A busy evening in Sydney Harbour...

Friday evening on 19th November saw three ships depart within thirty minutes of each other, while this doesn't sound a lot it represents the most action the harbour will see during the cruise season.

The Pacific Venus departed on time at 6pm from her berth in Darling Harbour, sailing swiftly she passed under the Harbour Bridge ten minutes later.

The Pacific Venus has been a regular visitor to Sydney since 2007, she's small when compared to other cruise ships and measures 183 x 25 metres (605 x 82 ft), weighs 26,518 tons and her diesels push her along at 18 knots.

Thirty minutes later came another ship:

Sailing silently under the Bridge, the tanker Mayon Spirit is guided by two tugs towards the Sydney Heads. The ferry Alexander waits impatiently until the tanker has passed so she can resume her run to the other side of the harbour. The Mayon Spirit is a 98,507 ton tanker built in 1992 and measures 245 x 41 metres.

After another forty minutes to allow the tanker to exit the Heads and with fading light, the thirds and final ship began her departure:

At 7:10 the Volendam slowly backed away from the Overseas Passenger Terminal and began reversing.

In the late evening the ships lights were switched on making her appear to be wearing a giant pearl necklace.

The Volendam has almost completed the turn t port which will enable her to sail out of the Heads.

As the Volendam departs a local sailing ship, the Southern Swan, arrives to pick up another shipload of sightseers.

The Volendam has been a regular visitor to Sydney for a few years, having been moved away from the North American cruise market with the introduction of new tonnage. Another frequent visitor is her sister ship Amsterdam which is almost identical in appearance to the Volendam but differs in funnel design, whereas the Volendam has one conventional stack the Amsterdam has two upright funnels situated parallel to each other.