nice little shipload story

‘day in the life of’ piece, Kris
describes a special port call: MV
BLACKFIN at Cockatoo Island.
..............................
IT ALL BEGAN at 1800h on 30 August when the BLACKFIN departed Luoyuan port in China headed for Cockatoo Island - a unique mining project off the Kimberley coast, 200km north of Broome, in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia.
After a 10 day voyage to Cockatoo Island,
the 52,000dwt bulkcarrier safely arrived at the
anchorage ready to load 42,069 tonnes of
Cockatoo Premium Fines (CPF) iron ore. CPF
are highly sought after in the marketplace,
being over 66% Fe and less than 4% Silica.
Operations are under the control of shipper
Cockatoo Iron Ore Joint Venture.

This picturesque and certainly remote
location is only accessible via a one-hour light
aircraft flight out of Broome or Derby. This
flight is nothing short of breathtaking, as you
fly over King Sound and its vast array of
islands and bays, which are internationally
renowned for their beauty.

Facilities for the 150 person camp range
from detached three-bedroom houses to
hotel-style accommodation, with the usual
wet and dry mess areas to feed and entertain
the teams. It's certainly the character of the
people that make this site truly unique - plus
how many other mine sites provide their
people with a view of the Yampi Sound while
sharing a sundowner?

After our short flight from Broome, we are
welcomed by site personnel and the tug crew
are taxied to the tug, LATROBE, to prepare.
Pilot John Figgess and myself find our
accommodation for the night.
It's 0800h. John and I board the LATROBE
and head towards the BLACKFIN at
anchorage. John is busy communicating with
the Captain about our impending arrival. After
the friendly 'meet and greet' we commence
heaving anchor at 0930h and proceed 45
minutes to berth under the watchful eye of
Pilot John.

At 1427h we approach the berth, lines boat
and wharf crew at the ready, and tie her up in
good time. Everyone is so busy. "It's over to you,"
is the catch cry of John, passing control onto the
shiploader to commence loading when ready.
The days come and go and all is progressing
as planned and on schedule with everyone
playing their part, including myself - right up
until 1635h, 12 September. "Shiploader to Pilot,
loading complete," comes the call over the
marine channel.

Pilot, Agent and Master quickly produce,
print, present and sign all cargo documentation
in readiness for her scheduled departure to
Dalian where keen buyers are awaiting their
loaded consignment.
1700h is her official sailing time. So much
work by so many has been put into action to
reach this key time and date. Hundreds of
personnel involved in the lead up to this one day
- the first shipment of iron ore from Cockatoo
Island for 2010. Welcome Back.

Special thanks to Svitzer - Peter Harris, Merrill
Larsen, John Figgess and the tug crew; Cockatoo
Iron Ore Joint Venture - Bob Nelson, Steve
Jerome, Max Leggett and Selina Zhao; HWE
Mining site personnel - including Tim Renaud,
Adam Martin, Allan Ferreo, Greg Heneker, Peter
Collins, and ESS; and everyone else who has
helped along the way.