Friday was FOC’s 136th “birthday.” Before heading over to the party at the pier, I did some ship spotting.
Nakue towing containment boom:
The “resident” (I assume) female ‘iwa flying low over the water to snap up a morsel:
Tug and barge traffic:
Prominent Ace arriving:
Detail:
Keoki passing by:
As for FOC, I was sad to see that there was no ship lei… At least she had some decorations at the bow courtesy of the ship fairy.
Ever since a brief stop at the area back in 2012, I wanted to return to have a closer look at the ruins of the Sutro Baths.
Gazing out over the area today, it’s hard to imagine the grand complex that was developed by Adolph Sutro in the 1890s.
Time, the elements, and people take their toll:
The pools were stagnant and filled with algae. Trash was scattered around the grounds and graffiti adorned the concrete walls.
The steps were blocked off, so no exploration of this area was possible. 😦
Sad remnants:
Crevice in rock visible from inside the tunnel in the cliff:
***
Just offshore are the Seal Rocks. The tops of the rocks are white with guano.
Lots of pelicans, cormorants, and seagulls.
The day started off with a cheerful song from a male house finch:
Asian Jasper from the pier:
It was business as usual on the ship…nothing interesting to report.
Before I left the harbor, I stopped to watch Manoa arriving.
Bow shots are always fun:
With Aloha Tower Marketplace deserted, the birds have taken the opportunity to nest. Here are more house finches (male and two babies):
There was a trench near the Pier 10 area:
I was intrigued by the red bricks that seemed to have come from the trench:
Historic?
Another tough week at work meant that I was looking forward to the weekend.
The day started off at the ship, as usual. I brought the sander with me, but didn’t do any work.
The birds were having a rough week as well.
One of two broken eggs:
Dead chick:
The Board of Water Supply people weren’t happy either, as they had to deal with a water main break along Ala Moana Boulevard:
Muddy run off in the harbor:
Well, enough problems. On to the ship spotting for the day.
Hollum arriving:
Different spelling, I know, but I kept thinking of Mr. Hollom. Or a typo trying to type “Gollum”? Either way, not really a good name for a ship.
Tiger 5 assisting:
Moana Holo with Ka-Maluhia:
Kashima Maru, ready to leave, in need of a pilot:
I always enjoy and am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given to tag along with the pilots on the pilot boat. Saturday meant quite a lot to me, as I really, really needed a break from my land-based cares.
Kashima Maru heading out to sea:
Rhapsody of the Seas taking on fuel:
HR Resolution:
Mokihana departure – setting up pilot ladder:
Rhapsody of the Seas again, later on in the day:
Different view of HR Resolution:
B. Sky, just ‘ewa of HR Resolution:
Clipper Skagen, just ‘ewa of B. Sky:
Out of the harbor, under the Sand Island Bridge, past Hokule‘a:
(Event going on…lots of people!)
Symi is still here!
Going out (very slowly) from the harbor to the offshore anchorage again:
Pi‘ilani:
I can see the ocean from my house. I grew up looking at, but not really seeing the harbor. The lights of the ships at anchor offshore, bright but small points in blackness, always seemed so lonely. I never dreamed that I’d get the opportunity to experience things up close.
Kawika headed to the anchorage to await the arrival of Symi:
Fortunately, the ocean was calm. I imagine it must be pretty hellish on a rough day.
Not the best photo, but here’s Symi (finally) with city lights in the distance:
Back in the harbor, two Matson ships at the pier.
Maui arrived first:
Then Kauai (with Mikioi here):
Goodnight, all!
Mahalo to Captains Stenback, Dorflinger, and Brown for humoring the strange person with the camera. Special thanks to Paul.
I’m a bit behind, due to work. Here are a few pics from last Tuesday. I went to the pier to have lunch.
Sapphire Princess lifeboats:
A sparrow making off with some nest material:
Cap Pasado arriving:
Yeah. It was bad.
I really considered whether things are still worth the frustration and bad feelings. Up to now, I’ve always said “yes” without hesitation. Now, I’m not so sure.
One thing that came out if it, was a clear indication and understanding of where I stand. It’s not in a good place. I don’t like it. However, there is nothing I can do about it. I can’t change people. I can only change myself and the way I think.
I take comfort in the support of friends and those who know and understand old ships (you know who you are). That support is precious and I thank you. It’s kept me from walking away.
Anyway…enough doom and gloom.
A mishmash of things today.
Another rivet bit to add to the collection:
It’s not a recent occurrence, as it was in a pile of debris. (Wow, odd angle, my hand looks stunted.)
The frame where it probably popped off from:
NEWS! It’s noted on the Friends of Falls of Clyde website, so I can finally say something here. Dry dock is happening soon. Yes. That’s the plan anyway. Nothing is firm yet.
With that in mind, there are things to do.
One of my projects is seeing that the pumping system is in order and completed. It works as it is now, but we still need to extend the line to the two #1 tanks and the pump room.
I took an inventory of what we have on hand:
Paul arrived at the ship and said something that made me laugh. Laughs have been in short supply lately, so that was quite nice. Discussion, a walk through the ship, and he was on his way.
I finished the small project that I was working on, which was to replace the stretched-out bungee/”Posted – No Trespassing” sign combo:
Purely cosmetic, but I do take pride in making the ship as presentable as possible given the circumstances.
I actually nodded off for a bit in my chair on the ship. After that, I didn’t feel like doing anything else. Time to go.
Mokihana was leaving, so I went to the end of the pier to watch.
Saw something curious stuck to the wall (next to a nice healthy wana):
A bit of Googling…Nudibranch eggs? That would be cool. I like nudibranchs.
Grace:
Grace and steel:
For a change, I decided to head over to Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park.
Lots of ‘a‘ama, popular rock:
Olivine basalt:
A marbled blenny, I think?
I like blennies too.
A series of photos from a different perspective (see Making a Day of It for the view from the pilot boat)…
Mokihana in the distance, on the way to California:
Honolulu headed out to Maui:
Maui in the distance:
Maui in the Honolulu Harbor channel:
Maui in the harbor:
Boat of the day, Noho Loa:
***
“On a sailing ship to nowhere, leaving any place.
If the summer change to winter, yours is no disgrace.”
There’s a small public park by Piers 5 and 6. I chose it as the location for my Sunday ship spotting.
I had some time to kill due to a change in the shipping schedule, so I stopped by FOC first. I did a little bit of maintenance and picked up some spare line for a small project:
New project:
No, I’m not doing anything to the silly gangway…just fixing the sign on the platform.
First ship of the day, Marguerite Ace:
I wasn’t going to stick around for the arrival of Overseas Anacortes (already have pics of her), but I found enough things to amuse me and it was a nice day.
They fixed one range marker. I think it’s time to attend to the other one on Pier 7:
A lot of sea grapes means more bird gifts on FOC:
Speaking of birds, here’s a cute zebra dove couple preening:
Another zebra dove with a twig:
‘A‘ama:
Copies of this notice were attached to a couple of the trees by Pier 5:
It would be pretty cool to see a monk seal by FOC.
On the on the other side of the same coconut tree, a bunch of trophies:
The elongated skull at the top is interesting. It looks like it’s from a large trumpetfish.
Busy tugs (Nokea, Mary Catherine, Kokua):
Mikioi with Overseas Anacortes passing by:
Overseas Anacortes turning:
Before I left the harbor, I went to Pier 11 to have another look at Polar Star.
Rat guard!
I went down to the pier to have lunch (spicy ahi and ikura – yum). It was a fine day except for the horrible sound the gangway was making. 😦 It was doing the “dying elephant” again. I took care of it, grudgingly.
I stayed to watch Maunawili leave:
She was a bit behind schedule and it looked like containers were being loaded on to the ship up to the last minute.
The Navatek seemed to be listing to starboard:
I was pleased to see a wandering tattler looking for a snack at the end of the pier:
There is a good-sized ‘opihi on the wall at the upper left.
The “peeling” range marker has been fixed:
Maybe one day, the gangway will be fixed. 😛
A three-day weekend meant I had more time to spend at the harbor getting used to using my new toy. It’s got more bells and whistles than my old toy, so there is a bit of a learning curve.
Out of service…tug Nalani:
Seto Express departing around noon:
I think the range marker needs fixing:
I had the chance to go out on the pilot boat in the afternoon. Yes, again. Hmm. Does that make me a groupie? Eek.
Tug of the day…Capt Les Easom heading out:
She was towing Hilo Bay out with Tira Lani assisting.
The ship arriving was Manulani. My last encounter with her was my rather sad attempt to photograph her from my friend’s sailboat.
Conditions must have been good for fishing, as there were groups of boobies floating on the water:
Mostly brown boobies here with one masked booby at right.
Taking off as the pilot boat got closer:
Captain Al Dorflinger getting ready to go aboard Manulani:
I think my action shots are getting better?
In the harbor, lifeboat drill:
Mamo at the bow:
Picking up the lifeboat:
Different view of cargo being loaded on Manoa:
Manulani from the port side of Manoa:
Of course, there are rat guards:
Taking a measurement at the stern:
A lovely day. 🙂
Mahalo to Paul and Captain Al Dorflinger.
I spent most of Saturday at the harbor.
The day started with my usual inspection of the ship.
One of the rain buckets I placed in the tool room last week was full of mucky water that had dripped down from the deck above:
I did some tidying up around the ship in anticipation of a photo shoot that would be taking place on the ship later on in the day.
I took some time out to do a bit of ship spotting.
Mihama arriving at Pier 8:
There was a brown booby fishing in the harbor:
Not the best photo, but it shows the booby trying to get airborne after catching a good-sized fish.
Pilot boat Honolulu:
Thanks to Captain Ed Enos and Paul, I had a nice mid-day break.
Off Pier 9:
Yes, it was a lovely day!
Captain Enos was taking Mokihana out after a slight delay:
Mikioi at the stern:
Mamo heading in:
Captain Enos climbing down the pilot ladder:
Goodbye Mokihana:
It was back to the ship for me to await the arrival of the photographers.
Although it may be rather odd to think of the combination of fashion photography and old rusty ship, it was nice to see the ship alive with activity. I enjoyed working with everyone and had a good time.
It was dark by the time I secured the ship. I took a short walk around Aloha Tower Marketplace before leaving the harbor.
Grand Princess at Pier 10:
Due to the lack of normal foot traffic, these shops only open when there are cruise ships in port:
Notes From the Wooden and Iron World 