Engines Full ahead

 Engines full ahead but going backwards 1 knot. 38-54 knot winds on the bow. Computer programmed for due West but heading North East. Fun times

Trying to turn around in a storm = severe roll

 

The Ship

The Noble Discoverer was an old log carrier built in the 1960s that was converted to a drill ship. The bridge was relocated to the front of the ship and a large accommodation block built on the rear. The drill derrick and equipment were inbetween

 At New Plymouth Port

On location

Derrick comes off

The top half of the derrick was removed so the ship could fit under a bridge in Brisbane when we sailed there to the dry dock for maintenance

Nelson

During a storm we headed to Nelson for cover and transferred off the ship via the Pilots boat

Brisbane & Dry Dock

Dry dock at Brisbane for maintenance and re-paint

The bridge we only just fitted under at low tide!

On Board

Fishing wasnt allowed....unless you were the chief mate!

The bridge

The stores buried deep in the hull

All the drill strings (pipes)

Xmas dinner setting

Nice sunsets

The huge on board hospital

Kiwi chefs cooking up a storm

Laundry time

Looking towards the drill floor

Some hitch hikers (seals)

The radio room

More Xmas dinner settings

Medics office

Waiting for the next crew to arrive

Mud doctor

Medics

Kiwi radio operator

Helicopter crew

Our taxi home