Port welcomes sugar maiden

25 November 2008

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release

Port welcomes sugar maiden

The Ports of Auckland today welcomed the Caribbean ID, who arrived this morning on her maiden voyage, carrying 26,500 tonnes of sugar for the Chelsea Sugar Refinery.

From Bundaberg, Australia, this ship is one of many that berth at the iconic pink Chelsea Sugar Refinery each year.

General Manager Ports Services Wayne Mills says vessels like the Caribbean ID, which need to pass under the Harbour Bridge, require extra safety precautions.

“We need to calculate the ship’s ‘air draft’, taking into account the height of the ship and the tide level to ensure it can pass safely under the 42 metre high Harbour Bridge.”

“We also need to get word to the AJ Hackett Bungy and Total Bridge Service teams.”

Mr Mills says any vessel over 500 gross registered tonnes must be assisted by a Ports of Auckland ship pilot when entering the harbour.

Ports of Auckland pilot, Mac Post, met the Caribbean ID at the mouth of the Rangitoto Channel and boarded the vessel from the Port’s new pilot boat the Akarana.  Then, similar to an aeroplane pilot, he guided the ship safely down the channel and under the Harbour Bridge.

Caribbean ID was also met by Ports of Auckland’s twin tugboats, Waipapa and Wakakume, who worked with the pilot, guiding the vessel and ensuring its safe berthing.

Towboats from local firm Thomson towboats were also used as line boats, secure the vessel to the ‘dolphin’ where many ships at Chelsea berth.

After discharging sugar here in Auckland Caribbean ID will continue onto London via Fiji.

ENDS

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