Rodrigues - The ship comes in - 28 July 2015

Recently vacated wall

 When we arrived in Port Mathurin, Rodrigues the supply ship had recently left. we tied up - starboard side to as required- to the harbour wall and stayed there after clearances had been completed. We understood that the ship visits once every 7 to 10 days, so we were not expecting another. No-one had told us about the notice on the security office showing when a ship was expected and when the wall had to be vacated. We were therefore surprised to be woken at 0530 and told to move NOW.

Entering the channel

Final turn into the basin

Just over half an hour later the ship approached and negotiated the narrow channel to the dock. The channel, like the turning basin, appears to have been carved out of the extensive flat reef to a depth of around 10 m.

Starting the turn

While there is no ship, or when she is safely docked, yachts can anchor anywhere within the turning basin. However, when the ship arrives she has to turn to lie starboard side to the wall. For this period yachts have to be anchored well towards the edge of the turning basin, our outside in the bay. There were only seven yachts at the time so there was room to anchor insude or, as one boat did, to motor around and anchor once the ship has turned.

Half way round

Nearly there

Onto the quay