While we are slowly cruising down the Amazon back to the Atlantic I thought I would publish a blog of some general items. I hope something is interesting to you.
This is a painting of the original Prinsendam depicted sailing in Alaska. The ship was launched in 1973 and in service until 1980. You can tell it was an older ship by the open lifeboats. You can also see one tender in this picture behind the lifeboats. Why did it have only seven years service with Holland America? The ship caught fire and sank in one of the most challenging and successful rescues at sea. You can read the full story in the book, “Burning Cold” by Jeffers (2006). We are actually sailing in the M/S Prinsendam (II).
Some folks have asked what I mean by Tendering. When we can’t dock in a port the ship anchors and we travel to the shore in smaller boats called tenders. Our ship carries four tenders. Sometimes we are required by local law to use commercial tenders from local businesses. Tendering is a real pain and if the seas are rough we can’t go ashore; as happened at Robinson Crusoe Island in January. There are many places in the world where you can only tender, i.e., Easter Island, Bora Bora, The Falklands, Grand Cayman.
Lifeboat on ship, note no windows. Lifeboats are never used as tenders. These are modern covered lifeboats as opposed to the open ones in the picture above.
Tenders on our ship, note the windows. Tenders also serve as lifeboats.
Entrance to boarding a tender.
Inside a tender.
Pilot’s station
What a crowded tender looks like.
Disembarking in port. Prinsendam in background.
Tenders are much more influenced by the action of the sea. In other words, they can really start to rock and roll. Emergency equipment is available for that.
Reentering the ship from a Tender.
These round disks are placed on all lines that run from the ship to the shore. They provide a barrier to rats and other rodents to stop them from climbing the ropes onto the ship. The barriers come in many sizes and shapes.
In the US, infomercials use an 800 number. In South America, where the infomercials are seen in several countries the contact information is different. This is an infomercial for a power washer.
I spoke of the jigsaw puzzles that are done by the really serious people on the ship. A thousand pieces is practice for them. This is a 2000 piece puzzle. We don’t have the patience.
On February 24th we stopped at Fortaleza, Brazil. The town is introducing wind turbines for power. The size of these wind turbines is amazing.
Size of the blades.
The hub that attaches the blades to the cabinet.
The power generation cabinet that rests atop the pole with the hub and blades.
There was a naval ship in floating dry dock behind our ship. You are looking at the helipad and helicopter hanger at the stern of the ship.
Hope you enjoyed this collection of miscellaneous subjects. “See” you again soon.
You have certainly been on the grand vacation. I would imagine you are pretty anxious to get home and sleep in your own beds and contemplate your next cruse. I think we have all enjoyed your adventure.
ReplyDeleteCarol