Chembulk Jakarta Comes to Baltimore September 7, 2020

This 141x24m (463x77ft) Panama flagged tanker was built in 2009 by Kitanihon Shipbuilding in Japan according to this data sheet on Chembulk‘s website.

I was surprised to find no news items nor videos on this ship which is especially unusual considering how long it has been in service.

In my 13 minute video below she can be seen turning from the Chesapeake Bay onto the Patapsco River as she makes her way to Baltimore, Maryland. After she makes her turn to near the camera the pilot boat Baltimore appears alongside.

Tug Bridget McAllister is seen awaiting the ship’s approach. In sight of Grimaldi’s Grande New York the tug Patrick McAllister turns and approaches the ship to prepare to lend her docking assistance. Both tugs are seen alongside as she appears to be heading for downtown Baltimore before doing an unusual turning maneuver I’d not seen before.

She approaches the camera again before being turned towards Curtis Bay. Moving to a different location to observe the ship’s docking a sense of the teamwork required to make a docking happen safely can be gained in the subsequent scenes.

It is fascinating to watch the tugs push and pull the ship to the dock without having direct visibility of how close the ship is to the dock. The pilot boat Baltimore is seen approaching to retrieve the pilot that was on boat the Chembulk Jakarta.

Bridget McAllister casts off her line and departs. Patrick McAllister soon follows suit. Looking to the upper right hand corner of the screen one can see the pilot beginning to make his way down the ladder. Pilot boat Baltimore follows the tug out of the area with the ship safely tied down.

You can view my photography (more than just ships!) here and more videos here.