SST: June 25, 2009
25 June 2009
SST 2009 – Update #6 Arrival Belfast
ARRIVAL REPORT– 24 JUNE 2009
T/S EMPIRE STATE KKFW
PORT: BELFAST, NO. IRELAND
LAT: 54° – 46.6’ N LONG: 005° – 36.8’ W
DIST BY OBS: 121.8 NM/ 1512.8 NM
LENGTH OF DAY: 11 HRS/ 156 HRS
AVE SPEED: 11.07 KTS/ 9.7 KTS
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 140 BBLS/ 1577 BBLS
FUEL ROB: 8046 BBLS
MDO ROB: 599 BBLS
POTABLE WATER ROB: 530 T
DISTILLED WATER ROB: 215 T
SEA STATE: CALM
WIND: NE/2
NEXT PORT: NEW YORK, USA
ETA NEW YORK: 0001LT/10 JULY 2009
Underway- The final stretch
The beautiful weather continues as we steam slowly along some of the most scenic coastline to date – passing between the coast of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland in what is known as the North Channel. For those of you that have been on an Alaskan cruise, imagine the same topography but less traffic, and more marine life. There have been plenty of sightings of both whale, and dolphin, and due to the high latitudes and the time of year, the sun stays up well past 2300 hours (11 PM). Last night it was hard to believe that we were even underway, as it was like being on a lake at sunset.
The original plan had us pulling in at 0100 on the morning of the 25th, as Belfast is a tidal port, and due to our draft we need to come in during the start of the ebb tide (from high tide to when the current or water starts flowing out). A few hours before our arrival however it was recommended that we hold off until the morning, due to Customs/Immigration. I decided to come in as scheduled, and to anchor off the port, in Belfast Lough, and so at midnight we anchored about a mile off of Belfast. The entire ship was very excited – seeing Belfast so close, and taking in the lights of the Belfast Eye (the 365 ton wheel constructed in 2007 allowing a panoramic view of the city). We finished with the anchor detail well after midnight, and picked up anchor six hours later to get to the pilot station by 0700 and to the berth by 0830.
EMPIRE STATE is berthed at a newly constructed pier, STORMONT WHARF; in fact we are the first vessel to dock here. This is a pier that was constructed primarily for cruise ships, and one that is located directly across from where the HMS TITANIC was built and launched. We cleared customs quickly, and liberty was piped in record time for Officers/Crew, and all cadets. The Rugby team started practicing on the pier, getting ready for their match against a local team, the Belfast Harlequins, and under the direction of 1/C Cadet(s) Jonathan Merzlak and Jared O’Haire. The Men’s Crew Team will also be scrimmaging alongside two local teams, the Belfast Rowing Club and Queens University who are practicing for the Irish Championships. Both competitions will be on Saturday morning, so it will be a good way to start the weekend.
Belfast
We pulled into Belfast harbor on Wednesday about 2200 hours. Darkness actually
fell while most of us were still awake for the first time in weeks. We
anchored in the harbor and really appreciated the dark because it allowed
us to view the City lit up in all its glory. There had been a
magnificent sunset over Belfast, and then it just started to glow in the
clear night.
We thought we were going to dock about 0200, but didn’t actually dock
until about 0800. Due to the change, the tours scheduled for the first
day had to be shifted because it would have been too late. It just
wasn’t possible to get anyone off early enough due to all of the
procedures that have to take place before liberty is announced.
Once again, because of the distance from the docks to the city center, the
Captain arranged shuttle buses for us. They run once an hour to the town and
back. This is a real convenience because it is about 3 miles from the
Ship to downtown. The fist bus got off at 1100 and then it was
“Hello Belfast, the Maritime cadets are in town!”
The bus leaves us in a very busy district with plenty to do. There is
some great shopping in small stores and two really nice malls
re-engineered from old Victorian buildings. There are plenty of places to
eat and get refreshments. There is even a huge Ferris wheel right next to
the City Hall! Thursday’s weather was fantastic, sunny and warm. It was
a great day to enjoy a great city.
Many of us are going on one or two of the scheduled tours over the next
few days or arranging tours on their own. Maritime cadets are also
challenging the locals to feats of athletic prowess in crew and rugby.
All in all, it’s going to be a busy port.
Richard Delbango
Ship's Librarian
