Hot off the press - Coral Princess now steaming to Fremantle

We are advised that, due to weather conditions, the cruise ship Coral Princess will be bypassing Geraldton and steaming straight to Fremantle.

On this satellite picture, it looks like a quite a front is headed Geraldton’s way. Funnily enough, though, BoM is currently forecasting fine, sunny, rain free weather for Geraldton for the next few days.

Perhaps the Princess is just wanting to get to Freo, do it’s business, and get out out again before the long-planned, Fremantle Ports BIG Maritime Day event on Victoria Quay opens on Saturday morning! One wouldn’t want the punters staying away on account of a Covid affected cruise ship tied up in port, would one?

Coral Princess arriving in Brisbane earlier this year

The Princess was originally scheduled to arrive on Friday at 6.30 am, but is now expected to be alongside the Passenger Terminal at 9.30 pm tomorrow night.

We understand the Princess will have departed Fremantle by the time the BIG Maritime Day event starts at Victoria Quay on Saturday at 10am.

So no need to be cautious about enjoying what’s on offer at the Port on Saturday!

If you do happen to find your way to Victoria Quay tomorrow night to see the Princess arrive, you will also get to see Freo Ports’ new laser projectors, firing from E Shed on to the eastern elevation of the much-loved Port Authority Building. We are told it’s a HUGE palette, with (excusing the pun) laser sharp images thanks to Perth Audio Visual’s tech team.

During the summer, the projection will be seven nights a week, between 7pm and 10pm. The projectors replace a very tired and old lamp projector.

By Saturday morning when Maritime Day kicks off, in place of the Princess will be the bunkering vessel Absolute, an A-class Svitzer tug (probably the Redhead), the frigate HMAS Toowoomba and two pontoons to accommodate smaller vessels, including the one doing free harbour tours.

So, you won’t want to miss Maritime Day! Lots of great things to see and do, including a chance to see Freo Ports’ massive, magnificent and restored Howard Taylor painting, Movement of the Waters of the Ocean, in the Passenger Terminal lounge. It was only hung last month and we are assured is truly spectacular.

By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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