mv CSCL New York - August 2014

Upon my return from Sydney I had a request for a compass adjustment aboard mv CSCL New York, berthing at Melbourne the next morning. I attended the ship later that morning and spent the night aboard her as the sailing was set for early the following morning. We sailed at 6.30 on 6/8 and I disembarked the ship just inside the heads (because of a heavy swell outside) at 10.30 then stayed on the pilot launch while the pilot disembarked outside the heads. The ship is identical in design to the mv Rio Grande which I'd just attended.

mv CSCL New York on her maiden arrival at Melbourne in November 2006. At the time she was one of the largest container ships to call at the port.

The ship at Swanson Dock on 05/08.

mv OOCL Norfolk at East Swanson Dock.

Swanson Dock at 0600 on 6/8.

Aboard the pilot launch, taking Capt. John Carroll (left) to MSC Astrid before returning to CSCL New York to disembark her pilot.

Pilot launch coxswain Jim Grinter at the helm while in the backgound, Capt. Carroll boards MSC Astrid.

Port Phillip Sea Pilot Captain David Jones disembarking CSCL New York.

mv Rio Grande Express - August 2014

On 2nd August 2014 I joined the containership Rio Grande Express to perform a compass adjustment after her afternoon departure from Melbourne the next day. I stayed aboard the ship until arrival Sydney and flew home later that morning, the 4th. The ship is engaged on a Europe, Australia, South East Asia trade. The highlight of the trip was the delicious Indian food (being an Indian and Sri Lankan crewed ship). The only downside is that my cabin, while large and clean, had a very hard mattress which for some reason is common on these ships. We had a fast run up to Sydney (27 hours pilot to pilot) and I was very pleased that I was able to catch up with a friend of mine from many years ago, Capt. Jim Dargaville, who was the Sydney pilot who berthed the ship at Port Botany.

mv Rio Grande Express at Swanson Dock, Melbourne on 02/08/14.

The ship's 3rd Mate assisting me install a new magnetic compass.

Other shipping at Swanson Dock.

The Owner's cabin, allocated for my use.

The western end of the city from Swanson Dock.

Late afternoon on 2/8 just prior to our sailing.

Our tugs returning to their base.

RAN ships under construction at Williamstown.

Tanker at Gellibrand Pier with the bunker ship Zemira in the background.

A lovely morning at sea off the Gippsland coast.

 

Late afternoon light.

 

Looking forward from my cabin at the Port Botany terminal 4/8.