MS Melody

{{Short description|Cruise ship}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = Melody.jpg | image_caption = ''Melody'' in April 2008 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | name = *1982–1988: ''Atlantic'' * 1988–1997: ''StarShip Atlantic'' * 1997–2013: ''Melody'' * 2013–2018: ''Qing'' | owner = * 1982–1988: Home Lines * 1988–1997: Premier Cruise Line * 1997–2013: MSC Cruises<ref name=FoF>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/atlantic_1982.htm |title=M/S Atlantic (1982) |access-date=19 March 2008 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328001713/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/atlantic_1982.htm |archive-date=28 March 2012 }}</ref> * 2013–2018: Sahara India Pariwar | operator = * 1982–1988: Home Lines * 1988–1997: Premier Cruise Lines * 1997–2013: MSC Cruises<ref name=FoF /> | registry = * 1982–1997: {{flag|Liberia|civil}}, Monrovia * 1997–2013: {{flag|Panama|civil}}, Panama City * 2013–2018: {{flag|India|civil}}, Mumbai | route = | ordered = | builder = CNIM, La Seyne, France<ref name=Miller>{{cite book |title=The Pictorial Encyclopedia of Ocean Liners, 1860-1994 |last=Miller |first=William H. Jr. |year=1995 |publisher=Dover Publications |location=Mineola |isbn=0-486-28137-X |page=[https://archive.org/details/pictorialencyclo0000mill/page/12 12] |url=https://archive.org/details/pictorialencyclo0000mill/page/12 }}</ref> | original_cost = US$100 million<ref name=Ward>{{cite book |title=Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships |last=Ward |first=Douglas |year=2006 |publisher=Berlitz |location=Singapore |isbn=981-246-739-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/berlitz2006compl00doug/page/408 408] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/berlitz2006compl00doug/page/408 }}</ref> | yard_number = 1432<ref name=FoF /> | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = 9 January 1981<ref name=FoF /> | christened = | completed = 1982 | acquired = 2 April 1982<ref name=FoF /> | maiden_voyage = 14 April 1982<ref name=FoF /> | in_service = 14 April 1982<ref name=FoF /> | out_of_service = 2013 | identification = {{IMO Number|7902295}}<ref name=FoF /> | fate = Scrapped at Alang, India in 2018. | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = <ref name=FoF /> | type = Cruise ship | tonnage = * {{GT|35,143}} * {{DWT|7,000}} | displacement = | length = {{convert|204.81|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | beam = {{convert|27.36|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = | draught = {{convert|7.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | depth = | decks = 9 (passenger accessible)<ref name=Ward /> | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | power = * Two 10-cylinder GMT-Fiat diesel engines * 22,070{{nbsp}}kW (combined) | propulsion = 2 propellers<ref name=Ward /> | speed = * {{convert|23|kn|lk=in}} (maximum) * {{convert|19|kn}} (service)<ref name=MSC>{{cite web |url=http://www.msccruisesusa.com/flotta/dati.asp?ship_id=10&page_id=321 |title=Ship Fact - MSC Melody |access-date=19 March 2008 |website=MSC Cruises |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018081733/http://www.msccruisesusa.com/flotta/dati.asp?ship_id=10&page_id=321|archive-date=18 October 2007}}</ref> | capacity = *1,062 (double occupancy)<ref name=MSC /> * 1,600 (all berths)<ref name=Ward /> | crew = 535<ref name=MSC /> | notes = }} }}

'''MS ''Melody''''' was a cruise ship, formerly owned and operated by MSC Cruises. She was built in 1982 by the CNIM shipyard in La Seyne, France for Home Lines as '''''Atlantic'''''. Between 1988 and 1997 she sailed for Premier Cruise Line as '''''StarShip Atlantic'''''. In 1997, the vessel entered service for MSC Cruises as '''''Melody'''''. In 2009 she repelled a pirate attack off Seychelles. She ended her career as an accommodation ship '''''Qing''''', during which she sank in storm at her berth, and was scrapped in 2019.

==History==

=== Home Lines – ''Atlantic'' === The ''Atlantic'' was built in 1982 by the CNIM shipyard in La Seyne, France, for Home Lines as their second purpose built ship.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dawson |first=Philip S. |title=Cruise ships : an evolution in design |date=2000 |publisher=Conway Maritime |isbn=0-85177-660-4 |location=London |oclc=43419400}}</ref> The ship was the second to take the name, after the previous SS ''Atlantic'' of 1948''.'' In preparation for the delivery of the new ''Atlantic'' in 1982, the ''Doric'' was sold to Royal Cruise Line. When delivered in April 1982, the ''Atlantic'' took over the New York-Bahama-Bermuda cruise service. The ship's design was considered very dated for the 1980s, with an exterior that had unbalanced mix of classic and modern design elements; with no dedicated promenade deck, magradome pool area, and a traditional mast with crows nest.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maxtone-Graham |first=John |title=Liners to the sun |date=2000 |publisher=Sheridan House |isbn=1-57409-108-5 |location=Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. |oclc=43186060}}</ref> The Atlantic continued to operate for Home Lines until 1988, when the company was purchased by Holland America Line and its operation merged into those of Holland America. The ''Atlantic'' was sold to Premier Cruise Line, becoming ''Starship Atlantic.''

=== Premier Cruises – ''Starship Atlantic'' "Big Red Boat" === [[File:"StarShip Atlantic" - Nassau, 1989.jpg|left|thumb|''StarShip Atlantic'' at Nassau in 1989]]

In 1988, the ''Atlantic'' was purchased by Premier Cruise Lines, which repainted in its 'Big Red Boat' livery and renamed it the ''Starship Atlantic''. The ship would join former fleetmate ''Oceanic,'' catering to the family cruise market with a partnership with Walt Disney World.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Peter |first=Bruce |title=Cruise ships. A design voyage. |date=2017 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=978-1-911268-08-6 |location=Narberth |oclc=1003587263}}</ref> The ship would continue to sail on routes similar to her Home Lines days with short cruises to the Bahamas.<ref name=":0" /> Following new ownership of Premier Cruises in 1997, the ''Atlantic'' was sold to the newly expanding MSC Cruises.

=== MSC Cruises – ''Melody'' === [[File:MSC Melody, La Goulette, 2009 bow.jpg|thumb|left|''MSC Melody'' at La Goulette (Tunisi) in Tunisia, 2009]] In 1997, the vessel entered service for MSC Cruises as '''''Melody'''''. She was remarketed as ''MSC Melody'' in 2004, but her official registered name remained Melody throughout her MSC career. She was retired in January 2013.<ref name="SimplonMSC2">{{cite web |last=Boyle |first=Ian |title=MSC Crociere Italiane |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/MSCPCs.html#anchor242172 |access-date=19 March 2008 |work=Simplon Postcards}}</ref> She accommodated 1,076 passengers in 532 cabins. Her crew complement was approximately 535.

In July 2012, there was speculation that ''MSC Melody'' was to be chartered to new operators in Japan.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 July 2012 |title=MSC Melody Set for New Home? |newspaper=Cruise Industry News |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7522-msc-melody-set-for-new-home.html |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> The following month, it was reported that she had been sold to a South Korean company, Lotus Mine, and that as from February 2013 she would operate a regular service between Shanghai and Jeju Island, South Korea.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 August 2012 |title=Ports & Ships Maritime News: Cruise News: MSC Melody Sold |newspaper=Ports & Ships, South Africa |url=http://ports.co.za/news/news_2012_08_10_01.php#four |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> However, she was de-commissioned following her final voyage for MSC Cruises in September 2012.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 November 2013 |title=Ex-Melody Heading for India? |newspaper=Cruise Industry News |url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/10280.html |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref>

On 7 January 2013, MSC Cruises announced that ''MSC Melody'' had been retired effective immediately, despite being scheduled to sail through the summer season, and was listed for sale.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 January 2013 |title=End of era at MSC Cruises as oldest ship retired |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/01/08/msc-cruises-melody-retires/1817027/ |access-date=9 January 2013 |work=USA Today}}</ref>

=== ''Qing'' – Accommodation ship === [[File:"Qing" - Goa, 2014.jpg|left|thumb|217x217px|''Qing'' at the shipyards of Goa during its conversion as hotel in 2014.]] In November 2013, she was sold for an undisclosed price to Sahara India Pariwar, a multinational group involved in finance, leisure, hotels, construction, property and industrial activities. Under the new name ''Qing'', she was to be delivered in Goa, India, and converted into floating accommodation.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 November 2013 |title=MSC Crociere sells the Melody in India |newspaper=Ship2Shore |url=http://www.ship2shore.it/english/articolo.php?id=11773 |url-status=dead |access-date=15 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416180837/http://www.ship2shore.it/english/articolo.php?id=11773 |archive-date=16 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=30 January 2014 |title=Sahara India: New role for Melody |newspaper=Ships Monthly |url=http://www.shipsmonthly.com/news/cruise/1181--sahara-india-new-role-for-melody |url-status=dead |access-date=15 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417072127/http://www.shipsmonthly.com/news/cruise/1181--sahara-india-new-role-for-melody |archive-date=17 April 2014}}</ref>[[File:"Qing" - Marmagoa, 2018.jpg|thumb|''Qing'' at Mormugao in 2018]]

On 29 June 2016, the ship partially sank while docked in Goa, India. The sinking was caused by heavy monsoon rains and neglect. Nobody was on board at the time the ship sank.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 June 2016 |title=Lashed By Rain, Ship In Goa Hits Sea Bed, Nobody Injured |url=http://www.ndtv.com/goa-news/lashed-by-rain-ship-in-goa-hits-sea-bed-nobody-injured-1426012 |access-date=12 November 2016 |work=NDTV}}</ref> The ship was re-floated by a salvage company in June 2018. The ship was soon after sold for demolition and scrapping.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sequerua |first1=Newton |title=MPT starts dismantling WISL dry dock |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/mpt-starts-dismantling-wisl-dry-dock/articleshow/64579350.cms |access-date=29 September 2018 |work=The Times Of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Boonzaier |first1=Jonathan |title=Indian cruiseship readied for final voyage |url=http://www.tradewindsnews.com/passengerships/1531659/indian-cruiseship-readied-for-final-voyage |access-date=29 September 2018 |website=TradeWinds}}</ref> The ship was towed and beached in Alang, Gujarat, India, in mid-2019.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} == Incidents ==

=== Pirate attack === While on a repositioning cruise from Durban, South Africa, to Genoa, Italy, with some 1,000 passengers and 500 crew members<ref>{{cite web|title=Italian Cruise Ship Fires on Somali Pirates|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/italian-cruise-ship-fires-on-somali-pirates|work=Fox News|access-date=25 April 2012|date=26 April 2009}}</ref> on board, ''MSC Melody'' was attacked by Somali pirates on 25 April 2009 when approximately 300&nbsp;km off Seychelles at around 11:25 p.m. local time (19:35 UTC). A speedboat with six people on board drew alongside the ship, fired at the bridge with an automatic rifle and subsequently the pirates attempted to board the ship. Media reports indicate passengers fought off pirates by throwing tables and deck chairs overboard before the ship's security personnel could be mobilized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,621708,00.html|title=Attack on the MSC Melody: Passengers Fought Pirates with Tables and Deck Chairs|first1=Matthias|last1=Gebauer|first2=Dietmar|last2=Hipp|date=28 April 2009|work=Spiegel Online}}</ref>

Later, the ship's Israeli private security detail attempted to repel the pirates by using the ship's fire hose and, when this failed, pistols. Pistol fire was successful in forcing the pirates to retreat, although after boarding their speedboat they continued to fire at the ship for another ten minutes.<ref name=Niemela>{{cite web |url=http://cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=370:msc-melody-attacked-by-pirates&catid=43:latest-news-catecory&Itemid=115 |title=''MSC Melody'' attacked by pirates |access-date=27 April 2009 |last=Niemelä |first=Teijo |date=27 April 2009 |work=Cruise Business Review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502163515/http://cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=370:msc-melody-attacked-by-pirates&catid=43:latest-news-catecory&Itemid=115 |archive-date=2 May 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/26/italian-cruise-ship-pirates |title=Italian cruise ship fends off pirates with gunfire |access-date=26 April 2009 |last=Hooper |first=John |date=26 April 2009 |work=The Guardian }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8019084.stm |title=Italian cruise ship foils pirates |access-date=26 April 2009 |date=26 April 2009 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name=globeandmail>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090426.wcruiseshippiracy0426/BNStory/International/home |title=Cruise ship fends off pirate attack with gunfire |access-date=27 April 2009 |last=Winfield |first=Nicole |date=26 April 2009 |work=Globe and Mail |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427012522/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090426.wcruiseshippiracy0426/BNStory/International/home |archive-date=27 April 2009 }}</ref> As a security precaution ''MSC Melody''{{'}}s original itinerary had been altered to allow her to circumvent some of the more pirate-infested waters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350:msc-cruises-amends-msc-melody-itinerary-due-to-security-concerns-&catid=43:latest-news-catecory&Itemid=115 |title=MSC Cruises amends ''MSC Melody'' itinerary due to security concerns |access-date=27 April 2009 |last=Reinikainen |first=Kari |date=20 April 2009 |work=Cruise Business Online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502163509/http://cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=350:msc-cruises-amends-msc-melody-itinerary-due-to-security-concerns-&catid=43:latest-news-catecory&Itemid=115 |archive-date=2 May 2009 }}</ref> Additionally the Spanish auxiliary military vessel ''Marques de la Ensenada'' was scheduled to provide escort to ''MSC Melody'' through the Gulf of Aden, but she did not rendezvous with ''MSC Melody'' until the afternoon after the attack.<ref name=Niemela /><ref name=globeandmail /> The pirates that attacked ''MSC Melody'' were pursued and eventually captured by the Spanish frigate {{ship|Spanish frigate|Numancia|F83|2}} on 27 April 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20090427/navio-militar-espanol-apresa-nueve-piratas-somalies-acusados-atacar-crucero-italiano/271622.shtml |title=La fragata española ''Numancia'' apresa a 9 piratas somalíes acusados de atacar un crucero italiano |access-date=28 April 2009 |date=27 April 2009 |work=RTVE |language=es }}</ref> The suspected pirates were turned over to authorities in the Seychelles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spanish capture 'Somali pirates' |work=BBC News |date=27 April 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8021795.stm |access-date=28 April 2009}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|IMO 7902295}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20121112202504/https://www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/Ships/MSC-Melody.aspx MSC Melody page] snapshot before retirement

{{MSC Ships}} {{Piracy in Somalia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Melody}} Category:Ships of MSC Cruises Category:Ships built in La Seyne-sur-Mer Category:1981 ships Category:Sunken cruise ships Category:Maritime incidents in 2009 Category:Maritime incidents in 2016 Category:Piracy in Somalia