.75 Million

May 22: An US federal judge on Wednesday May 21 ordered NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) to pay a US$1 million fine after the company pleaded guilty to gross negligence in court five years after a horrific boiler explosion on the SS Norway, which killed eight crew members and seriously injured 10 others in the Port of Miami. In addition US District Judge Federico Moreno ordered NCL to pay US$13.75 million preliminary restitution to the eighteen victims and set a June 20 hearing to consider other related issues. The US attorney's office said that the Miami based cruise line admitted in the criminal plea agreement that it operated the vessel in a “Grossly negligent manner that endangered the lives, limbs and property of the persons on board.'”

A NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) report on the May 25, 2003 accident proved that NCL engineers had expressed concerns since the late 1990s about the condition of the four boilers that powered the SS Norway. The high pressure boilers, each holding 20 tons of 528 degree water, and that they had a history of cracks, leaks, corrosion and had constant repairs. In a plea agreement, NCL admitted it had failed to insure that proper inspections, maintenance, and repairs of the boilers were carried out.

NCL Cruises guilty of killing 8 crewmen and seriously

wounding 10 others on SS Norway in 2003!

May 2: NCL is finally held accountable for their crime! – “Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal charge of gross negligent operation of a ship”

SS Norway seen 30 minutes after the explosion as smoke pours from the aft funnel

U.S. prosecutors stated on Friday (May 2) that Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal charge of gross negligent operation of a ship in connection with an explosion that killed eight crewmen on SS Norway in 2003. NCL Cruises is to pay a criminal fine, but the amount has not been disclosed by the U.S. Attorney's Office who announced the plea. NCL officials (part of the Chinese/Malaysian Casino based - Star Cruises family) could not be reached for comment after the close of business on Friday.

The SS Norway had just arrived from a cruise and had docked at the Port of Miami when a boiler exploded on May 25, 2003, killing the eight crewmen and seriously injuring 10. Many of the victims were from the Philippines. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that a weld on a seam of a high-pressure drum ruptured, releasing nearly 20 tonnes of scalding water that turned into steam and swept through the engine room and adjacent crew quarters. The NTSB said the failed system had a history of fatigue cracking, corrosion and pitting. It blamed the accident on NCL’s failure to adequately maintain, operate and inspect the ship's boilers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd., which is incorporated in Bermuda and has corporate headquarters in Miami, was the owner and operator of the SS Norway when the accident occurred.

A companion civil complaint was filed against NCL (Bahamas), Ltd.; a Bermuda corporation that assumed operational control of several ships that were previously operated by Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Alex Acosta, said in the news release.

NCL has agreed to assume legal responsibility for carrying out reviews under the auspices of an independent consultant, to ensure its vessels are operated safely, the U.S. attorney said.

"The boiler explosion aboard the SS Norway was a preventable tragedy," said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Robert Branham. "It is appropriate that the corporation be held accountable for their negligent maintenance procedures."

REMEMBER - This is the handiwork of NCL and their owners Chinese/Malaysian Casino Giant (Genting Corp) Star Cruises

Another tragic image received from India as her forward masts and top decks have now gone

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

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Star /NCL sell two more ships

April 29: The Cypriot Louis Cruises has purchased two ships from Star/NCL to commence service late 2008-2009, respectively, after completing their scheduled cruise programs with NCL. The Norwegian Dream was sold to Louis for US$218 million and will be chartered back to NCL until November, whilst the Norwegian Majesty was sold for US$162 million and has been chartered back to NCL until December 2009. Although NCL is building new ships attempting to revive its ailing image, it has to sell off its other ships. Already NCL America is down from 4 ship to just one and it is becoming an ailing company in a time when cruising is the fastest growing industry in the world of travel. Other major cruise companies are growing fast, whilst NCL is in decline. Wonder why? Could it be because of the SS Norway? Or SS Independence? OR even the SS United States? NCL, believe me, America and the world is beginning to hate you more and more every day, and each day more and more cruisers will switch to another cruise company where the crew is a happy one and now depressed. I receive emails from past NCL America crew members who have stated clearly that morale on their ships “have been at the ultimate low.” In addition passengers have given NCL a general bad rap as well, with poor service, and entertainment. One entertainment officer wrote and told me that “The standard on his ship was woeful, and that the atmosphere on board was so bad between the cruise staff it affected them all and it sadly showed in their performances, no matter how hard they tried.” She said… “The point is, when there is bad management at the helm pushing and trying to cut corners then there will always be trouble. I bailed out and am working with another cruise company (RCI) and it is simply wonderful, a great company with happy crew and satisfied passengers. At least I can go to sleep knowing I have done a good job and wake knowing here will be no added stress from above as it was with NCL!”

Asa stated above, so many past and current crew members have written me saying that morale on all NCL ships are at an extreme low. I have also received countless emails from passengers most have spoken in a similar vain. The following passenger wrote her feelings well;

“I have not always seen eye to eye with you as you have criticized my favorite cruise company for a long time, however having returned from a recent cruise on the Pride of America I must say that it has become obvious that services have suffered. I noted a change last year, but it was not as vast as on this cruise. I decided to enquire and I did discover why, all I had to do is speak with some of the cabin staff, waiters, and some crew members. The point is the ship is suffering from extreme low crew morale and it shows everywhere. They all feel poorly treated by NCL, especially the American crew and I can tell you some of them are on the war path. One of the entertainment staff told me that they were soon leaving the ship and that they would never sign on with NCL again, as they were a “disaster in waiting.” It was the same with the food, entertainment, and even the hygiene levels in some areas were highly questionable. I have come to a decision that after 23 cruises with NCL, the last 3 were not that great, but this one was terrible and I said so, but they simply did not care, so this was my last NCL cruise! Mr. Goossens, I fully support your campaign to save the great American liners and I always have, but I also enjoyed NCL in the past and you know when someone keeps dumping on your favorite cruise company, but, you are quite right. I hope that you and your new team can save the SS United States and Independence, for from what I heard on the Pride of America, NCL will never use the United States!” (Name withheld).

The above says it all and it flows very much with what I have been told by passengers and crew who have not been happy with NCL service and many have said the same thing abut morale onboard their ships. Its time that Apollo/NCL gives CEO Colin Veitch a swift kick in the pants right out of the company, it will do NCL the world of good! That is my and countless of thousands of others opinion!

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

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NCL America

Heading downhill fast as they rid themselves of a second ship within 6 months!

April 26: I am sure many of you will have heard that NCL America has disposed of yet another of their ships and is now left with just the Pride (or better still the SHAME) of America. I am sure that NCL America will go bankrupt in the near future as it can simply not survive. Due to NCL shameful behaviour in regard to the SS Norway and now the Independence, as well as the campaign we have waged on the “Save a Classic Liner Foundation” over the past years, which will have damaged both the parent company Star Cruises and NCL to the point that it must collapse in the end. Well over half of our 21 million registered supporters are past NCL cruisers and all have clearly stated that ex passengers will never cruise with NCL again. This will mean a loss of countless millions to their coffers. To put it in plain words, this campaign has cost NCL around 14 million customers, who are lost to them forever! Do I feel sorry for them? NO WAY, their disgusting behaviour in regard to the SS Norway and poor management, especially CEO Colin Veitch who now thankfully has no further say on the board, but NCL deserves all they get. I feel sorry for Apollo who bought into a failing company I wonder who conned them into that bad purchase? However, if another buyer came into the scene now and took over the balance of the shares, rebranded the company, something I am sure Norway’s original owner Mr. Knut Klosters would be very happy about. I was told the following – “It may still have a chance of being the company it was before Star Cruises took it over. The truth is Star Cruises is owned by the Chinese/Malaysian Genting (Casino) Corporation and it is they who due to the total lack of understanding of the cruise industry destroyed what was once a great company - Norwegian Cruise Lines. They took a man who was once with Princess, Colin Veitch (Was Princess sorry to see him go? I don’t know, but there all sorts of stories from his old office) and Star Cruises placed him at the top. He proved that he was the strong man and could do the job, but the truth is that he was handicapped by the Asians who had non European ideas, which simply did not fit in with the American/European idea of cruising, thus, Reuben it was the owners of Star Cruises who eventually diminished what was a great cruise company.”

We know that NCL America is slowly going to the wall and now they have offloaded their second ship in the space of eight months, first it was the Pride of Hawaii which has been transferred to NCL Cruises Europe as the Norwegian Jade, and now CEO Colin Veitch has announced that the Pride of Aloha will follow her, and she will head for Asia to be deployed with NCL’s parent company Star Cruises in their Casino fleet of cruise ships in May. The way it is going it will be all too soon that the name NCL be history, if Apollo buys out all of Star’s NCL shares, or another company decides to do so, and then completely rebrand this cursed cruise company that has little credibility left to its name, a name that was once great, until the Malaysian Casino operator Genting/Star Cruises took it over and literary destroyed it. Even the company’s original founder, Mr. Knut Klosters, wishes he had not sold his beloved company to NCL and see it later sold to Star Cruises and destroyed and his founding ship end up the way it did, especially in the shameful manner it was done by the Malaysian Casino company (Genting Corp) Star Cruises/NCL! Now, NCL Cruises/NCL America needs rebranding and a new morale set in place.

I was once a great supporter of both Star & NCL Cruises, but the past 7 years has changed my opinions of them. Including when Star Cruises suddenly pulled out the MV Norwegian Star from the Australian Cruises Company “Norwegian Capricornia Cruises” set up by Sarina Bratton (who currently operates the super successful 6 Star MV Orion Expedition Cruises). Norwegian Star was into its second season, but being NCL’s new owner, it decided that they had a more profitable placement for her in Casino land Asia and left Australia sitting high and dry! That is Star Cruises style of business and that will make you understand how, why and what happened to the SS Norway, SS Independence and will happen to the SS United States. Star/NCL faithfully promised that each of these ships was to return to service, yet SS Norway sits on a beach being scrapped, even though Star Cruises told the Malaysian Port Authorities that she left Port Klang to be repaired at Dubai, yet she had been sold to the Indians, departed under an Indian Captain and Crew and was headed for Aland breakers yards, although made an overnight stop at the UAE. The other two ships, the American flagged SS Independence and the grandest American of all, the SS United States, were obtained by NCL with the promise that if the Congress would allow them a US flagged Cruise company, they would refit and return the Independence to service, which they could have done at little cost, and completely restore and rebuild the SS United States. Well, Congress allowed them the American flagged NCL America. However, NCL America left these fine American classic liners to rot and rust away in San Francisco and Philadelphia and instead had four ships built in Germany and had them registered in the USA. German ships, yet American flagged. Now, The SS Independence, which NCL transferred, and this is a joke, to a subsidiary within their own company (which has an office in their own building in Miami) the “California Manufacturing Corporation” and on the same day renamed her SS Oceanic. In 2007 she was again transferred to an “Investment Company” and departed San Francisco for Singapore on 8 February. The question begs, NCL America, did you not get your American flagged company based on bringing SS Independence and SS United States back into service? Obviously SS United States is now also in peril, but then again so is NCL and the company will hit the wall without warning. All I can say is, just don’t be on one of their ship on that day!

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

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Ex SS Norway Officers, Engineers & Crew Members

A Special Request: Ex SS Norway Officers, engineers & crew members who have emailed me in the past with various stories, will you be so kind as to write me and with your interesting stories. The reason I am asking this is that my system has been under attack on a number of occasions with massive viruses and I have lost everything received before February this year. Anything used will be done in accordance to the writer’s guidance and if confidentiality is required, it is assured! I intend writing a story regarding the campaign and much about the ship now we have sadly lost her to the breakers as you will read below. I look forward to hearing from you again in the near future!

Reuben Goossens

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My Concluding Message as Director of the “Save the Classic Liners Campaign”

Item 1: As we all know, several weeks ago a massive offer was wade to Sanjay Mehta of US$55 million, with an US$500,000 fee to inspect the ship as well as a future multi million dollar investment to educate the shipbuilding industry at Alang on how to process toxic wastes, etc. At first, Mr. Mehta seemed to be happy with this agreement and he was more than willing to speak with all parties, who I will not name. However, I do know that there is an election going on in India this month and that with additional funds, certain individuals could support their respective parties, and considering that half a million dollars of support for party that look after the breakers let’s say, would have come in very handy. Thus, the costly inspection, without a signed contract was encouraged by Mehta. However, the consortium not being stupid quickly withdrew their offer and is no longer in contact with Mr. Mehta and his broker. At this time there are no further buyers interested in the ship.

Therefore, it is my tragic duty to advise all my supporters that this campaign has officially concluded and that the great SS France, Norway, a ship that has served countless thousands of people with great honour, but she is now being broken up at Alang.

January 20, 2008: Blue Lady, ex SS Norway, SS France: Demolition on the Blue Lady has commenced. The forward part of Sun Deck containing 28 suites and two Presidential suites as well as her two (tall radar/crows nest mast and short forward mast) foremasts have been removed. In addition 18 large square holes have been cut into her portside on various deck levels making for easy removal of her internal fittings. The truth is, she is a lost ship, however, the court has not as jet officially release her and the breakers are working illegally, but what do they care, they can do what they like!

NTSB Report – part 1

NTSB Report. Where did the COPPER come from? (Ask the Asians???)

Safety board investigators said that boiler No. 23, one of four, ruptured due to extensive fatigue cracking. Cracks were detected at original welds beginning in the 1970s, and additional cracks were found on later occasions. These were monitored and ground away, and then weld repairs were made to build up the material thickness. Residual stresses in the weld repairs probably accelerated the pitting and cracking, the NTSB said. At some point, copper was inappropriately introduced, possibly to mask (to hide) the cracks during inspections, investigators theorized. A lack of adherence to water chemistry composition by both the water chemistry subcontractors and NCL likely led to pitting from oxygen corrosion, causing further weakening of the boiler. In addition as one ex engineer told me, they frequently shut down boilers and this was done both too fast and when restarted, they were restarted much too fast, which would have caused great stress to the welds. Boiler maintenance was obviously not done by the book and this was confirmed by the report. The time will come when heads will roll, but, will it be the right ones or will the blame be handed down? The following is based on information provided to me by an ex crew member who also told me that there was a group of Asian (Malaysian?) engineers working on board during a voyage not long prior the explosion? I would like to know, is there a record of these men?

Note the tip of the bow has been cut and leaning forward. Also note the new placements of the ropes. Eight newly cut holes can be seen along the waterline portside, there are another eight starboard, making sixteen holes cut into her hull. In addition all lifeboats have been taken ashore. This procedure is customary prior dismantling commences. Although she would need to be towed closer to the shore, which has not occurred to date!

I need to thank Gopal Krishna who has been a champion in every possible way in this campaign. He has never given up and he continues to fight on for he believes in the sanctity of life. Men, women and children are dying of asbestos in Aland and other hideous diseases at the breakers yards and we should continue to support his work! I ask that you send him whatever you are able by donating towards his ongoing court and personal costs. His special donation PayPal account is mediavigil@yahoo.co.in. Remember without all the work he has done in India, our beloved SS France, Norway would have long been scrapped, thus support him NOW and let’s save a few lives!

I also have to thank a very special and good friend Michel Perrin who resides in France. He has been associated with me and the campaign for a long time and Michel has provided me with many photographs. You have done a great job in Europe Michel, thank you!

As for me, well you know it has been a long and hard road and I officially retire from the “Save a Classic Liner Campaign” as off the 16^th. This campaign has cost me personally health wise, and countless thousands financially, health and funds, both of which I will unfortunately never see again. But, I believe that I would do it again, for it was a fight worth fighting for and originally there was good hope of her being saved. However, Star Cruises in a way made it damn hard for her to be resold to be used for a commercial purpose and the whole exercise has been a battle between NCL/Star Cruises from Miami/Bremerhaven/Port Klang and even whilst she was at Alang, the Star Cruises clause still hang over her! Well NCL & Star Cruises are finally getting their due as they seem to be losing money faster than you and me can loose it through a poker machine, but for most, if we could see NCL go bankrupt, that would just be heaven then we would all have a party!!!

But, back to our beloved liner and cruise ship. It is time for us to say Au Revoir, Good Bye to this magnificent ship and I am sure that she will indeed never be forgotten! Do not let that Mr A. whatever his name in Norway temp you with a piece of her at a price, for he is counting on it, as he has always hoped on this outcome from the beginning and thus he was the first there and placed his container loads of orders and intended his get rich quick scheme. Well, let’s let him down. So far, no one seems to be buying and he has fallen out with Mr. Mehta in India during his last trip there as he tried to renegotiate prices, mostly due to the lack of sales. If he get’s stuck with the goods, so be it!

I have said enough for now. I am emotional and may have to rewrite all this later, thus if it is a mess, sorry.

Finally, thanks to every one of you who have been simply amazing, you support has been the best, especially during my time off illness. This campaign would never have been the giant success it has been without you all, millions of you!

Again thank you for your amazing support. We have lost a great ship and we all feel very sad about that, however, I feel like that through her we have also made so many friends and as we enter into a new year, may the year be one of peace, joy, but above all one of health and of good memories. Remember it is not the years that we have lost, but the years that we have gained, for each one is full of events and memories, both good and not so good, and that is life. May your life in 2008 be a good one!

Reuben Goossens

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

NTSB Report – part 2

NTSB Report Discloses NCL Failures re SS Norway Boiler Maintenance (Read it in full below – Use the link provided)

I have received countless emails asking why I have not commented on the NTSB report on the SS Norway boiler explosion in 2003. The reason for this has been mainly due to the massive overload of work on my plate at this time with so much happening in India, much of which I cannot comment on. However, I have finally managed to complete a short report although it is far from complete. I have placed it on a separate page so it will not take up too much space on this page. ENTER the NTSB Report. I would appreciate your comments.

Also visit my SS France – SS Norway feature

SS Norway Timeline – MAY 2003 to May 2008

Discover the legal battles and the breakers breaking the law and getting away with it!

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When did this Campaign start?

The “Save the SS France, Norway Campaign” unofficially commenced on June 28, 2003, the day after she departed Miami, as I was well aware that she would never return to the USA, which was in line with what the executives of Star Cruises had indicated to me in person back in 2001 saying that they were keen to dispose of her. However, I officially launched the “Save the SS France, Norway Foundation” on March 18, 2004, the day after NCL CEO Colin Veitch announced that SS Norway was no longer part of the NCL fleet which confirmed my earlier understanding of my conversations with the executives of Star Cruises during a dinner held by them in my honour in Kuala Lumpur in June 2001. I had been invited to sail on the SuperStar Virgo and wrote a cruise review on her at the time for the media and my own cruise site e-CruiseWorld.com.

In October 2000, it had been announced by Star Cruises that the Norway was to be relocated from Germany to Malaysia after her dry docking at end of year; however, Star Cruises never provided any information of her proposed schedules. Then whilst in Kuala Lumpur in June 2001 as a guest of Star Cruises, I had dinner with Jane Poh and Star Cruises executives who clearly expressed that the Norway did not fit the Star Cruises model. In September 2001, upon her departure of the so-called “Farewell Cruise” across the Atlantic, it was announced that she would return to Miami after all, due to her popularity. Whilst occasionally returning to the subject of the Norway comments during the evening were quite clear, such as “The Norway is far too old and worn out to be a Star Cruises ship” and that she would “not suit the Asian market.” Thus the question begs, why announce that she would head for Malaysia as a cruise ship in the first place. I am sure we all know why! In May 2005, SS Norway departed Bremerhaven heading for Port Klang, on the basis that she was to be refitted for further use in Asia. But did the Star Cruises Management not state in 2001 that she “would not suit the Asian market.” We all know that Star Cruises had no intention what so ever of using her in any capacity for they had both the Bangladeshi and Indian breakers awaiting her and ready to inspect her within days after she dropped anchor off Port Klang on August 10. SS Norway was bound for Malaysia in 2001 (but was saved by public demand) and in 2005 she was directly bound for the breakers via Malaysia. She departed Port Klang with Star Cruises having told the authorities that Blue Lady was heading for Dubai to be repaired, which we all know was not true as from the moment she left her outer anchorage she was already in control of Indian hands, both captain and crew. She did call in overnight in the United Arab Emirates for supplies, but departed headed for Alang, but she was refused entry into Indian waters due to the controversy that had already started. The Indian could not sell her for commercial usage as Star Cruises had included a very strict multi million dollar clause that forbade such a sale and she was sold on the basis that she had to be broken up, thus, there were no options.

It loyalty in the States that gave her a few extra years back in 2001, until the tragic explosion that occurred in Miami on May 25, 2003. We need to remember that in 1997 NCL/Star was already seeking options to replace or “Repair (the) old boilers” as they were indeed ailing and in urgent need of repair and Star Cruises/NCL knew that very well, way back in 1997 in fact and we might ask, why did they not do it then???

Peter O. Sopp of Ship Operations wrote the following to Svenn Dahl, Executive Vice President of Cruise Operations on November 18, 1997. A copy was also sent to Jan Trolleund, being the Chief Engineer of the Norway.

“As we all know, the boilers on the S/S Norway have reached a stage where a decision must be taken. Either removed old boilers, and furnish new boilers or install gas turbines and repair old boilers.” (unedited).

The above proves that back in 1997 it was already necessary to “repair (the) old boilers.” I have several copies of Interoffice Memos that give a range of viable options of repairs costing from US$8 to 31 – Or the following as stated by Svenn Dahl in a memo to Hans Golteus, dated November 19, 1997.…

“Total new boilers and total new Electric Motors for propulsion and new propellers – US$50 million.”

See: NCL1.pdf & NCL2.pdf – These are actual copies of the above NCL interoffice memos and were sent to me by an (unnamed) ex NCL staffer.

I have received a number of interesting emails from past NCL staffers, as well as officers, engineers and other crew from the Norway and many of their stories are interesting to say the least, one of these speaks of work undertaken just before the explosion. However, by request the information he provided will have to remain confidential as he may suffer legal action. All this will be a book in the making! And I believe that in due course it will all come out and Star/NCL heads will roll!

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

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Facing the facts!

By Reuben Goossens founder “Save the SS France, Norway Campaign”

(This was my last message that still contained some hope, although the picture told the real story!)

December 5: My dear friends and supporters. As you know this has been a long and arduous road and so much has been done by all of us working towards saving this magnificent Grand Dame of the sea, the French Trans Atlantic Liner SS France and the Norwegian Cruise Ship SS Norway which was so disgracefully discarded by both NCL and Star Cruises in the end. The sad truth is that although there is still a buyer attempting to obtain her at this stage and we wish them well. Please Read the December 4 Update:

However, I do feel that at this very late stage the chance of them obtaining her is becoming more and more difficult.

What I am about to say has been clearly been confirmed by longstanding friend Peter Knego, and I have no doubts that our beloved liner is now in great danger of destruction!

1… Priya Blue, the ships owner, has already cut the tip of the bow, which is the custom before the actual breaking up process commences. 2… Previously she was tied to anchorage points ashore via ropes attached to the anchor well and side thrusters. However, now, blow torches have cut square holes into her hull along the water line where these ropes are now located. The reason for these new anchorage points is that she will need to be hauled closer to the beach for the purpose of dismantling. 3… All her lifeboats have been removed from the ship. 4… I have noted that more than just loose fittings have already been removed and I have notified Gopal Krishna in India and he is checking if legal action can be taken out against Priya Blue, for the cutting of the bow and other items mentioned above. But, then again, in a corrupt nation such as India we can expect little to be done, for their legal system is nothing but a joke, and their judges, well you can work that out for your self.

Both Peter and I had confirmation from India that it does not look good for the Blue Lady at this stage!

This is another photo of the ship taken late last month. Here you can see the tip of the bow clearly hanging forward.

In addition it is obvious that the ropes have been relocation to her hull in order to be pulled closer to the beach.

The truth of the matter is, if this current European bid does not make it, it will spell the end of our campaign, and frankly, I feel that is were we have already come to it, even now. I will retain this page until December16, and unless something very special happens, this campaign will officially close on that date.

I have been amazed by the overwhelming support from around the world, millions have emailed me, in addition, you have emailed those in India, although by the looks of it they did not care, how Indian is that!!! But, please, let me say this, there are Indians that do support this campaign and they themselves tell me that India is “A corrupt nation.” My greatest joy is to have seen the massive downhill slide of NCL with massive losses increasing every quarter. Star Cruises is following suite and is slowly getting rid of their cursed NCL shares. Well frankly, what was really cursed was that Star Cruises got involved with NCL in the first place, it was Star Crises who as far as I am concerned destroyed our Australian version of NCL Australia, by ripping away our ship the Norwegian Star, the minute Star took control, and a new Australian owned company was gone. The same Managing Director commenced a new Cruise Company the extremely successful 5 star “Orion Expedition Cruises.” Star, changed the whole structure of NCL and slowly what was once a great cruise company has been destroyed by Asian Casino based ideology which does not work in the western world. Now, NCL will keep on sliding until hopefully someone will buy out the remainder and together with Apollo will re-brand the company for the name NCL no longer is a name to be respected in the industry after what they have done to ships like the SS Norway, SS United States, and SS Independence!

Therefore my friends, we have to face the facts, unless the European consortium obtains her within the next few days, we will have to bid farewell to our beloved Liner SS France, the ship you might have cruised on SS Norway, but please remember, we will never forget her!

BUT, no matter what please DO NOT buy any memorabilia from that person concerned based in Norway who has a stake in the Norway’s demise. To date he has been unable to sell much, which has much to do because of my supporters having been able to say - “NO SALE” - and he is stuck with the goods! He has even been to India trying to re negotiate, but ended up having problems with Mr. Metha of Priya Blue. Thus, his task of making a fortune may not go as smoothly as he wished. Even certain items online have sold.

Thank you for your support, during the good days and during my health scare last year. I will never forget your devotion and even if we lose this battle, which I feel we will, we have done everything in our power, we have turned every stone, and we have phoned and emailed those who cared to listen. But, at least we did something and we have been heard far and wide by millions around the world, by the means of this and many other websites, as well as in the news, be it on radio and TV, etc.

Again, a mighty thank you to you all!

Reuben

SS Norway - Sheer beauty!

Enter our SS France – SS Norway feature

The SS France – SS Norway feature has many pages packed with a vast number of photographs most of which are exclusive to ssMaritime. We cover her remarkable history from birth to the beach. Also read the remarkable story “The Ship that Saved my Life.” And view the many exclusive photo pages.

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

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SS Norway Timeline – MAY 2003 to May 2008

Discover the legal battles and the breakers breaking the law and getting away with it!

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Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960

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Photographs on ssMaritime and ssmaritime.net are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

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