The Arco Dee is tied up to the Wharf and is in the process of unloading.

The Bridge is at the bows. A mobile gantry runs along the length of the ship and contains a jawed scoop to lift material from the hold and a hopper which moves within the gantry to collect the material from the scoop. The material is then discharged from the ship, at the stern, via a conveyor belt.

The jaws of the scoop are open and will be lowered into the hold. The hopper is at the rear of the mobile gantry. Material has been taken from the hold and the hopper has started its travel towards the underside if the scoop. The hopper has travelled foreward under the scoop and collects the material.It will now move back to the other end of the gantry and discharge the load for transfer to shore via the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt transfers the material to the hard standing on the wharf. Note how the discharged material is being transferred by the mechanical shovel to shore-based hoppers behind. A view of the shore based feed hoppers behind the discharged material. With the load discharged, the black pipes seen on the side of the vessel are lowered into the sea and water is pumped into the hold. On leaving the wharf, the vessel moves astern and swings the bows around to enter the Hermitage Stream proper. It makes the short journey from the wharf and into Langstone Harbour. Short video showing the operation at the time of unloading.