Pilot safely docks Queen Victoria in squally weather

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7: Branch pilot Michael Lightbourne had the honour of bringing the Queen Victoria into Bermuda on Saturday.

Pilot Lightbourne joined the ship’s captain Inger Olsen on the bridge of the luxury liner at just before 7am a couple of miles off St George’s.

He negotiated the luxury liner through the channels and into Dockyard in challenging weather conditions.

“Heavy passing  squalls brought increased gusts of wind making it even more challenging to come along side in Dockyard.

But, of course, this is all in a day’s work,” said Pilot Lightbourne.

“There was a moment earlier in the day when we thought the Queen Victoria was going to bypass us all together due to the weather.

“But we were happy to get her in safely to Dockyard in pretty challenging conditions just behind schedule.”

The Queen Victoria, which boasts seven restaurants, 13 bars, three swimming pools, a ballroom and a theatre, recently became a Bermuda-flagged vessel.

And although it was her second visit to Bermuda of the year, it was her first as a Bermuda-flagged ship.

The word “Hamilton” can now be seen on the stern of the ship having replaced her old homeport of Southampton in the UK.

Pilot Lightbourne, who has been a branch pilot for 24 years, added: “She really is a classical ship.

“The interior is very luxurious and elegant and she is beautiful to look at from the outside too.

“I was lucky enough to bring in the QE2 in 1986 when she visited Bermuda so it was an honour and a privilege for me to bring her into port.

“Taking her back out again was a challenge too — the winds picked up and you have to use all your skills to sail through the narrow channels leaving Bermuda.”

The Queen Victoria, which is owned by Cunard, left Dockyard at around 3pm on Saturday bound for Charleston in the US.

The penultimate cruise ship of 2011 arrived in the west end yesterday.

Marina, which originated from Funchal in Madeira, is due to leave the island at just after 3pm today bound for Miami.

The cruise ship holds 1,052 passengers and last visited the island at the beginning of April.

The final cruise call of the year is next Tuesday when the Pacific Princess arrives in Hamilton for the day.

Elsewhere it’s just the usual container ships coming in this week with Christmas trees and festive supplies. The Somers Isles arrived yesterday and heads back to Florida today.

The Bermuda Islander arrives tomorrow while the Oleander is back again on Sunday evening.