I have the privilege of sharing the wheelhouse on Kookaburra Queen with this remarkable man!
Balakera’s photos
Sad sight
It always makes me sick in the guts to see a boat sinking. This one is across the canal from our home.
Posted in Brisbane
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Twin granddaughters first ride on Opa’s boat
Marina takes Baly’s helm under JenJen’s watchful eye
Posted in Brisbane
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Why is Kookaburra Queen’s helm so large?
She is modelled to be an authentic replica of the Mississippi paddle steamers of old, well before the advent of hydraulics. Old paddle steamers had chains from the helm to the steering quadrant above the rudder. This arrangement had so much friction, the helm needed to be large diameter to give the helmsman a mechanical advantage or lever purchase to make the whole mechanism turn.
Posted in Brisbane
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New Brisbane Cityhoppers
The “office” on the new Brisbane River Kittycat Cityhopper ferries.
Posted in Brisbane
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Changes on the Brisbane River
Today I resigned from Transdev Brisbane Ferries as I have accepted a casual Ferry Master role with RiverCity Ferries who have now won the Brisbane City Council ferry contract. Same job, different company. Additionally, this weekend I will be with yet another company, Kookaburra Showboat Cruises, aboard their gorgeous paddle steamer doing lunch and dinner cruises.
Posted in Brisbane, Uncategorized
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Serious shipbuilding
A couple of old photos of Liberty ships building en masse in Maine, during the war. Launching up to five ships in a day. Nearby Bath is still an important shipbuilding centre. They were building stealth warships when we visited there in 2016.
Posted in New York to Maine
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