Auckland’s Amazing Acrobatic Tugboat

NeilEnnis — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:24:00 +0000

We recently sailed from Auckland’s beautiful harbour aboard P&O’s Oriana which is currently on a world voyage.

The local tugboat captain skillfully helped the 65,000 tonne Ocean Liner gracefully reverse from her berth, and sent her on her way to Sydney.

But after he’d done the job, the Tug Boat captain showed us what he, and his powerful tug could really do.

To the Auckland Port Authority, and their Tug Operators, thanks for giving us a memory that will stick with us for years!

Please forgive the camera movement in the video. It’s very hard to hold a mobile phone camera still while trying to celebrate at the same time.

An Oriana Original

NeilEnnis — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:49:00 +0000

My Dad, Bruce, was a crew member on the maiden voyage of the original SS Oriana in December 1960.

She held the record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by a P&O Ocean Liner, earning her the “Golden Cockerel” trophy.

When I turned up in 1962, Dad had to quit his life on the sea, and start life as a young father.

SS Oriana sailed her last voyage in 1986, and was eventually replaced by MV Oriana in 1995.

MV Oriana is visiting Brisbane in February 2008, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to check her out with Dad, and Mum, and my brother Kevin.

We’re going on a pretty short cruise from Brisbane to Sydney. I don’t really care where she goes, whether it rains, or how rough it is. For me, the fun thing will be experiencing Oriana with Dad, Mum and Kev.

The last time I was on a ship with Mum and Dad was in 1965. So that’s a long time between drinks!

Musings » oriana

Auckland’s Amazing Acrobatic Tugboat

An Oriana Original