Sunday, 26 February 2012

Followership

The Antipodean Mariner's postings have been a bit sparse lately, for which apologies are offered. An investigation into a grounding has meant unplanned travel and a challenging task to unravel the why and the how. Certainly the basis for a future posting once the investigation has been closed.

This posting is to thank the 58 Followers of this Blog. When the AM started blogging, the motivation was to cut a tiny outpost of the 'Net to feed the 'anorak' in me - ships and bikes. Thomas's blog was the first Blog I followed and I think Thomas was the first Follower of Antipodean Mariner.

The Blog fell into abeyance for about a year as the AM struggled with motivation and the guilt of old, stale postings taunting and mocking. The Rena grounding, while an individual tragedy, rekindled the motivation through (with the invaluable feed from colleagues at the site) being able to fulfill the role of citizen journalist and present the unsanitised face of a major salvage operation.

This year, my target is to grow the Blog to 100 Followers and to keep up the discipline of regular postings and relevant content. Followers' feedback in the form of comments, and the occasional email are incredibly rewarding and so 'Thank you'. Thomas, if you're still reading the Blog how's the cadetship going?

AM


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13 comments:

  1. Anonymous26 February 2012 at 13:55

    I suspect you may have more than you think. I follow via RSS. Are these counted?

    ReplyDelete
  2. fqo6326 February 2012 at 15:08

    I found your blog through the Rena incident and find your entries VERY interesting.
    Please keep the stories coming.

    Tad.. Alabama

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tobi27 February 2012 at 07:32

    Hi AM – we are here in Tauranga and can see the Rena slowly being picked over by the “tow truck drivers of the sea” any day the weather allows us to see that far. Your posts are often truly fascinating; just last night I was sitting here with some friends recounting tails of the high stakes poker of ship salvage, the epic saga of the Vale sisters, and the big numbers game that is international shipping. So yes the Rena brought us to your blog, but this window to your world will keep us checking in from time to time. Thanks again

    PS on subject of the Rena, do you know why they have been using helicopters to remove, containers and their contents off the bow section and not the crane on the Smit Borneo, it would seem to be a ridiculously slow and expensive way of getting the job done?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Proteun27 February 2012 at 19:12

      The crane does not have the reach to plumb directly over the forward section of the Rena. There is a 4.5 metre shallow patch immediately South of that section, which prevents the barge from coming right up close to it.
      On the north side the reef is awash, which again prevents the barge from getting right up close to the hull.
      So the only way to get stuff off is by chopper.
      Very very expensive, for no salvage value return.
      The cash cow must soon come to an end.

      Delete
  4. Mike27 February 2012 at 07:36

    There are many more like me that are checking in without officially 'following'. Keep up the good work! The Rena postings were the best source of info on the net!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Proteun27 February 2012 at 19:17

    Keep up the good work AM.
    I echo the previous comments that your Rena postings were the best.
    Great sources and photos, plus knowlegable comment on the insurance and salvage aspects of the operation.
    Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Buck28 February 2012 at 03:15

    I came because of RENA but I stayed because of the general maritime theme. As I'm a motorcycle rider myself, I even like the bike posts.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1 March 2012 at 02:45

    AM,

    Thanks for the great reporting. Like many other readers, I found your site because of the Rena and have kept coming back over the past few months.

    I am working on a project on ship salvage and would like to discuss the Rena with you. If you are interested, please email me at thebsays@gmail.com.

    Look forward to hearing from you,

    Brian

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marten1 March 2012 at 19:27

    I also found your site because of the Rena....really enjoy your posts - have now joined as a follower.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  9. Troy Levien2 March 2012 at 07:28

    I would also like to say thank you for your reports from an owner of cargo onboard the Rena ( 1972 Holden Monaro ) I have found your blog an invaluable source of information on what is really happening with the salvage operation, compared to the lack of info I have had from my shipping agent and the media.


    Cheers

    Troy Levien

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous20 March 2012 at 02:52

      Troy couldn't follow all the news, did you get your Holden back?

      Delete
    2. Troy Levien24 March 2012 at 01:47

      No my Monaro hasn't been salvaged yet....

      Delete
  10. Unknown3 March 2012 at 15:58

    I am following on RSS too

    ReplyDelete

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