The heat was tangible as we made our approach to this popular holiday resort on the southern coast of Thailand. Even with the air-conditioning going full blast on the Bridge, it was still warm, my attempts at taking long-range photos resulted in a poor focus and I postponed any more until closer.
Anchored ships off the port
The approach to Phuket deep-water port, (in itself this is a euphemism, the water is so shallow that we all but dredge it) 🙄 . There are very strong currents, both off the south end of the channel and in it, having no room to turn in the harbour, one has to ‘back’ up the channel. These conditions were made more complicated by a strong north-east wind of over 20 knots. The Bridge team, fully appraised of what the docking procedure entailed, took their assigned roles as the compulsory pilot boarded. Having been here many times before, I took the conn this time. The wind was going to have more effect than the current during our swing and, once turned, they were both going to be a factor until further up the channel.
An overview of the approach
The track, (dotted), with the swing and then backing into the channel
Although the channel is buoyed, the depths between them is not enough for us, we have to keep exactly in the centre. I did the entire manoeuvre on joystick.
A radar picture with a chart overlay. The solid red lines mark the edges of the ‘no go’ areas, the depths are in metres, we draw 8.1m
A smaller range, showing the approach to the berth.
The under-keel clearance was 3 metres or 10 feet as we backed up, the propellers creating a muddy wake as we moved north until, nearer the berth, we slowed down and brought her alongside. (On departure, the tide had dropped and we kept a very slow speed down the channel, the depth under keel being just 2 metres, or 6½ feet).
We went through Immigration procedures and guests disembarked to go on tours, or explore on their own, many were going to find a beach and some water too. The pier was in the shade on arrival, however as the sun rose higher the heat was relentless and temperatures on the concrete pier reached 100F, 38F. I was not intending to go ashore, other than some photos of the stalls and market, next to us on the pier. The ladies were off to have lunch and do some browsing of markets further afield.
Amongst the stalls of clothing, handbags and various paraphernalia we some ‘eateries’; local food, served by local ladies and much sought after by our crew. As the ladies and gentlemen of the crew came off duty or time for lunch, they made their way ashore and kept the ladies busy………
The menu
The chefs
Fried fish
Hope those fingers are still there at the end of the afternoon
Inevitably the stalls contained clothes, handbags, purses, tapestries….I could go on.
I managed approximately 20 minutes ashore before the heat became too much, despite wearing my Panama hat, the uniform was not ideal clothing for these climes. Having climbed the gangway the air-conditioning came as a welcome relief.
I write now as we cross the Bay of Bengal, making for Colombo, Sri Lanka on the 20th. Having gone north after the Malacca Straits towards Phuket, we lost the majority of ships, (they had turned to go past the north of Sumatra and then west, towards Sri Lanka). However, having travelled west during the night, we are now encountering them again; we are all going to the same traffic Lane system off Sri Lanka. Similarly ships coming towards the Malacca Straits are coming the other way, it’s going to busy for the ladies and gentlemen on our Bridge.
