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Oceana 16 Feb

BrianI

By BrianI,
in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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RJChatsworth "Live from...." Rare

RJChatsworth

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On Oceana we were advised earlier this evening that we shall arrive in Southampton at 12 noon on Sunday if the storm begins to clear as forecast.  The Southampton pilot station is closed for the duration of the storm so we are heading towards Brixham in South Devon where it is planned we shall pick up a Southampton pilot tomorrow, Saturday, who will stay with the ship until we dock in Southampton.

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Satureyes

Satureyes

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Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, RJChatsworth said:

On Oceana we were advised earlier this evening that we shall arrive in Southampton at 12 noon on Sunday if the storm begins to clear as forecast.  The Southampton pilot station is closed for the duration of the storm so we are heading towards Brixham in South Devon where it is planned we shall pick up a Southampton pilot tomorrow, Saturday, who will stay with the ship until we dock in Southampton.


So does this mean we still need to stick to that delay by 4 hours or there’s a chance things will be as scheduled? 
trying to ‘kill’ the whole day in Southampton...

Edited by Satureyes
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AndyMichelle

AndyMichelle

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8 hours ago, Satureyes said:


So does this mean we still need to stick to that delay by 4 hours or there’s a chance things will be as scheduled? 
trying to ‘kill’ the whole day in Southampton...

They will need the 4 hours to get the previous lot off and prepare the ship. 

Not sure if you will be able to drop your luggage early, if so, Southampton is not such a bad place to spend the day. 

Andy 

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RJChatsworth "Live from...." Rare

RJChatsworth

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The Captain announced just before 0900 this morning that we were enroute to the Brixham area to pick up the Southampton pilot.  He added that the Brixham pilot station is still open!  To clarify, the Brixham pilot station is the heavy weather pilot station for ships approaching Southampton from the west and wanting to get into Southampton port when the Southampton pilot station is closed due adverse weather.  We are expecting to be advised this morning of our disembarkation times for a 12 noon arrival in Southampton. My guess would be from just after 2pm when all the luggage has been taken off.

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grapau27

grapau27

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Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

They will need the 4 hours to get the previous lot off and prepare the ship. 

Not sure if you will be able to drop your luggage early, if so, Southampton is not such a bad place to spend the day. 

Andy 

I agree with Andy,we have been to Southampton many times with plenty to see and do.

Edited by grapau27
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RJChatsworth "Live from...." Rare

RJChatsworth

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It is just before 1100 and the Captain has advised that we have now cleared Biscay ahead of 8-10m seas and currently experiencing 4.5m on the stern with 45 knot winds gusting 60.  We are expecting to pass Start Point at around 1500 today and enter the bay at Brixham to pick up the Southampton pilot if the Brixham station remains open.  Southampton pilots are deployed to Brixham during bad weather as they are to Ramsgate for ships approaching Southampton from the east.  We are still looking at a 12 noon arrival in Southampton on Sunday.

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RJChatsworth "Live from...." Rare

RJChatsworth

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Southampton pilot climbed aboard Oceana at 1640 off Brixham.  At 1600 the Captain told us that the pilot had requested the ship to head for shore, get in as close as possible and then do a sharp turn to starboard.  This would be about 1630 and the Captain suggested passengers should sit down in case the ship leaned more than normal during this unusual turn.  The Captain appeared to be hedging his bets a little about the pilot getting onboard.  If he hadn't been able to goodness knows what the delays in arriving in Southampton might have been then.

 

The visibility was not good, there were big seas and driving rain.  Suddenly a huge headland came into view in the mirk, Berry Head. Then into view came the pilot boat bouncing around like a cork on water.  Once the pilot boat got alongside on the lee-side of the ship the waters were calmer.  Many passengers were straining to see what was going on and a sense of relief when the Deputy Captain came on very quickly to announce the pilot was safely onboard and we were heading out to sea in 60-70 knot winds.

 

Arriving  in Southampton at 12 noon on Sunday is now a real possibility!  This was just confirmed by the Captain after discussions with the pilot.

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jeanlyon

jeanlyon

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I wondered why I saw her on AIS just west of Salcombe this morning and now she seems to be leaving the Brixham area.  Interesting!   I can see why picking up a pilot in the lee of the land would be a lot easier than trying to get a pilot boat alongside off the Isle of Wight.

 

Still blowing Storm Force 10 at Prawle Point and expected to continue.  Strongest gust there today was 72mph at 1519.

Edited by jeanlyon
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NoFlyGuy

NoFlyGuy

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5 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Yes she has just turned South East to cross the Westerly shipping lane and get herself into the Easterly one.  Only doing 11 knots, so obviously got plenty of time.

 

Looks like you were right Jean, joining the Easterly flow. May have been a bit rocky turning broadside to the wind and swell though! Should be better once she has the wind and swell behind her heading for the IOW and Southampton.

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wowzz

wowzz

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Ship docked just before noon today, we (like many others) self disembarked, and were ashore by 12:30, and in our car by 12:45, soaked through, thanks to the driving rain.

At times, deck 5 in the atrium  resembled a refugee camp, with all of us self disembarkers trying to find sonewhere to sit, amongst all the suitcases.  

Most inconsiderate passengers of the cruise award, goes to the 4 passengers (presumably doing a b2b, given the lack of any type of luggage) who quite happily sat in the best 4 seats reading and doing cross stitch, whilst all around them people were searching for some floor space to sit on ! 

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KnowTheScore

KnowTheScore

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30 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Most inconsiderate passengers of the cruise award, goes to the 4 passengers (presumably doing a b2b, given the lack of any type of luggage) who quite happily sat in the best 4 seats reading and doing cross stitch, whilst all around them people were searching for some floor space to sit on ! 

 

Consider however that like everyone else they need to be out of their cabin so the steward can do the cleaning and all the other places they might wish to sit and relax will likely all be designated waiting places for disembarking passengers.  Not much they can do as a result.   If the weather were lovely and warm and sunny they would doubtless go and sit outside on the upper decks but given the awful weather we are currently having they need to find somewhere inside.

 

 

 

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