m/v Panda

We were just properly settled at our new address on the west coast of South Africa when the question came from Total Crew (Dutch agency) - 'Are you available? Urgent relieve was needed on mv Panda.' Since we needed some freedom-chips, Eelco made the jump in one week's time from the Southern hemisphere to mv Panda in the northern hemisphere and relieved owner-skipper Henk Held. Onboard the Panda is good working conditions. The crew are returning crew. Therefore familiar with the boat and modes operandie - and with one another. Mv Panda ship handles like a dream. Her full electronic bridge, willing bow thruster, and effecient equipment, not to forget the touch screen stove, internet and other conveniences, make for many smiles. In a time when shipping is having it tough and many out of work, during Eelco's time onboard as skipper, the  charterer - Amadeus (German company) - kept mv Panda full time loaded and underway. Hats off to Brigitte at Amadeus. Mv Panda is 88.95m long and 12.5m wide. She runs on diesel. Dries out in the mud if shallow river ports require and doesn't want to stop when she's loaded. The engineer juggles the pumps and balast while chief mate exercise precision loading, everybody is tired but smiles when mv Panda pulls out of harbour and sails with a song.