As you can see from the previous post the Newcastle shoreline still has it's unwanted landmark - the 255m coal tanker the Pasha Bulker - that seemingly ignored repeated warnings to find deeper water to ride out the storm. In the end the flat bottom boat ended up fairly undamaged on a sandbank about 50mtrs offshore. There have been people flocking from all over to get a glimpse of this truely amazing sight and new tourist attraction, you can even buy Pasha Bulker t-shirts!
While we were there today there were several press conferences taking place as well as public addresses to the crowd. I could have taken the opportunity to get Alfie his first TV appearance by holding him up behind the speaker but thought better of it!
I think the plan is to wait for the Spring Tides next week and attempt to refoat her using four tugs, with the Pasha Bulker doing her bit by pulling on her own anchor which will be laid out to sea! We are certainly hoping (as are all local people!) that the ship can be moved and not left to rust away (like a similar ship grounded on another local beach during the last great storm during the 70's), Nobby's Beach is very much an iconic view of Newcastle.
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