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 Date 

3/4/2026

 Place

Hampton Roads Yacht Club (2nd Floor)
4707 Victoria Blvd.
Hampton, VA 23669

 Time

6:00 PM- 8:00 PM

 Cost

Student: $15

Member: $30

Non-member: $40

Due to fees associated with late changes at the meeting venue, all attendees who fail to register by the deadline will be charged an additional $10 penalty above the standard rates to cover the costs incurred by the section. Should you have any difficulty with registration, please contact Kristina Matranga.

 Reservation

In the modern era, Queen Mary 2 is dubbed the last great transatlantic liner, and she continues to evoke a “Ship of State” aura unmatched by any other ship. This illustrated talk describes why and how the Queen Mary 2 was built and explores some of the many design considerations and challenges that had to be evaluated by her designer, Stephen Payne. The philosophy to embrace a “liner” rather than a “cruise” rationale is fully explained. This very personalized lecture is regarded by many as the definitive narrative about this great ship.

With the purchase of Cunard in 1998 by Carnival Corporation, Stephen Payne was appointed chief designer of Project Queen Mary and subsequently became Director of Project Management for the construction of the ship that became Queen Mary 2. From 2004-2010 he was Vice President Chief Naval Architect of Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding based in Southampton. He is now a consultant providing services to the marine industry.

A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), Stephen was their President from 2007-2010. He is a Chartered Engineer and was awarded the OBE in 2004 for Services to Shipping. He has also been awarded the distinction of Royal Designer of Industry and is a recipient of the Merchant Navy Medal; Stephen is also a Freeman of the City of London. In January 2006, the Royal Academy of Engineering awarded him with the Academy’s first Special Achievement Award in recognition of the success of Queen Mary 2 and in 2008 he was made a Fellow of this prestigious institution. Stephen was also nominated in 2006 for Prince Philip’s Designers Prize in recognition of the success of Queen Mary 2. Stephen, a Fellow of SNAME, was awarded the Land Medal in 2011. Stephen’s other interests include 20th Century maritime history, steam trains, and airships.

NOTES:

• Free parking will be available onsite
• Cash Bar. Food will be provided.