|
|
|
|
|
MV FORUM
SAMOA II WITH SAMOAN MASTER AND CREW |
|
By Captain George Clarke |
|
| |
For three months in mid
2002 I had the privilege of being the Master on the new M/V Forum Samoa
II. It was the first time for me being in command of a vessel
registered in Apia and having a full Samoan crew.
The Forum Samoa II which is the replacement of the old Forum Samoa went
into service for Pacific Forum Line in August 2001 at Pago Pago, this
being the first port of call on it's delivery voyage from China where
she was built. After Pago Pago it was Apia and I was onboard for the
short trip over but was not the Master of the vessel at this time as
the German owners had one of their Master's for the maiden voyage.
The official naming and change of registry took place in Apia alongside
the main wharf in the presence of the Prime Minister, Government
Ministers, the German Owners of the vessel and various invited guests.
I was honoured being the official maritime representative during this
ceremony in accepting all the necessary documents from the government,
German owners and Classification Society for the Forum Samoa II coming
under the Samoan registry. The vessel arrived in Apia flying the
Cypriot flag, and Limassol as her port of registry painted on the
stern. It was a colourful occasion when the Apia Police band played the
Samoan National anthem while the Cypriot flag was lowered down and at
the same time the Samoa national flag was raised over the vessel to the
cheers of all present.
Pacific Forum Line had placed her on their monthly Australia to the
Pacific Islands trade. The island ports are Lautoka, Suva, Pago Pago,
Apia, Nukualofa, Suva, Lautoka and then onto Brisbane, Sydney and
Melbourne in Australia. On three occasions in the first quarter of
2002, we called in to Auckland on her way to Lautoka from Melbourne. In
March 2002 when the vessel was in Auckland for the last time that I was
finally appointed Master when the permanent German Captain went home on
annual leave.
The scheduled stopover in Auckland was usually eight hours. Fortunately
by courtesy of the stevedores during cargo operations they managed to
damage one of the ship's crane and it was five days later before we
could sail.
This was a great bonus for all onboard to |
|
 |
|
|
MV Forum Samoa II entering Apia harbour, on deck is the American
Samoa fautasi to compete in the fautasi race during the Samoa
Independence Anniversary celebrations. (Photo: George Clarke)
|
 |
|
Captain George Clarke at change of Registry and Naming ceremony
at Apia wharf and being served breakfast with a passenger by
Charlie Ah Sui, officer’s steward. (Photos: George Clarke) |
 |
|
Captain George Clarke with Tongan chief officer and Polish chief
engineer with Samoan crew – the life away from home while on the
high seas.
(Photos: George Clarke) |
| |
see all their ‘aiga’ around
Auckland. The vessel's draft was deeper by at least a centimetre from the ‘faa
Samoa’ parcels of fridge's, washing machines, TV, all freight free that were
given by the Samoan ‘aiga’ to the crew for Apia.
The crew were very courteous whenever they came up to my cabin. There was a knock
on the cabin door and I would find a good percentage of the crew all sitting
cross legged at the door entrance. They would not accept my invitation to come
in and be comfortable on chairs. I never had a meeting with any of my past crews
where I sat on a chair and looked down on them.
To sum up in a nut shell, it was a very happy ship and at weekends at sea,
weather permitting we would all gather on the aft deck for a BBQ and a good sing
song.
I was offered the opportunity by the German owners of being the permanent
relieving Master but decided after the three months onboard that I must divorce
myself from the sea and retire to a proper married life ashore.
|
|
| |
Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
|
|
|
|
|
