Unexpected Morning Ride

Oct29

A cloudy/rainy morning at the harbor.

Mare Fox at Pier 1:

A bit too far away for good photos, but nice to see two ‘iwa flying around:

Barge Hilo Bay and tugs Capt Les Easom and Salishan:

Mikioi and Pi‘ilani headed out to assist Manoa:

The reality of the port side of Falls of Clyde. Spot the ‘a‘ama (Thin-shelled rock crab):

Kulamanu (ex-Rella Mae) detail:

The Kulamanu is another ship being forced out of the harbor.

One of the Tiger tugs now in Foss livery as Freedom:

Manoa:

SPM:

Admiral’s Barge still hauled out, but looking good:

Mahalo to Paul and Captain Collins.

Lovely End to a Long, Unhappy Week

Apr6

The past week was another unhappy, long, and stressful one. Still unhappy for the same reasons. I’m not sure what to do, if anything, about it all. Walking away from a tough situation is not in my character, but it’s so damn tempting.

Yesterday wasn’t a typical Saturday. I arrived at the ship at my usual time. However, I didn’t stay very long as I had made a last-minute appointment to see a doctor for something that was bugging me.

Near the ship, a trumpet fish was floating head down, trying to be stealthy:

Maybe hiding amongst some debris will help?

A young crocodile needlefish was having better luck at looking stick-like;

A good-sized omilu (wrasse for scale) visiting the cleaning station at the end of the pier:

I managed to get some shots of MTM Antwerp arriving before I had to dash off for my appointment:

Since it was such a nice day, I decided to return to the harbor area. I walked from Aloha Tower to Pier 38.

Malolo flying:

I picked up some tarred seine twine at POP:

Mmmm…poke bowl from Nico’s for lunch:

I have to admit, it was a nice change of scenery.

It seems the fish are making a comeback from the molasses spill. Here’s a juvenile sailfin tang:

I also saw a large crocodile needlefish, two barracudas, and a nice school of something…could have been aholehole.

A couple of ‘a‘ama were facing off on the rocks:

(The one on the right won.)

I was there in time for another ship-spotting opportunity. Symi was shifting from Matson’s pier to Horizon’s.

Needed three tugs (Pi‘ilani, Mamo, and Mikioi – not in photo above), due to engine trouble, I understand.

So close and yet so far…

Honolulu approaching the pier.

I wasn’t expecting a ride, but was offered one. Gladly accepted!

YB barge Kala‘enalu:

Fishing boat Princess Jasmine at sea:

Captain Lenny Stenback and Maui:

Back in the harbor and trailing behind another YB barge, Ha‘aheo:

Nothing like a nice day in pleasant company to raise one’s spirits!

Mahalo to Captains Sinclair Brown, Lenny Stenback, and Paul!

Unhappy Week

Mar23

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.”

Photography From a Sailboat

Sep2

Some days, the shots are good. Yesterday, not so much.

The camera’s auto focus wasn’t cooperating, so I had to focus manually.

China Airlines plane just after taking off from the reef runway:

Not too bad considering it was moving fast.

Stationary tanker (Smart Lady)? How hard can that be?

Meh. At least the ocean looks good.

We were waiting for Maersk Misumi to leave the harbor. The time posted in the DOT shipping schedule came and went. 😦

Headed back to the Ala Wai, we saw Manulani in the distance. The shots of her passing Diamond Head would have been very nice if they were in focus!