Caipirinha

05.05.2021 - 30.06.2021

Captain

m/y Caipirinha

Caipirinha alongisde in Durres

Was contacted by a colleague of a colleague asking if I'd be available to deliver a yacht to Europe from Middle east, to which I was, as I was on the lookout for the summer. We agreed to the pay which was pretty standard but a day later I was called back that the pay is a few hundred less/mth than agreed upon. I was not very impressed but nevertheless I agreed to it.

Soon enough I was on my way to Abu Dhabi where the yacht was sitting in the Yas marina. Flew into Dubai and had to take taxi into Abu Dhabi, enroute I stopped before border to change taxis and met the outgoing Captain. He just said a few words and then he continued with my taxi towards the airport. Probably one of the shortest handovers I ever had. At the border next stop was by health authorities and as I was not a resident they "asked" me to go for few days into a hotel for quarantine to arrange this.

In the end with all the wrangling I had to wear a location bracelet like a criminal to go onboard and before departure I had to report back to take it off. As it was covid times all over I was not very keen on roaming amongst people anyway, now I saved money on all unnecessary shopping I may have done.

We had a few more days in Abu Dhabi whilst Chief Engineer sorted out some issues in the mechanical garden. We had onboard skeleton crew with an extra OOW for the transit. Security was scheduled to join as per normal praxis.

Sailing out of Yas Marina

Sailing out of Yas Marina

Indian Ocean

We left 11th May without any ceremony when the engineers were satisfied that we were ready to depart and so we sailed. Arms were lifted off Fujairah from a mothership and we continued along the Omani and Yemeni coast through Bab-el-Mandeb strait, as we passed the Hanish Islands we headed for another mothership and dropped off the arms to them and continued towards Suez and the canal. 

Unfortunately their tender boat managed to scratch our ship side despite the numerous fenders we had deployed, it would have to be dealt with in future. She already had a big sticker of a teddy bear on one side because of same reason, I guess we'd get another teddy bear now as the incident had been on the other side. The paint work was of same sort as they apply on luxury cars such that has a special flake so a repair paint patch would stick out as the proverbial sore thumb. Only a full paint-job would fix that.

Indian Ocean, Juan Sebastian Elcano from Spain

Suez 

Suez, the infamous Ever Given

Fisherman in the canal

View of canal from bridge

The weather had been good to us so we arrived without any hassle and started clearance procedures, had no big issues after handing out Marlboro left, right and center and so we were on our merry way by the wee hours in the first convoy. We transited in good time and after 16hrs or so we were dropping off pilot in Port Said and heading towards Trogir in Croatia but not before stopping at Durres, Albania for cheap bunkers. 

It was the right time of year so weather was also pretty good on the Mediterranean side. Soon enough we cruised through the Greek islands in the Adriatic sea and few days later moored at Split for arrival procedures. In hindsight I had given ETA on departure and the actual arrival time was only 30 minutes off from the time I have finished with engines. 

We arrived 28th May, just in time when Croatia had relaxed regulations, so we didn't have to quarantine. Everyone looked just so happy the scourge was letting off. As the procedures were completed we took pilot for Trogir and sailed over there at the shipyard for some pre-season A/C upgrade, engine services, other maintenance, etc.

As my job was mostly done with the transit I just followed up with the pending works and ramped up the crew for the summer, our Chief Stewardess joined with new interior crew and they started going through the interior. Things were turning over in usual routine. 

Taking fuel in Albania

Sunset in the Aegean

Had time to visit some restaurants in Trogir & Split as restrictions had relaxed, got also a free covid vaccine as it was offered by local health services. Settled with the Johnson&Johnson that only required one shot. Future looked like it was not possible to travel without it so thought better to get it now. Was pretty ill 24h after the administration.

Then the leave of the full time skipper was up and it was time to pack my bags. I had prepared a handover and gave it to him upon arrival, after a few words he retreated to his cabin and didn't emerge again, probably my second weirdest handover. I departed next morning for my flight. 

Split port

Split

Trogir

Trogir

Trogir

Trogir

The yacht was my first Luerssen build and it was not bad, as expected. Nice interiors and modern bridge, the Captain cabin behind it as usual. The cabin itself was to me like an afterthought though, appeared to have been built into a cleaning locker with a small porthole in one corner. Anyway, it didn't matter to me, I was there to work, not to enjoy a cabin. Yacht designer's always went into such pains with the skippers quarters when it would be so easy to make one properly.

The specifications of Caiprinha as follows according to Burgessyachts and Superyachttimes, she's designed by Espen Oeino that I had to hoor to meet in conjuntion of launching m/y Silver back in 2007 and it seems the yacht also won some award back in 2010. Read on from Burgessyachts:

"Caiprinha is a 60m (196.9ft) motor yacht delivered in 2009 by Lurssen-Werft. She features elegant exterior lines conceived by the world renown Espen Oeino and a striking interior by the talented Mark Berryman. The attention to detail and quality finishes were acknowledged at the 2010 World Superyacht Awards ceremony when she was named Motor Yacht of the Year. 

This Northern European pedigree yacht features a voluminous interior suited with warm woods and contemporary finishes. Caiprinha can accommodate 12 guests in six spacious cabins. A full-beam master cabin is located on the main deck, with a VIP cabin on the upper deck, and four guest cabins on the lower deck. Oversized windows ll the interior with an abundance of natural light, while each guest cabin is finished with low noise, state-of-the-art electric blinds that offer the ultimate comfort and privacy. Caiprinha features a versatile layout catering to a variety of social gatherings, including a formal salon that can be converted to a cinema via a hidden screen and projector.

Caiprinha’s striking Espen Oeino exterior design offers multiple dining and lounging areas across her three exterior decks. A large swim platform is located aft of the spacious tender garage, with tender storage on both the port and starboard side. The main deck aft proves to be a great gathering spot with a bar and oversized settee. A vast sun deck features an indoor/outdoor lounge area equipped with a fully equipped bar and panoramic views. Aft of the sun deck lounge is an al fresco dining area for 12, while an oversized jacuzzi and sun beds are located forward.

Powered by twin Caterpillar diesel engines, Caipirinha has a transoceanic range of 7,000 nautical miles. With a cruising speed of 12 knots and a maximum speed of 15.5 knots, the ultra-modern stabilisation system on board reduces roll motion effect, resulting in a smoother more enjoyable cruising experience. This steel hull and aluminium superstructure yacht was built to comply to MCA and Lloyd’s +100A1, SSC Yacht Mono, LMC G6, UMS standards."

Caipirinha specifications from Superyachtimes:
Ex names: 5 Angels, Arkley

Lenth overall 60.0 m
Beam 11.4 m
Draught 3.5 m
GT 1,182
Builder 2009 Lürssen Yachts in Bardenfleth, Germany
Hull/ Sperstructure Steel/ aluminium (full displacement hull)
Exterior design Espen Øino International
Interior design Mark Berryman Design Ltd
Class Lloyd's Register
Guest capacity 12
Crew capacity 14 in 7 cabins
Speed max/ cruise 16/ 12knots
Range (12kts) 7000'
Fuel capacity 160,000 L
Fresh water capacity 30,000 L
Propulsion 2 x fixed propeller and twin rudders
Main engines 2x Caterpillar 3512B @ 1476kW/ 1979HP, Total output 2,952 kW/ 3,958 HP