Relaxing Saturday

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a nice, carefree Saturday. Usually, there’s something I need to attend to or think about. It was great walking around, enjoying the sun and decent trades.

I spent most of the morning and early afternoon at the harbor (where else).

Westerdam was at Pier 10/11. Rat guards:

Hoku Ke‘a arrived with a barge (not pictured):

Torm Kansas:

If you are not sure what company the ship belongs to:

Mamo:

More cars! Pacific Highway:

Part of ramp and some crew members:

Bunker barge Ne‘ena being moved from Westerdam over to Pride of America by Namahoe:

American Contender hauling a barge…

…full of stuff (gravel, rocks, and machinery)

Namahoe all pau until it’s time to move Ne‘ena again:

Salishan with Matson crane barge Mauna Loa:

Before I left the Aloha Tower area, I walked over to Pier 7 to check on things. The state has posted guards to keep people off the pier since it impounded Falls of Clyde, so not able to get too close.

Kulamanu (ex-Rella Mae), another one of the ships being pressured to leave the harbor by the state. Portholes and viewing windows being boarded up with plywood. Hum of engine (or generator).

Said hello to my old friend. A zebra dove sitting in the top band of the bowsprit cap:

It’s all very sad.

Pumps and Bullets (!)*

Saturday didn’t start out very well.

I left my ditty bag at the bus stop on the way down to the ship. Fortunately, I realized it almost immediately and got off at the next stop. I would have been really bummed if it had disappeared.

I caught the next bus and made it to the harbor about 20 minutes later than usual. When I got to the pier, I spoke to the fellow who is in charge of the HMC building regarding the fact that the alarm on the ship had gone off the night before. I was rather concerned when he told me he had found bullet casings (from a .22 caliber firearm, so I’m told)* on the Kulamanu (ex-Rella Mae) side of the pier.

I walked along the pier with him and sure enough, I saw a couple, which I picked up.

(Not sure if this was related to the alarm. We spoke to one of the HECO guards later on, who said he hadn’t noticed anything suspicious.)

Anyway, I noticed that a new rig to haul plywood aboard the ship had been set up. I was rather puzzled by this, since there was a working boom (the one Brush and I put together) already set up slightly aft. Seems like extra work… But hey, whatever. It’s not something I’m involved with.

I walked along the ship’s side of the pier to see if there were any bullet casings. I didn’t notice any.

By that time, Jamie, one of our naval architect friends had arrived for a meeting about the pumping system. There is still some work we have to do, so we wanted to discuss the plan for the rest of the system. Paul arrived a little while later to complete the triumvirate. We ran one of the pumps and discussed our options and priorities.

It was a good meeting and I’m rather pumped up (ha ha) to finish the work.

After Jamie and Paul left, I did a few minor things. I’ve not been feeling well, so I wanted to take it easy.

Nothing appeared to be out of place, which was good considering the problems we’ve had with intruders.

I removed the baubles from the bow and stern:

I found it interesting that they were all partially filled with water. They have small openings at the tops, but I would never have guessed that rain water would find its way inside.

Rotten wood around margin of fo’c’sle head:

Some of the plywood in place:

I decided to leave early to go home and get some rest.

*ETA: I’ve been informed that they are not bullet casings after all. Whew! That’s a relief.