Busy bay as log and cruise ships pay visit to Gisborne

Turanganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay was close to idyllic on Friday for cruise ship visits by the Azamara Pursuit (pictured in the distance at anchor) and the Le Soleal which docked at Eastland Port. Three log ships were at anchor and another was alongside the wharf. Photo / Murray Robertson

Tūranganui-a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay and Eastland Port bustled on Friday with a log ship loading, three other loggers at anchor in the bay and two cruise ships calling.

The cruise season resumed after a couple of weather failures with the arrival of the 180-metre, 30,000-tonne Azamara Pursuit, making its maiden visit to Gisborne.

It went to anchor in the bay at about 8.15am on Friday and discharged passengers by tender in close to ideal conditions.

The 30,000-tonne, 658-passenger Azamara Pursuit made her maiden visit to Gisborne yesterday. Photo / Murray Robertson

The bay was almost idyllic, with calm sea conditions and a tiny swell.

The ship had 658 passengers on board and more than 500 came ashore for the day.

Passengers went on winery and cycle tours and visited Eastwoodhill Aboretum, while many others chose to walk around the city.

More than 500 of the bigger cruise ship's passengers came ashore in tenders for the day - one of which is seen here going past the log ship Lignum Mesh. Photo / Murray Robertson

Azamara Pursuit was due to sail for Whangarei at about 4pm Friday.

The smaller boutique cruise ship Le Soleal joined the logger Lignum Mesh docked alongside the wharf about midday.

It brought 137 passengers to Gisborne for the rest of the day and was scheduled to sail for Napier at about 6pm.

“It was a successful day all round, with great conditions.” a ship’s agent said.

The logger was to complete its loading before departing on Saturday morning.

Three other log boats waited at anchor in the bay.

Last month, Eastland Port handled a total of 180,647 tonnes of logs.

“Unfortunately, only one of the four cruise ships was able to berth last month due to the poor weather conditions,” a port spokeswoman said.

“Looking ahead, we anticipate the arrival of five cruise ships and six log ships between now and January 31. Fingers crossed for some clearer weather, so we can have a great start to 2025.

“Friday was a busy one for port operations.”