SILVER CLOUD

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Latest news

Silversea installs mooring magnets on Silver Cloud

Silversea has installed high-power permanent magnets from Miko Marine on Silver Cloud to enable crew to deploy excursion boats more quickly and efficiently. Silver Cloud has two crane-launched inflatable Zodiacs, both of which are now equipped with two Miko MAM-0035 magnets that are housed in stainless-steel casings to prevent seawater corrosion. Each magnet has a holding power of 500 kilograms. Miko Marine’s magnets have been used to create additional mooring points on Silver Cloud’s hull, which enables Zodiacs and other boats to be held close against the ship before being relocated to the point where passengers must disembark for excursions. This means there is no need to pass lines to the ship and gives Zodiac crews full control of the operation. The magnet is fitted with a break lever that enables it to be immediately released from the hull by the boat’s crew.

Engine breakdown on first voyage as Antarctic cruise ship

The "Silver Cloud" suffered an engine failure caused by a faulty pump on Nov 19, 2017, while en route to Antarctica. It was the first trip after a massive overhaul the ship underwent during a three month refit at a shipyard in Malta, to convert it for polar expedition voyages. The ship had left Buenos Aires on Nov 16 and was off Puerto Madryn at the time of breakdown. Power was restored to the ship in about an hour, permitting the "Silver Cloud" to return to Puerto Madryn in southeast Argentina for repairs. However, the following day, Silversea concluded that the replacement fuel pump part would not be delivered in time for the ship to cruise to Antarctica. According to the itinerary, the ship had started in Buenos Aires for a 16-day trip, including calls to the Falkland Islands, the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Now the cruise was cancelled. Silversea will provide full refunds to all passengers, as well as organising and paying for flights back to Buenos Aires and on to guests’ airports of origin. It also offered overnight accommodation and expenses in Buenos Aires, a refund of outward air fares, and a discount on future bookings.

Palumbo Shipyards converts Silver Cloud into expedition cruise ship

Malta’s Palumbo Shipyards has completed a US$40 million project to convert Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud into an expedition cruise vessel that can sail safely in polar regions. Silver Cloud spent two months in dry dock while the shipyard’s team carried out several technical enhancements. These tasks included replacing the bulbous bow with a reinforced ice-class bulb designed for polar waters, installing new sonars for underwater detection, and fitting new windows that are resistant to polar temperatures. The team also reinforced the ship’s steel structures to ensure improve her strength, stability and manoeuvrability. New onboard highlights include the Zàgara Beauty Spa, which was first introduced on Silversea’s flagship Silver Muse in April 2017, and the Photo Studio, where guests can participate in digital photography and editing classes. Silver Cloud’s boutique has also been upgraded to sell expedition-style merchandise. Silver Cloud also now carries 10 kayaks and 16 zodiacs, which will enable guests to enjoy various excursions led by Silversea’s team of expedition experts. “The successful transformation of Silver Cloud into an expedition vessel following the exhaustive work by Palumbo Shipyards is another milestone for Silversea,” said Roberto Martinoli, Silversea CEO. “Silver Cloud was the first vessel in the Silversea classic fleet in 1994 and it is with great pride that we now welcome her to our expedition fleet alongside Silver Explorer, Silver Discoverer and Silver Galapagos.” Silver Cloud will carry just 200 guests in polar regions so everyone can disembark for excursions at the same time, but will accommodate 254 in non-polar regions. The ship will sail her inaugural Antarctica cruise from Buenos Aires, Argentina on 15 November. http://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/palumbo-shipyards-converts-silver-cloud-into-expedition-cruise-ship#.Wg7J-kria9I