Hard Work (No, Not Mine.)
A pilot is generally required (by law) to bring a ship in or out of port. Everywhere. Miri is no exception. Miri has a small river mouth, shifty winds, a tight channel, and some seriously difficult turns for the big girls. Be they long or tall, they're gonna need help getting to and from a berth.
Yesterday, it was a barge. Today it was a working ship - some type of platform for laying cable or providing surface support for underwater work. She has massive freeboard up front. That means the wind will push her bow hard. So, like the barge, she needs tugs to assist. The Cassandra VI is an Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel
The Master of the vessel is absolutely responsible for its safety. The pilot gives directions but the Master retains the final say. In this case, it's not just comms between the Master and the pilot. 2 Tug captains - not even on the vessel - need to be in the loop.
4 skilled mariners to move a single ship safely. Seriously complicated stuff. (Again, best viewed bottom to top.)
Yesterday, it was a barge. Today it was a working ship - some type of platform for laying cable or providing surface support for underwater work. She has massive freeboard up front. That means the wind will push her bow hard. So, like the barge, she needs tugs to assist. The Cassandra VI is an Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel
The Master of the vessel is absolutely responsible for its safety. The pilot gives directions but the Master retains the final say. In this case, it's not just comms between the Master and the pilot. 2 Tug captains - not even on the vessel - need to be in the loop.
4 skilled mariners to move a single ship safely. Seriously complicated stuff. (Again, best viewed bottom to top.)
Still tight in my uninformed estimation.
Exhale.
That's kind of close.
Pull!
Get further to the port side of the channel!
That raft up has bothered me from the get go. Too far into the channel.
Not following standards for lights at anchorage at night.
Local knowledge is not a substitute for compliance with standards.
Loss of life, boats, and homes is very possible.
This is crucial as the turn is tight and any swing will be a disaster.
Pull, HARD!
Find the channel, shifting to starboard.
Start to line things up. This is an unmarked channel.
Get her straight.
Now comes the fun. The wind is coming hard from the left.
You can see they line getting taught, wake from the power being applied.
Heaving lines gotta be heaved. The original use for the monkey's fist knot...
Ahaaa
Oh, she's been idling out there for a bit.
Hmmm,where are they going?
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