mv Kota Wangsa

On 13th. May 2013 I performed a compass adjustment aboard the container ship Kota Wangsa. I boarded the ship at Swanson Dock, Melbourne and disembarked with the pilot outside Port Phillip Heads.

Departure from 4 East Swanson Dock

Shipping in the South Channel

mv Mutsu - Geelong to Burnie

From 2nd to 4th April 2013 I was aboard mv Mutsu to perform an adjustment. At the shipping company's request this was performed en route Geelong to Burnie.

Early morning 3rd April, South Channel outbound.

Passing an inbound ship in the South Channel.

The ship's crew rigging the pilot ladder.

A container ship inside the heads.

(L - R) The ship's Captain, helmsman, Third Officer and Port Phillip Sea Pilot.

Exiting Port Phillip heads.

The pilot launch coming alongside.

The pilot disembarking.

mv Mutsu alongside at Burnie, Tasmania on 4th. April 2013.

Flying over Phillip Island en route Wynyard to Melbourne 4th. April.

SKS Demini

I boarded a brand new Norwegian tanker, SKS Demini, at Gellibrand Pier on 22nd January 2013 to prepare for a compass adjustment next day when the ship would return to the anchorage. As departure was set for 0400 the following morning, the ship's captain kindly provided me with a cabin to sleep in on board that night. We left the berth at 0430 on the 23rd. and I performed the compass swing en-route to an anchorage far down the bay. After the pilot anchored the ship at 0730, we both left via pilot launch and returned to Williamstown, Melbourne.

SKS Demini arriving at Gellibrand Pier 22nd. January 2013.

A helicopter carrier under construction for RAN.

Heading to the anchorage.

Dawn light at the anchorage in Port Phillip Bay.

Diamond Princess, Iron Monarch - Westernport

By virtue of me being a compass adjuster, my very good friend, Port Phillip Sea Pilot Captain Charles Griffiths 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.
The next day I accompanied him while he piloted BHP's Iron Monarch from the Hastings steel terminal to sea.

Diamond Princess - 1st January 2010

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 Captain and Staff Captain.

The crew pool and jacuzzi.

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

Iron Monarch - 2nd January 2010

Sailing from the Hastings terminal.

The ship's Captain at the bridge wing controls.

The starboard pilot ladder rigged ready for our disembarkation.

Sailing down Westernport Bay.

The pilot launch approaching to take us off.

The ship from the pilot launch.