Was I visited by Santa Claus...?

I recently joined a Seiko watch group and as it happens there was a raffle going on for a high-end limited-edition (1000pcs) Seiko Prospex SRQ029J1 and I decided to try my luck. I invested in 4 tickets @ 25EUR/pc and duly transferred 100EUR to the group's administrator in Belgium after bit of a conversation to make sure it is hunky dory. 

Seiko Prospex

Meeting old friends

Having transited several weeks from Malta to Maldives we finally had arrived, checked in and disembarked the security, we settled in the anchorage off Hulhumale. 

The scenery had changed quite a bit from the last time I was there boatsitting Kalizma. There was now a bridge connecting Hulhumale and Male' Island. Hulhumale had been developed and big housing towers dotted her skyline whereas they were only starting building works ten years back when I was there. 

Taxi drivers enjoyed zipping over the bridge as they could gun their cars 100km/h for a short while. In the middle of Hulhumale was a big park for the residents and the new street grid looked much airier than the stuffy Male' capital. 

Few days after our arrival the old Kalizma steamed in from Sri Lanka, my trusted Chief mate, Surender, was skippering her now and we got in touch. As my birthday was on, he invited me for dinner in Male' and we went to Sala Thai that was run by an old German chap with Thai chefs and food stuffs flown in every week. The food was excellent.

m/y Kalizma riding at anchor off Hulhumale Is

Walking Montalto to Carpasio

Went walking up in the mountains and started early morning as one does not want to get stuck up there after dark, at least if you are not carrying the right gear.

Packed up a water bladder, pocket knife and some extra clothes, such as socks and long armed T-shirt and a warmer skullcap. Was wearing windproof jogging pants, flannel shirt and on top a wind proof jacket. On my feet Meindl hiking boots and woolie socks. Chucked in a few granola bars too.

Ligurian valleys

Rescue of Wilhelmine - the whole story

The story of Wilhelmine was broken up into several posts due to the length of each chapter. 

In Kalmar

Rescue of Wilhelmine - epilogue

If you've read all the previous posts you know by now she was only rescued from an undignified end rusting asunder at an deserted beach despite our greater ideas that were smashed by the pandemic.

After having delivered her to Grenaa we've received news that her railings were sold off to a sailing ship project and part of her furniture has been kept. Also her main engine was recovered.  

Below are some pictures of the demolition process, all thanks to Keld Kokland from Fornaes shipbreaking company. He also informed us that the flatbottom and tanktop was found quite thin and would have required renewal as we already knew.

Bow section chomped to pieces by hydraulic scissors

Wilhelmine in media

As Wilhelmine was resuscitated and moved about she broke the news barrier and below are few articles published by Finnish papers that I've freely translated below in chronological order. 

Kimito nyheter 24.11.2020:

Main picture of article in Kimito news.

Upper box: "Wilhelmine departing for new waters 24th nov 2020"

Wilhelmine in history

Obviously as Wilhelmine was built in 1953 and sailed 30+ years under German flag in Europe before she was bought to Finland in the 80's a lot had time to happen to the people that sailed her and to Wilhelmine herself.

Waalhafen 1970's, courtesy of Shipnostalgia by "oktoon"

Rescue of Wilhelmine - the end

Team selfie

Doing a Riva

About 2 weeks ago I spotted on Facebook an ad that needed a temp Captain for 1week on a 28m Riva. I messaged the Captain who had posted the ad, he explained me he would need a relief to tide over the interim for the new Captain to join as he needed to leave asap for another job. Typical planning in yachting.

Nice mascot

Caipirinha

05.05.2021 - 30.06.2021

Captain

m/y Caipirinha

Caipirinha alongisde in Durres

St Helena (the ship)

15.01.2021 - 25.02.2021
01.08.2020 - 23.10.2020
04.01.2020 - 24.06.2020
04.11.2019 - 27.12.2019

m/v St Helena (ex MNG Tahiti, RMS St Helena)

Captain

As I was in South Africa on vacation I got out of the blue an email from Allan Wilson asking if I would be interested in joining St Helena for major refit and then sailing her. After a bit of digging I realized it was the ex RMS that was the last one of its kind and had been servicing St Helena island with mail and supplies as well as passenger capacity. 

St Helena in Birkenhead, UK before the refit