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Royal Caribbean selects Emsys Emissions Monitoring System for the Independence of the Seas

In:
20 Jun 2011

Royal Caribbean has awarded WR Systems the right to supply its Emsys (Emissions Monitoring System) to Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas ship.

The Emsys system will monitor performance and provide emissions compliance data for an EcoSpec Exhaust Gas Cleaning System. This new tech will be installed sometime in mid-2011.  This is a test program to see if it can be implemented fleet wide to reduce Royal Caribbean's environmental footprint.

The Emsys system is based on solid-state Laser technology and has been awarded full Type Approval from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in line with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) MARPOL Annex VI NOx Regulations, and the IMO Exhaust Gas Cleaning System Guidelines. The system also carries the MED wheelmark.

The Emsys system is unique in that it includes the first sensor that can measure Particulate Matter that is "outside of the stack".  This is important because it reduces the capital cost and eliminates the need to install sensitive measurement equipment in each of the monitored exhaust stacks. The integral Particulate Matter sensor has been developed to meet the requirements of the forthcoming US 'Emissions Control Area' (ECA) regulations, where Particulate Matter has been included in the regulatory language.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Marine Operations, William S. Wright, chose Emsys because of its low maintenance and high accuracy capabilities, "It is important for RCL to demonstrate, with the highest accuracy and traceability, the emissions reduction performance of the EcoSpec emissions abatement system. As part of our on-going environmental commitment to reduce our air emissions, the Emsys system can provide the necessary data for both compliance purposes and our own internal technology evaluation criteria".

Woman airlifted after becoming ill on Independence of the Seas

In:
13 Jun 2011

A 57 year old disabled woman was airlifted from Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas on Saturday after she became critically ill.

A spokesman for Portland, UK Coast guard said the passenger was wheelchair bound with little mobility and the airlift was called for by the ship's captain because of her critical condition.

As of yesterday morning, the woman is in stable condition at Dorset County Hospital.

Evidently there was an issue with the airlift, as Independence of the Seas had left Southampton, England on its way to Gibraltar.  The airlift had issues because the woman and her wheelchair were too heavy and the ship’s helicopter landing pad was too light for the helicopter.  The helicopter had to return to base to refuel before returning to Independence of the Seas to finally get the woman.

Independence of the Seas docks at the port of Alicante for first time

In:
06 Jun 2011

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, the largest cruise ships that sail the Mediterranean, for the first time has docked at the Port of Alicante from Palma de Mallorca before going back to England via Lisbon, according to reported in a statement the Port Authority of Alicante.

The arrival of Independence of the Seas to the Port of Alicante has had a special welcome event that fused traditional and new technologies. Specifically, an exhibition of traditional crafts of the province - pottery, white palm, rolls, cobblers and basket weaving teachers - combined with the use of the latest technology to interact with passengers.

The technological tools developed, a pioneer in the cruise industry, has allowed passengers Independence of the Seas the application instant download of Puerto de Alicante tourist for next generation mobile phones by scanning QR codes.

The chairman of the Port Authority of Alicante, Miguel Campoy, with this technology is available to cruise passengers "all available information regarding the cultural, culinary products and services in the province."

A QR Code (Quick Response Barcode) is a system for storing information in a two-dimensional bar code. Such codes, whose use is already widespread in countries like the U.S. or Japan, gradually replace the current barcode.

The recent inclusion of totally free software that reads QR codes in physical smartphones allows a wide range of new services aimed at tourists. Amenities generated by this new technological application highlights the ease of use by not having to manually enter data on the phones.

Thus, users with capture devices and programs can access content without typing a URL, or access through a browser.

Eyewitness report of Gibraltar explosion from Independence of the Seas

In:
04 Jun 2011

Earlier this week an oil tank exploded right next to Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.  One of the passengers aboard Independence of the Seas shared this first-hand report with The Telegraph.

We were in our cabin when we heard a loud bang. At first we presumed it was the anchor – the ship was due to leave the port at Gibraltar, so we thought it was setting sail a little earlier than scheduled.

Within minutes, the captain made an announcement, ordering everyone off the open decks and balconies, and sending a rapid response team up to deck 11 where the outdoor pools and bars were packed with young families making the most of the Gibraltar heat.

Just four minutes later, we slipped our moorings and the ship sailed, leaving the gangway and two passengers behind. Within minutes, the captain said it was safe to return to the open decks.

At dinner that night, the explosion was on everyone’s lips. “We thought it was a bomb,” one middle-aged passenger said. “American ship in a British port – quite an easy target.” 

Independence of the Seas resumes cruise after oil tank explosion in Gibraltar yesterday

In:
01 Jun 2011

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas has resumed its cruise after the oil explosion in Gibraltar yesterday injured 11 British guests and 1 Swiss guest.

The explosion occurred on the pier that Independence of the Seas was docked at, according to a statement by Royal Caribbean.  Furthermore, Independence immediately retracted her gangway and moved a safe distance away following the explosion.

"Twelve guests sustained minor injuries and have received medical treatment onboard. Two guests were still ashore when the incident took place and were not injured during the explosion.”

Independence of the Seas has resumed its 14-night Mediterranean sailing, having departing from Southampton on May 28, and is due to visit Cannes and Monte Carlo tomorrow.

Video of the Day: Oil explosion in Gibraltar near Independence of the Seas

In:
01 Jun 2011

No doubt by now you've read about the oil tank explosion in Gibraltar that occurred next to Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.  We found this video of the ensuing fire and smoke plume right next to Independence of the Seas as she begins to pull away from the danger area.

Oil tank explodes in Gibraltar near Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas

In:
31 May 2011

An oil tank exploded today at Gibraltar  on the north mole that is just south of the cruise line terminal.  Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas was there but is okay and has left the terminal and pulled out to sea to be safe.

Official reports indicate two injuries, one of them serious burns. No further details yet.

UPDATE: A statement by Royal Caribbean indicates that 10 passengers have received medical treatment for injuries as a result of the explosion, however all the injuries are considered minor.

The statement also said, "Immediately after the explosion, the ship retracted the gangway and moved a safe distance from the dock.  Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to our guests onboard"

All-you-can-drink Royal Caribbean packages suspended temporarily

In:
07 Apr 2011

Last month Royal Caribbean rolled out All-You-Can-Drink packages aboard three Royal Caribbean ships based in the United Kingdom as a test.  Cruise Critic is reporting that the package has been temporarily suspended on the April 5 sailing of Independence of the Seas, "in order to make some changes based on guest feedback."

The change is only temporary and the package will return for the April 16th sailing of Independence of the Seas.

 The all-you-can-drink packages are a multi-tier system where for starting at $29 per day, you can drink as much alcohol onboard the ship as you like.  Currently the packages are only available on UK based cruises on Grandeur of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Legend of the Seas.

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