Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Millennium's Harbour Drama


On the 12th January 2009,  the cruise ship Millennium was visiting Sydney. It spent the first night at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay and was then moved across to the Athol Buoy outside of Taronga Zoo.

She was due to sail at 6.00pm and her passengers were being tendered over from Pier 2 at Walsh Bay and were due back by 5pm. While in the process of transferring the passengers, the Harbour Master noticed that the Millennium appeared to be drifting into the middle of the harbour. 

After calling the Captain to check if all was well, it was quickly established that she had in fact broken her bow lines to the mooring and was drifting with the help of a strong northerly wind.

The Sydney Ports boats were rushed to her aid and the Captain sent out the orders to start up her engines, while quickly raising her stern anchor, which was also a concern that they may soon cross and tangle.

The returning passengers were quickly 'hurled' aboard including two pesky passengers who were running late and had to be delivered by water taxi. Once aboard, the Millennium made a hasty retreat out to the safety of the Tasman sea. 

Bon Voyage!