Voyages of the M/S Fidelio

[BarnacleGrim]

I signed on in Bremerhaven on the 5th, sailing to the US, Panama and Australia.



But first a stop in Zeebrugge to fill up with Fords for Australia.

[Mad Scientist]

Wow! You sure are getting to see the world, one auto-loading facility at a time.

I've seen quite a few Wallenius Wilhelmsen ships over the years, and they all appear to be well-maintained. Good to see in this day and age.

Tom

[BarnacleGrim]

Nearing the Chesapeake bay — wheel hard to port during routine manoeuvring tests.

[BarnacleGrim]

Reached Cape Henry:

[BarnacleGrim]

Here's one for the tugboat fans, the Donal G. McAllister:


Also passed the NS Savannah in Baltimore:

[McMike]

Thank you!

[BarnacleGrim]

Shore leave in Savannah:



Fidelio is the second ship up the river



One of these tourist boats had a sternwheel that was just freewheeling and not connected to anything.



Shrimp and grits

[BarnacleGrim]

Sorry for the late update. This is the Panama canal transit, July 28.


Weighing anchor after a night transit to lake Gatún.


Looks nice for gunkholing.


At the helm


Some maneuvering help


Leaving the Pedro Miguel locks


In the Pacific, with Miraflores and Panama City behind us.

[BarnacleGrim]

Today, after ten days of steaming, we reached Pitcairn Island. They hailed us on the VHF, asking if we wanted to hove to.


They launched a longboat, coming to trade provisions

[BarnacleGrim]

Setting course for Australia again...


...and leaving Pitcairn behind.

[seanz]

Truly excellent thread. I'm assuming you're heading to Sydney?

[Duncan Gibbs]

Are you doing the return as well BG? Will you get any time in Oz? EBS?.....

[BarnacleGrim]

Truly excellent thread. I'm assuming you're heading to Sydney?

Are you doing the return as well BG? Will you get any time in Oz? EBS?.....

Here are the next port of calls with approximate dates:
Brisbane 20/08
Port Kembla 24/08
Melbourne 27/08
Freemantle 01/09
Singapore 10/09, where I am signing off.

[Thad]

Wow! Thanks! Cheers!!!

[Phil Y]

This is nice

[Larks]

20 August in Bris', are you here for long? Shore leave? EBS?? Any plans?? Most of us are just a bit south of Brisbane.

[BarnacleGrim]

Not entirely sure what EBS stands for, but I'm always up for meeting forumites. I might get a few hours of shore leave, but I can't say exactly when and how long, schedules in shipping are always tight and subject to change.

[John B]

Brilliant,I love the shots of Pitcairn.

[Larks]

EBS = Elbow bending session (or extreme bullshyte session - whichever you prefer)

[Duncan Gibbs]

I'm up for an EBS on the 20th!

Keep us up to date and thanks for the shots of the voyage.

[BarnacleGrim]

I'm going ashore in Brisbane on the 20th at 1400, I'm not sure exactly where the transport will go. Return at 2000. What do you guys have in mind?

[Duncan Gibbs]

I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope I'm feeling better by Saturday. I may only be up for non-booze beverages if I am able to make it.

Pub lunch/early dinner somewhere if I am to make it. I'll alert Gary and Peter as well.

[Lew Barrett]

Fine thread, thanks.

[BarnacleGrim]

I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope I'm feeling better by Saturday. I may only be up for non-booze beverages if I am able to make it.

Pub lunch/early dinner somewhere if I am to make it. I'll alert Gary and Peter as well.

Bad news, there has been a change of schedule. We'll be working all night long and leave for Port Kembla already Saturday evening. There will be too many uncertainties with such a short shore leave, so I won't be able to make it.

[BarnacleGrim]

Here's a new batch of pictures from the past few days:



Approaching Australia



Entering Moreton Bay and Brisbane



Arrived in Port Kembla this morning

[mizzenman]

Glass house mountains, guaranteed to hurt your calfs

[Larks]

Arrived in Port Kembla this morning

Not the most glamorous view of Australia.........

[Duncan Gibbs]

Note the cane fire off on the RHS of the shot. Here's one close up:

[BarnacleGrim]

Sunset over Rottnest Island



Anchored outside of Fremantle, waiting for a berth.



Sharing the anchorage with Isis and British Fidelity...



...and a flock of seabirds

[purri]

Silver gulls (Larus novaehollandiae)

[BarnacleGrim]

I got home on Sunday, but I forgot to post the last batch of pictures:





A walk around Fremantle



Heading for the Sunda Strait in the heavy Indian Ocean swell

[BarnacleGrim]

Diverted to Jakarta to unload some mining equipment





Anchored ships as far as the eye can see



Ramp down in Singapore



A small cargo ship unloading with old-fashioned derricks. Sorry about the aspect ratio.

[BarnacleGrim]

Enjoying a few hours in Singapore:











Relaxing in Changi Airport's orchid garden while waiting for my flight home

[B_B]

Thanks!

[switters]

excellent, thanks for sharing

[orbb]

Very cool. Thanks for giving us another perspective.