It's 5:20 on a Sunday morning, and I hear activity outside. I take a look and notice the arrival of the Dole Caribbean—moving quietly and slowly into the San Diego harbor. Before mooring, it makes a large swooping turn in the bay so that it is facing outbound for departure. It's still dark, and there are a few faint lights on the side of the vessel and brighter lights inside the bridge that is located high up and to the rear of the ship.
Five years ago I wrote a favorite post entitled: “Vintage Banana Boat—San Diego Bay.” These banana boats continue to roll in and out of the bay on a weekly basis, typically arriving early Sunday morning and departing late Tuesday evening, bringing a source of joy to observers. I'm writing another post at this time because new ships have been assigned to the San Diego route and I've had the privilege of touring one.
In 2018, the Dole California, Dole Ecuador, Dole Honduras, and Dole Costa Rica (that I refer to in my May 2014 post) were refurbished and reassigned to a new delivery route. They were replaced by three larger, newly-built vessels: Dole Pacific, Dole Atlantic, and Dole Caribbean. Built in South Korea (2015-16), they have almost twice the capacity of the previous ships. They are similar in color and style--I didn't even realize there was a change until it was brought to my attention by a representative from Dole.
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| Michele & Sue on the deck of Dole Atlantic |
It was a bright sunny March day when my friend and I headed over for a tour of the Dole Atlantic that was moored and preparing for departure to Ecuador that evening. The ship tour was conducted
by Captain Nelesh, and it soon became apparent as to why he is referred to as “everyone's favorite captain.” Before climbing the many steps up to board the amazingly huge ship, Sarah Marsh, Terminal Manager, gave us a brief tour of the 20-acre Dole ground facility.
The captain-led tour extended from one end of the ship to the other with a chance to see the steering and the navigation systems located at the top and rear of the ship to the gigantic anchor and ropes located in the front. It also included a visit to the dining areas that are used by the 21 crew members and the kitchen where the food preparation takes place (by only one cook). We also saw the cranes in action as they moved the huge containers on and off the ship. Finally, we met the Chief Engineer and saw the extensive engine room that occupies four floors. The cargo ship was immaculately clean and equipped with an elevator, however, there were still many steps to climb.
It was a fun morning and we enjoyed hearing many sea-related stories including one about the seagulls that catch a free ride on the ship as it travels along the coast of Mexico. Seamen are known for their superstitions. One of them is: “Seabirds are thought to carry the souls of dead sailors and it is considered bad luck to kill one. However, it is considered good luck if you see one.”
The vessels are 623 feet long—almost two times the length of a football field. They are outfitted with two electro hydraulic cranes and the most technologically advanced engines and electronics available. When the ships arrive full, they carry approximately 760 reefer containers and 60 million bananas. (About 20% of each shipment consists of pineapples.) The three-day turnaround in San Diego is amazingly quick. Thanks to the help of a sophisticated computerized tracking system, the loads move efficiently from ship to truck to store in the same refrigerated containers.
The three ships rotate through the terminal on a 21-day cycle. When they depart San Diego they are approximately 95% empty. They return, about 18 days later, from Costa Rica, Guatemala or Ecuador, with a full load.
Dole Food Company, based in Westlake, California, is the largest producer of bananas and pineapples in the world. It owns and maintains a fleet of 21 refrigerated cargo ships at five locations throughout the U.S. The San Diego port services California and all areas west of the Rockies including Canada and Alaska.
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Interesting banana facts:
--The highest average per capita consumption of bananas in the world is in Uganda, where residents eat an average of 500 pounds of bananas per person annually. (The average American eats 28 pounds per year.)
--Bananas are technically berries. Banana plants grow up to 25 feet high and it takes them about ten months to produce fruit.
--There is an International Banana Museum located in Mecca, CA (just south of Palm Springs) that contains more than 17,000 banana items. It is said to have the world's largest collection devoted to one fruit.
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| Michele, Captain Nelesh, Sue |
