The issues of Norfolk Island of 2004 give “Werken dar shep”.
It illustrates the method of unloading the ships that ply between Norfolk Island, Australia and New Zealand. Norfolk Island expects every 2-3 weeks a ship, either from New Zealand or Australia.
Each ship brings approximately 500 tons, mostly food items and building material.
Ships anchor approximately 1 kilometer off shore, due to the island not having a harbour.
Small, unpowered lighters are towed back and forward carrying the cargo, which is loaded and unloaded using ship cranes and a mobile crane.
As can be imagined at times the job can become quite precarious due to rough seas and heavy dangerous cargo.
Everything is brought in this way included buses, bulldozers, cars, timber and rice bubbles.
It is a major tourist attraction for those visitors who are fortunate to be visiting when the ship arrives.
The vessel seen in the background of the M.S. unloading is I am sure the CAPITAINE COOK the green hull and form and shape of the ship, and funnel colours are the same as given on the Neptune Shipping Line website http://www.neptuneshippingline.com , go to fleet.
She was built as a general cargo vessel under yard No 408 by the yard of de Groot & van Vliet, Slikkerveer, Netherlands for Marinus Smits (Genchart) Rotterdam.
26 September 1983 keel laid down
16 March 1984 launched under the name CARINE SMITS. On of the C class for this owner of which five ships were built. Six ships of this class were ordered but the last unit was sold before launching and built as a container vessel for an other Dutch company.
Tonnage as open closed shelter decker 5.943/1.671 gross, 3.312/1.074 net, 5.943/9.600 dwt., dim. 113.47 x 17.04 x 11.30m. , length bpp. 106.37m., draught 8.60m
Powered by one 8-cyl Stork-Werkspoor engine, 4.270hp., speed 13 knots. One fixed propeller. Bunker capacity 720 m³
Cargo capacity 7.000 grain, 6.800 bale. Loading discharging gear, three cranes maximum lifting capacity by 15 meter 32 tons.
15 May 1984 trials.
17 May 1984 delivered to owners.
The Carina Smits was the last of the class and the 35th ship built for Marinus Smits by de Groot & van Vliet.
Used in world wide tramping by the company.
1993 Renamed in CARINA I and transferred to Rosepearl Shipping Co. Ltd., Cyprus. (Marinus Smit got in financially difficulties and the ships of the company were transferred to Cyprus flag.)
1996 Sold to Neptune Investment Ltd., Vanuatu, renamed CAPITAINE COOK. Home port Port Vila.
2004 Sold to Onego Pride, Sarpsborg, Norway, renamed ONEGO PRIDE, managed by Jacobsen Management, Sarsborg, Norway.
2006 Sold to Nour Shipping Ltd., Panama, renameded LADY NOUR.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2009: managed by Mamari Shipping Co., Tartous, Syria.
IMO No. 8002822. Registered in Panama..
Neptune web-site has her still in her fleet but she is in 2004 sold and replaced by CAPITAINE COOK II.
Norfolk Island 2004 $1.65 sgMs?, scott?
Marine News 1994/227, 1996/610. Norfolk Island Post website. Scheepvaart 1985 by G.J.de Boer. Maritime Jaarboek 1e Editie by G.J. de Boer.