DANISH FREIGHTER’S FIRST VISIT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 5

DANISH FREIGHTER’S FIRST VISIT

There are two modern radar sets in the wheelhouse of the two-year-old Danish express freighter, Chilean Reefer, which arrived at Lytelton from Wellington with Cyprus oranges and lemons to discharge. According to her master, Captain H. Grube, of Svendborg, who is making his first visit to New Zealand, the Chilean Reefer, which was formerly on the Ecuador to Western Europe banana trade, with four other vessels of the Lauritzen Line, operated a clockwork five-weekly, round trip schedule. A Lauritzen Line vessel was required to arrive at Antwerp with her

cargo at 6 a.m. every Monday morning. Any dislocation to this schedule would upset transport and supply arrangements ashore, said Captain Grube. Every navigational aid was needed to maintain this schedule in all weathers. In addition to radar, the Chilean Reefer was equipped with gyro, Decca equipment and radio-telephone and had a comprehensive system by which the temperature of any compartment could be read on a dial or graph.

Launched at Aalborg, Denmark, in 1959, the 4981-ton Chilean Reefer has a solid appearance relieved by effective Streamlining, particularly

aft, where her exaggerated cruiser stem tapers to a fine point at the waterline. She can travel at 18*4 knots. Her all-Danish crew, including the master, fiumber 43, and accommodation is also provided for 10 passengers, in twin rooms, each of which has private toilet facilities. She is completely air-condi-tioned.

The Chilean Reefer follows the custom of the rest of the fleet and flies the United Nations flag, in addition to her normal Danish ensign, house flag and courtesy flag. She is of the same family as the Magga Dan, Thala Dan, Nella Dan, Kista Den,

all of which operate in Antarctic waters.

In addition to loading at Famagusta on the present voyage to New Zealand, the Chilean Reefer loaded eggs, potatoes and oranges in the Israeli port of Eliat for Singapore.

The Chilean Reefer will sail for Napier today to load deep-frozen products for Australia, and will then enter the Pacific trade.

“It is not good enough to do good: one must do it the right way.”—John Morley.