7 - Sail the Aratura Sea, headed to Thursday Island, Reef pilots

 Another 30 minute time change last night getting us to GMT (+10).  It is Saturday, and tomorrow on Sunday we'll be at Thursday Island.  There are islands named Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Very creative naming. Here is a bigger picture showing the actual track of our travels.

Below shows the 740 miles for trip from Darwin to Thursday Island (48 hrs of travel). BTY. Our departure from Darwin yesterday was almost delayed.  The ship was waiting for lost passenger luggage to be delivered.  We've been on the ship for a week now, and some unfortunate passengers have been without their luggage the whole time.

Late yesterday the ship stopped travel and did two 360 degree turns in the middle of nowhere  The captain announced they were adjusting/setting the compass. That was new to us.

Last night's entertainment was Bruce Mathiske, playing guitar and didgeridoo. Very entertaining.  Look him up if you get a chance.  He had a little trouble with his guitar during the performance, and finally fessed up.  His original (handmade) guitar was lost - somewhere in Australia.  His performance on the Viking should have occurred three days before, but was delayed as they tried to locate the missing instrument.   No luck. So he bought a replacement the day before while in Darwin. He plays rhythm lead and bass at the same time. Sounds like a band.  And he plays the dideridoo while he's playing guitar.

Reef pilot Captain Vikram Hede came on board he'll stay for several days to get our ship safely through the Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef.  In 2006 Australia  began requiring that trained pilots board ships during the dangerous passages through Torres Strait and over the Great Barrier Reef.  Several accidents (ships damaging the GBR, ships spilling oil after hitting rocks, etc.) prompted the need. At its narrowest point the Strait is 94 miles across.  Sounds like an easy target but....there is a maze of 580 reefs and 274 small islands, and a couple of large rocks barely submerged.  

Viking needs a water depth of 6.5 meters. The reef is 12 meters.  Math seems to work okay for the Viking Mars.  However  larger ships must play  the changing tides, high tide is required but it is  tricky.  The Indian Ocean and Pacific tides vary greatly (one is up the other is down)  and must always be taken into account.

It takes 12 months of training and 50 in-training trips to be a qualified reef pilot and recertification every two years.  They work 3 weeks on call at their station house and get 3 weeks off. Each pilot pilots about 50 ships per year.  One requirement of the training is helicopter recovery (i.e. if their helicopter transport to or from a ship crashes into the sea).  Their training simulates a real crash: helicopter is a cage that holds several pilots, the cage is lowered into the deep end of a swimming pool, then tipped over.  The pilots have to open the cage door to get out on their own.  Divers are on standby to assist but only if needed.  To make it worse the pilots are blind folded.  To ensure they are capable, they do it again, and again. 6+ times.  I no longer want to apply to be a reef pilot. 

General shipping route through Torres.

Viking Mars route to Thursday Island showing obstacles.

Enough of the Maps.  Sorry if I got carried away.  I find it fascinating.

Sea day often means craft day.  Yeah!  Today we (MER joined by new friend Chris, and 25 others) made Christmas Cards.  Phil opted to skip crafts and read instead.

Our cabin door is one of about 10 decorated doors.  Phil contributed his Santa hat, and I the scarf.  A team effort.  I think it is stunning and certainly one of a kind.