Sunday 12 November – Kristiansand, Norway

Distance steamed from Southampton: 607 NM
Weather: Dry, good visibility, 3/8ths cloud
Temperature: 5°C
Wind: North westerly, Force 2

After steaming through the North Sea overnight, Aurora was inside 12NM of Norway by 5.30am. At 7.00am Aurora altered her course to the north west, picking up her local Pilots on the starboard side and passing between the islands of Bragdoya and Odderoya. Aurora then took a sweeping turn to starboard before entering the narrow berth approach and coming alongside starboard side to the quay on Cruise Pier 13. All the lines were made fast, gangways rigged, and clearance was granted by the local authorities by 8.55am and guests could head ashore to explore this first Norwegian port. With all pre-departure checks completed and all guests and crew back on board Aurora was ready to set sail from her berth. The last line was let go at 4.30pm and Aurora was thrust gently off the berth to port. Coming astern on the engines the Captain swung Aurora’s bow to port once clear of the dock and proceeded out into Versterhavn. Once at a safe distance from the quay Aurora’s bow was swung to starboard, one Pilot disembarked and the remaining local Pilot took the Conn to bring her out safely through the islands into open water. With the final Pilot disembarked on the port side at 5.30pm, Aurora rang FAOP and set sea speed for her two day passage to Tromsa.

 

Saturday 11 November – At Sea

Noon position: 53° 30.6‘N 003° 48.3’E
Distance steamed since departure Southampton: 295 NM
Weather: Squally showers, good visibility, 5/8ths cloud
Temperature: 9.5°C
Wind: North westerly, Force 9
Sea state: Moderate to rough seas and moderate swell

After leaving the confines of Southampton Waters, Aurora altered her course to the east to begin transiting the south coast of England. In the early morning the ship was making her way through the Dover Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) whichruns between the coasts of the UK and France and controls the movement of large amounts of shipping traffic, including ferries, in the area.

Once through the routeing schemes around 4.00pm, Aurora exited into the North Sea and altered her course northwards towards Norwegian waters passing Dogger Bank to port.

 

Friday 10 November -Southampton, UK

Weather: Dry, good visibility, 5/8ths cloud
Temperature: 13°C
Wind: Westerly, Force 4-5

With all her guests safely on board and pre-departure tests to the bridge equipment, steering gear and main engines completed,all lines were let go from the quay at Southampton’s Mayflower Cruise Terminal as Aurora began her voyage northwards towards the North Sea.

Aurora was thrust off her berth by the Captain using her three bow and one stern thrusters and slowly came ahead on her engines to make her way into Solent waters, sounding her whistle as she said goodbye.

Maintaining a slow speed until she passed DockHead, Aurora then began pushing up as she entered the narrow buoyed channel and, under the guidance of the Southampton Pilot, commenced her 30 nautical mile (NM) transit.

Aurora slowed to a speed of 7 knots as she passed Fawley Oil Terminal to starboard and then maintained 12 knots as she made her two large turns, firstly at Calshot Spit and then Brambles Bank. Passing to the north of the Isle of Wight Aurora then reached the Nab Tower – a well known landmark to sailors which marks the deep water eastern entry into the Solent. The local Pilot was disembarked on the port side and, as Aurora headed on a series of south easterly courses; full away on passage (FAOP) was rung to signal the start of the vessel’s sea passage.

 

Off on a cruise to Norway

After our Canadian adventure, Roz suggested a trip to see the Northern lights. Not having seen them, and because it was  a trip Mum and Dad did shortly before he died, we went for it.

The cruise was duly booked via P&O cruises who run several trips for this very purpose.

From the Bridge of Aurora

Captain: Captain: Neil Turnbull
Deputy Captain: Patrick Maguire
Safety Officer: Kaspar Janson
First Officer: Blair Skilton
Second Officers: Mark McCarthy, Momchil Marinov
Third Officers: Lydia Hutchinson, Allan Jones, Adam Western
Cadet:Thomas Crowther
R720P
Norway – Northern Lights Cruise
10-22 November 2017
Southampton – UK
Kristiansand – Norway
Tromso – Norway
Alta – Norway
Stavanger – Norway
Southampton – UK