No Refuge Today

Falls of Clyde has become my Hotel California it seems.

“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”

I am trying to do what I can in this time of crisis, but it really sucks that it feels like I am back on the board.

I was feeling weird and stressed out about things and I had to get away from the computer and answering emails. Visiting the harbor is usually healing. Not today. As much as I tried to ignore her as I stood on the pier by Gordon Biersch, she was there over my shoulder…calling me.

I wish I didn’t care, but that would be like cutting my heart out.

Anyway, I have photos, as usual.

Work on Pier 15 has begun in earnest:

Detail of barge and workboat:

This buoy has seen better days:

Containment boom around Pier 12, which is also being repaired:

Shonan Maru chafing gear:

Overseas Kythnos with Ne‘ena alongside:

Namahoe executing a graceful spin on her way to move Ne‘ena:

On Ne‘ena:

You can have your line back now:

Overseas Kythnos detail:

More fuel barge action. Niolo and Mikioi moving Sasanoa:

Niolo towing:

Mikioi assisting:

Maunawili arriving:

Hello to Jesse. It was nice meeting and talking with you.

On Board Pi‘ilani – Kaiwo Maru Job

This past week was a busy one, but much better than the last.

I had a lot of fun on Tuesday! The Japanese training ship Kaiwo Maru moved from the offshore anchorage to Pier 11. I had a good view of all the action from the Foss tug, Pi‘ilani.

Before leaving the pier, I asked if I could have a look at the engine room. Pretty cool!

One of the engines:

Another photo of Ile de Sein, as we headed out:

One couldn’t have asked for a nicer day!

Approaching the anchorage:

Pilot boat Honolulu, heading back to the harbor after taking the pilot, Captain Ed Enos, out to the ship:

What a lovely sight!

Raising the anchor:

Heading to the harbor:

Emory Carrick heaving a line up to the Kaiwo Maru crew:

Some of the Ile de Sein crew having a look at the ship:

Mikioi, the other tug assisting the ship:

I’ve always been interested in what people come up with in the way of chafing gear.

I was pleased to see a design similar to a couple I made for Falls of Clyde:

An old work in progress photo of one of my projects:

(I really miss doing this sort of stuff. 😦 )

Adjusting mooring lines and putting chafing gear in place:

Wrapping the line around the bitts:

Not the best photo, but it shows a mooring line stopper in use:

Finally, putting rat guards on the lines:

A big mahalo to Michael MacDonald, Rick Wilson, and Whit Olson of Foss Maritime/Young Brothers! Special thanks to Captain Kamaile Kahoekapu and Emory Carrick.

Spring Line

The main task on Saturday was to replace the worn spring line before it failed.

Only two strands left:

I was asked if I had a plan.

Sigh.

Of course I did. I had made measurements and had surveyed the lines we had on the pier for a suitable replacement last week, when I noticed the problem. I knew we needed chafing gear (which I had at the ready) and stoppers (had prepared some a while ago but they had been used for other purposes, so had to prepare a new one). If I hadn’t thought of these things, who would have?

Oh, and, yes, traditional tools rock! In the old days, sailors didn’t have fancy electric tools and they managed to get things done.

Large spike used to work shoreside bowline loose:

The “new” line with chafing gear:

It still needs some adjusting, but I was fairly satisfied with the result.

The other spring line that runs through the same chock should probably be changed as well, as it is pretty worn.

It was too hot to do much more, so I had lunch and whipped the ends of my new stopper in the cool comfort of the deck house on the poop deck.

I wasn’t in a hurry to go home, so I hung around to take photos.

Smoke from the large brush fire:

Cute Maersk containers on Mokihana:

Go engines! Horizon Spirit:

The tanker, Densa Orca, was scheduled to arrive in the harbor just before sunset. I went over to the park between Piers 5 and 6 to get pics.

Mamo backing and Mikioi heading out:

Unfortunately, Pride of America was scheduled to leave about the same time. Densa Orca had to remain offshore. Meh. Delay.

Mamo, Mikioi, and Pi‘ilani returning to the harbor, with Densa Orca in the distance:

Mamo and Pi‘ilani:

Egrets heading off to roost for the night:

Okay. Hurry up and leave already!

Coast Guard boat escort:

Practice or some Homeland Security requirement?

Sun going down!

Mikioi heading out again:

Pride of America finally out of the harbor with Mikioi, Pi‘ilani, and Tira Lani heading out to assist Densa Orca:

As it was getting dark, I decided to go home rather than wait for Densa Orca. 😦

Thunder Storm

We’ve been having a spell of unsettled weather with periods of heavy rain and thunder. So I was surprised to find the water buckets on the ship bone dry.

I did notice what looked like water in the aft peak, which was curious and worrying. I check the area every week and it’s been stable (dry) since we shifted the water out to one of the tanks two years ago.

I decided to go down into the area to have a closer look. It was frustrating to find the work lights didn’t work. Meh. I had to go get a flashlight. Since I was by myself, I was very careful and stayed in a fairly safe place.

Perched on a stringer looking down:

Yup. That’s water.

Looking back toward the access ladder and hatch:

It turns out that the water may be from our pump project PVC piping. I was talking to Paul about something else and casually mentioned the water. He said when he had done work in the area, some water did flow out from the line. Whew.

Still, I may go and check on it later on this morning.

I found another square nut in the aft peak to add to the collection:

The collection:

Lights in the lazarette visible through deck prism:

I like to think of myself as the “ship menehune.” I take care of all the stuff that needs to be done but isn’t very obvious.

Power cable to ship running over pier railing:

I put chafing gear where it runs aboard the ship. I neglected to do the pier end. Took care of it yesterday.

I didn’t have my bag o’ useful stuff, so I couldn’t sew it closed. I just used a constrictor knot with an additional knot to secure it. Good enough for the time being.

A bit of a twist to the usual ship spotting photos:

(The LEGO store at Ala Moana Shopping Center)

Nippon Maru

The Nippon Maru is a fairly frequent visitor to Honolulu, but she’s usually berthed at a pier that isn’t open to the general public. 😦

Mahalo to Captains Tom Heberle and Ed Enos of the Hawaii Pilots Association for the opportunity to get a closer look at the ship! There’s nothing like seeing such a grand lady get under way and head out to sea.

On the way to the pilot office, I came across this amusing typo on a bit of trash by the side of the road:

Crashing would not be good!

Outside the gate:

Captains Ed Enos and Paul Pollock on Honolulu:

Mamo assisting:

Getting ready to go aloft:

Yards manned:

Waving goodbye to people on the pier with cheers of “Aloha”…very nice!

Tira Lani assisting:

Passing Aloha Tower:

Can’t really see it in the photo above, but the cadets were waving their hats in greeting to the crew on board Hokuho Maru at Pier 8 (to the right of Nippon Maru’s bow).

The obligatory rigging shot:

Chafing gear:

Captain Enos disembarking:

Aloha Nippon Maru. A hui hou!

Special thanks to Paul!

Lunch, Fish, and Ships

I had the day off, so I decided to go to the harbor to have lunch on the pier and do some ship spotting.

The gate to the pier has seen a bit of use (and abuse) over the past few years. When I arrived at the ship, it was looking quite wonky:

Natural wear and tear or someone messing with it? Hm.

Lunch consisted of miso soup and a spicy ahi poke/ikura bowl:

While waiting for the photographic target of the day, I dawdled about at the end of the pier.

Hoku Ke‘a passed by, towing a barge:

A couple of Hawaiian cleaner wrasses have set up cleaning stations near the edge of the pier. They are quite popular. The most striking customers today were a school of omilu and my old friend, the crocodile needlefish.

Cleaner wrasse on the “port” side:

Finally, NYK’s Dione Leader left the harbor:

I didn’t do any work on the ship today, as I am anticipating a long day on Saturday. I did go aboard briefly to fetch a large zip-tie to do a quick repair to the gate.

All’s well on the tween deck:

I walked over to Pier 9 to have a look at Kaiyo Maru. I was pleased that I was able to add a couple more photos to my idea files.

I was awed that someone took the time to put Turk’s heads on the chafing gear. Very nice touch!

With the plan to turn Aloha Tower Marketplace into dorms, I thought I’d take a photo of the fish tiles by the restroom before they go away:

Speaking of going away, there will be no New Year’s fireworks, according to a PBN article pointed out by Captain Ed Enos. I know the displays are quite expensive, but…

Leaving the area, ran across a couple of Harbor Police cars. One of the two:

Good to see them! Keep the shady characters away…

Maintenance with a Twist

Saturday was a quiet day. I like quiet days. I can think about things while doing stuff on the ship.

Based on the severity of the thunderstorm and accompanying rain that hit the island on the previous Sunday, I had expected that I would be lugging around a lot of full rain buckets. To my delight, I found that most of them were empty. (Another board member beat me to it.)

I did find a few with water in them. The one in the lazarette had the most:

Before leaving the area, I took a self-portrait:

Not sure why…I usually try to avoid cameras. Just amusing myself, I guess.

On deck, there were a few new things to deal with.

I found a rock on the starboard side near the ladder up to the poop deck. I don’t remember seeing it there before, so someone must have thrown it aboard recently. It wasn’t a very happy rock, as it had split into two pieces. The smaller piece was a few feet away.

The weed that was growing on the fo’c’sle head was bothering me, so I tried to remove it. It was too tough to pull out, so I just cut it. It will sprout up again, no doubt. The one in the fo’c’sle was easier to handle.

Another day, a new set of measurements. Six points this time—three on each side of the ship.

While looking for good locations to take the measurements from, I noticed that the electrical cable supplying power to the ship, was getting a little chafed where it crossed the top of the bulwark. Note to self: Work on chafing gear if Paul approves.

The view from the fo’c’sle head is great. I saw a bunch of police cars and officers:

My first thought was that they were filming an episode of Hawaii Five-O (they’ve filmed in the area before), but they were the real deal. I don’t know what was going on.

After the police left, I was sitting on the anchor, minding my own business and contemplating life, when I saw a gentleman and a very young girl feeding fish. What’s wrong with that you ask? They were standing in a rather dangerous area between a set of the ship’s mooring lines and a metal barricade (visible in the photo above). There are barricades there for a reason.

I got a chance to use my hailing voice (ha!) and politely asked them not to stand there.

Here’s another view:

They were standing just to the left of the lines, at the edge of the concrete. It wasn’t a rough day, so the lines weren’t moving a whole lot. Still…

The rest of the day was uneventful.

Shonan Maru’s chafing gear and rat guards:

Manoa turning in front of Aloha Tower:

Pump Repair – Part 2

Time to replace the impeller on the other pump.

Having worked on its twin last Sunday, we thought that this one wouldn’t take so long. Not so. The old impeller was stuck…really stuck…on the shaft to the motor.

Maybe some heat will help?

The wood block method to knock it loose suggested by the manufacturer did not work. Or maybe we were just interpreting the vague instructions incorrectly?

Anyway…try again using old caulking tool?

Success!

It’s a relief to have both high volume pumps set up and working again:

Many, many thanks to Paul for his time!

One of our submersibles needs tending to. I guess I’ll tackle that myself next time.

Kagawa Maru chafing gear:

Long way from home:

The sign of things to come:

Perks

Aside from the opportunity to work on a one-of-a-kind, National Historic Landmark ship, there are some additional perks to slaving away on board FOC.

Big mahalo to Captain Ed Enos for giving the okay for one of the volunteers to ride out with him in the pilot boat yesterday morning. Also, thanks to Paul for being so gracious, as usual!

Early morning, with partial rainbow:

Tug of the day…Pacific Challenger taking the fuel barge Ne‘ena over to Pride of America:

Not the greatest photo (bad angle), but here’s Captain Enos getting ready to go aboard MELL Stamford:

Need to work on my action shots!

Anyway, while I’m thinking about it, a short aside. Mariana Express Lines Ltd. (MELL) is based in Singapore. It makes sense for the company to have a ship named “Stamford.” Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles is considered the “Father of Singapore.”

MELL Stamford at sea:

A visit to Kewalo Basin before returning to Honolulu Harbor.

Tiger 9 and shipyard buildings:

Treasure Seeker, the pirate-theme ship:

Matson cranes:

MELL Stamford in the harbor:

Rat guards:

Different view of one of the Horizon Lines cranes:

Bridge to Sand Island:

Also in port is Pacific Tracker:

More of her later.

The fun of zipping about on board Kawika came to an end and it was back to Pier 7.

B&W study of a wooden boat on the pier:

Yes, it does rain at the harbor.

Fortunately, the puddles evaporate quickly in the hot sun:

Part of the aft bulkhead of port tank #5 that was obscured by old wood shelving:

Aftpeak…still scary, but stable:

Birds need to go elsewhere to s(h)it:

Kaiyu Maru at Pier 8:

Kaiyu Maru’s colorful chafing gear:

Up on Aloha Tower for a different view.

Can’t see the bird poo at this distance:

Pacific Tracker again:

Detail of aft dome:

Rat guards and lots of line:

Whale bus!

Back to street level and more rat guards at Pacific Tracker’s bow:

Alien face?

Finally, something to add to my fish spotting list. A saddleback butterflyfish (with friends):

Today’s Star of the Harbor…

…was ARC Gloria. Nice to see so many people interested in the ship.

But first, a bit about FOC. Maintenance as usual. Thought I’d have to pump some of the ballast water between tanks, but things hadn’t changed much from last week.

The trend of things appearing on the deck is growing slightly alarming. The seeds/nuts were harmless. Last week, there was a dead fish. This week there was a dead chick:

Wonder what I’ll find next week?

B. Ace arriving:

Fukushima Maru backing up to Pier 8:

Fukushima Maru‘s chafing gear:

Back to Gloria. As I mentioned, a lot of people showed up to have a look at the ship.

I posted a photo of the ship the last time she was here, so I don’t want to repeat that.

Oh, all right. Here’s the obligatory rigging shot:

I was much more interested in details this time around.

Chafing gear. I like the use of the Columbian flag colors (repeated around the ship):

Figurehead detail:

Turk’s heads on a boom:

More turk’s heads protecting a rail:

Slightly faded, but nice whipping:

I’m afraid that my coils of line on FOC are super boring, having examined the ones on Gloria.

Lots of bits to shine!

Mainstay ferrule:

Block with nice crest:

Ladder:

Plate on the fife rail with the name of a line:

Deck prism:

Detail from port side of windlass:

Saved this one for last:

It made me smile. 🙂