NSW: Ocean liners to pay historic visit to Sydney tomorrow

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2007
NSW: Ocean liners to pay historic visit to Sydney tomorrow

SYDNEY, Feb 19 AAP - History will be made tomorrow when the prestigious Queen Mary
2 enters Sydney Harbour.

Too long to berth at Circular Quay and too tall to sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
the Cunard ocean liner is the biggest moving object ever to visit Australia, Cunard president
Carol Marlow said today.

The $1 billion Queen Mary 2 will enter Sydney Harbour at 5.45am (AEDT) tomorrow and
will dock at the Garden Island naval base.

Later in the day, it will be joined by little sister, Queen Elizabeth 2, with the occasion
celebrated with a fireworks display.

It is the first time the two ships have docked in Sydney together since World War II,
Ms Marlow said.

"Tomorrow, we are going to have a slightly more uplifting and celebratory occasion,"

Ms Marlow told reporters on Sydney Harbour.

"These two vessels will be back in Sydney Harbour again and we are absolutely delighted
to be here."

Ms Marlow estimates that the visit of the two ships will inject around $1 billion into
Sydney's economy.

The Queen Mary 2 will leave Sydney to continue her maiden world voyage at 11pm (AEDT)
tomorrow while the Queen Elizabeth 2 will continue on to Brisbane and Cairns.

AAP dmc/cj/hn/imc/cdh

KEYWORD: LINERS

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