A vessel hijacked Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes' press conference at Stockton on Wednesday, as she outlined the City of Newcastle's plans to save the beach.
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OK, hijacked is probably too strong a word. The mayor used the word "photobombed", which is probably more accurate.
Nuatali tweeted that the vessel was, in fact, a Port of Newcastle dredge named the David Allan.
What a strange name for a dredge. It's a bit like people who give their dog a human name, like Linda or Steve.
Maybe we're off the mark here. Maybe a lot of ships are named after real people. No offence to the real David Allan, of course. Hey, at least the port's dredge isn't named Boaty McBoatface.
Anyhow, those at the press conference were scratching their heads over what the dredge was actually doing in the area. It was as if the dredge was "watching".
It's a bit odd, too, given that researchers have pinpointed Newcastle Harbour operations as a cause of Stockton's erosion woes.
Folks at the press conference were thinking that it'd be a darn good thing if the dredge did actually dump sand in the exact spot where it was "watching" the press conference [apparently it dumps sand dredged from the harbour further south in deeper water].
Perhaps, then, Stockton's once glorious beach would be saved.
A Nice Gesture
Speaking of the harbour, seafarers stuck aboard ships in port during the coronavirus pandemic have been given some sweet help.
Port Waratah Coal Services acknowledged "the important role seafarers play in enabling the delivery of Hunter Valley coal to the world".
Seafarers arriving in the port have been unable to take shore leave during the pandemic because of quarantine orders and border security protocols.
As such, Port Waratah decided to bring some joy to members of Newcastle Harbour's "floating community".
Packed gift boxes have been provided for 150 vessels visiting berths in May and June. This helped out about 3000 seafarers.
The boxes contained sweet treats and other snacks. They also include an information sheet with details of free local and national mental health support services.
Port Waratah chief executive Hennie du Plooy said the pandemic had been "difficult for all of us in various ways".
"We know how important it is to look after our wellbeing while in isolation, and it is no different for our seafarers.
"We felt that even a small gesture, like a gift box, can go a long way."
Baby It's Covid
Glen Fredericks, of Adamstown Heights, says the COVIDSafe app could play some tunes to encourage us to stay home.
"In the voices of Marilyn Maxwell and Dean Martin: I really can't stay (Baby it's covid outside) I gotta go away (Baby it's covid outside)."
