17 April 2013; Oranjestad, Aruba.

The three A,B.C islands are located nicely in a row, although the sequence is B,C,A and today we completed that sequence by visiting A. That is the island of Aruba and located 89 miles away from Curacao. At least the 89 miles is the distance that we use to get there. We normally travel with a large loop, first going south and away from Willemstad and then curve back onto the Westside of Aruba so we end up in the leading lights heading into the Paarden Baai of Oranjestad Aruba. For the navigators it is an interesting night as they have to dodge around 20 to 30 tankers who are all floating south of the islands waiting for their turn at the Refineries on the islands. They all drift on the wind and current and when they have drifted away too far, they all start up their engines and return to there point of departure and then the whole process will start again.  As they are drifting they all ensure that they keep a fair distance from each other as none will drift with the same speed as the other (due varying drafts, and size of superstructure). That makes it quite easy to sail through them but close attention has to be paid as you never know when they will start moving again.

That brought us at 06.15 at the pilot station and we lined up to sail in with a lot of wind pushing us the wrong way. That called for the “enhanced Aruba” approach, which means that you drive the ship in with a fairly high speed to reduce the drift and stay as close to the windward side of the port to keep the drift manageable.  If you have never seen it done it looks quite scary, as in the port you have to make a course change of about 20o and that means that on the initial approach it looks as if you are charging straight into the container dock. Then only at the last moment you let the bow fall off and pass the container dock with about 50 feet clearance.

Then when the moment is there to slow down in order to stop on time, and while slowing down you throw the thrusters against the wind and normally that counteracts the drift quite nicely. So also this time it worked that way by the time we were at our dock, we were about 20 feet off and that made it easy to get the ropes ashore. During the day the wind breezed up on occasion to 37 knots (gale force winds Beaufort 7 to 8 ) but that is normal weather for this area. No wonder that all the cruise ships disappear until the windy season is over.

Ready for Starbucks and beyond.

Yesterday in Willemstad we had a little thing going on that went un-noticed by the guests on board. It was an idea of our Hotel Director Jessica Schumann; to recognize the “highflyers” among the crew. We do a lot for the crew in general but it is also important to recognize those who are the best, who want to be the best and who in general run a bit faster than their peers. So last evening we had a “highflyer” outing. Which meant, free from work and everything free of charge. Ships management picked up the bill.

Going to Starbucks (special coffee and free – fast Internet) first, then followed by a movie of choice at the megaplex in Curacao. A simple evening out but highly appreciated as with our work an extended period of time off the job seldom happens.  Holland America is busy with improving the internet and the Wi-Fi on board all their ships but that cannot happen over night as the current contracts have to be honored so upgrades will take place when the new contracts come into force.

My attention was today on the preparations for tomorrow, when we celebrate the company’s anniversary; 140 years since 18 April 1873. And we are having an official opening at 10 am tomorrow. There will be various things going on through the day, special discounts for future cruises, my lecture in the afternoon, special menu’s, and then a Grand Ball in the evening. I have moved the hour back to tomorrow night so that everybody can attend, without the danger of sleeping through the Panama Canal.  This morning we did a photo shoot with all the crew and they will all get a free photo as a souvenir.

Today we did not have an evening stay and by 1700, I exercised the “blow away maneuver” by letting go the lines and while the wind pushed us to the middle of the channel, I gave full ahead and charged out of the port. Then we had to wait to pick up an entertainer who had gotten lost somewhere between Curacao and Aruba before we could set sail to the Panama Canal. It will stay windy for the remainder of the day and night but it will now be a following wind. Pleasant for the guests on the outside decks and pleasant for me as it gives a push in the back and that saves fuel.

For those who want to see the last Panama Canal transit of the Statendam until January 2014:

19 April: Panama Canal. 0500 at Cristobal;

Gatun locks (West Lane)  

 Arriving                                                           0700hrs

Departing                                                        0825hrs

Passing by Gamboa                                  1120hrs

 Pedro Miguel Locks (East Lane)

 Arriving                                                           1250hrs 

Departing                                                        1330hrs

Miraflores  locks  (East Lane)

 Arriving                                                           1455hrs

Departing                                                        1555hrs

ETD Balboa                                                     1740hrs