Symphony departs Mumbai

[Old Sea Dog]

She is now at sea sailing on a course for the coast of Oman.

No details are posted as to her route or destination.

Cruisemapper is my source of information 

[ctjon]

Marine Traffic also has no destination for Symphony - they probably use the same source

[TRIPACIAN]

Good luck to the ship and crew, may they encounter no problems and arrive in Athens safely.

[dimundsR]

Fingers are crossed.  Have a trip planned from Athens.

[Roland4]

Our planned boarding on April 13 is far less important than our hope that she, and all aboard, arrive safely in Athens! ❤️

[dimundsR]

I couldn’t agree more. Thinking more of their safety on their journey.

[Peribit1]

Are there passengers onboard now?
 

[nancygp]

11 minutes ago, Peribit1 said:

Are there passengers onboard now?
 

No

 

Nancy

[Roland4]

1 hour ago, nancygp said:

No

 

Nancy

There were reports earlier that Mesrs D'Ovidio and Kent planned to be onboard.

[rafinmd]

AIS is apparently totally turned off.  The destination I see from the last posting about a day ago is "For Orders"

 

Roy

[Old Sea Dog]

6 hours ago, rafinmd said:

AIS is apparently totally turned off.  The destination I see from the last posting about a day ago is "For Orders"

 

Roy

She was last seen mid way to the Oman coast at that point For Orders was also posted along with her position.

Now no new position and she is definitely not calling at the port of Muscat so if the owners are aboard they must have embarked in Mumbai.

All shipping in the Red Sea and near by is being monitored 24/7 by the Royal Navy at a special centre near Portsmouth UK and is able to respond to any threat to shipping by direct contact with the master or whoever is on the bridge at the time.

A local BBC News Channel was given exclusive access to the site with live cameras.

Very interesting as is their website o

 

 

 

[oakridger]

4 hours ago, Old Sea Dog said:

A local BBC News Channel was given exclusive access to the site with live cameras.

Very interesting as is their website 

 

@Old Sea Dog would you be able to share that website please?  It does sound interesting, and I would like to have a look at it.

 

Thank you,

~Nancy

[Whipsnade]

“For orders” is a term usually used by ships that are empty awaiting a contract to carry cargo. I presume in this case as no pax, i.e., cargo on board. 
Since we know ship is headed for bab al Mandab, it’s current heading to central Oman seems strange. 

[Old Sea Dog]

11 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

@Old Sea Dog would you be able to share that website please?  It does sound interesting, and I would like to have a look at it.

 

Thank you,

~Nancy

If you look for Royal Navy Portsmouth re Red Sea Operations you should be directed to the article and site

You may also look at bbcsouthtoday for the video of their visit to the centre 

Best of luck 

Roy

 

 

 

[Jayayeff]

11 minutes ago, Old Sea Dog said:

If you look for Royal Navy Portsmouth re Red Sea Operations you should be directed to the article and site

You may also look at bbcsouthtoday for the video of their visit to the centre 

Best of luck 

Roy

 

 

 

Roy

I think it may be the UKMTO as have also had an office here for many years now…I know when I did the Dubai to Athens cruise back in 2010 that was the office that monitored vessels as they transited the waters along the route…

https://www.ukmto.org/

Anne.

[oakridger]

Thank you @Old Sea Dog and @Jayayeff.  I will check those sites you provided!

 

~Nancy

[Whipsnade]

Looks like Symphony is making a beeline for port of Duqm, Oman. This is way out of the way to bab al Mandab. Must be to refuel ( did not refuel in Mumbai) and or meet up with military escort for journey into Red Sea. 
Never been to Duqm. Looks like a pretty desolate and lonely spot. 

[mrlevin]

53 minutes ago, Whipsnade said:

Looks like Symphony is making a beeline for port of Duqm, Oman. This is way out of the way to bab al Mandab. Must be to refuel ( did not refuel in Mumbai) and or meet up with military escort for journey into Red Sea. 
Never been to Duqm. Looks like a pretty desolate and lonely spot. 

Duqm is near Masirah Island which USN has used for replenishment for decades.

[Whipsnade]

Aha!  That solves it. Probably going to get some reinforcement. 

[Whipsnade]

Just noticed the HMS Queen Elizabeth Royal Navy aircraft carrier is currently visiting Duqm. Hmm. 

[Old Sea Dog]

2 hours ago, Whipsnade said:

Just noticed the HMS Queen Elizabeth Royal Navy aircraft carrier is currently visiting Duqm. Hmm. 

She departed this morning and is sailing in the direction of the Red Sea.

Symphony does not appear to have called at this port

Is she the escort !!!

[Whipsnade]

If so, Houthis better keep their traps shut. How exciting!  Wish I could be aboard. 

[Whipsnade]

Symphony dropped off Cruise Mapper, Vessel Finder and Marine Traffic two days ago in the middle of Arabian Sea. So she could be anywhere by now at 19 knots an hour. Could be 1000 miles from last reported position. 

[oakridger]

Just a guess, but maybe they want to continue sailing "incognito" until they are through the Suez Canal?  Of course, any entity with sophisticated technology can easily track them anyway, but just to be off the easy tracking sites might be advantageous.  Anyone who actually knows about this stuff have any ideas?

 

~Nancy

[Old Sea Dog]

Just posted Queen Elizabeth is in the Arabian Sea and sailing at 20 knots 

Symphony has become a Ghost Ship but was originally due in Jeddah tomorrow or Wednesday.