Newport yachts get easy passage home

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4: Three Newport Bermuda Race yachts were carefully lifted onto the Saimaagracht at the end of last week.

The Saimaagracht is a multi purpose vessel that carries big yachts from one port to the next.

She is fitted with onboard cranes but also carries large quantities of paper in her hold that can be unloaded via forklift truck through side doors in the ship.

The Saimaagracht arrived in the Great Sound last Thursday and spent the day loading the three racing yachts – Shockwave, Bella Mente and Stark Raving Mad – and one private craft.

The four boats were hoisted out of the water and delicately placed in pre-made cradles on the deck.

The cradles were then welded to the deck before the four yachts were strapped down.

The entire operation was overseen by a designated ‘loadmaster’ who often flies into port to join the ship and her crew and makes sure that everything runs smoothly.

The Saimaagracht left Bermuda on Friday morning bound for Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Meanwhile this week there are car ships, container vessels, cruise liners and a couple of Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels heading into Bermuda.

The car carrier, Grand Legacy, arrived in Hamilton yesterday to deliver a batch of 74 vehicles before leaving later the same day.

The cruise ships Norwegian Star and Celebrity Summit are due to get into Dockyard first thing this morning for two days.

And the Bermuda Islander heads into the capital tomorrow morning.

This Saturday the Explorer of the Seas will come into the West End, while on Sunday morning the Norwegian Dawn and Enchantment of the Seas are scheduled to get into Dockyard.

Finally on Sunday RFA Argus and RFA Rosalie arrive in Bermuda.

Argus will be docked at the Commercial Berth until July 10 when she heads to the Caribbean.

While Rosalie will be anchored in the Great Sound until July 11 when she will head back to the UK.