Yachts give St George’s something to talk about

It’s that time of year when St George’s welcomes a host of passing motor yachts as they head back to the Mediterranean for summer.

Last weekend the Lazy Z and Ingot called into the East End for a few days before embarking on the next leg of their trips.

There have also been dozens of sailing yachts in the harbour this week as they prepare for the next leg of the annual Arc Rally that sets off from Bermuda on Wednesday.

But as the crews leave us all eyes will turn to the West End today as the Norwegian Breakaway makes her inaugural trip to Bermuda and arrives at Heritage Wharf.

She is expected to come alongside at around 8:15am this morning and will be closely followed by the Celebrity Summit, which is scheduled to dock at King’s Wharf.

Earlier this week the Explorer of the Seas called into Dockyard for a one-night stay, while the Prinsendam was in Hamilton for a similar duration.

Both ships will be well clear of Bermuda by the time the Breakaway rumbles into town today.

Later this week the Explorer of the Seas is back again on Saturday, while Sunday sees the arrival of the Norwegian Dawn and the Grandeur of the Seas.

The Dawn, which has had to tender her passengers in from Grassy Bay while renovation work to Heritage Wharf continues, is expected to come alongside at Heritage for the duration of her next trip.

All three container ships are in this week; the Somers Isles gets in today and is followed by the Bermuda Islander tomorrow.

The Oleander is back in Hamilton on Sunday afternoon.

Finally, around 60 miles off our coast the Liquid Natural Gas tanker, Seri Balhas, is biding her time waiting for replacement parts to arrive on the island.

The 295-metre long vessel diverted into Bermudian waters earlier this week and is expected to come into Five Fathom Hole on Friday or Saturday to pick up the parts as well as a technician.