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M.V. Harman was first featured this year in the New Year's Eve celebrations, and was given 100 metres of rope lighting to set her off in the crowd. Plus a generous donation of a generator to power them.
However, towards the end of the parade that began after the 9:00 pm fireworks, the genny died, and 'Control' asked why we had switched our lights off.
I did not want to tell them that the thing was cheap, and had run out of juice, so I said that we were experiencing technical difficulties.........
'Control' then asked “what sort of difficulties”?
Oh well, they asked............
"The generator has run out of juice!!!!!”
You could hear the laughter on the boats near by, from those near a radio. (oops, Control, but you asked).....
We also had front row centre near Pinch-gut, and jockeyed for a good spot to watch from, and were able to persuade some of the bigger boats to give us a little room.
We had a great view in the end and had a great time too.
Special thanks to Sally for good crewing.
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Harman's next great day was Australia Day, where she was entered into the Best Dressed Boat competition. I figured that she had as good a chance as anyone else's boat, so we gave it a go.
Steve Smith and Andrew and I spent over an hour putting up flags and ribbons, the upshot of which was that Harman was selected as a finalist, but I still do not know if she won anything?????
The boat received a Best Dressed flag, and a plaque, which Russel Hansen hopes to have displayed shortly.
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Sally and Ross on a well dressed Harman
Photo: Russell Hansen |
Because Harman was now a Best Dressed boat, she had to parade through Cockle Bay for that event.
As we exited Cockle Bay, we executed a perfect Williamson's turn and swung into line for the 'Heritage' parade and did it all over again, 'but' this time the crowd knew us, and we received a great and noisy welcome.
Photo: John Spiers |
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Most recently we were out again flying flags for the 'Work Boat Challenge' which we enjoyed doing even if it was rather late notice, (Friday for Sunday).
We took part in the parade around Pinch-gut, and as everyone approached Darling Harbour, I asked the obvious question.
1st place for the race was given to tug Throsby, (her name was literally drawn out of a hat) 'but' 2nd place was up for grabs. So I asked, what happens about 2nd place, and the marshal said,
"well it's anyone’s".
I replied, "thank you very much" and everyone else suddenly realized that Harman would be racing that honour, so that put the peddles to the metal.
Harman was positioned 'fortuitously' next to Throsby, so when she surged ahead at the sound of the starting horn, Harman did also. I held her near Throsby’s quarter, as it was a position I was comfortable holding from my pilot boat days, and as Throsby accelerated, she helped us as well. |
As we approached the finish, the fire tug, with a mate (from the master class 4 course that Russel and I took recently) on board, I steered away from Throsby and caught her wake, we surfed in at 2nd place by a tire’s thickness, followed by 3rd with the same margin (or so my mate tells me).
So the old girl won the race, at least the only race that was held. Well done Harman.
Following the race she paraded with the others through Cockle Bay twice, and I then parked her neatly between the Craig and Lady Hopetoun.
A great day was had by all, and special thanks to Andrew Fletcher for good crewing.
P.S. I should mention also, that both Andrew Fletcher and Steve Smith are now able to dock Harman should the 'old man' have a stroke or fall foul of some buxom wench.
Yours harmonizing,
Ross McLean
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