All’s well that ends well!

Freo Today. 5 December 2024. The Japanese icebreaker Shirase arrived in Freo this morning from Yokohoma and is on her way south to Antarctica. The 138m Shirase was last in Fremantle in March on its way back north to Japan from the ice. She’ll be here until Monday 9 December. Of about 50 active research stations in Antarctica representing 32 countries, Japan has four! Fremantle Ports was pleased today to welcome Captain Kazuki Saito and crew to Fremantle, but not before a little drama at the port. Deanna Shanahan of the famous Instagram duo @flotsamandjetsam6162 was down at the port to capture Shirase’s arrival just as a much smaller craft crossed her path. Deanna reported: ‘This was a very close call. Little boat seemed to decide to cross directly in front of the Icebreaker. The horn was sounding loudly! A bit of a crowd at Victoria Quay were holding their breath!’ Anyway, all’s well that ends well, isn’t it? If you’d like to read more about Shirase on Fremantle Shipping News, look here.