Falcon

On the 15th of November, 2012 Sylvia and I drove to Coromandel via Thames and the Thames coast. Before going out on the mussel barge Falcon we had lunch in a little bay around from the commercial wharf. You can just see the red flowers on the pohutukawa tree on the left above. The pohutukawa is the NZ Xmas tree and seems to be following commercial trends by blooming early. Compass swing was done with the addition of a couple of magnets and then back at the wharf where you can see the sacks of mussels ready to be transported to the processing plant.

MV Algarrobo

MV Algarrobo is a 2800 TEU container vessel and even though this photo is from Lyttelton Harbour I did the compass adjustment in Auckland on the 7th of July, 2012. The pilot stays on board to assist with the ship handling during the swing and then it is down the pilot ladder to the pilot boat for a high speed run back to the wharf in Auckland. Most of these jobs seem to take place at night and this was no exception. Algarrobo is a Chilean city south of Valparaiso.

Winstone Rescue

Still on 1 July, 2012 and a trip to Helensville rewarded me with a ride on the Coast Guard vessel Winstone Rescue. We had to run down the river towards the Kaipara Harbour to have enough room for the swing. Always a joy to work with the Coast Guard.

Surreal

Still 1 July, 2012 and having a a busy day with another compass job at Gulf Harbour. This after a job for the Coast Guard in Helensville. Luxury 14 metre cataraman carrying 20 people for day trips and 12 overnight. Enjoyable cruise outside the marina even though it was a bit windy and had to hold on and keep the pelorus from falling into the tide. This vessel has 2-75 hp engines, solar powered electricity, couple of kayaks and an outboard powered rubber ducky.

Sea Dragon

Pleasant day on 1 July, 2012 and I arrived at the Skipper's house to assist (very little help from me required) putting the boat in the water at Half Moon Bay. Compass swung with no big problems and we reversed the process to take the 8 metre boat home on its trailer. Sea Dragon does charters for fishing and diving in the Hauraki Gulf.

Loxley

May 18 2012, treatments finished and a job on the ferro-cement yacht Loxley for the owner who is heading for Tonga, Samoa( for 50th anniversary of statehood ) and then Vanawatu for a spell. A nice Sestrel compass that needed a bit of adjustment but with decent weather after waiting out a cloud burst we got the job done with minimal fuss.

Aurelia

On 17 May 2012, towards the end of my radiation treatments I got the chance to adjust the compasses on Aurelia. She is a 45 foot Beneteau built in France and sailed to New Zealand by the owner. He told me his 5 year old son had heaps of practice steering by the compass on the trip from Europe. As for the plastimo compasses, they were in good shape and although a bit choppy on the harbour we did the job in between a couple of showers. Afterwards I was shouted a whiskey while completing the paperwork.

Largesse

17 February 2011-Another enjoyable trip to Bayswater for a swing of the compass on Largesse for Rob of Charter Link.

 

Wainui

 First job of the New Year on the tug Wainui in Tauranga. Not a long trip from home and always a pleasure to work with Peter and his crew. Wainui has been on Rena recovery work.

Yorke Syme

14 December, 2011 travelled to Auckland for a swing on the Tug Yorke Syme. Older traditional type tug with Peter in charge. A bit of adjustment needed and she was fine.