Swell delays docking

Press, 22 July 1986, Page 16

Swell delays docking

A small easterly swell prevented the Spirit of Free Enterprise from entering the dry dock at Lyttelton after the vessel had arrived from Wellington yesterday. The roll-on ferry, known fondly as "Sophie” by ship watchers, was to have entered.the dock for a survey and “spruce-up” before sailing to a new base in Fiji.

The ferry skipper, Captain Derek Boys, said .it was impossible to enter the dock because of the long, "lazy” swell.

The "Sophie” first called, at the port in May, 1983, to begin the Lyttelton-Wellington service, but was laid up last October because of insufficient freight Captain Boys said the entry into Lyttelton Harbour was tinged with sadness because it was probably the last time the “Sophie” would visit the port

“A lot of seamen are quite soft about that sort of thing,” he said.

The “Sophie” would be well suited to a new run in Fiji between Suva and Savu Savu, the main port of Vanua Levu, he said.

The vessel was reliable, economical and capable of carrying passengers, filling the gap between conventional cargo ships and container vessels.

If the swell abates, the “Sophie” will enter the dry dock at about 2.30 this afternoon, and leave port early next week to take on cargo at New Plymouth, before sailing to Fiji.

ARRIVALS

Australian Trader (6 a.m.), 7218, Wellington (S.C.N.Z.). Coastal Trader (7 a.m.), 6736, Auckland (N.Z.5.A.1.L.). Forum New Zealand (2.30 p.m.), 6266, Vila (N.Z.5.A.1.L.).

Spirit of Free Enterprise (2.30 p.m.), .1204, Wellington (Pacifica). DEPARTURES

Australian Trader (2.30 p;m.), 7218, Dunedin (S.C.N.Z.).

. Coastal Trader (4.30 p.m.), 6736, Dunedin (N.Z.5.A.1.L.). .EXPECTED ARRIVALS Uhion Dunedin, Dndh, today. Spirit of Competition, Wgtn, . today. • Coastal Trader, Dndn, to-

morrow. Spirit of Competition, Wgtn, July 24. Allied Pioneer, Wgtn, July 24. Auckland Express, Wgtn, July 24.

Malaysian Princess, Auck, July 24.

Spirit of Competition, Wgtn, July 26. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Fonim New Zealand, Nap, today. Spirit of Competition, Wgtn, today. Nedlloyd Marseilles, Taur, today. Coastal Trader, Auck, to-

' morrow. Union Dunedin, Dndn, July 24. Spirit of Competition, Wgtn, July 24. Swiftness, sea, July 24. Auckland Express, Auck, July 25.

Spirit of Competition, Wgtn, July 27. VESSELS IN PORT

Union Dunedin, No. 1 berth.

Sifnos Island, Cashin Quay No. 2.

Swiftness, No. 2 East Holmdale, No. 4 East. Ngapara, No. 4 West Spirit of Free Enterprise, Dry Dock.