Loss of MV Empress

Drmike · 7th July 2006, 04:53

It is with a heavy heart that I report that the MV Empress was lost in a storm yesterday

For those of you fortunate enough to have dived with the worlds best tech dive boat and captain -please do not flood Vidars email system as he is using satelite communications.

Empress mooring line broke in a storm and she was beached.

Some of us are putting together a fund to help them and to replace/rebuild her if possible - details to be posted here later for those that want to contribute.
A major-major loss to local diving and to the many overseas divers who helped keep her charter book fully booked for years in advance - just through word of mouth.

My heart goes out to Vidar Alice and the boys.

http://mvempress.com/

For those who didnt know the Empress and Vidar they found hundreds (and I do mean hundereds) of virgin wrecks over the last 25 years in SE Asia including practically all the ships involved with the battle of the Java sea.

A huge loss - the end of an era. Im going out to get drunk

decoweenie · 7th July 2006, 05:13

Mike,

That is indeed VERY sad news.

I first dived the Empress 8 years ago on a trip to the Dutch subs, and vividly remember Vidar diving the subs on single tank (on air to boot) spear-shooting 5-foot grouper for dinner.

Drmike · 7th July 2006, 06:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

Mike,

That is indeed VERY sad news.

I first dived the Empress 8 years ago on a trip to the Dutch subs, and vividly remember Vidar diving the subs on single tank (on air to boot) spear-shooting 5-foot grouper for dinner.

Amazing guy. Nobody who saw him in action would debate that.

Im sure he will come back fighting

Underwaterbear · 7th July 2006, 06:20

Wouldn't have thought a beaching would lead to total loss of a steel vessel of that size.

Whatever the circumstances, hopefully it's a quick settlement and return to operations for the Empress or the Empress II.

My thoughts are with the Skipper and crew (and the guys who were due to dive off her).

These things are sent to try us.

cedricverdier · 7th July 2006, 08:07

Hi Mike,

Sad news as MV Empress looked like a very convenient and safe charter boat.

There's still another boat in Singapore but it's not your favorite one, is it?

cheers

koputai · 7th July 2006, 20:29

Pisser. Absolute Pisser.
I hope someone doesn't pilfer all those nice portholes etc before Vidar can prize them off her!

Jason.

Drmike · 8th July 2006, 13:15

Great news!

I am happy to report that the Empress has been saved!!
Apparently after beaching against rocks and taking a hammering an extra large swell actually picked her up and dumped her in slightly deeper water behind the rocks, where they managed to anchor, still being bounced around rocks. Bent rudders and props, huge dents etc, but NO leakage. Lots of water damage though.
Vidar reports that she is repairable!
Great news

nmanfield · 8th July 2006, 14:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike)

Great news!

I am happy to report that the Empress has been saved!!
Apparently after beaching against rocks and taking a hammering an extra large swell actually picked her up and dumped her in slightly deeper water behind the rocks, where they managed to anchor, still being bounced around rocks. Bent rudders and props, huge dents etc, but NO leakage. Lots of water damage though.
Vidar reports that she is repairable!
Great news

Hey Mike - a great excuse for you to drunk then!

(again)

jamiemac · 9th July 2006, 01:16

Quote: (Originally Posted by nmanfield)

Hey Mike - a great excuse for you to drunk then!

(again)

exactly, MV Trident team had more than a few yesterday for the (nearly) passing of Empress, it looks like we'll have a much better drink today , great news - Jamie

Underwaterbear · 9th July 2006, 22:52

Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike)

Great news!

I am happy to report that the Empress has been saved!!
Apparently after beaching against rocks and taking a hammering an extra large swell actually picked her up and dumped her in slightly deeper water behind the rocks, where they managed to anchor, still being bounced around rocks. Bent rudders and props, huge dents etc, but NO leakage. Lots of water damage though.
Vidar reports that she is repairable!
Great news

And that, people, is why you build serious boats in STEEL.

Glad to hear it!

7th July 2006, 05:13	#2 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: Loss of MV Empress Mike, That is indeed VERY sad news. I first dived the Empress 8 years ago on a trip to the Dutch subs, and vividly remember Vidar diving the subs on single tank (on air to boot) spear-shooting 5-foot grouper for dinner. __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
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7th July 2006, 06:01	#3 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,113	Re: Loss of MV Empress Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) Mike, That is indeed VERY sad news. I first dived the Empress 8 years ago on a trip to the Dutch subs, and vividly remember Vidar diving the subs on single tank (on air to boot) spear-shooting 5-foot grouper for dinner. Amazing guy. Nobody who saw him in action would debate that. Im sure he will come back fighting __________________ Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you
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7th July 2006, 06:20	#4 (permalink)
Underwaterbear A Prismer in Megland Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 165	Re: Loss of MV Empress Wouldn't have thought a beaching would lead to total loss of a steel vessel of that size. Whatever the circumstances, hopefully it's a quick settlement and return to operations for the Empress or the Empress II. My thoughts are with the Skipper and crew (and the guys who were due to dive off her). These things are sent to try us.
(Offline)

7th July 2006, 08:07	#5 (permalink)
cedricverdier S21 M.I.B. Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Worldwide! Posts: 486	Re: Loss of MV Empress Hi Mike, Sad news as MV Empress looked like a very convenient and safe charter boat. There's still another boat in Singapore but it's not your favorite one, is it? cheers __________________ Cedric Verdier PADI Course Director, ANDI-IANTD-PSAI-TDI-DSAT-DAN-NAUI-CMAS Instructor Trainer Trimix (CCR and OC) and Cave Diving Instructor Trainer www.CedricVerdier.com DIRrebreather member
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7th July 2006, 20:29	#6 (permalink)
koputai Subsea Systems Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 300	Re: Loss of MV Empress Pisser. Absolute Pisser. I hope someone doesn't pilfer all those nice portholes etc before Vidar can prize them off her! Jason.
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8th July 2006, 13:15	#7 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,113	Re: Loss of MV Empress Great news! I am happy to report that the Empress has been saved!! Apparently after beaching against rocks and taking a hammering an extra large swell actually picked her up and dumped her in slightly deeper water behind the rocks, where they managed to anchor, still being bounced around rocks. Bent rudders and props, huge dents etc, but NO leakage. Lots of water damage though. Vidar reports that she is repairable! Great news __________________ Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you
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8th July 2006, 14:43	#8 (permalink)
nmanfield Megalegalegalegadingdong! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Odessa, Ukraine Posts: 329	Re: Loss of MV Empress Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike) Great news! I am happy to report that the Empress has been saved!! Apparently after beaching against rocks and taking a hammering an extra large swell actually picked her up and dumped her in slightly deeper water behind the rocks, where they managed to anchor, still being bounced around rocks. Bent rudders and props, huge dents etc, but NO leakage. Lots of water damage though. Vidar reports that she is repairable! Great news Hey Mike - a great excuse for you to drunk then! (again) __________________ Tub 'O Lard
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9th July 2006, 01:16	#9 (permalink)
jamiemac New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: thailand Posts: 30	Re: Loss of MV Empress Quote: (Originally Posted by nmanfield) Hey Mike - a great excuse for you to drunk then! (again) exactly, MV Trident team had more than a few yesterday for the (nearly) passing of Empress, it looks like we'll have a much better drink today , great news - Jamie
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9th July 2006, 22:52	#10 (permalink)
Underwaterbear A Prismer in Megland Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 165	Re: Loss of MV Empress Quote: (Originally Posted by Drmike) Great news! I am happy to report that the Empress has been saved!! Apparently after beaching against rocks and taking a hammering an extra large swell actually picked her up and dumped her in slightly deeper water behind the rocks, where they managed to anchor, still being bounced around rocks. Bent rudders and props, huge dents etc, but NO leakage. Lots of water damage though. Vidar reports that she is repairable! Great news And that, people, is why you build serious boats in STEEL. Glad to hear it!
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