And that's not an iceberg ahead, either.

The good ship River City Port came out of dry dock today with a classy cruise around new Captain Dahya’s first harbour committee meeting.

A team of seadogs from Boffa Miskell, who have tried out their sea legs on Wellington’s Lambton Harbour for 25 years, presented a concept which firmly buried the idea of a deepwater port and flew the ensigns of recreational boating, public access, commercial and residential development with possibilities like artists’ studios and produce markets.

Notably absent from the muster were RCP’s captain Colin Cashmore ("trying to get his yacht back before the windy season" – doesn’t he know that started in October 2004? – Ed) and Admiral Lawsey (presumably paddling the rustbucket SS Celebrity around the Waitemata).

Lieutenant McGregor pointed out icebergs ahead if RCP thought it would be getting rum rations from the Admiralty (a.k.a. WDC), recalling the sighs of relief and promises made when WDC dry-docked the harbour years ago.

Capt Cashmore’s lieutenant, Ray Lambert, and Boffa’s crew weren’t sure whether to steer to port or starboard on that one, but suggested it was going to have to be some sort of partnership. They said talk of *ahem* actual money would best be left till after the council gave them a broad forecast of favourable winds ahead.

But meanwhile, said First Watch Bullock, wouldn’t RCP please spend some of their Queen’s Shilling (they do after all get paid the harbour endowment income) on repairs to the wharf decking and generally making the area a bit safer for unsuspecting members of the public?

First step is to renegotiate the lease which RCP took over from the sinking Ocean Terminals and wait for the feedback from steerage (a.k.a. the citizenry) once the concept plans leave port.

Interestingly, skipper Dahya objected to the concept being referred to as RCP’s "vision" and insisted that particular six-letter word be removed from a recommendation designed to keep the idea afloat.

Ray Stevens had reassuring words for the RCP crew: "We’re all in the same boat, and I can assure you it’s not the Titanic".

Next to set sail under the Pirate ensign of Blackbeard Shackleton was the fraught issue of WDC talks with Westgate Port over an inland cargo hub. Shackleton said there really wasn’t much to say, but he seems to have been drinking lots of rum with Westgate skipper Roy Weaver and he’s got himself promoted to leading hand Project Manager. Expect to hear more after Westgate announces a similar deal with Greymouth at the end of the month.

So, as Capt Tuffy and that old warhorse POW sink slowly into the sunset…

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