[BITList] Visit of Cunard's Three Queens to Liverpool in 2015

[Michael Feltham]

Liverpool pilots use simulator to plan Cunard Queens Mersey visit 
Preparations under way to choreograph three giant liners manoeuvres in Mersey for Cunard Line 175th anniversary. 
The city’s Pilot Service is using a ship simulator to help plan the inaugural visit to the Mersey of the shipping line’s Queen liners next year. Billed as the Three Queens, One Magnificent City spectacular, the organisers expect a million spectators to attend, equalling the number who welcomed the first visit of Cunard’s previous flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1990. 
Passengers wave as they stand underneath the lifeboats on the deck of the Empress of Canada liner on her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Quebec. 27th April 1961. A series of carefully choreographed ship movements are being tested for the occasion on the simulator at Liverpool Pilot Service headquarters, at Woodside, Birkenhead. The Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2, which is 150,000 gross tons, will be joined by her fleetmates Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in the Mersey for the event on May 25, 2015.Together the trio will stage a stunning salute to Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool on the 175th anniversary of being founded by Samuel Cunard here in 1840. 
The intention is to spread the spectacular event as far along the river as possible from the north off Crosby and New Brighton southwards to points off Albert Dock and Woodside. Preparing to accommodate the three Queens requires meticulous and detailed planning as it features the three biggest ships ever built for Cunard Line. The flotilla includes the largest passenger ship ever to sail the Mersey, Queen Mary 2, and sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, which each top 90,000 gross tons.They will sail pass Liverpool’s Unesco designated World Heritage Site which includes the Pier Head with the landmark former Cunard Building company headquarters. 
The complex marine operations plan is being prepared by a team including Cunard’s Commodore Christopher Rynd; the Port of Liverpool harbour master Capt Stephen Gallimore; and Chris Booker, Liverpool Pilots Service chair and events river pilot. Cdre Rynd said: “With the unique backdrop of Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront and the capacity on both sides of the Mersey to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators, I believe this will be a most spectacular gathering of the Three Queens. I am excited by the prospect of bringing the Fleet to its spiritual home and I am impressed by the level of engagement and collaboration between the partners involved to make it all possible.” 
The planning is at a very advanced stage said Capt Gallimore and added: “The sight of the Cunard Queens together off Pier Head and elsewhere in the river will create a striking and lasting impression for spectators and those watching the coverage all over the world. “Managing the navigation of ships the size of the Cunard Queens in the Mersey is challenging. This makes the detailed planning and co-ordination involving the Commodore so essential.” Mr Booker said: “Meticulous planning by the Liverpool Pilots, involving input from all parties, is crucial to a smooth, but exciting performance on the day. “It promises to be a once in a lifetime experience for everyone involved including spectators watching the event unfold from either side of the Mersey on 25 May next year.” Cllr Wendy Simon, City Council cabinet member for Culture and Tourism said: “The event will cement credentials as a world-class cruise port destination of maritime history and heritage to a global audience.” Source : LiverpoolEcho 
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