Floating Paradise Lost: Chasing MARGARITA L

The first in a new series of videos about my treks to document forgotten liners and cruise ships, this is also the second bonus track in support of the upcoming DVD, "Torn Castle (On The Road To Alang, Part Three). "Chasing MARGARITA L" is a nearly 30 minute top to bottom tour of the former RMS WINDSOR CASTLE when the ship was laid up in Greece. At that time called MARGARITA L, she was owned by Greek Billionaire John S Latsis, who bought her for use as an accommodation ship in Saudi Arabia. After her service in Jeddah and Rabigh from 1977 until 1991, the MARGARITA L sat at anchor in the Bay of Eleusis (Elefsina) with her fellow former ocean liner fleetmates awaiting an uncertain future. Completely off limits to visitors, the almost still original ship was maintained by a small crew and was occasionally used by her owner who would stay aboard and entertain VIP guests. As a ship historian and writer, I tried to get access for many years but all of my attempts were denied. Complicating matters, the ship was in a no photography zone with a military base nearby, so it was a risky venture to hire a boat on several occasions in the early 90s to take exterior footage. Finally in 1998, when the Latsis-owned ships were put up for sale, I was granted access and spent two days on board filming. I returned again in 2001 for a final visit before the ship was sold for scrap and sailed off to India to be broken up in 2005. #RMS WINDSOR CASTLE #SS MARGARITA L #abandoned ocean liners #classic ocean liners #Union-Castle Line