Aruba is laying in the direction NW/SE above Venezuela and slightly higher up than Bonaire and Curacao and while we sailed above B & C, we approached A from below. We made landfall around 04.30 and then slowly sailed along the well lit island until we came to the pilot station at 05.45 hrs. A peculiar phenomena in this area are the many tankers floating around. Today there were 10 of them, all drifting about a mile apart on wind and current. These were all on standby, either for going to Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela to load, or waiting for a dock in Curacao to load refined fuel or to bring crude oil. The area of preference is about 5 miles south of Aruba where they are just outside the prevailing current. That current is caused by the Trade wind which normally blows consistently over the Caribbean. The wind is so consistent that the trees on Aruba are all bent towards the West due to the Easterly winds blowing continuously against them.
For us this current is an extra challenge, as we have to approach the harbour entrance perpendicular to it. That means that the ship is being set towards the North West while we approach the pilot station. There we have to slow down to match the pilot boat speed and that increases the drift angle and thus “poking” the nose correctly into the port entrance takes a bit of concentration. Thus I like to line up on the Leading lights (110o) about 2 miles away as that gives me time to figure out the amount of drift present and how much course change to give to compensate for it. Based on this never failing logic I lined the ship up accordingly only to find out that a mile from the port the current completely disappeared. It had been nearly wind still around Aruba for the last two days, so I was expecting a much weaker current than normal but I was not expecting a total lack of it. Not that I was going to complain about it, the easier it is the better it is.
The pilot came out at the last minute as his pilot boat was delayed and by the time he was on the bridge the Prinsendam was already happily sailing into the Paarden Baai of Bay of Horses. Later on a village grew around this natural bay, whereby the land is protected from the sea by a natural reef laying in front of it. This village got the name of Oranjestad or orange city. The word Orange coming the “House of Orange” which is collective name of the Dutch Royal Family. Originally the name comes from the City of Orange in southern France, where in the grey mists of time the Royal Family had property. Thus this settlement on Aruba received a name that linked it directly to the home country, far far way.
Docking in Oranjestad is another event. The long cruise docks are laid out perpendicular to the prevailing trade winds and that means that the ships are under constant threat to be blown off the dock. To avoid this, strong bollards have been set in the pavement across the dock which makes it possible to bring out mooring lines under a 90o angle from the ship. Normally our lines run more or less in line with the direction of the ship but here we need strong lines to keep the ship alongside the dock, thus as much angle as possible. Today there was no wind but the weather is changeable so the chief officer ensured that his officers fore and aft used all available bollards.
We were bumped from our assigned berth by the Sea Princess, a ship that was not originally on the schedule. However she deviated for some reason or the other and came to Aruba instead. As the harbour master thought it better that 2,500 people walked a shorter distance than 750 of them, we were shoved forward to the end of the dock.
The wind stayed away from the port all day long so by the time we sailed at 1600 hrs. I had to thruster the ship off the dock. Normally I employ the “blow away maneuver” by just letting go the lines and let the wind push the ship to the middle of the port but today I had to use engine power. The port is entered from the NW and left through an exit at the SE side which makes it all very easy, as you do not have to turn around anywhere. We were outside within 5 minutes and then set course to the North West heading towards Haiti.
We will have two days at sea and then we are back in Fort Lauderdale where the cruise started 21 days ago.
December 21, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Thank you so much for your blog. Really enjoy reading about your travels, especially the “nautical” aspects – great education now know about squat! By the way, I hope you receive some “hazardous” duty pay as the only HAL Master of an HAL ship with open bridge wings! My wife and I wish you and your family a joyous Christmas and a happy and healthy 2011. Glad to hear things went well with your Mother. My wife and I have been through similar experiences. Don’t forget to call her on the 25th! All the best.
December 21, 2010 at 6:43 pm
I was in Aruba many, many times. I was only on product tankers, never crude, that drifted between Venezuela and Aruba.
I cannot speak for today but in the 1960’s-1970’s when you arrived on the scene the ship checked in via voice radio with “Control”. And it was not until Control assigned a loading berth did the ship know if we were going to Venezuela or Aruba.
On Aruba we went to what is today the Valero Oil Refinery on the South East tip of the Island, at a port named San Nicolas or Sint Nicolas, both names were used.
This refinery was skillfully sited here in the 1920’s. Reading the local history at first oil people looked at Curacao for a new oil refinery but then an agent from Aruba convinced them to come take a look.
Sited where the refinery is ALL the smoke and smell and stuff from the refinery immediately blows out to sea. Recently I located online pictures showing this.
I never got further than San Nicolas, I would walk through the refinery then up town. Soon as you stepped out the refinery front gate you were in a residential neighborhood.
I cannot recall how it first happened but eventually I found myself loading up on candy at local stores then visiting the children’s wing of the hospital, where I was gaily received.
San Nicolas had a Red Light District but older seamen recommended I stay away from that area day or night when I was alone. So since I usually was alone I did. In port I liked to get out during daytime hours when people were out and about. Everywhere I went in the world I searched out Museums.
Greg Hayden
December 21, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Hi Captain Albert:
Always eager to get your daily observations. As a young child (11), I actually lived in Oranjestad, Aruba for about 5 years, after which my parents sent me back to Holland to attend Boarding School. I also have fond memories of the days when what is now called “half moon beach” with all the hotels and casinos was nothing but miles of pristine beach, palm trees, and a dirt road leading to it. Go figure !! I have been in Aruba many times since then on vacations and cruises as an adult.
I love your blogs, and look forward to them daily. I just wish you wouldn’t use that god-awful small font that I cannot read unless I blow it up. Just turned 70. Happy Holidays to you and Lesley.
Ruud Hartog (met you on the Veendam sailing ffrom Montreal to Tampa in 2008) You make the Amazon expedition sound exciting, we may do that someday…..Ruud