Ark trapped in Ipswich by MCA...

[pvb]

It seems that the floating monstrosity, operated as a religious theme park, has been refused permission to leave Ipswich as it isn't seaworthy. It's basically a steel barge with a wooden construction sitting on it. The MCA has refused permission for it to be towed back to Holland.

Stuck Noah's Ark sparks international incident as Government urged to aid rescue

 

[LittleSister]

Noah didn't have these problems!

 

[sarabande]

Obviously a shortage of doves in Ipswich.

 

[penfold]

I like how it's all our fault yet it's the Dutch govt that ignored its obligations as a Flag State.

 

[LittleSister]

This thread deserves the following, which I've stolen from the "Gags to End the Week' thread -

 

[penfold]

Shouldn't there just be one of them, but they will really give themself a good time?

 

[Biggles Wader]

Apparently this thing has created a flood of interest locally especially its wooden cladding which is comprised of strips of two by two.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Apparently this thing has created a flood of interest locally especially its wooden cladding which is comprised of strips of two by two.

Not gopher wood? (Genesis 6:14)

(Modern translations say cypress, with a note that the meaning of the word is uncertain!)

 

[penfold]

I didn't realise gophers were made of wood; are they rot resistant?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I didn't realise gophers were made of wood; are they rot resistant?

Doesn't really matter - it only had to last one voyage!

Gopher wood is down to the translators of the King James version, and they didn't know what it meant, so they just copied the word over from the Hebrew original. I must admit that cypress seems more reasonable!

 

[Aquaboy]

I really can't see what all the fuss is about. its a big ark shape shed sitting on a standard looking steel barge or pontoon. you stick a tug on each end and tow it..........Done hundreds of time each day all over the the world. It got here ok and lets be honest the Dutch usually know what they're doing. I would think they're totally baffled to what the problem is!!

 

[pvb]

I really can't see what all the fuss is about. its a big ark shape shed sitting on a standard looking steel barge or pontoon. you stick a tug on each end and tow it..........Done hundreds of time each day all over the the world. It got here ok and lets be honest the Dutch usually know what they're doing. I would think they're totally baffled to what the problem is!!

From the news article - "The detention report, seen by this newspaper, suggests the Ark arrived with legally-required load line certificates missing, no tonnage information, and a range of other concerns such as overdue services for fire equipment, life jackets and life crafts."

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I really can't see what all the fuss is about. its a big ark shape shed sitting on a standard looking steel barge or pontoon. you stick a tug on each end and tow it..........Done hundreds of time each day all over the the world. It got here ok and lets be honest the Dutch usually know what they're doing. I would think they're totally baffled to what the problem is!!

Even standard looking steel barges have to comply with IMO regulations. As pvb reminds us, this is reported not to comply.

 

[pvb]

Even standard looking steel barges have to comply with IMO regulations. As pvb reminds us, this is reported not to comply.

I'm surprised it was allowed to enter Ipswich. Don't they do even basic checks before allowing vessels in?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I'm surprised it was allowed to enter Ipswich. Don't they do even basic checks before allowing vessels in?

If I've read the report right, the load-line thing was noted immediately, and that prompted the MCA to look more closely. Externally, the load line would have been the only thing showing. After all, they've been around since Mr Plimsoll got it through parliament in 1876 - and the Venetians had them in the 16th century!

 

[Tomahawk]

The solution is a submersible lift ship.
Expensive but simple.

 

[AuntyRinum]

Apparently this thing has created a flood of interest locally especially its wooden cladding which is comprised of strips of two by two.

I saw what you did there.

 

[xyachtdave]

Let’s hope the don‘t need an EWS1 form for that timber cladding...

 

[Slowboat35]

Standby for a convenient fire...

 

[penfold]

Standby for a convenient fire...

I'd have thought a flood would be more authentic.