Gabrielle causes ships to alter course

Tropical storm Gabrielle may have just shaved Bermuda’s shores, but in the shipping world it pays to be safe than sorry.

That’s why the container ship, Somers Isles, left Florida ahead of schedule to avoid being bashed by the swell associated with the weather front.

She arrived in Bermuda on Monday — a day early — to ensure that the supplies she was carrying made it onto the island on time.

And the ship will leave this morning to begin her journey back to Fernandina Beach to re-load Bermuda-bound containers.

Otherwise it’s a quiet week in the world of shipping as the cruise season begins to wind down.

The Norwegian Breakaway is back in today for her 18th trip of the year.

The Norwegian Dawn tried to leave on Tuesday but the weaher forced her to delay departure until Wednesday. She will not be back again until mid-October.

The Grandeur of the Seas is the sole arrival in Dockyard this weekend, which will make for a quiet weekend in the West End.

The Bermuda Islander is back in Hamilton tomorrow, and the Oleander makes up the shipping schedule for this week when she pulls into the capital on Sunday afternoon.