mv Hammonia Antofagusta - 2nd December 2015

On 2nd December I joined mv Hammonia Antofagasta at Swanson Dock for a compass adjustment in the bay, disembarking with the pilot at 1845h outside the heads.

mv Hammonia Antofagasta outside the heads on 2/12/15. (photo Graham Flett)

HS Shackleton, another ship I adjusted sailing from Swanson Dock.

Maersk Olaf sailing from Swanson Dock.

Other ships at Swanson and Appleston Docks.

The ship's Master (L) at the controls and the Port Phillip Sea Pilot (R) piloting the ship out of Swanson Dock.

Heading downriver, approaching the VTS (port control) tower.

Approaching the heads with the pilot launch (photo Graham Flett)

Just after the pilot and I disembarked onto the pilot launch. (photo Graham Flett)

mv Grand Eagle - 24th November 2015

On 23 November, I attended a car carrier, mv Grand Eagle, at B Appleton Dock to prepare for a compass adjustment the next morning. I spent the night on board in the pilot cabin and the ship sailed at 0645 the next morning. I disembarked with the pilot outside the heads at 10.30 on the 24th.

At Appleton Dock B.

Looking astern from the monkey island.

A ship sailing from Swanson Dock at 0600.

Looking across Swanson Dock from the ship's bridge wing.

We didn't need tugs but the agent had already booked them.

This was just a part discharge of Grand Eagle's cargo from Germany, the remainder to Port Kembla. before she heads to Korea for her next cargo. While by no means what is considered a large car carrier these days, she still carries 1600 cars.

Sailing downriver past Webb Dock.

Passing Queenscliff at 1000h.

mv Lefkes - 29th May 2015

Lefkes was discharging soymeal from Argentina at Geelong

Tankers at Geelong

Late night sailing

mv CS Caprice - 2nd April 2015

CS Caprice at Yarraville

With the friendly Third Mate. Unusually, she's from the Bahamas.

The pilot and the ship's Master.

In the South Channel

 

 

Pilot transfers outside the heads

 

mv Rivertec - 12th March 2015

On 11th March I took the train and bus to Portland to do a compass adjustment aboard mv Rivertec the next day. She was deeply laden with logs for China.

Waiting for departure - 0700 12th.

A woodchip carrier at an adjacent berth.

The tug arrives.

The Chinese Third Mate and helmsman.

Lashings to keep the logs in place.

The Captain (L) and the pilot.

Another woodchip carrier loading.

Job done and back to shore by launch.