Radiance of the Seas captain Goran Peterson is just as excited about coming to Wollongong as those planning to line the foreshore to watch him bring the 293 metre long cruise ship into port next October.
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Captain Peterson has been working on ships for almost four decades and joined Royal Caribbean in 2002.
“I have the best job in the world,” he said.
Captain Peterson is responsible for the lives of 3300 people on board and takes his job very seriously. That is why so much planning and preparation has gone into Radiance becoming the first cruise-liner to officially make Port Kembla a port of call.
It has been used to refuel cruise ships before but this is the first time passengers will be able to spend a day in and around the city. And is expected to be the first of many such visits following the hard work of Destination Wollongong and Councillor Leigh Colacino.
Captain Peterson oversees everything as the ship comes into port and generally that involves a minimum of four people on the bridge..and up to 11.
“I have explored quite a few new ports with Radiance. It happens now and then but we have been quite steady for the last few years. Between April and September we have been sailing up in Alaska, sailing from Vancouver. And between September and April we have been in this part of the world. For the last six years this ship has been visiting Australia”.
Captain Peterson said considerable work was done preparing for Port Kembla.
“We have a port captain..to make sure we have everything in place. He is our senior captain in the company. He makes sure everything is right. And I do my audit.”
Captain Peterson is aware people are planning to line the foreshore just after dawn on October 30, 2016 to watch Radiance sail in. It will probably take around an hour from the moment the pilot comes on board. In Sydney the transit in takes about 45 minutes and the rest of the time is gently docking and putting out all the mooring ropes.
Captain Peterson said being the master of Radiance was a highly sought after position because it is a favourite ship for many.
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