CR To Newcastle

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Tue 8 Mar 2016 23:57
Coasters Retreat to Newcastle
 
 
 
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Up at first light, our way out to sea looks so peaceful.
 
 
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We got up a couple of times during the night to watch how the firemen were doing with the bushfire. They did a sterling job at protecting the houses. As we left we saw smoke to the left, high on the hills to the left there were still flames to be seen and sadly new smoke creeping around to the right. No news reports at all, but apparently they are such a common occurrence that only major fires get a mention...... We certainly wouldn’t like to live with such a regular threat. Here’s hoping this current bushfire is controlled soon. For us, it’s off we go on the fifty two mile journey back to Newcastle for a week of chores.
 
 
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Passing a yacht with no mast always presents an odd sight.
 
 
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The sun came around the back of Barren Joey Head and popped up.
 
 
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Barren Joey Light with a bit of sea mist swirling on the sea.
 
 
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An hour or so later we were out at sea’ proper with the coast to our left. Main sail up but the wind was being once again a fickle mistress so the engine would have to stay on. The sea was a little rolly but not enough to stop the captain beating me TWICE at backgammon.........my turn to growl.
 
 
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The fifty metre mark to our right is the parking bay for waiting chums. Our first of the day was China Steel Integrity. She left Taichung in Taiwan on the 19th of February and is now quietly having a rest until its her turn to go in and be loaded. I thought she looked a little scruffy but Bear said it was because she was so high out of the water, laden she will look a lot better. Built in 2002, her gross tonnage is 91,178, DWT 175,775. She is 282.3 metres long, 45 metres wide and her draught is 8.08 metres. She speeds along at 11.3 knots and cruises at 7.6. Did she make up for my backgammon loss – no I need to see more.
 
 
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The next chum was doing a dance over her anchor at full tilt, a first for us, to see her propeller churning the water and causing a sideways wake.
 
 
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Once settled we had our normal view, her name is Tarumaesan Maru.  She was built in 2003 carries the flag of Japan and left the port of Zhoushan on the 16th of February. Her gross tonnage 52,981, DWT 91,438. Length 234.9 metres. Width 43 metres. Draught 7.5 metres. She speeds along at 15.5 knots and cruises not much slower at 14.4 knots. Again she will rest until its her turn to be whisked in to get her next load.
 
 
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The wind picked up with an hour to go and we were scooped up at speed to get alongside Harbour Control. Beside there was a regional meeting of sea birds, completely engrossed in their current point of debate to notice us.
 
 
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Well, colour us both happy, Bear was ecstatic as he pointed and said “Al, Al, Al, Allen, Al, Al, Al” [as per the truly funny skit of the meerkat supposedly calling his mate.] David Allen, the very same, the one who greeted us the first time we came in to Newcastle, same enthusiastic waves from the crew.
 
 
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Time for a quick wave watch as we rounded the corner into the calm entrance channel.
 
 
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We quickly tuck over to the left out of the channel as working girl Switzer Meringa, the first of three.
 
 
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They had raced out to help Double Harmony, waiting for her to come round the corner.
 
 
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On our AIS we could watch the action as Wickham [behind] and Meringa and Hamilton took her beak.
 
 
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As we passed the inner beach I was curious to see if any people were in the water – having been warned that this area is the midwifery and nursery for the great whites. I happened to report that only a dog or two were splashing about to which himself immediately said those that bark or the other kind. Well, sir. Indeed. I have never heard Bear come out with such a thing. We’ll have no more of that..........
 
 
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Meanwhile back at the ranch, the Cathedral still has scaffolding decorating her porch and the ferry Hunter crabbed sideways to allow us to pass by. We waved in thanks and the skipper waved in greeting.
 
 
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Double Harmony and the working girls made for a nice picture as we went past the naked lady of the sea.
 
 
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As we passed one of the loading wharves a very impressive chum called Szechuen, we looked her up later – one of the first ‘S’ Class, gross tonnage 25,488, dwt of 31,000. Length 200 metres, width 28 metres and draught 8.8 metres under the flag of Singapore.
 
An article on the girl and her sisters. On 1st January 2013 The China Navigation Company (CNCo), the deep sea shipowning and operating arm of the multi-national Swire group, successfully launched the first of a new series of eight S Class vessels at Zhejiang Ouhua Shipyard in China.

The new vessels offer a range of high-specification, technological features including:

  • Low friction anti-fouling paint, optimized hull lines with highly efficient propeller and Mewis Duct, and many other features designed to reduce power consumption at sea and in port
  • Variable speed controlled pumps and a Vessel Performance System for dynamic control of the vessel speed and fuel consumption
  • Wartsila RT Flex electronically controlled Tier-II main engine optimized for the lowest fuel consumption at fully loaded design speed of 15.5 knots
  • Fuel and lube oil tanks will be protected by a double skin
  • Ballast water treatment system, 3 stage 5 ppm oily water separator, advanced incinerator and garbage compactor
  • Four MacGregor electric deck cranes, 60 ton swivel, capable of combined lifts up to 120 tons
  • Full multipurpose capability in holds 3 and 4 with split folding tweendecks and hatch covers with strengthened tank-tops for steel coils and heavy break-bulk cargo and grab use. Holds 1,2 and 5 are cellular with cell-guide s toppers offering full container use and the possibility to carry break-bulk cargo below the containers
  • Hatchcovers are fitted with recessed container fi tings allowing a fully flat surface for optimum carriage of containers, project cargo or break-bulk cargo
  • Capacity for 147 reefer containers on deck
  • Holds are all fitted with forced draft ventilation

MV Shansi is scheduled for delivery in late March 2013 and will undergo extensive testing and sea trials in the interim. The second sister vessel, MV Shantung, was launched on 25th January and the remaining S Class vessels will be launched at monthly intervals with the eighth and final vessel, MV Szechuen, scheduled for delivery in October 2013. Wow.

 

 

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Szechuen has been a busy girl, on the 17th of January in Varna, Bulgaria. On the 25th she was in Busan, Korea. On the 5th of February in Shanghai, China. Over to Australia in March – the 2nd in Port Kembla, the 5th in Brisbane and today we find her here in Newcastle.
 
 
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We heard the loud single horn blast from Double Harmony as she turned right into the rear channel. Quite amusing to watch her as she came toward Szechuen on this side. Double Harmony is due to be loaded overnight and set off for Noshiro in Japan, due in to port on the 25th of this month. This Panamanian flagged chum had a gross tonnage of 48,025, dwt of 88,270. She was built in 2010 her length is 229.93 metres, width 38.03 metres and draught of 13.81 metres.
 
 
 
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I had to wait for this working girl to pass before I swung in near ‘c’ dock and right to park on ‘d’ dock. Our neighbours came out to take the girls ropes and we were soon packing the days bits away. Our next door neighbour rang the on-call dock master who came down with our gate cards. Time for supper, a shower and an episode or two of Hell on Wheels.
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL A HAPPY JOURNEY
                     SHAME WE HAD TO MOTOR-SAIL