Hi all,
If you're in the vicinity of the Manukau Harbour tomorrow, expect to hear more noise than usual twixt 11am and 1pm.
I received the following message from Holcim's Shipping Manager today: ""Westport" sailed last evening and is on track to cross the bar at 1100 tomorrow (Saturday), alongside 1300 for what will be her final voyage. Jan Eveleens is the Master and I have asked him to sound the horn on her way home. Hopefully the weather plays it part".
This will be the 1104th and final call at Onehunga for "Westport", the last act of a career carrying cement around the NZ coast which spans some 40 years and 4 months, or, if you like, 484 months, or (count them!) 14,729 days. They don't make ships to last this long anymore!
If she sails again, it will either be for new owners or to the shipbreakers yard. Personally, I hope she remains at Onehunga, and becomes a floating restaurant as part of the redevelopment plans for Onehunga Wharf.
Either way, if you want to witness some NZ maritime history unfolding before your eyes around lunchtime tomorrow, the Manukau Harbour is the place to be.
Cheers,
JR