[methodtim]

Howdy,

I know that 3er858 is also on this cargo ship, so I wanted to start a thread tracking the progress of this ship from Bremerhaven to Port Hueneme. Here's what I know so far:

The ship left Bremerhaven Sept. 13th. It's scheduled to arrive at the Panama Canal on Sept. 28th. From there, it's going to make its way to Port Hueneme, hopefully arriving on October 6th. Hopefully, we'll all be getting our new cars a week or so after that.

I've been tracking the progress of this ship via this site: http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ship...a-7616250.html. The tracking is delayed, but hey, it's something. I can't wait until the ship hits open waters, but at that time, I'm going to have to track it via some other method, like the ones described in the stickies.

Here's a picture of the big bertha that's bringing our cars over.



I hope she has a speedy and safe journey.

[LionRampant]

I am right there with you, as my sedan also rides the Traviata this trip. Thanks for the info!

--LR

[3er858]

So is it safe to say that we will be the first ones with the LCI on the left coast?! Thanks again Methodtim for the links!!!

[methodtim]

It's my pleasure, guys. I'll continue to share what I can find out. It sure beats doing actual work during the day.

To 3er, I think we were the first few who were brave (or foolish, depending on how you look at it) enough to order an LCI site-unseen. So yeah, I think we'll have a few days of mild exclusivity come mid-October.

[methodtim]

Alright, gents, Traviata is now out on the open ocean.

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...html?call=SFRZ

[3er858]

Now we just have to pray there are no severe storms or delays in Panama...

[methodtim]

A few more pictures of Port Hueneme to get you through yet another day of waiting.

[3er858]

Here is some great information I found in another thread that applys to us also! Thanks spn...

Originally Posted by spn

From Jacksonville, it will take two or three days to get to the Atlantic Anchorage of the PanCanal. Keep an eye on the Boyd's link I posted above for updated info.

Here is a graphic illustration of the PanCanal system. Ships going through the PanCanal go southbound (towards the Pacific) beginning VERY early in the morning. They begin about 5 am PST time. So, if you want to see your ship go through the PanCanal, you have to start with the Gatun Locks very early. These super vessels with cars usually start around 5 am PST time, but I have seen them go as late as 9 am. Have a photo of your ship at hand so you can compare the photo of the ship with what you are seeing on the web cam, so you know you are following the correct ship.

Here is the link to the cameras:

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

It will take about an hour+ for the ship to get through each lock system (actually, two hours for MF Locks). So, it is a slow process. Hojin will begin at Gatun Locks (first web cam) and then it will take about four hours for her to get to the Centennial Bridge web camera, which is just before the Mira Flores Locks. These ships usually reach the Cent Bridge cam around noontime or early afternoon. Then about an hour later she will reach the Mira Flores Locks camera and complete her passage through the canal system and out the Pacific side about 4 pm. It will take her 6-7 days to sail to southern CA.

She will be trackable to you guys once she reaches the San Diego area if you register for this AIS tracking service at this web site (it is free, or was, I haven't checked recently.)

http://shinemicro.com/Live.asp

You will be able to follow her up the coast to PH and know exactly when she docks in PH. It does not look like she is going to San Diego. She will be stopping in Long Beach to drop off Mercedes, though.

The plans for my car are still up in the air. I still might be tracking a new car in a week, or so, so I might still be around these threads.

[methodtim]

^ Thanks for the info. I can't guarantee that I'll be on the lookout for our Traviata when it hits the Canal; however, I can't guarantee that I won't be either.

The ship is almost half-way towards land. So far, it seems that everything is going smoothly, although there was a weird little detour on 9/21. I'm literally counting down the days. Here's the progress of our ship so far.

[3er858]

I tripped out when I saw the sharp turn on 9/21... I have a feeling that it was a coordinate entry error and not the true location of the ship... either way, she looks to be right on schedule!

Methodtim: Stop fooling yourself, you know you'll be looking for her as she makes her way through the canal!

[methodtim]

I just found the route map for Wallenius Wilhemsen ships. Thought it would be neat to look see (yes, I know, I'm getting desperate):

[LionRampant]

Traviata is now on her way across the Caribbean making for the Panama Canal.

Guess those big ships don't have speed zones near land...she just whipped by the Dominican Republic-Puerto Rico gap without missing a beat.

--LR

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by LionRampant

Traviata is now on her way across the Caribbean making for the Panama Canal.

Guess those big ships don't have speed zones near land...she just whipped by the Dominican Republic-Puerto Rico gap without missing a beat.

--LR

Yup, I've been tracking her every day. I just signed up for my AIS Live account and should be able to track her journey to Port Hueneme soon.

[3er858]

This is so exciting, I can't wait... it's like Christmas without the annoying family members or fruit cake! On top of that, it looks like I'm going to get my car for a little less than I originally expected AND I'm getting a better loan rate to boot. Will Shaw @ Long Beach BMW FTW!

[3er858]

Hey, vessel tracker doesn't work anymore. Does that mean she's at the canal?

[methodtim]

Sailx still has her about 600 miles from the canal as of noon GMT (4 am PDT). She should be reporting her latest position again at 18:00 GMT (10 am PDT). I don't think she'll reach the canal until late tonight or early tomorrow.

[methodtim]

Dang, the latest sailx info is in (http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...html?call=SFRZ) and it looks like our ship is slowing down. She's still about 500 miles from the canal. Looks like the original estimate of 9/27 passage is going to be accurate. It's all good though, I can't wait for the ship to make it past hurricane alley unscathed.

[3er858]

Originally Posted by methodtim

Dang, the latest sailx info is in (http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shi...html?call=SFRZ) and it looks like our ship is slowing down. She's still about 500 miles from the canal. Looks like the original estimate of 9/27 passage is going to be accurate. It's all good though, I can't wait for the ship to make it past hurricane alley unscathed.

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

I'm glad sailwx is back tracking our ship!

[LionRampant]

Looks like Traviata is due to transit the canal last (#12) on Sunday morning, likely a few hours behind those folks on the Hojin with their booking priority. Still not showing as booked, so I suppose there's at least a chance that she won't make it tomorrow.

--LR

[sdslayer]

I don't see her on aislive yet... I've got a busy weekend, but I will try and post when she is visible.

[3er858]

I looks to me like the Traviata is right on time... Panama on the 28th, Oxnard on 10/6!!!

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by sdslayer

I don't see her on aislive yet... I've got a busy weekend, but I will try and post when she is visible.

Great, thanks! My AIS Live account still hasn't been activated yet.