Variety of Ships

There was an interesting mix of ships to see at the harbor today.

Balao at Pier 1:

Matson Navigator along with Sause Bros. tugs Henry Sr. and Capt Les Easom:

Interesting SWATH vessel, Susitna, on a barge on the way to the Philippines:

Chinese bulk cargo ship, Rui An Cheng:

Crew standing by:

Pi‘ilani working at the stern:

Mikioi at the bow:

Splash! Testing the anchor:

Setting up rat guards:

Next job, Matson arrival. Mikioi with Mahimahi:

Mahimahi backing down the channel with assistance from Mikioi and Pi‘ilani:

Hello to new and old friends from McCabe, Hamilton & Renny. Always fun talking with you guys.

BE Esmeralda – Morning and Evening

With the Chilean Navy’s barquentine Esmeralda at Pier 9, of course I had to go to the harbor and get photos.

I arrived early enough to catch the hoisting of the colors (U.S. and Chile) and ensign.

Ensign being hoisted on the staff at the stern of the ship:

Smart salute:

Since she is a navy ship, there are guns on deck:

Starboard light:

Condor figurehead:

There was a sign by the gangway saying that the ship would be open to the public starting later on that morning. Unfortunately, I had to go to work. So, I made plans to return in the afternoon.

Rat guard:

Crest on end of bridge wing:

Nice star on wood grating near gangway:

Capstan detail:

Wheel and bell:

Fancywork on rail:

Circular crest just forward of the bridge:

Looking aft:

Up aloft:

Lowering the ensign at sunset:

Light detail:

Peace Ark

The PLA Navy’s hospital ship Peace Ark arrived at Pier 9. She visited the harbor a few years ago, but I didn’t get any good photos of her that time.

Crew manning the rail:

Captain Tom Heberle was the pilot:

Heaving line ready:

Bending the heaving line to the mooring line:

Lowering the gangway:

Officers disembarking:

If you look carefully, the female boatswain’s mate at the left of the photo is piping them ashore.

Traditional lei greeting:

Putting rat guards on the lines, but a bit too low down to do much good I think:

Captain Heberle on board Honolulu:

Divine Ace and Noordam

Divine Ace a little ahead of schedule. I made it just in time to get some shots before she left the harbor.

Noordam heaving line stuck:

Rat guards:

Crew member adjusting rat guards:

Noordam bow:

A group of crocodile needlefish hanging around:

Rat Guards and Detail from the Past

The rat guard obsession continues…

Old APL eagle:

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.

Of Tankers…

Some months ago, I learned that Carolina Salguero, Founder and Director of PortSide NewYork, was going to be in Honolulu. I admire the work she has done related to the historic tanker, Mary A. Whalen, so I was looking forward to meeting her.

The day finally arrived (yesterday). It was a pleasure to get to know her beyond Facebook and to talk (quite frankly) about the challenges our respective ships face.

I am very grateful to Captain Tom Heberle of the Hawaii Pilots Association for giving the green light to a tour of Honolulu Harbor for Carolina. Paul volunteered to be tour guide and did an absolutely fab job.

More views of A:

(For some strange reason, I didn’t take very many photos…this post will be wordier than usual.)

Golden Bear rat guards:

There were a lot of interesting comments from Carolina on the differences between our harbors.

Mahalo to Friends of Falls of Clyde’s president, Bruce McEwan, for a nice dinner. I think there was food for thought provided as well.

The coup for me, was arranging for us to spend the night aboard the ship. Another friend of mine had wanted to do the same thing a couple of years ago, but the idea had been squashed. (Sorry, Matt! Next time.) I was still a bit worried that word would get out and we’d be forced to call it off.

I was also worried that some weird person(s) would be hanging about the pier. Happily, it turned out to be a quiet, uneventful night.

I slept in the bunk in the cabin that I use as my office. It was perfect for someone my size. I can’t see how it could be comfortable for a tall/large person. I guess when you’re tired after standing watch in rough weather, any bunk will do.

There are large “B-52” roaches on board. I saw them scuttling about on the deck, but fortunately, they left me alone. I hope.

As usual, the ship was warm and humid. There was no need for a blanket at all, even with both portholes open. In fact, I found myself wishing I had a small fan.

The only thing that bothered me was the steady “plop” of water into buckets when it started to rain before dawn. The sound woke me up and it was hard to fall asleep again.

All in all a great experience. I’d definitely like to do it again.

On a Mission

A brief trip to the harbor to take pictures.

Salishan arriving with Monterey Bay:

Tira Lani assisting:

Miyagi Maru arriving at Pier 9:

A bit of a tight fit with Robert C. Seamans and Wild Thing also tied up there.

Captain Tom Collins was the pilot:

Setting up rat guard:

I feel kind of like a paparazza!

Sunday in the Park

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!

More Ship Spotting

More time on the pilot boat!

On the way out of the harbor, the Coast Guard working on a buoy:

Captain Ed Enos getting ready to go aboard Coral Bay:

Pi‘ilani:

Mikioi:

Mega yacht Vava II

(Just a small fraction of what it cost to build this yacht would be nice to help FOC.)

Jean Anne

Coral Bay at the pier:

Coral Bay rat guards:

Hachinohe Maru, a wood chip ship:

Thanks to Captain Ed Enos!