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3/17/2010 11:12:00 AM
Shipping
Wet and wild winter causes chaos
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| Stormy seas: Two containers on the Bermuda Islander were damaged after the ship was hit by a wave a few weeks ago. • File photo by Simon Jones. |
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Simon Jones
One of the wettest and wildest winters in years has played havoc with the schedules of the container ships.
The Bermuda Islander, Oleander and Somers Isles have all been plagued by huge waves and high winds.
The three freight vessels have battled against the weather to arrive in Hamilton on time.
But more often than not they have sailed into Bermudian waters hours behind schedule.
Shipping bosses have described it as one of the worst winters in recent times.
Delayed
Howard Pitcher of Bermuda Container Lines said: "I can't remember the last time when we were delayed this much.
"This really has been one of the worst winters we have encountered for a long time.
"In the last two months we have only been able to arrive in Hamilton on time on two occasions.
"The crews have done a great job dealing with these weather conditions.
"Quite often they have not had the chance to rest before heading back out to sea."
Joe Simas, Meyer Freight's general manager, added: "It has been one of the worst winters I can remember.
"Just the other week the Bermuda Islander was hit by a rogue wave which damaged two containers.
"This meant she was put behind schedule and she has only just got back on track."
This week the Oleander was more than 12 hours late arriving into Hamilton.
She pulled alongside at around 10am on Monday after fighting through huge waves and windy conditions.
The ship brought in more than 160 containers of food and supplies as well as five Nissan cars.
Also on Monday, the Diego cement ship arrived in Dockyard to drop off powder cement.
The Somers Isles arrived in port yesterday direct from Fernandina Beach in Florida.
She too encountered rough seas as she ploughed her course across the Atlantic Ocean.
Finally, the Bermuda Islander is due to arrive in Hamilton tomorrow after leaving Salem, New Jersey, two days ago.
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