We arrived at Panama Airport on 07-04 in the evening and our agent brought us to
our hotel. Next morning at breakfast, we met the rest of the crew. Agent picked us
up and after an hours drive we arrived at Colon, where Smit Mississippi was stationed.
Trials and hand-over were done and the tug was ours to prepare for the trip to Vancouver.
The ship had to be re-flagged from Panama flag to Bahamas'. We ordered some extra
tools, necessary spare parts, filters, an extra fridge and enough food and drinks.
We also found a small, reasonable priced folding swimming-pool! Finally, after a
week, the ship was surveyed by Lloyds Register of Shipping and we were ready to sail.
Because of our small size we had to pass the Panama Canal at night-time. Below some
impressions. (Click on small thumb-nails below to enlarge)
We left the Canal at Balbao on 16-05 early morning and set course West to Manzanello,
about 10 days sailing, for a fuel-bunker stop and to take some fresh food. The weather
during this trip was amazing good, hardly any wind and The Pacific was as a mirror
with a bright sun every day. The swimming-pool was used daily, we made a BBQ from
an empty oil-drum. We reached our estimated speed of 8.5 knots and live was not so
bad.....
Fishing-lines were set in the hope to catch a Tuna or so. Sometimes we got visits
from Dolphins or huge Turtles, birds were shitting all over our deck.
Then suddenly we hooked a yellow-fin Tuna, the best Tuna off all. We tasted the meat
freshly cut, raw as sushi! Really perfect. Rest we put on BBQ, also very good!
We arrived at Manzanello on 26-04, bunkering and storing went smooth and we continued
our trip the same day. ETA Vancouver 08-05. The more we went North, the more the
weather changed. Colder and more wind, mostly from NNW, so soon the overpowered bath-tub
was rolling and pitching, but still keeping up or speed.
Finally we reached The Strait of Juan Fuca, the entrance to Vancouver and left the
Pacific. In this Strait we saw huge mountains, covered with snow....
Alongside at Vancouver on Friday 09-05, early morning. Here hand-overs were done
and the ship was re-delivered to the owners. Around noon-time we left our temporarily
home and went to our hotel.
Vancouver, making itself ready for the Olympic Wintergames in 2010, has changed a
lot since I visited it in 1992. It’s a beautiful city, friendly people, very bicycle-
and pedestrian-friendly. Below some photos.
Arrived in Holland on 14-05, being here now for 8 days, got a call from Redwise,
Sunday 25-05 I fly to Hong Kong to join another overpowered bath-tub to deliver to
Balbao, Panama..... AGW and WP, trip will take 6-8 weeks, with fuel bunkerstop at
Honolulu.
