SHIPPING NEWS

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32774, 26 November 1971, Page 17

SHIPPING NEWS

Great Bitter Lake Assn member

The Greet Bitter Lake Association, with 1000 members, is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. Captain J. Hart, of Eastbourne, in England, who commands the 6939 ton cargo liner Port Montreal, at present visiting Lyttelton, is a mem*

In 1967, during the short-lived Arab-Israeli war, 14 merchant ships were trapped in the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal. They are still there, Including the 10,463-ton Port Invercargill, homeward-bound with a large refrigerated cargo of Tasmanian apples, among other items.

When things settled down, crews were relieved at regular intervals. From December, 1969, to April, 1970, Captain Hart was at Suez to command the immobilised Port Invercargill (once well known in Lyttelton), as relieving master. This entitled him to club membership. Strong friendships were formed between seamen from the 14 ships and the comradeship was wonderful, Captain Hart said. There were four British, two Swedish, two Polish, two German, one French, one United States, one Bulgarian, and, surprisingly, one Czechoslovakian ship. Captain Hart is entitled to wear a special club tie and, as a shipmaster, is entitled to fly the club’s flag when he enters or leaves port. It is a blue and white pennant with a golden anchor. He will fly it when the Port Montrejd leaves Lyttelton today or tomorrow.

Because of frequent ArabIsraeli skirmishes, existence aboard the Port Invercargill was not without hazards, but the experience was memorable. The ships’ crews held sailing regattas, deck football matches, parties for special occasions, and there were plenty of films, he said.

The Port Invercargill has been abandoned bv the Port Line. Her apple cargo had rotted and liquified and bilges were frequently pumped out, Captain Hart said. The underwriters were now responsible for the ship. « * ARRIVALS Essex (10 a.m.), 10,936, Capt. R M. Michael, Wellington (P and O (N.Z.), Ltd). Maori (6.26 p.m.), 7490, Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.) (daylight). DEPARTURES Tenrin Maru (2.38 p.m.), 3589,1 Capt. I. Ibata, Timaru (Seatrans). Capitaine Wallis (5.23 p.m.), 1458, Capt. F. George, Noumea) (Seatrans). Koranui (6.45 p.m.), 3722, Capt. 1 I. Harrison, Dunedin (U.S.S.). ! Northumberland (8.20 p.m.),! 10,335, Capt. R. G. Holllngdale, Napier (Crusader). Maori (9.30 p.m.), 7490. Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.) EXPECTED ARRIVALS Holmlea, Wellington, today. Holmdale, Chathams, today. Straat Clarence, Auckland, today. Maheno, Wellington, todav. Maori, Wellington, Nov. 27. Guardian Carrier, Onehunga, Nov. 27 (survey). Maori, Wellington, Nov. 28. Hawea, Auckland, Nov. 29. Storm, Gisborne, Nov. 29.

Hygromia, Geelong. Dec. 1. Morvada. Napier, Dec. 1. Luhesand, Nukualofa, Dec. 1. Ea, Auckland, Dec. 2. Port Brisbane, Wellington, Dec. 3. Tiber, Wellington. Dec. 5. Tarawera, Melbourne, Dec. 6.

Straat Colombo, Wellington, Dec. Pukeko, Gisborne, Dec. 7. Huntingdon, Wellington. Dec. 8. St Constantine, Wellington, Dec. 9. Ocean Mars, New Plymouth, Dec. 10. Abel Tasman, Timaru, Dec. 10. Southland Star, Nelson, Dec. 11. Korean Prince, Auckland, Dec. 12. Parera. Onehunga. Dec. 12. Kowhai, Sydney, Dec. 15. Natko Nodilo, Dunedin, Dec. 13. Pateke; Onehunga, Dec. 17. Port Wellington, Dec, Larchbank, Wellington, Dec. 19. Suez Maru, Tauranga. Dec. 20. Loire Lloyd, Auckland Dec. 20. Hauraki, New Plymouth, Dec. 22. I Eikii Maru, Japan, Dec. 24. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Port Montreal, Wellington, today. Holmlea, Wellington, today. Maheno, Sydney, today. Holm wood, New Plymouth, Nov. 27. Maori, Wellington, Nov. 27 (Daylight). Auckland Star, Auckland, Nov. 27. Squall, Raglan, Nov. 27. Kaitoa, Westport, Nov. 27. Maori, Wellington, Nov. 28. Kaitoke, Dunedin, Nov. 29. Straat Clarence, Dunedin, Nov. 30. Holmdale, Chathams, Nov. 30. Hawea, Auckland, Dec. 1. Essex, Dunedin, Dec. 1. Hygromia, Auckland, Dec. 2. Luhesand. Wellington, Dec. 2. Ea, Ecuador, Dec. 3. Morvada, Timaru, Dec. 3. Storm, Napier, Dec. 4. Tarawera, Auckland, Dec. 7. Port Brisbane, Port Chalmers Dec. 7. Straat Colombo, Tauranga, Dec 9. Pukeko, Dunedin. Dec. 9. Abel Tasman, Wellington, Dec. 11. Huntingdon, London, Dec. 11. Tiber, Timaru, Dec. 11. Korean Prince, —, Dec. 13. Parera. . Dec. 13. St Constantine, Bluff, Dec. 13. Natko Nodilo. Auckland, Dec. 15 Ocean Mars. Wellington. Dec. 15. Southland Star, Dunedin, Dec 15. Kowhai, Dunedin, Dec. 18. Port Chalmers, , Dec. 18. Pateke, Nelson, Dec. 19. Loire Lloyd, Timaru, Dec. 22. Larchbank, Bluff, Dec. 22. Hauraki, Dunedin. Dec. 23. Suez Maru, Dunedin. Dec. 23. VESSELS IN PORT Essex. No. 1 Cashin Quay. Kaitoke, G.P.C. I Kaitoa, No. 1 B.W. Holm wood, No. 3 East. Auckland Star, No. 3 West. . Port Montreal, No. 7 East. i I Squall, No. 7 West.