Helped load a Yacht onto a transport ship for Canada

Sowell Family's Travels on Gijima
Skipper: Tim Sowell Admiral Tracy Crew Sean & Alex
Wed 17 Nov 2010 22:32
I was up early to help put a yacht 36 footer onto a transport ship similar to the one we will do, this one going to Canada. Initially it was delayed on unloading we targeted for 1 pm, but 9 am it was brought forward to 10 am, so I jumped on board, and sorted out the lines etc. It was a simple process of bringing the boat alongside this massive cargo ship which towers above you, a couple of hands are up there at 30 feet above you and you toss some sheets up to them, (dock lines are not long enough). we then undid the back stay and topping lift, so they could bring the sling in which was guided into position by a diver. I was able to speak to the loading team, nice guys and very helpful, the one on the boat has loaded 500 + boats, and this is the difference today. They may hire cargo ships but they have a loading team which flies in and takes charge of unloading and loading, so the regular crew do not have to do anything. I was impressed with the care they take and attention to detail. John from Sunsation came out in his dinghy with Sean who was fascinated and after we done all the lines and backstays, we jumped into the dinghy to watch it pull up the boat, the care was good.
This gives me good confidence and I was able to chat with the team more after loading, as they expect to be back to load my boat.
We decided not to go today to Panama as I wanted to see this boat loading, so we have stayed will go up tomorrow, we have a "pot luck" tonight on shore with the 3 boats plus some others around the marina where everyone brings something, we found a good fish market so it is sword fish tonight. But it is companionship and stories that will past over many beers and the barbeque which will be the fun part.
I dived the boat today in 10 days the prop has growth on it even though it has been used extensively and I worked the water line, but I will need to do a bottom job when I get back. But we have a marina in Brisbane assigned and are on the waiting list for another.
As we loaded the boat a tall ship 300 foot cruiser came in sailing, it is now anchored just south of us, just huge, but a lovely site.
I am amazed at how far Sean has come on, his confidence around boats, handling line and awareness has grown significantly in the last 6 months, always asking questions, as he sat there today watching them load this boat, use the crane and balance he came back and tried to model it, understand where the lines will go Gijima.
It is nice to see.

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