Back at the drawing board: Johannes Thomsen (Denmark), Technical Manager
"We had a whole stack of drawings of different ships. When we [he and other marine engineers] were given a visible inspection of the ship in Denmark, we saw both the potential and the size of any conversion project. While we thought this could be the right ship, we didnt know if it was the right time. We somehow kept coming back to the Norröna drawings. Its a good ship."
Copenhagen: Chris Govey (UK), Electrical Officer
"There were two things about Copenhagen. One was people. We realised we wouldnt be moving so quickly but project workers began to come. In the end we had hundreds of people preparing the ship to go into a shipyard. Project Director Lloyd Nicholas estimates that the volunteers who came over nine months, provided 1 million worth of labour. The second thing was plans. That work was worth every minute because it meant that by the time we came to the shipyard we knew what we wanted. Otherwise probably we would have done half what we have done by now, with many more delays and added cost. We used to lay the plans on the floor and get excited. Then one day Project Manager David Gillan suddenly said, 'This is the plan!' He felt God was saying we were ready to sail and I agreed."
Voyage from Copenhagen to Malta, 1-11 February 2005: Gareth Kirk (N.Ireland), 2nd Mate
"The Lord was with us on that voyage. The ship needed a tug boat to help her out of the berth in Copenhagen because of sand which had built up around the starboard side. And so on 1st February 2005 at 08:57 the controls were at full ahead with four engines going and smoke billowing out of the funnel. She did 282.4 nautical miles on her first day, and at one time the speed touched 16 knots and her average speed was 11.6. During some rough hours in the North Sea above Denmark the crew decided 'the stabilisers are staying!' The ship has two fins, one on each side, and she needs them! On Friday 4th February God gave us a good passage through the Bay of Biscay. From 7-8 February the ship did 347.8 miles at an average speed of approximately 14.5 knots. On 9th February off Algeria I believe the Lord sent the storm to slow us down before the call came. With force 11 winds, the speed at times was only 6 knots with two engines going. On 10th February the ship was approaching Italy, and on 11th February the mobile phone call came with sudden instructions to divert to Malta. So the ship took a sharp starboard turn and headed for Valletta at 15 knots! Altogether the average speed for the voyage was 11.92 knots, which was very close to the pre-voyage estimate of 12 knots. The total distance was 2981 nautical miles in 10 days and 10 hours. It only takes 10 minutes to berth and tie the Logos Hope. She is a strong ship. God has given her to us so lets look after her."
Arrival at Malta: Haetli Menth (DE), 1st Engineer
"It was beautiful to sail in during the night and see all the historic stones. For the deck team it was most stressful; there weren't many of them and we had to test out nearly all the berths! I remember Pieter-Jan and someone else swimming to get a line out, in the storm. In the engine room we were not just waiting around [those three months in Malta]. There was maintenance to be done. I learnt that waiting time is a time God gives us to use and enjoy. We can use the waiting time in a good way."
From Malta to Trogir: Andy West (US), Chief Chef
"It was so exciting for me, being my first time to see Logos Hope. I couldnt believe how big she was, and found it funny that there was a door with a doorbell! The captain, Frank, met me at the door and as I headed for the stairs he said, 'No we ride the lift on this ship!' My cabin, a whole suite, was huge. I had heard so much for so long [about the prospect of a new ship, and then the purchase]. To finally be onboard was very exciting. My thought was, 'I hope we get there!' And then when we arrived in Trogir: 'Oh! Thats the shipyard?!' [Being such a small, serene place.] Together with Sabine [Mittelbach] I hacked the mesh off the portholes and I looked out of one and Sabine out of the other."
Driving to Trogir: Hansi Rath (DE), Long-term project worker
"I came in November 2005 by car from Germany and was told there probably wouldnt be a parking space. So I imagined a small strip of land up a hill somewhere. But no, I found a beautiful city. I stayed with David and Judy [Gillan] in Boriss house and their first question was, 'Can you cook?' See how much has changed: Now we are cooked for; back then we had to cook for ourselves! But where else do you have a shipyard next to your own private airport, private accommodation, a beautiful centre of town, our favourite Lučica restaurant
I remember thinking, 'With 20 or 30 people how on earth will we be able to handle our own [Owners] works?' Never mind the shipyard work, we had our own to do! Yes at times I have been frustrated, but this is still Gods ship." |
