Resilient Lady - March 2024

 In March I negotiated to perform a compass adjustment aboard Virgin Voyage's Resilient Lady in part exchange for the use of a passenger cabin between Melbourne and Sydney. She's a very different ship, not my cup of tea but others I know have enjoyed sailing aboard her. Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable three days for me. 

A photo of the ship about to sail from Singapore, on a display screen on the bridge.

The outdoor area of the buffet.

Hapag Lloyd's Europa 2 also at Station Pier.

Looking over the bow from the bridge.

The Deputy (Staff) Captain conducting the pre-departure briefing. The Captain is sitting to the right.

Europa 2 sailing before us.

The Captain and the pilot, Capt. Tim Fitzgerald.

The Deputy Captain manoeuvring the ship off the pier. 

The emergency control room behind the bridge.

Underway.

Me with two of the Deck Officers, on the compass platform.

Sailing down the bay.

My very modern, comfortable cabin.

Various photos from around the ship.

Nothing else could more clearly demonstrate that this ship is not aimed at me!

A startingly flamboyant cabaret show in the theatre. It was very funny and the punters all seemed to thoroughly enjoy it.

The ship anchoring at Athol Bight in Sydney Harbour. I'm supervising from my bunk!

I disembarked the ship by shore tender.

Cruise Ship Adjustments - 1

 Diamond Princess - Cowes, Victoria - January 2010

By virtue of me being a compass adjuster, Port Phillip Sea Pilot Captain Charles Griffiths, a good friend of mine, was able to take me aboard Diamond Princess with him as an observer while he piloted her into Westernport and anchored her off Cowes and then piloted her back out to Bass Strait that night.

Heading out to Diamond Princess in Bass Strait, aboard the Westernport pilot launch on 1st. January 2010.

Charles piloting Diamond Princess to the Cowes anchorage.

Preparing for tendering operations.

Cowes pier from the ship's starboard bridge wing.

(L-R) The ship's Master, Captain Dino Sagani, and the Staff Captain.

The crew pool and jacuzzi.

Disembarking the ship by pilot launch at 0100 on 02/01/10.

Celebrity Century - Melbourne to South Australia and Sydney - November 2015

Just after I returned from my latest Dawn Princess cruises, I was asked to perform a compass adjustment aboard the cruise ship Celebrity Century. I negotiated with the ship's marine superintendent in Miami to perform this adjustment while accommodated in a pilot's cabin from Melbourne on 13th November to Adelaide, Port Lincoln and Sydney on 19th November (end of cruise).

Some of the crew relaxing on the foredeck just before sailing from Melbourne.

The Port Phillip Sea Pilot Captain Tim Fitzgerald took the ship out.

The Staff Captain undocking the ship.

Underway from Station Pier.

The bridge team on departure Adelaide (L-R) the helmsman (out of shot), the First Officer, the Adelaide Port Pilot, the Captain and the Staff Captain.

Approaching Port Lincoln wharf.

Alongside - gangway being put in place.

Sailing from Port Lincoln.

The compass binnacle was in an unusual location - at the aft end of the signal deck. It had to be accessed via an internal vertical ladder and a steel hatch cover.

The ship issued me with a temporary crew pass for my time on board.

The very affable and competent ship's Master, Captain Theodoros Zakkas and me.

Golden Princess - Benoa, Bali - April 2016

I performed this adjustment at  Benoa, Bali while the ship was recovering her tenders. I was aboard from Melbourne to Hong Kong.

The ship's Master, Captain Dino Sagani, (R), Staff Captain, Captain Timothy Graham-Barrett (L) and me on the bridge.

The Italian deck cadet, on his last voyage before he qualifies as a deck officer was an observer while I performed the adjustment.

The last group of passengers on tour returning to the ship.

 Royal Princess - Bridgetown, Barbados - November 2016

Silver Spirit and Royal Princess at Bridgetown, Barbados.

On the bridge with Captain Craig Street

On the compass platform with the Staff Captain (l) and Captain (r).

On the bridge at St. Lucia