Mackay
Mackay has been another successful port for Duyfken with well over 2500 people coming to visit the ship over the weekend and with plenty of school groups yesterday and today. It is a good berth for us here, a nice modern marina with a pontoon that takes all the stress out of dealing with the tides. The facilities are very good, with showers, heads, bars, restaurants and a laundromat providing everything the crew would need for a comfortable stay - but not necessarily in that order. It is no wonder that they have won a marina award and many thanks for their hospitality, in particular, to Peter Hensen, the owner of the marina and brokerage. The Clarion Hotel too has has been very welcoming, with some great hospitality and enthusiasm for our visit. Following our meeting with the "WD Fairway" off Hay Point on Friday, we had a visit from Gert Jan Peters from Royal Boskalis Westminster, owners of the vessel. They were pleased with our rendezvous, some impressive photos were taken of the two vessels together, we will get some up on this website - readers will get a good idea of the relative sizes of the two vessels. Gert Jan is the project manager for the Hay Point dredging project, deepening the approach channel to the port by 1.5 metres, shifting some 9 million cubic metres of sand. A little bit of information about the company, from their website www.boskalis.com. Royal Boskalis Westminster nv is an international group with a leading position in the world market for dredging services. Its core activities are the construction and maintenance of ports and waterways, land reclamation, coastal defense and riverbank protection. The company holds important home market positions in and outside Europe and targets all market segments in the dredging industry. Boskalis also has strategic partnerships in maritime infrastructure (Archirodon) and in maritime and terminal services (Lamnalco). Boskalis has a versatile fleet of over 300 units and operates in over 50 countries across five continents. Including its share in partnerships, Boskalis has over 7,000 employees. For those with an interest in ship statistics, information about the "WD Fairway" as follows Main data Early 2003, after finalisation of the modification, Boskalis has reintroduced this hopper dredger as the largest hopper dredger in the world. Vessel’s hopper size provides significant economies of scale. A service speed of 15.7 knots, powerful pumps and advanced technology for fast and accurate dredging. Highly manoeuvrable and designed for both shallow and deep water operations. Innovative features (e.e. ingenious overflow and recirculation system) will safeguard marine environment. Backed by extensive R&D and 200 years’ combined experience of shipyard and contractor. High quality specification, comprehensive safeguards and experienced, professional crew will ensure operational safety. Built by/modified by Verolme Shipyard Heusden B.V./ Sembawang Shipyard, Singapore Year of construction/modification 1997/2003 Classification B.V. I HULL MACH AUT UMS Hopper dredger Unrestricted navigation Dredging within 15 miles from shore or within 20 miles from port Tonnage 33,423 GRT Length overall 232.35 m Breadth 32.00 m Moulded depth 15.90 m Maximum draught empty 4.94 m Maximum draught international load line 11.03 m Maximum draught dredging load line 13.68 m Carrying capacity (D.W.) 59,798 tons Hopper capacity 35,508 m3 Suction pipe diameter 2 x 1.20 m Maximum dredging depth 55.00 – 80.00 m (optional 120.00 m) Discharge systems 24 bottom doors/pump ashore/rainbow installation/back dumping DP/DT system Kongsberg Simrad Sailing speed loaded 15.7 knots Total installed power 27,550 kW Sand pump output 5,600 kW Jet pump output 3,000 kW Pump ashore output 10,000 kW Propulsion power sailing 23,000 kW Bow thruster 2,675 kW 6 of the crew were fortunate to visit the WD Fairway today and came back impressed, full of admiration for the large modern vessel, surely as great as contrast as you can get to our little ship. Last night we had a very pleasant civic reception at Satchmos restaurant, hosted by the City of Mackay. We presented one of our message sticks to Pat Corrie, representing the local Yuibera people and today received one from them in return, welcoming us to their land. Our great relationship with the traditional owners all around the country continues, which is very pleasing. We were given a warm welcome to Mackay by the local Federal Member, Deanne Kelly and by the mayor, Julie Boyd and they were both very impressed with the ship when I gave them a tour. It really is very satisfying to be showing the ship to all parts of the Australian community, from school children to Members of Parliament, and giving everyone the chance to learn of the history and heritage that the ship represents. This evening we had our farewell BBQ for the great group of volunteer guides that have helped us out here in Mackay - thanks to the local Rotary clubs that organized their members to help us out. As ever, it really eases the work load on the crew and gives us another way to involve the local community in our visit. Today we said farewell to our hard working Mate, Mike Dallen, who leaves us here in Mackay. Mike has done a great job of keeping the ship and crew organized and always presenting so well in every port that we have been to. We look forward to him returning in the future again, in the meantime, Toby Greenlees joins us, bringing a wealth of square rig knowledge to the ship. Many readers from the west will remember Toby as one of the Masters of the vessel while she was operating on the Swan River. We sail tonight for Townsville - the regular trade winds seem to have let us down and the forecast northerlies will make for a slow beat up the coast. We can only hope for a good slant to get past the Whitsunday Islands and then NW along the coast towards Townsville.
Gary Wilson
Master
