At 7.45 am this morning, the first cruiseliner of the 2008 season entered port. MV Quest, shown above about to pass the Arnish Fabrication Yard, called in for a day visit. It departed after 4pm, headed for Staffa. This small island, west of Mull, is famous for its basalt columns, and sprang to fame when Felix Mendelsohn-Bartholdy was inspired through it to write his Hebrides Ouverture. I don't know how you can be inspired by chucking up your breakfast over the side, but there you go.
MV Quest, shown alongside the ferrypier, is a small vessel, only 50 metres long, capable of carrying 150 passengers. A Swedish website gave more information. I can just about make out a few Swedish words, so will translate my findings below:
The MV Quest started life as the MV Saqqit Ittuk. It was built in 1992 at the Ørskov Shipyard in Frederikshavn, Denmark, for cruises around Greenland. The ship was based at Nuuk, Greenland. In 2004, it was sold to an Estonian company, but continued its work as a cruiseship around Greenland under the name Disko II. The ship was again rechristened Quest in June 2007, to work for a Bahama-based shipping line, still in the Arctic.
It must be lovely to see the liners come along Guido.I would love to see them when they arrive on there journeys.I love boats of any kind.Thankyou for sharing the picture and story today.Take Care God Bless Kath astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES
ReplyDeleteIt's a pretty ship but I think I like them a little bigger. The one we took to Alaska (out of Seattle) was 917 feet long and the one we took this last March was 880 feet long. Of course I know they can all sink to the bottom the same, if the circumstances are just right. Linda in Washington state
ReplyDeleteMendelsohn's Hebrides Overture.......... well indeed. I'm certain I've heard it played. Perhaps the site helped cure him of his seasickness:) That's one tidbit / trivia I'd not heard before.
ReplyDeleteQuite a beauty of a ship!
ReplyDeletebe well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
I must say that ship is mighty gorgeous!
ReplyDelete