Well, Durban is astern of us and we now have a 50 knot wind across our decks, a 10 feet swell on our bow, add the Agulhas current and we’re almost going astern, but heavens, it’s good to be back at sea.
9th April, Durban, ‘parked’ on a berth with Police and Port Health surrounding us, no-one on and, once we had disembarked our 5 South African crew, no gangway either, a far cry from what this lovely lady is used to. We came to take fuel, stores and provisions, all accomplished, however not without some difficulty. Originally, we had approximately 10 container-loads to put on board; what on earth are we going to do with all that? Take 3 instead is what transpired. Being the ‘leper’ that we are, everything loaded had to stay on board and we, being who we are, weren’t going to to try and touch anything that came on, for at least 14 days.
Everything, literally everything was sanitised, big sprayers and foggers going at it and then onto pallet jacks and into store rooms and chilled/freezer rooms for 14-days. 3 of the crew volunteered for this and as a result are now in 14-day quarantine, bless them. No photos of this of course, minimum personnel and everyone else stay the hell out of it.
The pilot (compulsory, although we could have gone in there with our hands tied behind our backs), didn’t even have gloves or face mask on, a good start to the proceedings. The one who (compulsory) took us out did though, however, at my suggestion, left after we had got off the dock!
Don’t we look ‘cool’ 🙂
Then there was communication ashore to deal with, we usually do this with radios of course, however no-one ashore wanted one of our radios, so comms between the ship was conducted on WhatsApp between myself and the agent, not a good idea I can tell you, pesky phone going ‘ding’ at all times of day and night 😕
A few photos before I tell you where we are going, (got to let you wait awhile longer) 🙂
Entering through the Breakwaters
The City itself
We are going to the berth on the end of the jetty
The harbour is incredibly dirty
Today and the sun is out
Karen was up early for the sunrise
The pilot leaves us
So, back to where we are heading; numerous emails (and WhatsApp), back and forth, however 2 hours before we got out of Dodge, the question was answered, Batam, Indonesia. It’s on the Malacca Straits, south of Singapore and we are going to try to disembark our (wonderful) crew, get them home to their families, albeit they will have to quarantine before they do so. I told them over the PA and you could hear the cries of joy from the Bridge.
Every port or anchorage we go to requires a 14-day isolation period before arrival and so it will take us 16 days to get there. (We could do it faster, however it’s all about $$$, save fuel, save $$, so we are our minimum of 2 diesel generators and thus the 15 days, April 24th).
I know many of my readers have luggage on board and you’re probably wondering when you’ll see it. It certainly hasn’t been forgotten by the powers that be and various options are being discussed, so don’t concern yourself at the moment, please.
I will write again as we progress east, it’s a long haul………..
Stay Safe and Healthy. please…….
WOW- blindsided me that you are headed back east but now understandable. Seconding the other post, who gets dropped where? Are you going to be the Flying Dutch(Englishman)man, sailing here and there eventually with a skeleton crew?! God bless this Easter. You are in HIS hands….Charlotte
Thanks for your latest post. It was so interesting to read how you handled the provisions coming aboard. A much more elaborate version of what I am doing with my delivered groceries. But of course you really need to extra careful. I have always thought that the Holland America Captains were the best when it came to the safety of their passengers and ship. You are proving me right. So happy to read that the Indonesian crew will get to return home. But feel bad that they will (like so many here at home) lose their livelihood. This virus has taken such a toll physically, emotionally, and financially. Hope the remainder of your voyage goes well and I look forward to your next installment.
So glad you have continued sharing this journey with us. What history is being made. Reading your blog is a pleasant diversion to us being kept at bay and staying put. I’m sure the crew that are able to disembark are giving thanks with their welcoming families cheering!! At least you Captain Jonathon have your lovely wife with you. We here at home are still dreaming of when we might safely cruise again , looking at brochures and scouring maps looking at different ship routes as i imagine your ship is the cleanest it has ever been so is our home!! from the drawers, cupboards, floors, bathrooms and the garage to our outside living spaces here is Arizona . At least we have sunny days . My husband has a small Cessna plane so we take to the air once in awhile to at least get out of the area and the coronavirus! Sail safely and get home where you can relax and lessen your worries. Beth (wanna be world cruiser)
Thanks for the update. Glad the Durban stop was a success, even if it took so long. Great that 3 of the crew volunteered handle the sanitation and storing of the pallets from the containers even though it meant a 14-day quarantine. That’s the Holland crew for you. They’re willing and able to do anything to help, and usually with a big grin on their faces. I bet they were over-the-top when you announced the ship was headed for Indonesia.
Just reading the description of the seas off of Durban, almost made me seasick. I know some of you thrive on it, but glad I’m missing it.
Tell Karen she is missing nothing at home. The only shopping open is grocery stores and pharmacies. At first I kind of enjoyed cooking, but after 22 days (yes, I’m counting) it’s getting kind of old. I’ve cooked more in the last 2 weeks than in the last 10 years.
Tell everyone we are thinking of them and really miss them, especially the 3 guys (or could be gals) the unloading and sanitizing.
I know you’re kind of busy, but please post again when you have time. There are a lot of us out here who are concerned about you all.
Will do! 🙏👍
I was so happy to hear that the crew will be taken home! I can’t imagine what you had to do to make that happen, but I’m glad you did. Yes, the luggage…that is SO not important; getting at least some of our extended family home is much, much more important! It’s a trivial thing compared to the crew.
Regarding all this, it would be fantastic if you would write an “addendum” to your book. It’s too good (crazy!!) to get left out of your seafaring career information.
Lastly, know that none of you are “lepers” in our minds; we love you all and are thankful that you are healthy and took such good care of us!
On reflection, may be ‘Pariahs’ would be a better description, Linda 😂
Godspeed says it all.
Like Diane, I anxiously go to my computer each morning to see if you’ve sent another message. I am so glad the crew is able to return home. The entire ship complement continues to be in our minds and hearts.
Safe travels!
So happy for you all on the ship to be heading out. I go on line each morning to see if you have left Durban n hallelujah you were heading out when I looked this “Good Friday”. And, then to get your blog, ‘‘twas all good. So nice to hear Karen is still there on ship!
Not worried about my three bags on ship, as they have become so unimportant. Have been quarantined in my apartment here since my return from Perth on 3/22. The state of PA put in a home quarantine just prior to my 14 day end.
Wonderful hearing of your making stops letting crew go home to their families. Thank you and all the Wonderful Crew for making this World Cruise special in keeping us all SAFE.
Thank you Captain for your posts –we wait with baited breath for each one..SO happy much of the crew will get to go home..I bet you can hardly wait to see yours!
Good luck on the rest of your journey and so happy Karen is still with you..
Thank you, thank you.
What a joy it will have been for the Indonesian crew, your announcement that the next stop will be Batam. Can you already say something how of the disembarkation will proceed? I mean you need to have a part of the crew on board to sail the ship and to carry out maintenance. Is it only hotel staff who will leave the ship or will there new crew come on board? Questions, questions, questions. I follow all developments on board the HAL ships closely the last weeks, so I can understand that not all details can be made public.
Stay safe there.
All the best.
Captain Jonathan
Safe travels to you and your wonderful Indonesian crew! What about your Filipino beverage staff? Their safety is much more important than our luggage. As long as it arrives before we need to pack for next year’s GWV!
Thanks for continuing to keep us updated. Really appreciate it now that we are back home with nothing to do. Good to hear that our luggage is having an interesing trip. Sorry that this wasn’t the final trip you envisioned but this story may top your Ascension Island shipwreck.
So happy that you are going to get some of the wonderful crew home. I know that they must have been worried sick about what was going on with their families. Stay safe and please keep up the postings.
Best of luck to our “Flying Englishman” and his crew. It is very thoughtful of HAL to bring its Indonesian crew members home. We hope this hiatus will be short and that they will be back on the payroll soon and the whole fleet back to doing what it does best. To all on board, you are strong professionals who will have tales to tell your grandchildren. Be safe and may the time pass swiftly!
Captain Jonathan,
Thank you for the update. I have been following the track of your ship and I had noticed it was not heading in the direction of Fort Lauderdale. Love to read your blog with all the updates.
It is so nice to see the crew returning home. We are very pleased to see HAL do this for them.
As for our luggage, it can wait, we are not in need of anything, besides we are staying inside and everything around here except for essentials is closed.
You and your precious crew, please stay safe.
Looking forward to the next update.
‘Back to Batam’ I thought I was an old war movie title but discovered it was a 1945 movie called ‘Back to Bataan’ oh well Captain J, yours is a better one!
Great to see K is on board with you as you make this long journey and that you are all well & safe.
With petrol so low here @ A$0.79 a litre you may be able S
To get a good deal in Indonesia Lol. I see the UAE pensions have bought at big stake in CCL.
Looking fwd to more reports
Regards