CELEBRITY CRUISES MERCURY: TECHNICAL PROFILE

Everything technical you ever needed to know.

In Fall 1997 the Meyer Werft shipyard of Papenburg, Germany, will deliver the 77,713-ton, 1,870-guest, MERCURY to Celebrity Cruises Inc. MERCURY is 866 feet in length, and is the sister ship to CENTURY, delivered in 1995, and GALAXY, delivered in 1996.

Mercury's inaugural voyage will be on November 2, 1997, from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean. MERCURY will continue this itinerary during the fall and winter season. During the summer season, MERCURY will operate Alaska, Pacific Coastal, and Trans-canal itineraries. Upon completion of MERCURY, the Celebrity Cruises fleet will be comprised of five vessels with a total capacity of more than 8,200 berths.

SHIP SPECIFICATIONS:

Length overall: 865.59 ft.

Length between perpendiculars: 739.80 ft.

Breadth moulded: 105.62 ft.

Depth to bulkhead deck: 34.44 ft.

Depth to deck No. 6: 62.48 ft.

Depth to deck No. 14: 143.53 ft.

Number of decks: 15

Draught: 25.26 ft.

Deadweight: 6,500 t

Tonnage: 77,713 GT

Propulsive power:

2 x 9,450 kW

2 x 6,300 kW totaling 39,380 kW

2 x 3,940 kW

Auxiliary diesel engines: 4 x 4,320 kw totaling 17,280 Kw

Speed: 21.50 kts

CLASSIFICATION:

MERCURY has been built under the survey of the Classification Society Lloyd's Register of Shipping to obtain the class notation:

* 100 A 1 'Passenger Ship' IWS

* LMC, UMS as far as applicable to passenger vessels

MERCURY complies with all applicable IMO and US Coast Guard rules and regulations.

OUTFITTING:

-- SAFETY EQUIPMENT

MERCURY is divided into seven fire zones and complies with the rules for a two-compartment vessel, and is designed according to the latest IMO regulations.

The vessel is provided with four tenders and 14 lifeboats. In addition, the ship is equipped with 63 liferafts. Three unfoldable tender platforms are installed on deck 3, serving as landing platforms for the tenders. The tenders are designed for 110 persons. In addition, guests can embark on two automatically operated gangways.

-- GALLEYS

The restaurant areas on deck 5 and deck 6 are each served by the main galley on deck 5.

The restaurant area on deck 11 is served by a separate galley (Lido Galley, deck 11). The galleys are connected by lifts with the preparation and storerooms. The onboard bakery and confectionery are integrated with the main galley (crew is catered by another galley on deck 3). In order to enable fast food storage while the ship is docked, the refrigerated rooms and storerooms are designed to provide access by electrically operated fork-lift trucks. In addition, two lifting platforms are provided between decks 2 and 3.

-- LIGHTING

Of the lighting points installed, 50 percent are energy-saving lamps, 30 percent low-voltage halogen lamps, and 20 percent fluorescent lights. In addition, neon tubes, tube lights and special lights for indirect illumination, multi-color spotlights as well as 'fibre optics' are provided. The lights in individual public rooms are controlled by means of decentralized dimmer panels or by the central computer in the TV studio. The central computer also controls day/night switching in the guest corridors and staircases. At night, corridors are exclusively illuminated by wall-mounted lamps, resulting in considerable energy savings.

-- EMERGENCY LIGHTING

According to the provisions of the latest regulations requiring means of escape to be marked not more than one foot above the deck, all corridors, stairways and some public rooms onboard MERCURY are fitted with an electrical emergency lighting system which guarantees the safe evacuation of guests in the event of a fire.

-- FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM

The fire detection system is fitted with addressable detectors. For the first time onboard a ship, detectors with ionization head and rate of rise indicator are fitted so that different types of fires can be located more rapidly and reliably. Surveillance is facilitated by monitors displaying different areas of the ship. All fire doors can be closed either individually or in groups by monitor, or collectively by switches in the control room.

-- PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

MERCURY is equipped with a decentralized public address system. All loudspeaker lines, amplifiers and loudspeakers are automatically monitored on a PC. Through computer-controlled program distribution with volume control, it is possible to transmit five different programs to all public spaces.

-- TELEPHONE SYSTEM

The digital telephone system provides 24 satellite channels for telephone calls ship-shore/shore-ship. All guest staterooms and public rooms are fitted with digital credit card telephones. In case of fire alarm in a stateroom, the telephones in the stateroom involved or the adjacent staterooms are activated.

-- TV SYSTEM

MERCURY is fitted with an interactive aerial system offering guests a wide choice of programs, such as shore excursion bookings, tele-shopping, in-room gaming, etc.

-- CASH AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS

MERCURY has a computerized cash and terminal system for cash registers, terminals and printers in the restaurants, bars, nightclub, theater, reception area and offices.

-- SOUND SYSTEM

MERCURY's theater has a sound system developed to meet the requirements of stage performance, high sound quality, and ease of operation. The sound system was designed for modern stage productions and international shows and musical presentation. The system has 32,000 watts of amplifier power. The complete amplifier system is monitored and controlled by a central computer. For guests with hearing aid needs, 100 infrared transmitters are available. The transmission system can also be used for conferences. In addition to the original language used, it is possible to receive two additional languages simultaneously via the infrared system.

-- LIGHTING EFFECTS SYSTEM

All stage lighting in the theater is monitored and controlled by a computer controlled light desk. The light power for the stage and lighting effects in this room are 1 MW (1 million watts), more than most theaters, opera houses and TV studios.

-- LASER SYSTEMS

MERCURY's theater has a computer-controlled effects laser system consisting of a 9 watt argon laser and a 2.5 watt krypton laser. The laser system is capable of generating as many as 16 million different colors. The two lasers are mounted on an optical bench in a dedicated technical room above the theater. The light signals are transmitted via glass fibre cables to two projectors in the aft stage area. By means of a partially transparent, electrically operated screen, back projections of animations and logos can be presented. It is also possible to perform a laser show above the heads of the audience using the effects of mirrors fitted in the light coves and on the ceiling. As the system is fully computerized, the laser show can either be performed independently or integrated within a performance by use of the theater's computer.

-- INTEGRATED BRIDGE SYSTEM

MERCURY is fitted with the integrated navigation and command system NACOS 45-2, and has all components required to ensure save navigation. The main feature of the system is the Multi Pilot, which is capable of working as a radar unit and provides an electronic chart display (ECDIS) and control instruments for operating the track pilot and the integrated navigation display. In addition, the Multi Pilot provides overlapped display of radar image and electronic sea chart. An advantage of this system is that during an emergency turn, the navigational situation is easily adjusted, as well. One repeater unit is provided in each bridge wing. In addition, the Captain can secure all relevant navigational information at any time by means of the repeater equipment installed in his office.

All radar units have high-resolution color monitors providing the ship's navigator with advanced means of distinguishing between different symbols. In addition to the three antennae on the radar mast, the vessel is equipped with a radar antenna on the forecastle, which supplies essential information (i.e., when the ship calls at a port). By means of the track pilot, the vessel is always kept on a given track, even in the event of a change of course or when entering narrow waters. Precise position indication onboard

MERCURY is provided by the satellite system DGPS, which is supported by reference stations ashore. The nautical equipment is complemented by an integrated navigation display on which all nautical, as well as essential machinery data is alphanumerically and graphically indicated. The information displayed is provided by sensors which monitor and record position, course, speed, rate-of-turn, water depth and wind.

-- RADIO AND SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

MERCURY's communications and safety systems not only comply with the latest Global Maritime Distress and Safety (GMDSS) regulations, but exceed, by far, the customary international standards. For terrestrial and satellite communications, several independent systems are available. Separate INMARSAT STD M channels and STD B plants allow both the ship's officers and guests to make direct telephone, fax, telex, and data

communications. In addition, radio and safety communications are made through separate MF/HF systems, various DSC units, two separate INMARSAT STD C/EGC systems, and four independent VHF systems.

-- MANEUVERING AIDS

For optimum maneuverability, MERCURY has two controllable pitch propellers, three bow thrusters, two stern thrusters and two active rudders, operated by a joystick.

-- STABILIZERS

The installed stabilizers are capable of reducing the ship's rolling motion by 90 percent at a speed of 18 knots.

MACHINERY:

-- PROPULSION

MERCURY is propelled by four non-reversible, four-stroke engines of make MAN B&W L48/60, with an output of 2 x 9, 450 kW and 2 x 6,300 kW at 500 rpm. Each pair of engines transmits its power via a gearbox to a propeller shaft. The heavy fuel oil operated diesel engines are resiliently mounted and arranged according to the 'father and son' principle. This arrangement provides great flexibility in propulsion and electric power generation. Each gearbox is additionally provided with a power take-off for a 5,200 kW shaft generator for electric power supply during the voyage. Depending on the required ship's speed, different propulsion modes can be operated. The engines are connected to the Renk gearboxes via flexible Vulkan-Rato couplings.

-- ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY

Electric power is supplied by four auxiliary diesel generator sets of make MAN B&W, type 6L40/54, as well as two shaft generators driven by a gearbox PTO. For emergency operation, an emergency generator has been installed.

-- HEAT PRODUCTION

Two oil-fired steam boilers have been installed on MERCURY. The exhaust heat of the main and auxiliary engines is utilized in six exhaust boilers for shipboard heating.

-- COOLING WATER SYSTEM

For each pair of main engines, an integrated low and high temperature cooling system has been installed. The high temperature systems are cooled by a common low temperature system. The low temperature system is seawater cooled.

-- LUBRICATING OIL SYSTEM

Each main engine is provided with two attached lubricating oil pumps, equipped with electrically driven prelubricating pumps. Filtration is by automatic filters.

-- FUEL OIL SYSTEMS

All main and auxiliary engines are operated on heavy fuel oil of maximum IF 420. The fuel oil systems are provided with pre-booster and booster pumps. Fuel oil pre-heating is effected with steam.

WATER SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE SYSTEMS:

Potable water supply is divided into five systems serving decks 2-13, each via a ring line. The hot water circuit is steam-heated. Potable water can be taken by bunker stations from ashore, or generated aboard by two multi-stage flash evaporators. The heat required to heat up the seawater is taken from the waste heat of the main engine cooling water systems, which is an economical and environmentally friendly way of generating fresh water. In addition to the evaporators, a reverse osmosis plant is provided for fresh water production. Through extensive measurement and analysis, the quality of the potable water is permanently monitored and corrected.

-- Sewage Treatment Plant

All sewage water is collected in four blackwater vacuum systems and treated in four biologically operated sewage treatment plants.

WASTE HANDLING SYSTEM:

Standards for waste handling were created on MERCURY in the ship's early design stages, based on the following criteria:

* capacity for approximately 2,700 persons;

* two independent, parallel treatment lines;

* compliance with existing and future rules and regulations;

* observance of emission values for the prevention of air pollution;

* preconditions for possible discharge of treated waste ashore;

* recycling;

* working conditions;

* highest flexibility in relation to the vessel's operating area.

The main features of the system include a piping system in which pulped food waste is discharged into tanks through water presses, and from there either lead to the incinerators or disposal ashore. Glass, paper, cork, plastic and tins are shredded and/or compressed and stored onboard for later disposal ashore. Residues from the fuel and lube oil treatment are burnt in the ship's incinerators.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS:

The ship's electrical plant is designed so that the propulsion system, auxiliary systems and hotel services can still be maintained in the event of a single failure. This is achieved by supplying important consumers from both the port and starboard sections of each switchboard. The main switchboard is fed by six generators: four diesel, and two combined shaft diesel generators/motors. The five transverse thrusters are driven by medium voltage asynchronous motors. Air-conditioning refrigeration compressors are also directly supplied with medium voltage. The engine room consumers are supplied via

a 660 V network which is fed via two transformer stations. For energy distribution in the hotel service, two medium voltage lines are installed which feed a transformer station in each fire zone from either section of the main switchboard, with seven transformers in total. The emergency system can also be fed from the two main networks. The normal motors are collected by room and compartment on motor control centers (MCC).

The two shore connection stations feed the high voltage lines. In addition, a cooling water shore connection for the auxiliary diesel engines is provided in order to be able to provide energy during dry-docking periods.

CABLING:

MERCURY is exclusively fitted with halogen-free cables for fire safety reasons.

AUTOMATION:

The following main functions are integrated in MERCURY's overall automation system:

* general monitoring and alarm system;

* emergency shut-down system;

* safety systems for all engines;

* diesel engine starting systems including clutch and gearbox controls and

driving mode pre-selection;;

* power management system for the complete propulsion system and

electrical installations;

* all temperature and pressure control systems;

* control of all major consumers including standby pump starters;

* control of the remote-controlled valves including tank gauge and monitoring

systems;

* draught gauge system;

* total control and monitoring of air conditioning system;

* alarm, log and maneuvering printers;

* entire process visualization.

MERCURY's engine speed (all main and auxiliary engines) is controlled by digital, redundant, freely programmable engine governors working together. For the ship's propulsion and maneuvering operations, an integrated, redundant, computer-aided, decentralized system is used, which is connected via field bus to the automation system. Each propeller plant, transverse thruster and rudder has its own self-sufficient process station which is connected by a redundant bus with the bridge station. T The computer for the joystick combines all functions in a single lever or transmits the commands from the integrated bridge system.

AIR CONDITIONING PLANT:

MERCURY is fully air conditioned and provided with a sufficient number of air handling units.

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