49-12n 005-00w
Barryyelland
Tue 30 Aug 2011 08:26
SU:49-12n 005-00w
49-12N 005-00W
60 nms south of Falmouth
What a beautiful day today, 30th Ayg., especially after our
rollercoaster ride down the North Sea from Skaggerak to English
Channel. The vessel is flying light with no cargo and just enough
fuel to get to our destination in India.
I managed to get hold of the email address for the blog I usually
update for Snow Drift. Now I am on Laura and can update you on our
final voyage. Our email system was landed and so I can not send any
photos so you'll just have to make do with my blabbering.
The story so far..
The Company now consider me an expert 'Albert Steptoe' (for those old
enough to remember this TV programme) and so after beaching the good
ship Tasman Start I find myself onboard Laura to do a similar job.
The vessels are unfortunately victims of the world's financial
problems and downturn in trade.
I joined Laura in Riga, Latvia, and after a few days when we prepared
the vessel for sea after being laid up for 2 months sailed to
Landskrona in Sweden. There we off-loaded various spares and stores
no longer required onboard and too valuable to give away to the
shipbreakers. Whilst there the Owner and some of the office staff
took the opportunity to visit us and I guess pay their 'last
respects'!!
Not being superstitious but the crew is 12 + 1, the vessel usually
operates with around 24 persons, but there's no maintenance to do and
it is one way only.