Celebrity Summit – Bridge and Engine Room Operation
Celebrity Summit – Bridge and Engine Room Operation
Cruising the Southern Caribbean on Celebrity Summit
By Jeannette and Dan Dudek
Celebrity Summit – Bridge and Engine Room Operation
When Celebrity Summit is underway the bridge staff includes the Officer of the Watch (OOW), Apprentice Officer and an Able Seaman. As a representative of the captain, the Office of the Watch is responsible for the ship and gives the commands. The second officer of the watch is the Apprentice Officer, whose responsibilities include making the log entries. The Seaman operates the controls to execute the commands of the OOW.
Celebrity Summit Engine Room
Commands are not transmitted to the Engine Room (pictured above) for execution; the crew in the Engine Room monitors the numerous indicators to be sure the ship is maneuvering correctly. In an emergency the Engine Room officer can take control of the ship by using an emergency panel.
Celebrity Summit’s power comes from one gas turbine, one steam turbine and one diesel engine. At full power Celebrity Summit can achieve 24 knots – normal cruising speed is in the range of 16 to 18 knots.
Stabilizers can be deployed only when the ship’s speed exceeds 16 knots. To keep some of the systems operating efficiently, the ship needs to maintain at least 6 knots.
Celebrity Summit Bridge Tour
Apprentice Deck Officer Costin Iacob gives a tour of the Bridge; shown in the picture above is the Port Side Control Console (an identical console is located on the Starboard side)
For propulsion and navigational maneuvers Celebrity Summit has 2 azipods, 3 forward thrusters, and one pair of fixed stabilizers. The azipods (azimuth thrusters by ABB Group that use an integrated electric motor to provide propulsion) rotate 360 degrees and provide the majority of the thrust to move the boat. One of the azipods acts as the rudder, so a fixed rudder is not installed. Given the maneuvering agility of azipods and thrusters, Celebrity Summit does not require tugs to dock.
Able Seaman Dexter Ian Lico and Chief Officer of the Deck Evangelidis
Vasileios
Able Seaman Dexter Ian Lico and Chief Officer of the Deck, Evangelidis Vasileios (acting as the OOW), man the bridge. One seaman and two officers are required to be on the bridge when Celebrity Summit is at sea. The third crew member on the bridge during our visit was Apprentice Deck Officer, Costin Jacob.
The officers use NACOS, the ship’s Integrated Bridge System to help plan, execute and monitor the voyage and passage plans. The passage plan includes very detailed procedures for all necessary maneuvers from one way-point to another way-point – i.e. pier to pier. NACOS also incorporates the other required plans, such as the Voyage Plan (Pilot-Station to Pilot-Station), and the Pilot Plan (Pilot Station-to-Pier and Pier-to-Pilot Station).
The Navigational Officer responsibilities include uploading the paper plans into the electronic NACOS, incorporating the Master’s instructions. The Second Officer reviews the plans and instructions to be sure everything is correct. The Environmental Officer also has to review and approve the Voyage Plan as “Celebrity is committed to preserving the environment”. Finally, the Master reviews and approves the Voyage Plan.
The Master on all ships (Captain Theodoros Zakkas for our cruise) is not a member of the crew. By international maritime law, the Master represents the ship’s owners and as such has the ultimate responsibility for the safety of the guests, crew and ship. Even when a Pilot is aboard the ship, the Pilot only acts as an advisor of local harbor conditions, traffic and obstacles.
Dan on the Bridge with Celebrity Summit Master Captain Theodoros and Event Coordinator Debbie Fossett
Note: Any guest can sign-up for a tour of the bridge, engine room, theater and galley at Guest Relations – mid-ship on Deck 3. These no-cost tours require a minimum number of people, and you must present your SeaPass Card and Photo ID for access to secure areas.
If you are celebrating any special event (wedding anniversary, marriage, etc.) consider emailing or writing Celebrity Cruises corporate office a few weeks before your trip to inform them. Though not guaranteed, you may get a gift or an invitation to a special event.
Note: Celebrity Cruises perform a wedding or two on each cruise, as well as a few ceremonies for couples renewing their wedding vows.
Read More of Jeannette and Dan Dudek’s Celebrity Summit Review:
Overview | Pre-Cruise Documentation | San Juan Airports & Embarkation | Sunset Balcony Staterooms | Dining Options | Normandie Specialty Restaurant | Qsine Specialty Restaurant | Excursions | Production Shows | Bridge & Engine Room Operation | Senior Officer Interviews | General Info | Disembarkation in San Juan |
If You Go:
Bio
Jeannette and Dan Dudek travel extensively domestically and internationally; visited over 30 countries; and have been to most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Jeannette’s career has included teaching elementary school classes; as well as English classes for middle school students; she also as has been a business manager and accountant for several firms. Jeannette’s passion is gourmet cooking and hosting special gatherings for friends and family.
Dan spent his career as an international consultant; assisting large firms implement computerized project and portfolio management systems. Besides international travel, Jeannette and Dan enjoy traveling North America in their RV, as well as handgun competitions, sailing, hunting, hiking, biking and other outdoor sports.
