The one that got away, The Black Marlin

Amid all of this month's fanfare from the various media outlets on the never-ending parade of cruiseship arrivals and departures in Sydney, a rather special ship slipped into Port Jackson with little or no notice.

On the 14 February 2009, the "Black Marlin", one of the largest heavy lift ships in the world quietly made its way into Watsons Bay, making it one of the biggest vessels to cross the Eastern channel.

Its cargo was the "Nebula", a multi-million dollar unique piece of engineering that will be used to lay pipes for Sydney's desalination project across Botany Bay.

Sydney Water had the "Nebula" constructed as there were no large pipelayers available.

Such vessels are at a premium and when she has finished her job in Botany she will be a highly sought after vessel.

This is not the first occasion a heavy lift ship has been anchored over the deep hole that lies in Watsons Bay.

The same hole was utilised in mid 2002 when another heavy lift ship the "Swan" lifted the British warship "HMS Nottingham".

The "Black Marlin" sailed from Port Jackson for Singapore on Monday the 16th February for her next cargo, a huge Semi Submersible Oil drilling platform to be delivered to India.

After a brief stay in Port Jackson at Glebe Island, the "Nebula" was towed to Botany for her eventual delivery on 20th February.

Some facts about the "Nebula"

• 130 metres long
• 30 metres wide
• About six storeys high
• Lays two 1400 mm pipelines in a trench across Botany Bay
• Will lay 1200 individual lengths of 12 metre pipe
• Commissioned especially for pipe laying activities in Botany Bay