Two dead as Love Boat is scrapped

The theme from TV’s Love Boat blasted out across the water each evening as Royal Princess left port during the Mediterranean cruise which delivered me to Barcelona on Saturday.
The ship is fitted with a seven-note horn to play the opening bar, although I’m not sure how many passengers still recognize the tune.
It was one of those ironic twists of fate that led to Royal’s much-loved older sister, the one-time Pacific Princess, arriving in a Turkish scrapyard during the exact same week.
The 42-year-old vessel, one of the original ships used for filming the series, had come to the end of its life – though its twin, the one-time Island Princess, still sails as mv Discovery.
The popularity of the TV series, which ran from 1977 to 1986, is widely credited with increasing the success of cruising among its American audience.
Tragically, two workmen were killed within days of demolition beginning. They appear to have been suffocated by fumes from a pump being used to drain the engine room, according to reports in the Turkish media.
The ship had a rough crossing from Naples, taking on water during a storm while under tow. It arrived in Aliaga, north of Izmir, on August 6. The smoke affected a total of 10 workers.
Izmir Ship Recycling Co bought Pacific – which last carried passengers in 2008 – for €2.5 million.
Maritime historian Peter Knego has taken a particular interest in the ship. See his account of a visit to the vessel last year at Maritime Matters.