Our S(h)ipping Reporter, the only one north of Kangaroo Island , discovers an unusual visitor from Papua New Guinea and Harry Belafonte's yacht .
Into the sleepy media port of Townsville, without being noticed by any local scribes , came the above 58metre long, 1995 built landing craft , MV Giluwe , from Port Moresby , named after the second highest mountain in Papua New Guinea ,4367 metres , 14,327 feet.
Last year it was announced PNG cargo vessels had stopped running to Townsville. Is this vessel an indication of renewed PNG interest in Townsville, a sign of a pick up in the economy ? It is interesting to note that the cargo vessel was pictured loading large dump truck bodies in Gladstone some years ago . In Townsville , from a distance, it seemed to be loading large vehicles... for a mine? Here is a news tip for local reporters : could be a story here.
Last year it was announced PNG cargo vessels had stopped running to Townsville. Is this vessel an indication of renewed PNG interest in Townsville, a sign of a pick up in the economy ? It is interesting to note that the cargo vessel was pictured loading large dump truck bodies in Gladstone some years ago . In Townsville , from a distance, it seemed to be loading large vehicles... for a mine? Here is a news tip for local reporters : could be a story here.
Harry Belafonte's Banana Boat Song , Day-O!, came to mind when the all seeing S(h)ipping Reporter spotted the nearby yacht , Banana Wind . If you are intent on fleeing a media Banana Republic , it is desirable to have such a wind behind you .
MEDIA CARGO CULT LATEST : The Townsville Bulletin recently ran a report about US Marines coming to town , saying they were expected to inject big bucks into the city . This blog reported some months ago that the similar North Queensland cargo cult mentality was reflected in the Cairns Post in respect of the visit of a US naval vessel , resulting in a reader saying why not just welcome our American Allies , instead of wanting to empty their wallets .
