Log of the Cruise – Invergordon 27th May 2014

	(The following log features extracts from the Ship’s Official Log Book, with the entries recorded by the Officer of the Watch on the Navigational Bridge - British Isles with Ruby Princess May 23 to June 4, 2013)  Throughout the early hours of the morning we transited the Moray Firth, embarking the local pilot as we entered the Cromarty Firth at 06:44. During our arrival to Invergordon thick fog was encountered. The bridge team contacted the harbor authorities and confirmed the port was open and that Ruby Princess could make way into the port and come alongside the pier. The Commodore and the bridge team deemed the approach safe and made way towards the berth. Internationally, some ports close and stop all port operations in restricted visibility, making approaching ships divert to an alternative anchorage or standby in the harbor approaches. A distance of 8 miles was travelled from the pilot station to our berth, navigating clear of the anchorage oil rings, some being repaired and others being dismantled. We eventually arrived at our berth at 07:50, confirming visibility of 80m/260ft, and all was ready by 08:11 for passenger operation to commence.  Once it was confirmed that all souls where onboard and departure checks completed we slipped the mooring lines and were all let go by 18:07. With help of our pilot, we navigated clear of Cromarty Firth, disembarking him at 18:37 we then set an easterly courses transiting Moray Firth. At 22:00 Ruby Princess re-entered the North Sea we set a northerly course following the east coast of Scotland towards the Pentland Firth. Weather experienced during the day: Sky: Mostly Cloudy Skies; Wind: North Easterly Beaufort Force 2 Temperature: 13ºC/55ºF; Barometric Pressure: 1020,8 mb Sunrise: 04:31; Sunset: 21:56
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