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Please send me any Solent Area Shipping News - my e mail address is at very bottom of the page - let me know if you want a credit. Click the Help link at the bottom of the page for site navigation info. Items submitted by site visitors and third parties are posted in good faith and there is a chance they may not be correct. Don't forget to check the Message Board as there are often recent news snippets on there. You can leave your comments about shipping matters and ask questions there. You will find a link at the bottom of this page.
| This is where all those old news items both local and general go for a while before being deleted. |
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Item Posted: 21/05/10 06:32 Current progress with Bembridge Lifeboat Station.forgot to tell you the three dark patches on the side of Bembridge You can just see three dark patches on the side - these are in fact ledges for birds to roost on. I think it was part of the planning requirements. |
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Item Posted: 20/05/10 06:19 Small cruise ship Mein Schiff departing yeaterday 19th May. Many thanks to all those who sent me pictures - sorry could not use them all. Built in 1997 as the Galaxy for Celebrity Cruise and renamed Celebrity Galaxy in 2008. In May 2009 she transferred to the fleet of TUI Cruises, a joint venture between Celebrity Cruises' owner Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and TUI AG. The ship was renamed MV Mein Schiff (English for my ship) in May May 2009. The Mein Schiff, when still named Galaxy, was the setting of BBC television's docu-soap The Cruise, which made Jane McDonald famous. |
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Item Posted: 18/05/10 07:13 On Tuesday, 18 May, divers will be operating on the west bank adjacent to the Cowes Chain Ferry slipway. The dive team will be locating and marking the sub sea telephone cables with four orange buoys fitted with high visibility strobe lights at five metre intervals at a maximum of 20 metres from the west bank. The buoys will be in place for 24 hours only and be removed on Wednesday, 19 May. |
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Item Posted: 18/05/10 06:37 Emergency services were mobilised this morning 18th May to a fire on Horse Sands Fort only for rescue crews to discover the cause was a smouldering barbecue. |
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Item Posted: 15/05/10 17:06 APL California departing Southampton after her maiden voyage. |
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Item Posted: 15/05/10 06:04 The Cameron will be working on the Netley M.O.D. Moorings for the next couple of days, in Southampton Water, and will be removing the remaining 2 buoys and all associated ground tackle. |
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I reckon this chap must be considerably richer than you Item Posted: 15/05/10 05:43 Due in Southampton today 15th May luxury yacht Senses - shown here complete with boys toys on the after deck. You can charter it at £162,500 per week. Notice one of the tenders is a 42' Nelson!! She is equipped with the following tenders and toys: 2x Yamaha wave runners (3-man), 2x Stand up 1-man Yamaha wave runners, Snorkel gear, Six full sets of dive gear, Dive compressor (state of the art dive system/fills two bottles in 20 min/ also has spare bottles that can be filled when the people are diving), Waterskis, 28'classic L Francis Herreshoff Sloop, 16' Hobie wave cat, 26' Grady white fishing Boat, 250hp outboard, 3 kayaks, Tenders: 42' Nelson 27 knots enclosed launch, 420hp inboards and a 24' Halmatic 40 knot semi-rigid rib inflatable, 240hp onboard outboard. There is also a fully equipped Fitness Centre, shower and bathroom |
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Item Posted: 15/05/10 05:42 New dredger to the area arrived this morning. Here for Fawley Marine Terminal Maintenance Dredging. |
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Item Posted: 14/05/10 11:01 |
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Item Posted: 14/05/10 10:04 |
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Ship+Photo+OVERSEAS+MYKONOS[1] Item Posted: 13/05/10 14:59 |
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Item Posted: 12/05/10 14:33 |
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Item Posted: 05/05/10 20:52 |
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Item Posted: 04/05/10 07:45 Nice picture of Port of Spain returning to Portsmouth from trials yesterday 3rd May afternoon. Picture by Andrew & Donna Cooke, Cruise & Ferry Writers/Photographers www.donandmaritime.com |
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Item Posted: 04/05/10 07:14 Makes a change to the usual reefers we get here due tomorrow 5th April |
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Item Posted: 04/05/10 06:41 HMS Hurworth making an unusual sight at Gunwharf Quays. Picture by Andrew & Donna Cooke, Cruise & Ferry Writers/Photographers www.donandmaritime.com |
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Item Posted: 04/05/10 06:41 The Expedition departing Portsmouth yesterday 3rd May. Picture by Andrew & Donna Cooke, Cruise & Ferry Writers/Photographers www.donandmaritime.com |
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Item Posted: 30/04/10 15:31 |
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Item Posted: 30/04/10 07:48 Expedition - another small cruise ship in Portsmouth today. Built in 1972 and serverd on the cross channel run for a while under the name NF Tiger. |
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Item Posted: 30/04/10 07:19 |
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Item Posted: 30/04/10 07:05 Westsund and Cenwulf at Marchwood - should be leaving very soon. Picture by Andrew & Donna Cooke, Cruise & Ferry Writers/Photographers www.donandmaritime.com |
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Item Posted: 30/04/10 07:01 Dougie Mac also in lay up at Marchwood. Picture by Andrew & Donna Cooke, Cruise & Ferry Writers/Photographers www.donandmaritime.com |
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Item Posted: 30/04/10 07:01 Crystal Serenity on the only visit this year. Picture by Andrew & Donna Cooke, Cruise & Ferry Writers/Photographers www.donandmaritime.com |
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Item Posted: 29/04/10 13:59 Over the last few months they have been carrying out work on Spitbank Fort. You may have seen tham burning rubbish suspended over the water suspended by crane - why they do it this way I'm not quite sure. The Coastguard have even had reports that the fort is on fire! The experienced building team within 'Amazing Retreats' are currently working on plans for the refurbishment of the Fort, so it is likely to be several months until this unusual venue is available to guests. The Fort will be available to rent by the day, week or month and will be exclusively yours during period - but at quite a cost no doubt! Currently the only way to gain access to the fort is via the small tug boat that has been modified to enable it to be hoisted out of the water to a level adjacent to a stepped landing. The solid granite walls are 162ft in diameter and 15ft thick at the basement, with 35ft thick sea foundations placed by divers and an 8ft thick concrete roof. Spitbank Fort reportedly cost nearly £120,000 to construct between 1861 and 1878 and was one of the Prime Minister of the time, Lord Palmerston's 'Follies' - a series of land and sea-based forts designed to repel French warships but never pressed into action. |
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Item Posted: 29/04/10 06:54 Update: The saga of the SAGA ROSE mystery voyage continues. Late last night 28th Aparil the cruise ship was still in the Zululand port of Richards Bay, after having arrived there on Tuesday afternoon to load bunkers. --------- After months laying off Gibraltar awaiting sale or charter, Saga Holiday’s recently retired MV SAGA ROSE (ex SAGAFJORD) has left her anchorage and is currently heading south along the coast of West Africa but her final destination is yet to be confirmed. Saga Holidays has not released any sort of official statement about the ship’s possible charter or sale. Reports about a charter to serve as accommodation in Cape Town for the World Cup Games appear to have been premature. Originally, the vessel was to have been sold to West African interests to become an accommodation ship following her retirement last December. |
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Container ship arrives on maiden voyage Item Posted: 28/04/10 15:57 |
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Item Posted: 28/04/10 11:35 |
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Largest container ship to visit mpton Item Posted: 28/04/10 07:12 Southampton Container Terminal should host one of the world’s largest ships on Thursday 8th July when the CMA CGM Christophe Colomb is due to make her debut here on the FAL1 Service. She is one of the new generation, accommodation mid-ships, engines aft Ultra large containerships. She measures 153,022 Grt and 366m loa x 51m beam. She carries ten passengers on her Far East liner voyages. Her accommodation consists of one twin and four double-bedded cabins and she has a dedicated passenger lounge, library, a terrace outside the passenger lounge, a swimming pool and a gym. All cabins are outsides, many with windows that open. Breakfast can be taken in each passenger's separate cabin sitting areas and lunch and dinner, which includes a complimentary French table wine are served in the officers' mess. |
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Southampton will see another good year for cruise ships Item Posted: 26/04/10 11:03 2011 shaping up to be another record breaking year for cruise calls to Southampton. It starts with a bang on 5th January 2011 with 6 ships due to be in port that day ; Queen’s Victoria and Elizabeth beginning a tandem run to New York at the beginning of their respective World cruises, Black Watch and Balmoral beginning a grand voyage to South America and a World Cruise respectively, Arcadia beginning her World Cruise and last but not least, Saga Ruby commencing her World Cruise. Balmoral will be operating from Southampton throughout 2011. Other notable dates are 29th April when Vision of the Seas will call in on a positioning cruise from the Caribbean to Copenhagen, 7th May sees MSC Opera arrive for her summer season and her fleetmate MSC Orchestra arrives 12th May for the first of 2 visits (the other on 13th September) positioning to and from the Baltic. Adonia will also call in May. At the luxury end of the market, Seabourn Sojourn is due to make 2 visits (overnight 26th/27th April and 15th May), Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper and Silver Cloud are all to make calls in 2011 with Whisper and Cloud in port together on 7th September. Phoenix Seereisen are absent throughout 2010 but return in 2011 with 5 calls planned. Artania (ex Artemis) calls 16th July and 13th September, Amadea on 16th August and 2nd December and the Albatros on 2nd September. On Saturday 16th July, Artania is one of 5 ships in port that day, the others being Celebrity Eclipse, Ventura, Grand Princess and the Balmoral. |
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Celebrity Eclipse maiden voyage Item Posted: 26/04/10 07:41 Her maiden voyage proper will be a four night trip to Cork, sailing from Southampton on April 29th 2010 at approx 16:45. The ship will present a series of Mediterranean and Russia and Scandinavian cruises throughout the summer, and will offer Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning this winter. Meanwhile the P&O's new Azura arrives back in Southampton from her maiden cruise. |
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Item Posted: 26/04/10 07:30 |
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Item Posted: 24/04/10 06:50 The small blue hulled trawler at berth 50 is the Lady Jane. She is an ex 90' fishing trawler launched in Ostend, Belgium in 1963 and was built to fish in the North Sea. The Lady Jane was purchased with the intention of converting her to a live-aboard and is currently is being lovingly restored. |
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Item Posted: 23/04/10 20:02 Nice picture of the old Athena leaving Portsmouth. Picture by Daphne and Doug Toogood. |
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Item Posted: 23/04/10 18:23 Athena leaving Portsmouth this afternoon 23rd April - see earlier news item. |
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Item Posted: 23/04/10 18:15 |
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Item Posted: 23/04/10 18:15 Celebrity Eclipse on the Bramble turn this afternoon 23rd April returning from Spain. |
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Small Cruise ship Ocean Nova in Portsmouth Item Posted: 23/04/10 10:02 Small Cruise ship Ocean Nova in Portsmouth. Former Names: Sarpik Ittuk. Ocean Nova was built to navigate around Greenland and is classified to operate in ice-filled waters. It is good for tough expedition cruising and now features a glass-enclosed forward observation lounge on the top deck and clinic with a licensed doctor. Ocean Nova passengers tend to be adventurous 35-65 and singles and international. |
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Item Posted: 23/04/10 07:09 Cruise ship Athena due to vist Portsmouth today 23rd at 11:30 or before (sails (17:00) & 30th April. She was built in 1948 as the Stockholm in Gothenburg for the Swedish America Line. Since her career with SAL she has sailed under the names Völkerfreundschaft, Volker, Fridtjof Nansen, Italia I, Italia Prima, Valtur Prima and Caribe, before beginning service under her current name. As Stockholm she was best known for colliding with the SS Andrea Doria in 1956, resulting in the sinking of the latter ship. |
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Item Posted: 22/04/10 16:46 The Tagus made a bit of a dodgy departure yesterday. Looks like she lost engines off Ocean dock. Not surprising because she has been laid up for ages. The black smoke probably means she got them going again. Escorted by tugs down Southampton water and executed a peculiar Bramble turn before anchoring off Cowes. |
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Item Posted: 22/04/10 07:58 Jalarta Tower shown here approach the Afterban Buoy yesterday 21st April where she is now moored for lay up. She is a 2,564 TEU container vessel built in 2008 and operated by Zodiac Maritime. |
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Item Posted: 22/04/10 07:02 HMS Albion pictured arriving at Portsmouth on 21 April with more than 700 troops and civilians picked up from Santander. Picture by Gary Davies www.maritimephotographic.co.uk. |
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Item Posted: 21/04/10 10:57 Tagus leaves Southampton this morning for Gdansk after a long period of lay up. She had black smoke and guess she was coughing and spluttering a bit because she only made it as far as Cowes where she anchored for a while before limping around to the Nab anchorage. |
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Item Posted: 21/04/10 08:21 Due later today is the Skandi Acergy, a class leader amongst heavy construction ships. The new vessel is 157 metres in length, has a cargo deck area of 2100 m2 and is fitted with a heave compensated crane with 400 metric tonne lift capacity, a 3000 tonne under deck carousel and has Class 3 dynamic positioning. The ship meets the latest environmental criteria, has a fast transit speed and an ice class hull enabling her to operate in the Barents Sea and Northern North Sea. |
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Item Posted: 21/04/10 07:40 Celebrity Eclipse belated departure. She left Southampton en route to Bilbao in what is thought to be one of the largest peacetime repatriations of people back to the UK. Some of the delayed holidaymakers have been stranded for up to seven days and many were on package holidays with major UK tour operators on Easter breaks. The luxury ship was to be in port for inaugural celebrations before a two-day launch cruise, but the crisis caused by the volcanic eruption has changed plans. Tour operators requested the voyage to get the Britons home and Celebrity Cruises responded in what was described as "an act of goodwill". Eclipse, which can carry 2,850 passengers, will make the journey and get back to Southampton on Friday afternoon. For the mercy voyage to Spain, the ship was mainly empty with only crew, around 100 Spanish nationals on their way home and media onboard. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Bilbao in the early hours of Thursday morning. Those stranded will be travelling back in luxury. Apart from a real lawn measuring nearly half an acre, the ship has the usual facilities including bars, 10 restaurants, a casino, a theatre and swimming and spa pools. Alcohol will be available but passengers will have to pay for it, but meals and entertainment are included. Picture by Gary Davies www.maritimephotographic.co.uk. |
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Normandie Express has engine trouble Item Posted: 20/04/10 16:23 Normandie Express will be out of service for a while with engine trouble. The problem only occurred just before the ship was due to re-enter service. A connecting rod broke in one of the engines, which damaged the crankshaft. Although the work can be done without completely removing the engine it still involves complete dismantling which will take about three weeks. Part of one of the bulkheads has to be cut away in order to change the crankshaft, and this obviously needs to be replaced. |
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Item Posted: 20/04/10 10:53 The new Celebrity Eclipse arrived on her first visit to Southampton today 20th April. Emma Pontin, an inspirational UK-based yachtswoman, is to serve as Godmother of Celebrity Eclipse, the third in a series of five Solstice Class ships. Pontin will name the ship in Southampton during the ship’s formal naming ceremony April 24th. This will conclude with the smashing of a magnum of champagne, custom-made by The Corning Museum of Glass. She will depart for Bilbao this evening to rescue about 2,000 British tourists stranded by the volcanic ash cloud. Its owner, Royal Caribbean, has put a two-day launch cruise starting Thursday on hold and due to arrive back in Southampton from Spain on Friday. The naming celebrations will go ahead as planned. |
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Item Posted: 20/04/10 08:20 Couple of Turkish tankers due in a couple of days. Puli and Yasa Seyhan. |
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Item Posted: 19/04/10 15:51 Tug North departed Marchwood about 15:00 with Terra Marique - not sure what the cargo is. |
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Protector gets new sonar system Item Posted: 19/04/10 12:04 Associated British Ports Southampton have awarded RESON a contract to supply a SeaBat 7101 multibeam sonar system. RESON will install and train ABP Southampton Hydrographic Survey personnel in the use of the system and associated sensors. RESON will be intergrating the system onboard the Port Survey Launch ’Protector’ along with an Applanix POS MV WaveMaster. The multibeam survey system will be used for shallow water Hydrographic and Engineering surveys in Southampton. |
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Item Posted: 18/04/10 17:12 Methania still at Southampton as shown here in this unusual shot |
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Item Posted: 18/04/10 16:55 |
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Item Posted: 17/04/10 06:50 X-Press Container Line, the European sister company to Asian feeder operator Sea Consortium, will launch a new Southampton to Cork shuttle service this weekend. The first sailing will be with the chartered 600 teu Dornbusch. The sewrvice will sail from Cork on a Friday and connect in Southampton less than 24 hours later. |
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Item Posted: 16/04/10 14:14 Afrodite finally on its way escorted out by SP early this afternoon - showing destination CEUTA in North Africa (opposite Gibralta). Photo by Gillian Moy. |
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Item Posted: 16/04/10 13:17 |
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Item Posted: 16/04/10 11:03 Fastcat Ryde now in Gosport in new livery so perhaps it will soon be leaving - anyone got a picture? |
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Item Posted: 16/04/10 07:35 The 225,282-ton Oasis of the Seas became the first cruise ship to break the 6,000-passenger threshold, achieving the world record for most passengers ever carried by a cruise ship - 6,168. Officially, Oasis of the Seas has 2,700 cabins, putting its double occupancy stats, a common industry measure for passenger capacity, at 5,400. The max occupancy, with all third and fourth pull-down and sofa beds accounted for, is 6,296. You can always get a cut price cruise like this on a livestock carrier! |
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Item Posted: 15/04/10 17:48 |
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Item Posted: 15/04/10 08:08 Small Dutch Naval Traning Vessel passing through Solent at 09:00. She calls here from time to time. |
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Item Posted: 13/04/10 16:12 |
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Titanic exhibition in Southampton Item Posted: 13/04/10 15:23 Due to some unforeseen circumstances the opening the Titanic Honour and Glory exhibition has been posponed until Friday 16th April 2010. This is a fascinating archive of photographs and relics from the Titanic Story coming soon to The Bargate Centre in Southampton. Roger Hardingham and Glen Gardner have arranged for the award-winning display to be held in a unit in The Bargate shopping centre close to the ancient Bargate monument right in the centre of the city. To be opened on 16th April 2010 for up to 6 months, 'Titanic Honour & Glory' will tell the story of Titanic and the events 98 years ago. "Southampton was at the heart of the story", says Roger who with his co-project director Glen, are looking to bring a much larger ocean liner display to the waterfront area in the coming months. This will be the Southampton Ocean Liner Experience which will also feature a permanent display about the Titanic Story. Added to this wonderful exhibition in The Bargate Centre, the display will include the necklace and dresses worn by Kate Winslet and costumes for Leonardo Decaprio from the James Cameron film 'Titanic'. But to see you you will need to be early, as these latter exhibits will be going on a european tour in late April, so if you want to have your photo taken with Kate Winslet's necklace on, you need to go along before the end of April. Hundreds of items of memorabilia and relics from the crew and passengers will be on display including a pocket watch which belonged to First Class waiter Vincenzo Gilardino, postcards and letters written on board, launch ticket from Belfast, newspapers with headlines of the tragedy, and much more. Other White Star liner items will be on show. Carved Oak mouldings and an external deck door from the Olympic plus items from the Britannic will enhance a mouth watering display about these famous great liners. Chinaware and silverware will illustrate a way of life on these luxury ships. Two models of the Titanic will be on view, one showing the stern of the vessel as it lies on the bed of the north Atlantic. Further displays will be on view showing other liners associated with Southampton. QE2 will feature as will the Queen Mary and other Cunarders. Other surprise exhibits will be announced in April! Added to the exhibition will be a series of walks from the exhibition around the main sites in Southampton associated with the Titanic Story. These will be handled by the Southampton Tourist Guides Association and will attract a supplement of £3 per person. "A great attraction for all the family in the build-up to the 100th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy in 2012". 'Titanic Honour & Glory' will be at The Bargate Shopping Centre from 16th April and will be open from 10am to 5pm Tuesdays through to Sundays. Admission is just £4 for adults and £2.50 for children 15 and under. Under 5s go free. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children is £13, with some other concessions available. |
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Item Posted: 13/04/10 07:48 Azura departed on her maiden voyage last night first stop Malaga. The live radio seemed very popular at her departure time with all slots full up. |
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Item Posted: 12/04/10 07:40 Tanker Katja unusually using 4 tugs for berthing yesterday. Photo Kelvin Davies. |
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Item Posted: 11/04/10 15:29 Anglian Earl still in Yarmouth Roads. Seen here this afternoon with Nagato Reefer passing |
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Item Posted: 11/04/10 09:52 Azura fireworks display from Gary Davies www.maritimephotographic.co.uk |
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Item Posted: 11/04/10 09:51 Tug North arriving with specialised barge Terra Marique up for Marchwood this morning - probably to load an oversize cargo. It is owned by Robert Wynn & sons - more familiar in the past for road haulage. The Terra Marique is unique. Its design has combined state-of-the-art technology with traditional marine and heavy transport engineering. The design has been developed to maximise the utilisation of UK and European ports, rivers and inland waterways. There are a number of specific attributes that contribute to making the Terra Marique unique in the European shipping market: •Terra Marique's ability to semi-submerge will allow it to transport smaller vessels, including the Inland Navigator, thus facilitating access to the UK inland waterway network without transhipping from sea passage. •Terra Marique has a specially strengthened hull to allow the craft to beach land with minimal need for on site preparation, thus facilitating direct delivery to coastal and waterway sites. •Terra Marique's hydraulic roadway and ballast system will allow the vessel to offload on varying quay heights and riverbanks. •Terra Marique will be able to carry out tasks previously considered fraught with complications and expense - including the replacement of bridges over waterways. •Terra Marique will act as a mobile dry dock or ship lift for smaller vessels. |
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Item Posted: 10/04/10 16:55 Svitzer Brunel returning from whence she came, shown here passing the Sconce. |
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Item Posted: 10/04/10 07:04 One of several new container ships to call this year the New Hapag-Lloyd containership Basle Express arrives at Southampton on her maiden voyage from the Far East on 13th April. |
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Item Posted: 10/04/10 06:22 |
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Item Posted: 09/04/10 15:02 Not much news at the moment but here is a picture of the Azura on berth by Gillian Moy. Strictly Come Dancing judge, Darcey Bussell will be the guest of honour on Saturday at the naming ceremony. This will be shown on a large screen in Mayflower Park. On Saturday 10th April 2010, a firework display will take place in the vicinity of Junction Channel, River Test, Southampton, to mark the naming of the Azura. The firework display will take place at 20:20 BST from the barge ‘Wilcarry 300’, positioned on the margin of the navigational channel in the vicinity of Gymp Elbow Buoy, and will last for approximately ten minutes. |
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Item Posted: 07/04/10 12:10 Nice picture of Azura from Gary Davies www.maritimephotographic.co.uk |
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Item Posted: 07/04/10 09:50 |
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Brand new Azura arrives this morning Item Posted: 07/04/10 09:45 The Azura arrived this morning 7th April will leave on her maiden voyage on Monday 12th April. |
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Item Posted: 05/04/10 11:30 Not the first time here but Stena Arctica complete with bear logo presently anchored at the Nab but due up for Fawley soon. Specially built for navigation in ice. |
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Item Posted: 05/04/10 11:15 Chinese tanker Chang Chi due on the 7th April - we don't often get a Chinese tanker calling here. |
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Item Posted: 05/04/10 10:24 Norman Arrow made heavy contact with the quay a few days ago when shifting berths in Portsmouth. The Norman Arrow has gone to Dunkirk for repairs replaced by the Norman Bridge |
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Item Posted: 05/04/10 06:37 Looks like the PS Ryde engine is still intact - they should at least try and preserve this - be good to see it in steam even if the boat is scrapped. |
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Item Posted: 04/04/10 06:20 Old Red Funnel hydrofoil Shearwater 5 up for sale. Currently lying in Phuket, Tailand. |
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Item Posted: 02/04/10 15:25 |
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Item Posted: 02/04/10 07:31 Norman Bridge arrives at Portsmouth this morning 2/4/10 see previous item. |
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Item Posted: 02/04/10 06:46 A ship spotter that had been missing from Southampton for several days was found yesterday living aboard the Pier Head buoy. He said "Southampton had miles of docks but he found it difficult to get close to any of the ships" and added "although Southampton is the major cruise port in the uK, it is difficult to get get close to the cruise ships, and he missed the atmospheric days when he used to throw streamers when a passenger ship sailed". |
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Item Posted: 01/04/10 19:59 The “Cote d’Albatre” made a daylight call to Portsmouth 01-April-2010 – she sailed empty from Le Havre in order to pick up booked passengers from the cancelled morning sailing of “Norman Arrow” – despite this meaning that both evening sailings back to the UK are cancelled, with “CDA” leaving Havre at 23:00, giving a hideously early arrival time. The “Norman Bridge” will be en route to Portsmouth so that LD can get a reasonable service running again, meaning that “Ostend Spirit” is returning to the Dover – Boulogne station. Slight confusion ensued when “Cap Finistère” came in with “St Clare” (working again…) and “St Faith” bustling for space in the harbour, with “Spirit of Gosport” fighting her way through – very close to the stern of “Cap”! |
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Item Posted: 01/04/10 15:30 It appears that one of the reasons the Wight Ryder's have been out of service occasionally is because of gearbox trouble. It appears that the boxes are faulty or not built to spec. Builders seem to have gone bust so not much luck there. |
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Item Posted: 01/04/10 15:14 |
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Item Posted: 01/04/10 10:33 |
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Item Posted: 01/04/10 10:33 |
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Item Posted: 01/04/10 07:02 Tenax and Blue Lion making their way in this morning. Shown here passing Ryde at 06:50. |
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Item Posted: 01/04/10 06:56 The vessel Blue Lion lost engine power in the Channel yesterday 31st March. The tug Tenax was despatched to tow her back to Southampton. The weather was very bad and it took some time to rig the tow and get her back. |
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Item Posted: 31/03/10 15:32 |
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Item Posted: 30/03/10 12:22 The MOD has signed a contract for the Assessment Phase of the Royal Navy's next generation of warships - the Type 26 combat ship. A team led by BAE Systems Surface Ships, working with the MOD, will consider design proposals for the Type 26 combat ship, named in recognition of its planned multiple roles. The Type 26 will replace the Type 22 and 23 frigates, which are to begin leaving service at the end of the decade. The ship will provide support for land operations as well as undertaking other key tasks such as anti-submarine warfare. The Assessment Phase will play a critical part in ensuring that the necessary capabilities identified during the Strategic Defence Review are incorporated into the Type 26 design. Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced the contract for the Type 26's Assessment Phase. He also announced that progress will continue on the Astute Class of submarines, the largest and most advanced attack submarines ever ordered for the Royal Navy. The MOD is proceeding with the initial build work for Boat 5, as well as procurement activities to ensure key items for Boat 6 are available when needed. It is likely that Portsmouth will see much of this work - but we will have to wait and see what happens as the government is under great pressure to cut naval costs due to the current economic climate. |
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Item Posted: 30/03/10 11:32 We have already seen a fair few maiden callers at SCT this year and the next ‘wave’ of new vessels are also on the way. Details as follows ------ APL Oregon Due 29th April --- APL California Due 14th May --- OOCL London Due 14th May --- NYK Adonis Due 25th May --- Frankfurt Express Due 29th May --- Budapest Express Due 5th June --- OOCL Luxembourg Due 4th June --- Prague Express Due 19th June --- |
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WMS Harlingen container damage Item Posted: 29/03/10 12:20 WMS Harlingen arrived overnight and has sustained damage to some of the containers on board. There are several marks along the side of the hull which may indicate some sort of collision or made by a container hanging overboard. Pictures kindly supplied by Mike Rhodes. |
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Margaret Hill disposal troubles Item Posted: 29/03/10 08:20 It has been reported that the Margaret Hill will shortly head to China for demolition. The vessel was earlier sold to a cash buyer, though the initial indication was that it would go to India for dismantling. Where the ship ultimately ends its days is likely to remain uncertain until it actually scrapped.The ship was retained in Southampton by the British Environment Agency to prevent her demolition in Asia and the export of toxic wastes to non OECD countries. |
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Item Posted: 29/03/10 08:12 Red Jet 4 entered Cowes today at 12:20 on one engine with the assistance of Cowes Harbour Master vessels. Made its way back to Southampton on one engine in company with Red Falcon and captured here by Kevin Davies passing Calshot at low speed. |
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Item Posted: 28/03/10 14:24 Red Jet 4 doing a 360 degree turn on one engine before entering Cowes. |
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Item Posted: 28/03/10 09:07 Pictured today by Frans Truyens leaving Ostend on her first voyage to Ramsgate, this is the former Norman Spirit (build as Prins Filip,1991) which used to operate out of Portsmouth. |
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Item Posted: 27/03/10 10:18 Shown here departing Southampton this morning 27th March for the Nab anchorage. Was here to have some new equipment fitted in the hull. She was going to a dry dock in Portsmouth but there was some problems and she ended up at Southampton. Probably still waiting to go into dry dock or be lifted out. The vessel's main fields of operation are coastal waters worldwide, she is used for research voyages with emphasis on environmental survey. The disposed space on board the vessel is optimally divided up into working and living areas. There are two wet laboratories, which may be used for microbiological and chemical studies as there is an emergency shower installed. Therefore one will be in the position to carry out common sample preparations like e. g. wet sieving without a big effort, which makes the MV Victor Hensen very well equipped for the purpose of offshore environmental studies and monitoring. Additionally she was put to use for near shore diving expeditions and is also very well applicable for ROV-investigations in shallow depths. |
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Item Posted: 27/03/10 09:13 Neptune 9 with tow of barge entering Portsmouth on 26th March with the first sections of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the first of two planned Royal Navy carriers. Tug Powerful also in attendance. The final four ships' sections, each weighing about 400 tonnes, left the Hebburn yard earlier in the week. The first five sections have already been combined at Portsmouth, to start to form the bottom section of the ship. When complete, the entire block 02 will be floated to Rosyth in Scotland for assembling, with the other sections of ship being built around the UK. |
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Item Posted: 25/03/10 16:22 |
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Item Posted: 24/03/10 15:27 Red Jet 4 on the slip at Marchwood to have one of her waterjet impeller hub bearings replaced. One failed/collapsed which resulted in the impeller seizing. |
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Item Posted: 23/03/10 16:53 PACSCAT T1 at Hythe showing it about to be slipped and underway for the first time yesterday 22nd March. |
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Item Posted: 23/03/10 13:50 Captrured here by Matt Forbes the Cap Finistere arriving at Portsmouth this morning (23-03-2010) on her first revenue-earning service from Cherbourg |
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Item Posted: 22/03/10 15:00 |
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Item Posted: 22/03/10 14:14 |
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Item Posted: 22/03/10 11:58 Cenred making ready for her farewell voyage. ---- 'This morning I made a round trip to Southampton to witness the departure of the Cenred. She was dragged away from Marchwood at 08.20, one hour later than planned, and towed by the Wyepull with Wyeforce at the stern and Wydawake as escort. The destination was the Afterbarn Buoy just east of Netley in Southampton Water where the Westsund was waiting. As we passed on the Red Eagle the Cenred was being moored to the Buoy to effect the handover to the Westsund. This transfer was necessary as the low tide prohibited the Westsund getting to the Cenred where she was laid up. Destination is Holland for a dry dock inspection for a potential buyer. If this falls through then she will no doubt proceed to Esbjerg. All spares for the C-Class are also loaded onto the Cenred so she is the most valuable of the trio. Now the Cenwulf sits alone awaiting her fate. Pictures and text from Andrew & Donna Cooke, Cruise & Ferry Writers/Photographers' |
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Item Posted: 22/03/10 06:19 |
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Item Posted: 22/03/10 06:03 Red Jet 4 and Jurassic Scene having some work done on Marchwood Slip |
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Item Posted: 20/03/10 13:05 If you have not noticed yet Cenred due to leave on 22nd March. Of course this might change. |
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Item Posted: 19/03/10 06:46 In 2007 the Jack Petchey Foundation gave a £1 million grant to the Marine Society and Sea Cadets, to fund the construction of a brand new power-training ship. Now showing on AIS, the ship, called ‘TS Jack Petchey’, has 16 berths and was launched in July 2009. Jack Petchey will be used to train young people from across the UK in sailing skills, as a means of developing self confidence, team-working, and self discipline. Anyone got a more recent picture? |
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Item Posted: 19/03/10 06:41 Svitzer Brunel on her way to Southampton - perhaps filling in for the Surrey |
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Item Posted: 18/03/10 09:01 The AIS signal T1 at Hythe is coming from a PACSCAT (Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran). This new landing craft is developed in the context of replacing much older existing barges for the Royal Navy. Upper picture shows it in its intended configuration for operation with the Royal Marine and it is due to depart for their test centre at Instow in Devon in a few weeks time. PACSCAT has twin hulls like a catamaran, but also has curtains between them at bow and stern not unlike the skirts of a hovercraft. Air from fans is blown into the space thus contained, lifting the hulls higher in the water than they would otherwise be and so reducing drag. The PACSCAT should be faster than a normal monohull landing craft and able to beach itself and get off again more easily, yet able to carry more than a conventional air-cushion job. IMAA (Independent Maritime Assessment Associates) was responsible for the technical & scientific administration of the "PACSCAT" study and further information is available on the IMAA web site - www.imaa.co.uk |
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Item Posted: 17/03/10 09:43 Changes to the UK’s search and rescue helicopter services are on the cards following the selection of the Soteria consortium as preferred bidder for a £6bn 25 year contract. The joint Department for Transport and Ministry of Defence Private Finance Initiative will see the phasing out of the ageing fleet of Sea King helicopters to be replaced by the larger and faster Sikorsky S-92 machines at 12 bases around the UK from 2012. Between 1998 and 2006 UK based rescue helicopters responded to more than 18,800 incidents covering 11,000 miles of coastline and 1.4m square miles of the UK Search and Rescue Region in addition to overland SAR. The Soteria consortium (named after the Greek goddess of safety, deliverance and preservation from harm) combines Canadian based helicopter operator CHC, defence supplier Thales, financial services company RBS and US helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky. Coverage is currently provided by a mix of military and civilian aircraft in the form of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy Sea Kings together with Maritime and Coastguard Agency civilian operated helicopters. An interim five year contract awarded to CHC in 2007 saw the introduction of AW139 helicopters at Lee-on-Solent and Portland and S-92s at Stornoway and Sumburgh. The choice of the smaller but faster AW139 was based on the shorter range requirement and busier incident profile of the south coast locations, described at the time as a ‘smash and grab’ type of operation compared to the long range requirements of the two northern bases. Soteria’s proposals will see the AW139s replaced by S-92s, thus becoming the common aircraft type throughout the fleet. Provision of S-92 helicopters at the remaining military bases is at the heart of Soteria’s proposals. Sea King helicopters are currently operated by the RN at Culdrose in Cornwall and Prestwick in Scotland and it is proposed to relocate the helicopter base from HMS Gannet at Prestwick to Glasgow Airport although there is some objection locally to such a move. The remaining Sea King bases are operated by the RAF at Chivenor, Boulmer, Leconfield, Wattisham, Valley and Lossiemouth. Soteria’s SAR-H solution includes the ability to respond to 12 separate but concurrent incidents and the ability to reach all Very High Risk Areas and 75% of Medium Risk Areas within 60 minutes. Availability objectives include 98% on state of readiness, 15 minutes take off time during daytime and 45 minutes at night. The S-92 is specifically configured for SAR operations with a top speed of 165 knots and a radius of operation of 270nm with the addition of an internal fuel tank. The diversity of SAR tasks demand a range of requirements when it comes to the cabin layout and the large 1.8m high cabin includes a rear ramp for the loading of firefighting and mountain rescue teams plus the provision of paramedic level of medical care including the loading of stretchers, incubators and other bulky medical equipment. The new colour scheme will be black and orange. |
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Adsteam Surrey off to Lowestoft Item Posted: 16/03/10 17:15 Adsteam Surrey off to Lowestoft fpr a while - perhaps she will come back with a proper Svitzer name. |
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Item Posted: 16/03/10 06:45 River Medina holiday accommodation available - close to waters edge. |
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Item Posted: 15/03/10 16:40 Small research vessel Victor Hensen in St Helens anchorage AIS shows Portsmouth |
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Item Posted: 15/03/10 06:43 |
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Item Posted: 15/03/10 06:36 Saga Peral II due to depart today 15th March 17:00 on he rmaiden cruise. Image copyrighted Waterside Photographic 2010. |
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Item Posted: 15/03/10 06:33 Nice pic of the Jurassic Scene at Marchwood ex Torbay Belle. |
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Item Posted: 14/03/10 06:00 |
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Item Posted: 12/03/10 17:09 GPS Apollo and tugs leaving departed Southampton this afternoon 12th - AIS shows Newhaven. Guess it found the pipe Ok |
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Sailing vessel visits Portsmouth Item Posted: 11/03/10 14:35 Christian Radich is a Norwegian full rigged ship, named after a Norwegian shipowner. The vessel was built at Framnæs shipyard in Sandefjord, Norway, and was delivered on 17 June 1937. The owner was The Christian Radich Sail Training Foundation established by a grant from an officer of that name. The vessel is a full rigged three masted steel hulled ship and its homeport is Oslo. Under engine power, the Christian Radich reaches a top speed of 10 knots, while she can make up to 14 knots under sail. The crew is 18 all together. It can accommodate 88 passengers. The vessel was built for training sailors for the Norwegian merchant navy, and did so for many years. From 1999 and on, the ship has been on the charter market as well as sailing with paying trainees to foreign ports on summer trips, participating in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race and large sail events in various European ports. |
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Item Posted: 11/03/10 14:30 As part of the Future Provision Marine Services contract, a brand new range of Marine Service vessels will be completed by the end of the year to support the Navy's newest ships. Labelled the 'tugs of the future', the new fleet of 29 vessels is set to keep pace with the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers and eventually the two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers - which will be the largest the Service has ever built. Half of the new service vessels will be based at Portsmouth where they will also replace the port's ageing fleet of support vessels. Pat McFayden, Marine Services Superintendent at Portsmouth Naval Base, said: "In Portsmouth we are changing the whole fleet. There will be six new tugs in total, of which we already have three, as well as two pilot boats and a small work boat with a further three tugs and a 1,500-tonne fuel lighter still to arrive, so we are well on target. "We will eventually have four 40-tonne and two 20-tonne Twin Azimuth tugs, which is a significant increase in capability, so we can now look forward to easily coping with the size of the new capital ships." However, with the new fleet also comes a new set of instructions for the masters, mates and engineers, who are being trained up on how to pilot them. The new set of tugs have several small changes compared to the old fleet, but the main difference is the switch from twin-unit tractor tugs (TUTTs) to Azimuth stern-drive (ASDs) and Azimuth forward-drive (AFDs) tugs, which give the operators a completely different piloting perspective. Powered by propellers at the front or the stern as opposed to the cycloidal drive in the middle, as with the TUTTs, this fleet is much quicker and can pull heavier weights: "It is a learning curve, but it's one that we are enjoying," said Pat McFayden. "It is a large, very comprehensive training package that has seen more than half the masters in Portsmouth trained up so far. "It will probably then take a further six months before everyone has completed the training." The intensive training sees the operators take part in simulator training, go on a tug-handling course, and undergo command and control training with the Admiralty Pilots. As well as being taught in the classroom, the masters and mates also get plenty of practical lessons in the water - spending hours in the harbour manoeuvring against ships to ensure they will be completely ready to take control once the tugs are fully introduced. |
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Item Posted: 11/03/10 09:22 Sheerlegs barge GPS Apollo showing on AIS in company with Multratug 17. Going to a position about 6 miles south of Selsey Bill to salvage a dredge pipe lost by the Charlemagne down off the Nab a few days back. |
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New Bembridge Lifeboat Station Item Posted: 10/03/10 17:41 |
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Item Posted: 10/03/10 06:15 Collapsed sheerlegs barge Cormorant departed Southampton yesterday evening 9th March with Multratug 7 and Multrasalvor. |
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Sheerlegs barge collapses in Southampton Item Posted: 07/03/10 20:12 Sheerlegs barge Cormorant collapsed at Southampton Sunday 7th am. Cormorant AIS not showing any more so I guess the equipment sustained a bit of damage! Cormorant is a self-propelled seagoing sheerlegs, with a 400 tonne lifting capacity. Fully overhauled in 1999, Cormorant is highly suitable for marine salvage and wreck removal and all kinds of inshore and offshore lifting operations. Cormorant is equipped with 2 main hooks with a capacity of 200 tonnes each, with a maximum lifting height of 30 metres. Fitted with a 300 tonne capacity Wreck Grab and a 50 m3 Bucket Grab, Cormorant is ready to be employed in operations worldwide. The jib enables Cormorant to lift weights with her auxiliary hooks, up to 200 tonnes, to a height of 45 metres. ------------------------------- Some reports have mentioned previous crane collapses in the port but I think this is a bit misleading as this crane was not connected with ABP and is not a container gantry crane. |
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Item Posted: 07/03/10 09:35 According to the SS United States Conservancy awareness campaign, the SS United States, once a common sight at Southampton is in imminent danger of being bought by scrappers. This great vessel, which still holds the trans-Atlantic speed record, may soon be destroyed. Bids for purchase of the ship by scrappers are being collected by NCL this month. The current owners of the vessel, Genting Hong Kong (formerly Star Cruises Limited), through its subsidiary, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), listed the vessel for sale in February 2009 but have not announced a purchaser to date. There has been acute interest in the ship by scrapping companies. While NCL graciously offered the Conservancy first right of refusal on a sale of the vessel in 2009, the Conservancy has not been in a financial position to purchase the ship outright. The organization has been working diligently to lay the groundwork for a public-private partnership that can save the ship and sustain her for generations to come. The Conservancy understands that Genting and NCL are reluctant to continue covering the significant costs associated with maintaining the vessel in its current berth in Philadelphia and appreciates the good care the vessel has received since being purchased by NCL in 2003 with the stated intentions of returning the ship to seagoing service. The Conservancy has maintained a positive working relationship with NCL over the past seven years and looks forward to an ongoing collaboration during this critical period. The Conservancy has begun discussions with NCL with the intent of covering some of the fees associated with maintaining the ship in Philadelphia as it finalizes plans for repurposing the ship as a stationary attraction on a large metropolitan waterfront. |
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Item Posted: 06/03/10 09:43 |
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Item Posted: 05/03/10 21:54 Another picture of the Caedmon leaving by Andrew & Donna Cooke www.donandmaritime.com |
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Item Posted: 05/03/10 18:23 Britain's coastguards are set to begin a 48-hour strike on Monday, as part of co-ordinated action expected to involve up to 270,000 workers across the civil service protesting against what they regard as unilateral changes to redundancy terms in the public sector. The stoppage comes after a series of one-day and two-day walkouts at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in 2008, as part of a campaign for pay parity with other UK emergency services. This time round, the coastguards will be joined by Jobcentre staff, tax workers, border agency officials, court employees, driving test examiners and many other civil service grades who are members of the Public and Commercial Services union. MCA management will seek to ensure that safety-critical services are maintained, in a manner similar to their efforts to do so in the strikes of two years ago. In practice, the industrial action at that time had little obvious impact, and the pay issue continues to remain unresolved, with the government determined to hold the line on a public sector pay freeze. A statement by the Department for Transport unit said: “Contingency arrangements are in place to ensure that the MCA will continue to provide an emergency service. The industrial action is by those responsible for co-ordinating rescues. The rescuers themselves will continue to operate as normal.” Search and rescue helicopters will continue to fly, Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats and lifeguards will be available as usual, and MCA volunteer coastguard rescue officers are “ready in their local communities”, it went on. Other ships and craft will assist vessels in distress as normal, while emergency tugs and pollution control experts will respond to any shipping incidents that threaten the environment. A spokesman for the MCA added that the industrial action will only be supported by MCA employees who choose to do so. “Some of our PCS members may choose to strike, some may choose not to. We won’t know until Monday morning. “I don’t think any of us can say what it is going to be like. I can’t say we know the exact number of staff who are members of the PCS and are going to go on strike, but we have contingency plans to continue to provide an emergency service.” Meanwhile, the PCS national executive was due to meet over the weekend to finalise further strike dates, which could include national walkouts and targeted strike action. PCS leader Mark Serwotka commented: “These cuts, which will see loyal civil and public servants lose tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of a job, are more about crude politicking than making savings. “We have suggested ways in which the government can make these savings while protecting the rights of existing members, yet it seems intent on penalising the people who keep this country running.” |
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Progress with new Bembridge Lifeboat Station. Item Posted: 05/03/10 18:19 |
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Item Posted: 05/03/10 16:36 |
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Item Posted: 05/03/10 08:39 |
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Item Posted: 05/03/10 08:07 Here is a picture of the Westsund shown here in here original Red Funnel colours (see item below). |
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Item Posted: 05/03/10 07:34 The Danish Tug "Westsund" (ex Clausentum) Red Funnel (1980) arrived at 16:00 Thursday 4th March in preparation to tow the former Wightlink "Caedmon" to Esbjerg for scrapping. Photo by B Wales/Smedegaarden |
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Item Posted: 04/03/10 18:06 |
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Item Posted: 03/03/10 15:18 HMS Daring captured this afternoon by Clive Welsteed passing Netley up for Marchwood. |
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Southampton could see more cruise ships Item Posted: 03/03/10 10:51 Carnival UK has just released a survey called Cruise Report 2010. According to the cruise line, the industry will experience tremendous growth in the UK. During the course of the next decade, the report suggests that the cruise industry could double in size. The Cruise Report 2010 also suggested that people wanting to take a cruise would be willing to reduce their expenditures in order to save additional money for their holiday. The report also suggested that many cruisers spend time looking for the best deals, even if the cost of the cruise is already within their budget. Micky Arison, the Chief Executive Officer of Carnival, spoke about the trends that were likely to occur in the cruise industry. He suggested that cruising in the UK would be very similar to what it is currently like in America. This would include a variety of different itineraries that range in duration. “For example, there are very few short cruises in the UK right now but this will change over time because the higher quality ships with their greater range of facilities being built and operated these days will act as interesting destinations in themselves,” added Arison. One trend that is not expected to grow in popularity is online booking. According to the report, less than 5 percent of British passengers book their cruise holidays directly through the internet. This figure drops nearly in half for luxury cruise lines. Arison suggested that this percentage was unlikely to increase dramatically over the next decade. |
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Item Posted: 01/03/10 07:07 No the Maersk Nordenham is not doing 102 knots at anchor - this is a default value for some AIS equipment when there is no valid speed input. |
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Item Posted: 28/02/10 18:11 Wightlink C class looking a bit shabby now. Fastcat Ryde still on the hulk moorings |
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Item Posted: 28/02/10 12:56 MSC Magnifica captured today by Clive Welsteed leaving on a really grot day. She will arrive back in St-Nazaire on 1st March, returning the city to its rightful place as a cruising start and end point, a pleasure which it has not enjoyed for several decades. MSC Magnifica will then set off again for Hamburg with 2,500 German passengers on board, where she will be christened in front of the godmother for all new MSC Cruise ships, screen legend Sophia Loren, on Saturday 6 March 2010.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Although the visit of MSC Cruises latest vessel MSC Magnifica to Southampton was not graced with the presence of the ship’s godmother, Sophia Loren, who will officially name the ship in Hamburg, guests on board did have the privilege of listening to renowned British actor Sir Christopher Lee. He was on board the vessel as a special representative of United Nations children’s organisation Unicef. Sir Christopher’s unmistakeable voice outlined how funds raised from passenger donations would be used for education projects in Brazil. MSC has formed a partnership with Unicef, raising money from small voluntary donations of £1 or €1 from passengers on its cruiseships. Since the Get on Board for Children initiative was launched in July 2009, MSC passengers have donated over €230,000 ($314,630). Ship naming ceremonies are traditionally marked by breaking a bottle of champagne over the ship’s bow, and occasional failure of the bottle to break is a well-known hazard at such events. MSC Magnifica ’s inaugural visit to Southampton suffered the opposite problem. Although there was no naming ceremony or champagne bottle, the Port of Southampton marked the occasion by port director Doug Morrison presenting the ship’s master with a decanter and a bottle of vintage Scotch whisky. Unfortunately, during the presentation the decanter slipped out of their grasp and smashed on the deck, though the whisky bottle and its contents remained, thankfully, intact. |
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Portsmouth cuts steel for new carriers Item Posted: 26/02/10 19:16 Work began yesterday at Portsmouth on the first of two new aircraft carriers. As steel cutting commenced on a section of the hull, Portsmouth became the fifth UK shipyard to start construction on the programme. The naval base will be the future home of both Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth pushed the button to start the laser cutter. This is the first of three blocks that BAE Systems Surface Ships will build for the ships in Portsmouth. At 70m long 40m wide it will use 6000 tonnes of steel. It will house space for machinery and supplies as well as switchboards and some accommodation. BAE Systems’ role in the Carrier build programme at Portsmouth is in the order of £800M, forming a substantial element of the workload at the Naval Base, where the company employs over 3000 people, including around 200 apprentices. |
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Item Posted: 24/02/10 07:51 Cap Finistere ex Superfast V departing Portsmouth. She will sail twice a week from Portsmouth to Santander, with three return sailings from Portsmouth to Cherbourg. Ex ferry Superfast V and still has a makeshift paint job. Photo www.maritimephotographic.co.uk |
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Item Posted: 23/02/10 10:23 QUEST TV Freeview CH38 Sky 134. American Port Tues 23rd at 9pm - probably repeated at other times. |
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Item Posted: 23/02/10 09:14 |
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Item Posted: 22/02/10 06:18 The OOCL Seoul arrived on the 19th Feb on her maiden voyage. Other maiden voyages coming up are the Vienna Express on the 27th Feb and the Seattle Express on the 6th March. Photo Andrew McAlpine. |
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Item Posted: 21/02/10 08:10 Small survey vessell Seabeam has ben carrying out survey work in the local area for the last week so if you see it on AIS doing a funny course this is what it is doing. Seen here on Saturday doing a tortuous course in Sandown Bay. |
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Item Posted: 20/02/10 09:15 Port of Spain is still out and about on trials - seen here returning to Portsmouth yesterday. Photo by Paul Faithfull |
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Item Posted: 20/02/10 08:48 As a contrast to the recent picture of the Ryde posted here this is a picture of her in her hayday. Note the BR logo painted out. |
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Item Posted: 19/02/10 06:13 A very recent picture of the Ryde sent in by Malcom Trussler showing the poor state she is in. I believe due her very bad condition it will be broken up in which case I hope to post a video here of her under the torch. There are more pictures of her on shipspotting. |
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Item Posted: 19/02/10 06:04 Seen departing Southampton container port Thurs 18th afternoon oil products tanker Sara had been bunkering NYK Venus. Operated by Aegean Bunkering Services of Piraeus, Greece. Left en-route to Hunterston. Photo Mike Rhodes. |
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Item Posted: 18/02/10 14:47 We are going to see the next two, weekly calls by CSCL’s AEX1 Service which normally calls at Felixstowe. CSCL America (2004 90,645 grt) is due to call here on 23rd Feb followed by the CSCL Africa (2005 90,645 grt) on 27th Feb. Felixstowe is omitted on the following rotation in early March but then returns to the schedule from 15th March. Also due is the Xin Beijing. They are here to try out the port so it is possible we may see more CSCL's in the future. |
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Progress with Bembridge Lifeboat Station Item Posted: 17/02/10 16:33 |
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Item Posted: 16/02/10 18:25 Having arrived on 30th January ORP Lublin finally left Marchwood military port this afternoon 16th Feb. Pictured here by Mike Rhodes. |
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Wightlink W class ferries ruling Item Posted: 16/02/10 12:43 You probably have already heard about the decision about the W class Wightlink ferries. A judge declared the move by Wightlink relating to Yarmouth-Lymington ferries was a breach of the European habitats directive. -------------- Wightlink's response to the judgement announced today (16 February) by Mr Justice Owen "In his judgment released, Mr Justice Owen has clarified that Wightlink was the appropriate competent authority to decide whether or not the new ferries should be introduced on the Lymington to Yarmouth route, and furthermore found that Wightlink had consulted correctly in advance of making its decision to introduce the new ferries. However, Mr Justice Owen also ruled that the way in which Wightlink took the decision to introduce the new ferries in February 2009 was in breach of the Habitats Directive. This breach was not intentional and, at the time of the decision, Wightlink believed it was acting fully in accordance with the applicable law. Wightlink notes the judgment, and will consider what steps it will be required to take in its role as competent authority to address this issue. Wightlink intends to take such steps once the outcome of Natural England’s stakeholder engagement regarding Wightlink’s mitigation proposals is known, and as soon as Wightlink has received Natural England's revised formal advice. These mitigation proposals have been made widely available by both Wightlink and Natural England to ensure full engagement and comment. The judgment acknowledges Natural England’s view that the new ferries introduced by Wightlink have not caused any damage to the protected habitats in the Lymington River to date, and that appropriate mitigation measures can ensure that no such damage will occur in the long term. Wightlink continues to work closely with Natural England to ensure the delivery of these habitat protection measures under legally binding arrangements. Wightlink’s new ferries continue to navigate the Lymington River and the historically low levels of marine risk on the river have not been eroded by the introduction of the W Class ferries. Nothing in this judgment will affect the service Wightlink offers to its customers." It will be interesting to see what happens next. |
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Item Posted: 15/02/10 16:25 The Royal Navy’s two newest warships are among the star attractions lined up for this summer’s Navy Days event in Portsmouth. Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and Dauntless will be open to the public for the three-day event which starts on July 30. The public will also get a rare chance to see specialist Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus – an aviation training and casualty receiving ship. Her hospital facility includes four operating theatre tables, ten intensive care beds, 20 high-dependency beds and 70 general ward beds. Argus is one of few ships in the world to have a CT scanner. Other attractions confirmed so far include two Type 23 frigates, an Italian warship, the Royal Marines Display Team, the Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team, army parachute and motorcycle displays, field gun runs and a military band. |
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Item Posted: 15/02/10 15:15 The Daring and Dauntless made a coordinated departure from Portsmouth at 12:25 today 15th, seen here at the OSB |
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Item Posted: 15/02/10 07:57 Small cargo ship Dost 1 will be anchored in Nab today for engine repairs |
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Item Posted: 14/02/10 15:31 Help to save PS Ryde. You may wish to add your name to a petition as part of a last ditch attempt to halt the scrapping of this iconic vessel. The P.S. Ryde was laid down for the Southern Railway in 1936 and for many years operated the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pierhead route. We are sure that many of us will have sampled her delights! For some time the PS Ryde Trust has been endeavouring to purchase the vessel for preservation and restoration but after promising progress negotiations have broken down and dismantling has started. A long shot, but a web-petition is active aiming to halt the scrapping, and if you feel that this is a worthy objective, you may wish to "sign" the petition. Click the link to go to the petiton. |
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Item Posted: 14/02/10 09:42 Anglian Earl seen arriving in Sandown Bay this morning for a stay of a few days. Originnaly operated by Kyne Tugs but now operated by JP Knight. Klyne Tugs were contracted by the MCA to provide Emergency Towing Vessels at four strategic locations around the UK coast until September 2011. |
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Item Posted: 12/02/10 17:13 Amorique operating the Portsmouth to St Malo route for a week before returning to Poole on February 19. |
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Item Posted: 12/02/10 16:10 The trailing suction dredger ‘WD Medway II’ will be engaged in dredging the berths and channels in the vicinity of Fawley Marine Terminal and the BP Jetty, Hamble in SOUTHAMPTON WATER, for a period of approximately 3 weeks commencing on or after Thursday 11th February 2010. Bed levelling and survey work will be carried out by auxiliary vessels in the berths and channels as necessary in the period during and following the dredging programme, until approximately mid March. Dredging operations will be continuous throughout the period and mariners should expect to pass the dredgers at any time between the lower reaches of Southampton Water and the Nab disposal area. |
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Item Posted: 12/02/10 16:05 A decommissioning ceremony to mark the end of HMS Nottingham’s 30-year Royal Navy career was held at Portsmouth Naval Base FEb 11th. The Navy is replacing its ageing Type 42s with the far more capable Type 45 Daring class of destroyers. The first of the class – HMS Daring – made her first entry to her Portsmouth home in January last year HMS Dauntless followed in December. Sister ships HMS Diamond, Dragon, Defender and Duncan are at various stages of build and will all enter service progressively through to the middle of the decade. |
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Item Posted: 10/02/10 17:01 BBC Adriatic makes unscheduled stop at Portsmouth with engine trouble. |
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Soteria Consortium wins bid for SAR contract Item Posted: 10/02/10 08:19 On 9th Feb the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Department for Transport (DfT) selected Soteria as the preferred bidder for the Search and Rescue - Helicopter (SAR-H) programme. SAR-H is a single harmonised Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter service in the UK which will replace the current SAR helicopter service with a bespoke capability. It will ensure that military aircrew will develop their SAR skills and experience that will be transferred back to the expeditionary forces. The Contract is a 25-year Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Soteria will work in partnership with the MOD and DfT to replace the current service with initial service provision in 2012. The Soteria Consortium consists of: CHC: The largest global supplier of civilan helicopter services and the current provider of the MCA Interim SAR Service. With a dedicated culture of constant improvement when it comes to safety. RBS: Proven MOD PFI expertise with an extensive record as a PFI equity investor. Thales UK: UK Government PFI/PPPexperience, significant training provider and a leading MOD and DfT contractor. Sikorsky: S92 manufacturer and a world leader in the design and manufacture of military and commercial helicopters, with a long and distinguished pedigree in SAR. They will |
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Make a note of this TV programme Item Posted: 09/02/10 13:59 Now, "Cruise Ship Diaries" is aired at 7 p.m. GMT Sundays (starting 7 February) on National Geographic Channel, the six-part documentary about the life on board Costa Cruises' 114,500-ton Costa Serena. |
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Item Posted: 09/02/10 11:27 Here's one from this morning. HMS Nottingham pictured being cold-moved from lay-up at Fountain Lake Jetty to Victory Jetty by the brand new tugs SD Reliable and SD Independent for her decommissioning ceremony on 11 February. Note the size difference between a Type 42 and a Type 45 destroyer (Dauntless). Photo http://www.maritimephotographic.co.uk |
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Item Posted: 08/02/10 15:45 Two men in their 60s are rescued by coastguards from a motorboat after it catches fire off Calshot Spit in the Solent. Two fire Engines, 2 Ambulances and a Paramedic were on hand besides the coast guard and two Southampton Harbour Boats. This picture was taken this afternoon close to where the caravans park up at Calshot by Gillian Moy. |
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Item Posted: 08/02/10 14:46 An angler was rescued from a life raft, after his boat sank two miles South West of St Catherines Point on the Isle of Wight. Solent Coastguard was contacted on VHF Channel 16 by the single occupant of a small angling boat reporting that he was taking on water and would abandon the vessel to a life raft. Solent Coastguard scrambled the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and requested the launch of Yarmouth RNLI all weather lifeboat. Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team were also called out. The angler launched a red flare as he abandoned the vessel, which was spotted by the offshore patrol vessel Port Of Spain. The Port Of Spain launched a fast response craft and picked up the casualty from the life raft who was uninjured and suffering from shock. The man will be transferred to Portsmouth this evening. The 25 foot angling boat has sunk. The man is from Lee On Solent. |
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Item Posted: 08/02/10 07:47 I am experimenting with a no frills page that will more easily be viewed on small mobile devices. As all devices seem to display web pages slightly differently I'm working a bit in the dark. You can see the page on your computer by selecting the experimental map under the AIS Maps dropdown menu. The map will automatically expand to fill the window. The direct link is http://www.ais-live.co.uk/aismap/AIS%20Maps/mobile.html |
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Item Posted: 07/02/10 17:11 I hope the site is working ok with everybody - the maps, the webcam and radio all come to you now via Atlanta Geogiia USA. |
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Item Posted: 07/02/10 07:05 |
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Item Posted: 05/02/10 17:13 Not strictly news but here is a video clip I took this afternoon of dredging in Yarmouth Harbour. |
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Wallenius Wilhelmsen wins contract Item Posted: 05/02/10 09:34 Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has won a five-year contract with Jaguar Land Rover to ship its vehicles from the United Kingdom to North America and Oceania. The contract will see WWL shipping upwards of 45,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in 2010 from Southampton to the following ports: • Baltimore, Brunswick, Ga.; and Port Hueneme, Calif., in the United States. • Halifax, Canada. • Fremantle, Melbourne and Port Kembla, Australia. • Auckland, New Zealand. The company will also provide terminal services for receiving all Jaguar and Land Rover models in Southampton, one of WWL’s key hub ports in Europe. To reduce environmental impact, the companies will use rail to move the Land Rover Freelander and Jaguar XK, XF and XJ models to Southampton. Additionally, the company will use space it has charted on ACL vessels to ship Land Rover Freelander models from Liverpool, close to JLR’s Halewood manufacturing plant, to Baltimore. Pre-delivery and inspection work will also be undertaken by WWL at its vehicle processing centers in Brunswick and Port Hueneme for Jaguar and Land Rover models destined for the U.S. East and West coasts. |
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Item Posted: 05/02/10 08:55 It would appear that the FASTCAT RYDE was withdrawn from regular Wightlink service on Saturday 30th January 2010. She is now receiving attention at the Hulk Moorings and, presumably, will be sent for overhaul at Portchester prior to handover to Severn Link. |
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Item Posted: 05/02/10 08:10 MSC's latest cruise ship "MSC Magnifica" will be in Southampton for two days & nights from 26th - 28th February for a pre-launch party, and will be berthed at the City Cruise Terminal. At present she is due to arrive around 1500hrs on 26th. |
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New Bembridge Lifeboat Station Item Posted: 04/02/10 17:24 First frames of the new Bembridge Lifeboat Station now in place. |
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Item Posted: 04/02/10 16:47 A new Cromarty-Nigg ferry is being built by Southamptom Marine Services on the river Itchen. The present Cromarty Ferry the Cromarty Rose is a 50 passenger and 2 car ferry and is the smallest car ferry in Britain. The new ferry will carry four cars and up to 50 passengers. The ferry crosses the entrance to the Cromarty Firth. |
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Item Posted: 04/02/10 10:09 German frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern arrived at Portsmouth this morning and is showing on AIS. The Type 123 Brandenburg Class frigates were ordered in June 1989 to replace the Hamburg Class. The frigates are primarily tasked with anti-submarine operations, but they also contribute to anti-air defence, the tactical command of group forces and surface operations. The ships form part of the Wilhelmshaven-based 6th frigate squadron. The all-steel ship has stealth features, extra space for task group personnel and fin stabilisers. It is designed to carry two AgustaWestland Sea Lynx mk88 helicopters and a rigid inflatable boat for boarding operations. The Brandenburg class has a displacement of 4,700t fully loaded and an overall length of 138.9m. The ships have a maximum speed of 29kt using the gas turbines and 18kt using the diesel engines, with a range of 4,000nm at 18kt. The ship can accommodate 118 crew (including 19 air crew). The Dutch auxillary vessel Johan de Witt is due tomorrow. |
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Item Posted: 04/02/10 07:40 I have noticed this year that many more warships are displaying AIS. Not sure sure whether this is a change of policy. Its a pity that they have not sorted out a common desination for the ship name with some showing the name, some showing 'coalition warship', some showing 'RN default' and some showing various other things. I now have a separate folder for warship pictures. |
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Item Posted: 03/02/10 08:04 Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply ship, RFA Largs Bay, will sail shortly loaded with shelter equipment and heavy lifting machinery among other things, essential to the relief operation in Haiti. It will sail from Marchwood military port at Southampton, known as the Sea Mounting Centre. RFA Largs Bay will carry essential relief supplies that will be needed by the people of Haiti in the weeks and months ahead. On arrival in Haiti, RFA Largs Bay is expected to support the UN relief operation by delivering these supplies to ports around Haiti. The aid to be carried has been provided by the Department for International Development, and British and international Non-Governmental Organisations funded from the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. ------------- The HMS Illustrious has arrived in Rosyth for a £40m refit. She is currently sitting at the cargo terminal at Rosyth to allow the MOD to prepare for the refit. The refit is going to start in March and is going to consist of replacing 500 metres of pipework, 650 valves and all eight exhausts; painting the ship with 540,000 litres of paint; and making the ship more fuel-efficient and will take approximatly 18 months |
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Item Posted: 02/02/10 06:01 Originally destined to be a night spot, the Sheildsman shown here ar Saxaon Wharf may have been sold to a new buyer as it has had a survey for future use as a houseboat. |
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Item Posted: 01/02/10 14:19 Dutch submarine Dolfijn passing the Forts outward from Portsmouth |
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Progess with Bembridge Lifeboat Station Item Posted: 31/01/10 16:51 |
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Item Posted: 31/01/10 15:52 |
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Brittany ferries to increase sailings from Portsmouth Item Posted: 31/01/10 15:35 The Barfleur, which for 17 years has been plying the route from the port to its twin town Cherbourg, is to be withdrawn in the spring. The loss of the conventional ferry will leave the high-speed May to September service on the Normandie Vitesse, alongside the freight ferry Cotentin sailing to Cherbourg and Santander, Spain. Although the Barfleur is being taken out of service the company will be offering more crossings from Portsmouth. The Barfleur will sail the route for the last time at the beginning of February and the Armorique will make the crossing until March 8. |
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Item Posted: 29/01/10 16:45 Red Osprey now back in her normal colours. On Monday Red Jet3 is going into refit at Marchwood for about 10 days. At the end of this they hope to undertake a lightship survey and reassign the loadline thus increasing her current allowable passenger carrying capacity. |
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Item Posted: 29/01/10 16:37 It looks like the Ryde is finally going to be scrapped. Hardly surprising because it is a heap of rust - it would be cheaper to build a new boat than to preserve it!! |
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Item Posted: 29/01/10 13:11 It has been reported the St Catherine has been sold to Delcomar in Italy, handover in March. |
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Ferry chief’s ‘wake-up’ warning to Island Item Posted: 29/01/10 07:09 |
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Item Posted: 28/01/10 16:57 List of container ships that called at Southampton last year. |
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Item Posted: 26/01/10 16:17 New Southampton Patrol Vessel Pathfinder now up and running Click link for pictures. |
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Item Posted: 26/01/10 11:40 Fastcat Shanklin heading west past the Sconce on the way to the Severnlink service. She takes shelter at Dartmouth today. |
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Red Jet leaves passengers behind Item Posted: 25/01/10 15:13 Last week Red Jet 3 departed Cowes leaving about 20 people waiting at Cowes. Red Jet 3 has, in the eleven years since she was built, gained weight. This is a normal situation with any vessel as new equipment is added, seating and carpets upgraded, layers of paint build up etc. It is known as ‘lightship growth’. This lightship growth, in Red Jet 3’s case, means that the available payload is reduced. Whereas before Red Jet 3 could be loaded to capacity before the load line (similar to the Plimsoll Line) was reached she now reaches the load line before the maximum number of passengers is embarked. The average number of passengers that can be embarked before the load line is reached is now 150, against a seating capacity of 190. The total may vary as a result of the mix of passengers on board and the amount of luggage carried by those passengers. Procedures are in place to maximise the passenger uplift – we reduce the fuel load at peak times, we have recently lifted the vessel to clean off marine growth, we try to ensure that no excessive stores etc are loaded on the vessel however it still means that around 40 seats will be unoccupied when the vessel is loaded to capacity. Long term solutions to this problem are being explored. We are working with our naval architects and regulatory body to change the loadline to a position similar to that of Red Jet 5 which will allow the vessel to lift her full compliment of passengers; however, this is a very technical and complicated procedure that may take some weeks or months to complete. This issue in no way detracts from the safe operation of Red Jet 3, in fact limiting the passenger load is a decision taken in the interests of safety in order to comply with the vessel loading conditions. |
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Bembridge Lifeboat Station progress Item Posted: 24/01/10 17:59 |
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Item Posted: 24/01/10 15:44 |
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TV programme about the Royal Navy Item Posted: 22/01/10 08:19 Empire of the Seas: How the Navy Forged the Modern World Friday 22nd January on BBC2 at 9 - 10pm for 4 weeks. Episode Two - The Golden Ocean In The Golden Ocean, Snow charts the period from 1690 to 1759 and reveals how England - soon to be Britain - and her Navy rose from the depths of military and economic disaster to achieve global supremacy. Empire of the Seas tells the story of how the navy expanded from a tiny force to become the most complex industrial enterprise on earth. The four-part series is presented by Dan Snow, starting Friday 15th January at 9pm and follows the progress of the Royal Navy from the defeat of the Spanish Armada to the First World War. Rising through the administrative brilliance of Pepys, Anson and Sandwich and the inspirational leadership of Blake, Hawke and Nelson, the Royal Navy became the most powerful navy in the world. But the conviction of Britain’s navy as undisputed ruler of the waves encouraged a sterility in strategic thinking and complacency during the ‘long peace’ of the nineteenth century leading to the bruising experience of the Battle of Jutland. The Royal Navy has provided the country with many of its heroes, including Drake and Nelson. In addition to them, hundreds of thousands of men served with the fleet over the centuries. This is the story of the effect they had on the world. |
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Anti pirate measures tested on Methania Item Posted: 22/01/10 08:17 A Hampshire company has invented a device which it claims will help prevent pirates boarding ships at sea. A number of rotating cannons, which connect to the fire hose present on all merchant ships, fire out high-pressure water down the sides of the vessel. Chandler's Ford-based Dasic Marine says anyone climbing up a ship would be thrown off by the force of the water. The device has been made in response to a growing number of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia. Dasic Marine, which specialises in manufacturing machines to clean marine equipment, said the automated cannons can also be remotely fired by the ship's crew. The first cannons to be put on the market are currently in production. |
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Item Posted: 22/01/10 07:21 RFA Largs Bay is being rapidly stored before sailing for Haiti to aid the relief operation. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship will be loaded with supplies provided by the British government, as well as goods bought with donations from the British public in response to the disaster. She is expected to arrive in Haiti within three weeks. The ship, which is due to sail before the end of the month from Marchwood, Southampton, is being sent at the request of the United Nations. She is expected to stay in the region for some weeks to help the UN ferry bulk supplies around small outlying ports in Haiti. Largs Bay will be able to undertake a whole range of tasks, from transporting stores to providing a sea base for UK personnel employed in the humanitarian relief effort. She is equipped with a Mexeflote raft - a powered raft that can be used to offload ships at anchor and bring stock and equipment into shore when there is no established port. |
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Item Posted: 21/01/10 13:45 From 25th Jan, HMS Ark Royal will return as the Fleet’s Flagship and the UK’s high readiness aircraft carrier after her 7-month refit last year. She will also become the Nation’s Strike Carrier: operating Harrier aircraft from Naval Strike Wing, maintaining the UK’s ‘Strike’ capability as HMS Illustrious prepares for hew own maintenance period. The coming weeks see HMS Ark Royal reammunition, visit Newcastle and receive the first of her embarked Harriers in addition to 814 Squadron. |
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Item Posted: 19/01/10 17:00 |
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Item Posted: 19/01/10 15:29 |
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Item Posted: 19/01/10 11:58 Commencing Tuesday 19th January through Thursday 21st January a Naval Amphibious Exercise involving major Warships will be taking place in the Browndown / Stokes Bay areas of the Central Solent The majority of the Amphibious Exercise will be conducted from two Warships lying at anchor in the vicinity of Stokes Bay and the beach at Browndown. The exercise will be conducted by both day and night and will include a number of Rotary Wing Aircraft, Landing Craft and other small boats operating between the Warships at anchor and to or from the foreshore at Browndown. The firing of blank ammunition will take place for some of the exercises. |
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Floating Bridge out of service Item Posted: 17/01/10 12:44 The Cowes floating bridge will be out of action this weekend for essential repairs. It was halted Thursday night after a drive shaft, in service for 34 years, failed. A local firm will make a replacement, to be produced and fitted over the weekend. The Jenny Lee will operate in the meantime, while vehicles will be diverted via Newport. Shown here on the west bank 17th Jan. |
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Item Posted: 15/01/10 23:15 After days of disruption, there have been more changes to Wightlink’s service between Ryde Pier Head and Portmouth today 15th Jan following a collision earlier this week between a Fastcat and Ryde Pier. Some sailings will be operated by charter vessels. Wightlink will really have to get it together with this service - they have two new vessels what's going wrong? |
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Portsmouth - Bilbao route to cease Item Posted: 15/01/10 16:52 P&O are ceasing the Portsmouthb - Bilbao service in September when the Pride of Bilbao's charter ends. |
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Superyacht in St Helens anchorage Item Posted: 15/01/10 13:29 The 85 metre superyacht Vibrant Curiosity is anchored in St Helens anchorage. |
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Item Posted: 14/01/10 13:02 Lineas Suardiaz RORO vessels will be making a return to Southampton (we haven’t seen them here for a couple of years) as a result of a new contract with Renault. There will be a regular service commencing this month linking Santander, Le Havre, Southampton, Zeebrugge, Teesport and Cuxhaven using the 1100 car Gran Canaria Car, La Surprise and L’Audace. |
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Item Posted: 13/01/10 11:35 Piling works are expected to commence on the southern end of Fawley Marine Terminal on 14th January 2010, and are expected to take approximately 6 days to complete. The piles will allow installation of a new pontoon for Solent Towage. The piling will be conducted by barge ‘Walcon Wizard’ during daylight hours only. |
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Fastcat Ryde crashes into Ryde Pier Item Posted: 13/01/10 11:13 Fastcat Ryde crashed into Ryde Pier last night Tues 12th Jan. No injury was caused to any passengers or crew. It has as been withdrawn from service while a full investigation is carried out. Looks like Mark Rayment will be making money again. Anyone got any pictures of damage?? |
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Item Posted: 13/01/10 05:51 |
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Pilot boat Hampshire in a spot of trouble Item Posted: 11/01/10 18:23 Pilot Vessel Hampshire got stranded a couple of miles south west of the Nab with a 20mm rope round her props yesterday 10th Jan evening. Both SP and Hamwic tried to get her free but no luck and the crew had to spend the night on her. She was freed up earlier today. |
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Item Posted: 11/01/10 08:29 Nice clean looking white tanker from the Hellespont Fleet due tomorrow. The largest ever tanker to visit Fawley was the Hellespont Grand at 425,000dwt but we don't see those real VLCC's any more. |
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Item Posted: 10/01/10 16:13 Another outbreak of Norovirus has been reported, this time aboard Cunard's luxury Queen Victoria, which is sailing an eight-night transatlantic voyage from Southampton to New York. Some sourses are reporting that there is a chance that the ship may be denied permission to dock in New York on its scheduled January 12 arrival date if the number of ill passengers reaches an epidemic level -- 15 percent or more of the ship's occupants. Cunard spokesperson Jackie Chase confirmed that there are several sick passengers but was unable to say how many, exactly, have come down with the gastrointestinal virus, which causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and possibly headaches, fevers and abdominal cramps. Earlier this week, the virus made appearances aboard Holland America's Noordam and, most recently, Royal Caribbean's new giant, Oasis of the Seas. Two of U.K.-based Fred. Olsen's ships, Balmoral and Boudicca, were also plagued by the virus during recent Christmas and New Year's sailings. |
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Item Posted: 10/01/10 08:53 The Port of Spain one of two Offshore Patrol Vessels being built by BAE Systems for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will on trials for the coming weeks. The two 90m Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard are part of a £150 million contract to build, integrate, test and commission (up to sea trials) three ships for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Under the programme the defence company will also provide training and a five year in-service support package, while the UK Ministry of Defence is providing advice to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and operational sea training to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard crews. Photograph courtesy of http://www.ptsphotographic.co.uk |
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Item Posted: 09/01/10 16:10 A couple of days ago ABP notified the Maritime and Coastguard Agency via Solent Coastguard after concerns were raised that a vessel ‘Balu C’ was not being managed correctly on its passage into a berth at the port. The Master of the ‘Balu C’ 52 year old Mr. Valery Semenov was breathalysed by the Police upon arrival into Southampton Port, and he was found to have 94 microgrammes (mg) in 100 millilitres of breath. In the case of breath, 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres is the legal limit. Therefore Mr. Semenov, a 52 year old Russian national was nearly three times that legal limit. The ‘Balu C’ is a 2008 built general cargo ship registered in Antigua and Barbuda. Her deadweight tonnage (carrying capacity) is 8,045 tonnes. She was on passage from Amsterdam to Southampton with a cargo of grain with a crew of 12. At Southampton Magistrates Court, Mr. Semenov pleaded guilty and was fined £2000 plus £100 costs. He has also lost his job and income of £50k pa. |
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Captain Ian McNaught leaves Cunard Item Posted: 08/01/10 06:53 Former Master of Queen Elizabeth 2 and laterly on the Queen Victoria Captain Ian McNaught, has "resigned" from Cunard Line and will be transferred to a position at the ultra-luxury brand of Carnival Corporation's Seabourn Cruise Line. |
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Item Posted: 06/01/10 16:14 Preliminary examination report on the Thames Fisher. At 0036 on 4 October 2009, Thames Fisher departed Esso's marine terminal at Fawley after discharging her cargo of petroleum products. She sailed in the ballast condition, and had a pilot on board. As the vessel increased speed to 8 knots, the chief engineer received a high temperature alarm on the main cooling fresh water. He called the master and was informing him of the situation when the main engine shut down on high cooling water temperature. The pilot immediately called for tugs, which arrived in the scene about 20 minutes later. The vessel was taken to a safe anchorage, where the chief engineer found the cause of the problem to be a blocked sea water inlet filter at the fresh water cooler. After cleaning the filter, the vessel continued on her way at 0224. The investigation found that the Thames Fisher had a history of sea water cooling system related failures. Actions Taken The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents wrote to James Fisher Shipping Services Ltd, advising the company to: •Conduct a detailed technical assessment of the cooling water system arrangement fitted to Thames Fisher and her sister vessels, with the objective of removing the potential for unpredictable blackouts and engine failure. •Review the company's safety management system to ensure that a mechanism exists to detect, and therefore correct, repeated or systematic failures on board its vessels. James Fisher shippping Services Ltd: •Has undertaken a prompt review of its quality management system. •Is replacing the plate strainers in the sea water suction and fresh water cooler inlet filters with basket-type filters, and is installing a by-pass facility to the sea water inlet filter of the fresh water cooler and adjusting alarm settings of the main engine fresh water cooling circuit. |
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Item Posted: 06/01/10 09:35 Wight Light a bit off her normal route. I find the 'moored' status a bit hard to believe! She was due to go into the dockyard at Portsmouth this morning and set off from Lymington at 08.00. At 09.00 off Cowes she was told to turn back due to whiteout conditions at Portsmouth precluding getting her into the basin. She has now returned to Lymington. |
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Item Posted: 05/01/10 17:33 Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard launched the Queen Elizabeth today 5th Jan. The 294m-long, 90,400 gt vessel has 1,046 cabins and capacity for 2,500 guests and 1,097 crew. Last year, all places on the October 2010 Maiden Voyage from Southampton sold out in a record 29 minutes after coming on sale. |
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Item Posted: 05/01/10 10:47 Nippon Yusen Kaisha is set to cut its owned containership fleet by half and reduce total lifting capacity by about 30% by 2015, in favour of short-term charters to better control costs and increase profitability. It might mean we get some different ships here. |
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Item Posted: 05/01/10 10:31 On Thursday 7th January 2010, a firework display will take place in the vicinity of The Middle Swinging Ground, River Test, Southampton, to mark the departure of the cruise ship ‘Saga Ruby’. The firework display will take place at 21:30 from the barge ‘Wilcarry 300’, positioned on the margin of the navigational channel in the vicinity of Cracknore Buoy, and will last for approximately ten minutes. |
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Item Posted: 05/01/10 10:29 The blade runners are now operating out of the Eastern Docks in Southampton by Blade Runner Shipping Ltd. Transport services for awkward cargoes are offered within Southampton and Portsmouth waters. These vessels are able to operate in an area ranging from Lymington, West of Southampton Eastward to Chichester, West Sussex. The barges are able to provide 910m2 of deck space or up to 280 tonnes of weight capacity with each barge having the ability to undertake two round trips per day from Southampton to the Isle of Wight. These versatile vessels are able to operate in very shallow waters having a loaded draught of only 0.75 meters and an unloaded draught of 0.65 meters. This makes them ideal for small rivers and estuaries. The core service offers customers a bespoke Freight Shipping Service between Southampton and the Isle of Wight. The vessels offer customers an alternative to existing ro-ro services. The freight service specialises in Project Cargo, extra long and awkward loads and conventional containers. To compliment the shipping services the company offers a Stevedoring service who specialise in the handling of Wind Turbine Components and other Project Cargos. |
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Item Posted: 05/01/10 10:19 Brittany Ferries have purchased Superfast V for Portsmouth Santander route which will be re named Cap Finitstere when she arrives in the UK. |
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Item Posted: 02/01/10 18:37 Red Jet 4 going round in circles on one engine. If you grab the slider at the bottom of this video you can go backwards and forwards manually. The full video may take a minute or so to download. |
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Item Posted: 02/01/10 16:32 Its Red Jet 4 this time that lost an engine at 8am this morning 2nd Dec approaching Town Quay. Seen here being assisted by the Wyetow. |
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Item Posted: 01/01/10 17:33 Now lying at Marchwood the old Humber Star that sunk a while ago is now up for sale as the Wade Stone at £95,000. |
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Item Posted: 01/01/10 09:32 Red Jet 5 withdrawn from service this morning with engine trouble again. |
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Item Posted: 30/12/09 10:44 I have made a few changes to the site to simplify site maintenance and give more information on the AIS maps. I have integrated the Webcams and Current Ship List into the AIS Maps section of the site. I have also increased the number of ship icon colours to indicate more types of ship, with a flashing icon for the Coastguard Helicopter. |
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Who is that listening to the radio? Item Posted: 26/12/09 11:37 Some one has been connected to the radio for nearly 49 hours!! I think that is long enough and I am going to kick you off now. |
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Item Posted: 26/12/09 08:51 British oil imports are set to rise next year after almost doubling in 2009 in response to a 10% drop in domestic output since 2008. North Sea oil production is forecast to decline further in 2010 as oil companies are unable to start new oilfields fast enough to offset decreasing output from existing fields. Years ago Fawley saw a good variety of tankers from the middle east and other oil producing countries. Ever since the discovery of oil in the North Sea we have seen mainly shuttle tankers here and very rarely a proper VLCC. Perhaps this may change now as we will have to import oil from further afield. |
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Item Posted: 26/12/09 07:53 LNG tanker Al Thumana was taking bunkers in Charlie early this morning 26th - due to leave approx 12:00 |
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Merry Christmas and many thanks Item Posted: 24/12/09 09:35 |
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Item Posted: 24/12/09 06:46 The Majestic Maersk seen here at SCT recently that made a one off call to the port after being diverted from her usual port of Felixstowe. |
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Item Posted: 23/12/09 20:09 The ferry people have posted a couple of links to videos of Lady Pam and C class engines on the message board. Link to message board right at the bottom of this page. |
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Item Posted: 23/12/09 14:03 For Sale: 3 River ferries fully operational to be used a self propelled barges. The accommodation/wheelhouse part can be cut of and removed and the wheelhouse can be moved to another location. This gives you a complete self propelled barge driven by 2 x Voith Schneider with 4 point mooring system, 2 x 135 kva generator sets and all other needs for running a barge. Each has a knuckle ramp in each end which can be used for going on to shallow water on beaches etc, and to lay out the ramps for unloading purposes. This is a great opportunity to get a self propellered barge which is already fully operational and ready to use. One can leave the accommodation part on them or take it away as wanted. Price each £400,000. |
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Item Posted: 24/09/09 07:55 A few days ago there was the delivery at Monfalcone shipyard of the “Carnival Dream”, Carnival Cruise Line’s new flagship, which, at 130,000 gross tonnes, is the largest cruise ship ever built in Italy. |
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Item Posted: 22/09/09 11:40 Work is due to start shortly on the new cruise liner development at the Pier Head and Princes Dock. The million pound project will enable Liverpool to accommodate the world’s biggest liners and will encourage the greatest vessels to return to the Mersey and moor up alongside one of the world's most famous waterfronts. The development will include a 350 metre extension to the Princes Dock landing stage, with a round the clock operational jack up barge positioned against the Princes Dock Wall. The Pier Head footbridge will also be relocated by approximately 30 metres to make way for a 75 metre vehicle bridge in the historic floating roadway. The construction of a cruise liner terminal would mean an increased influx of cruise liners to the Mersey and the added benefits for the local economy. Currently many of the world's largest liners are only able to berth in the centre of the river and use Mersey Ferries as tender ships, as the QE2 did in 2004. ABP Southampton is a bit cheesed off about this because Liverpool City Council is set to receive £20m of public money, including £9m from the European Union to redevelop its cruise liner terminal. ABP says the public money amounts to unfair help and would “distort” competition in the lucrative cruise sector, which is booming despite the recession. |
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Item Posted: 22/09/09 10:36 The Queen Elizabeth 2 will not dock in Cape Town before next year's World Cup, says Brett Dungan, chief executive of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa). Speaking during a parliamentary briefing yesterday, Dungan shocked MPs when he revealed that the QE2 would no longer berth in Cape Town before the World Cup. Cape Town port manager Sanjay Govan said the National Ports Authority had informed the vessel's Dubai-based owners that it was unsafe to berth in any of its terminal, because of space constraints. He said Dubai World was in negotiations with other private terminal owners to find an alternative berth. |
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Item Posted: 12/09/09 08:25 MV “Beluga Fraternity” and MV “Beluga Foresight” have completed a voyage through the North East Passage so cutting off 5,000 km detour through the Suez Canal. As a precaution, a Russian icebreaker escorted the ships which both have reinforced ice-hardened hulls for protection |
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Item Posted: 11/09/09 06:29 |
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Item Posted: 09/09/09 07:50 The former headquarters of Titanic builder Harland & Wolff at Queen’s Island in Belfast are set to be turned into a Titanic themed boutique hotel. Titanic Quarter, which has been redeveloping the Queen’s Island area, has applied to turn the former H&W headquarters into a five-star, 90-room hotel. The plan is part of the redevelopment of 185 acres of former shipyard land that is now known as the Titanic Quarter. |
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Red Ensign flown from Tower Bridge Item Posted: 08/09/09 09:30 The Red Ensign flew for the very first time on Tower Bridge on Sunday 6th Septemberto mark Merchant Navy Day, with a commemorative service taking place in nearby Trinity Gardens. The decision to hold a Merchant Navy day was taken 10 years ago by former deputy prime minister John Prescott, who wanted to raise the profile of shipping as a career option and recall the hard work and sacrifice made by merchant seafarers over the years. The UK Department for Transport also marked a decade of Merchant Navy Days by flying the Red Ensign over its Westminster headquarters. |
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Item Posted: 03/09/09 10:46 The Department for Transport will mark a decade of Merchant Navy Days in the UK on Thursday 3rd September by flying the Red Ensign over its Westminster headquarters. Ten years after it was introduced, Merchant Navy Day continues to celebrate the British shipping industry as well as providing an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by merchant seamen over the years. The decision to hold a Merchant Navy Day was announced by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in September 1999. The purpose was to raise the profile of British shipping as a career option and to increase the number of British seafarers. The Government is achieving its policy of attracting ships to the UK flag. Since 1997 the UK registered fleet of sizeable trading vessels (500 gross tons and over) has increased from 2,381,000 to 15,944,000 deadweight tonnes, an increase of 569.63 per cent. |
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Item Posted: 01/09/09 07:48 Assembly has begun at Rosyth shipyard, Scotland of the first of the aircraft carriers for the UK Ministry of Defence. The first shipment of blocks arrived at the Babcock-owned yard last week from the Appledore yard in Devon. They comprised 11 fabricated, and two flat-pack units - I guess a bit like flat pack furniture - hope they have all the screws!! |
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Item Posted: 27/08/09 19:01 QE2 in dry dock in Dubai having a spruce up for her trip to Capetown. For trip she will be reflagged to Vanuatu and registered in Port Vila as regulations under this flag are more lax than UK registry. |
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Item Posted: 24/08/09 10:41 UASC (United Arab Shipping Company) are implementing some very radical service changes with regard to their Middle East & Indian schedules. The last normal export sailing they are offering from Thamesport, will be the Al Rawdah sailing on 30 August. This will be their last direct call on the existing service. During September all UASC UK cargo is likely to be sent by feeder to Antwerp to connect with their service to the Middle East. Yet to be fully announced but the long term plan from end Sept is that all UASC UK cargo will then move ex Felixstowe but will be on a slot charter arrangement using the Maersk/Safmarine service. |
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AIS and ship database in your pocket Item Posted: 20/08/09 07:05 Go out spotting with Digital Seas Fleetmon. Mobile real time AIS positions. Search the Digital-Seas vessel database and research a vessel from everywhere. |
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Item Posted: 15/08/09 22:35 I expect you have all heard about the Arctic Sea on the news. I don't usually put acts of piracy on the news because I get so many reports and as you can see they are not all confined to the Middle East. Have a look at this live piracy map. |
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Item Posted: 12/08/09 08:07 Kongsberg Simrad announced a partnership with Norway to bring Automatic Identification System, AIS, ship tracking beyond its current line of sight (approximately 40 mile) range. With a target date of 2009 this capability will extend government and shipowner’s capabilities to manage ships in the region. Studies have been initiated by the Space Centre over the last year to investigate the prospects for building a Norwegian maritime ship tracking satellite. Last fall the Norwegian government issued a broad strategy for the high North where one recommendation is to pursue the space-based AIS initiative. Space-based AIS is now entering a new phase with the goal to develop a low cost satellite design for an experimental AIS satellite. A Canadian satellite platform design will be adjusted to carry the Norwegian AIS receiver. The platform will be designed and eventually manufactured and tested by the University of Toronto Space Flight Laboratory. Norway is not the first country to develop satellite based ship information and tracking. The Coast Guard has been studying the feasibility of receiving maritime automatic identification system (AIS) signals from space since 2001. In May 2004 the Coast Guard contracted with ORBCOMM, a satellite data communications company, to develop and build the capability to receive process and forward AIS signals from space via an AIS receiver onboard a communications satellite. In addition, ORBCOMM will provide the ground systems capable of processing the AIS signals and relaying the collected messages to the Coast Guard. Studies conducted at Johns Hopkins University in 2003 indicated this concept was feasible, but it was not proven until a Dec. 16, 2006, launch by the Department of Defense of the TACSAT-2 satellite, which was equipped with an automatic identification receiver. |
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Item Posted: 12/08/09 08:01 |
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HSE carries out crane inspections Item Posted: 08/08/09 12:20 Further inspections of ship-to-shore container cranes are being carried out as part of the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the collapse of a Morris container crane at Southampton. DP World Southampton has taken three remaining cranes of the same design out of service after the crane collapse on July 13. |
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Item Posted: 08/08/09 11:33 THE UK is planning to build a £400M port, set to be one of the busiest in the UK, at Salford near Manchester. The new port also means reopening the famous Manchester Ship Canal. Twenty-two years after the gates of the city's docks in Ordsall closed, a vast freight terminal is being planned on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal at Barton, Eccles, which could create at least 5,000 jobs. Two ships a day would berth at Barton Lock, each loaded with 200 containers. The new Port Salford would have new links to the motorway network and the Manchester to Liverpool rail line, as well as a new bridge over the Ship Canal. The scheme by Peel Holdings, owners of the Trafford Centre, would take at least three years of planning before construction work started - if it gets the go-ahead. At the moment, the only British ports deep enough to handle monster container ships from the Far East, with up to 6,000 containers on board, are Felixstowe, Southampton and Thames Haven in London. Peel want smaller vessels to carry cargo unloaded at Southampton to the Ship Canal at Liverpool and then on to Barton for distribution. Ships would also take goods from Barton back along the canal and then north to Peel's existing port on the Clyde. Port Salford would handle 300,000 containers a year, with 50,000 arriving by ship. |
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Item Posted: 06/08/09 06:12 Nakeel has actually confirmed that the QE2 will be going to Capetown. I still won't believe it until it actually gets there. |
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Item Posted: 31/07/09 08:10 Its bad enough on buses and trains let alone cruise ships! The advent of cell phone access that allows passengers to make and receive calls, at major savings over existing ship-to-shore rates, means that fleets throughout the industry, from luxury ships to mass market ones and from those based in Europe to those oriented toward North America are incorporating the technology. The other relatively new innovation in onboard "connection" technology is the availability of wireless technology. This is more of a convenience than anything else -- it allows folks with their own laptops or PDA's to connect from any place onboard that's properly wired. On Carnival's newest ships, wired from stern to bow, you could, if so inclined, even connect to your laptop in the shower. Quiet Zone is the new cell phone-savvy buzzword. Basically, what this means is that a ship will wire all but a handful of places where phones can get signals. For instance, Crystal has "quiet zones" in its dining rooms, theater and spas. Oceania Cruises' zone features public rooms and restaurants. Implementing quiet zones is a pricey proposition and other lines are simply creating rules about where you can -- and cannot -- talk on the phone. If lines are as disciplined about maintaining the rules as they are about their policies on deck chairs expect infernal chatter to permeate the ambience. |
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I can't see a red ensign on this surf board Item Posted: 28/07/09 14:31 The UK is considering moves to extend the legal definition of ‘ship’ to cover canoes, dinghies and even surfboards, putting them for the first time on the same footing as very large crude carriers and capesizes under shipping safety legislation. Given a widespread perception in shipping circles that watercraft users often put themselves or others in danger by reckless behaviour, the idea is likely to receive a broad welcome from the industry. If enacted, the proposal — currently the subject of a consultation paper from the Department for Transport — could even see so-called watercraft of this type given the right to register on the UK flag. A spokesperson for the DfT confirmed that this would make it legally possible for patriotic Britons to surf on UK-flag surfboards if they wish. It is not known whether any other country in the world offers such an opportunity. The consultation comes after a 2005 Court of Appeal ruling, known as ‘the Goodwin decision’, that jetskis do not count as ships within the meaning of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The DfT argues that this has left such craft effectively outside the scope of shipping safety legislation, making it impossible for courts to deal with reckless or dangerous activity. “We are therefore consulting on proposed legislation that would provide for every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water to come within the scope of merchant shipping legislation relevant to conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals,” the DfT said. In particular, the alcohol and drugs provisions of the Railway and Transport Safety Act 2003 may be applied to all watercraft. Also, as a result of the Goodwin decision, there is no power for owners of certain watercraft to register with the UK Ship Register, and one idea is for the sections of the Merchant Shipping Act providing for registration to be extended to all watercraft, no matter how small. The DfT is now inviting responses from interested parties, which must be submitted by September 29th. |
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Item Posted: 26/07/09 16:59 Probably a rare occurance but a 16-metre fin whale became wedged between the bow and the hull of the Princess Cruise Lines' Sapphire Princess when it docked at the Canada Place terminal. |
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Item Posted: 22/07/09 15:38 Shipbuilder BVT has signed a deal with the government that guarantees work for the next 15 years. The agreement with the Ministry of Defence means BVT Surface Fleet will be guaranteed a minimum of £230m of work from the government during that period. The move secures a future for shipbuilders after the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers are completed. |
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Item Posted: 18/07/09 07:09 Caledonian MacBrayne has announced that it will run one return trip on the Sabbath on the Ullapool to Stornoway route. The move - which is opposed by Western Isles Council - was prompted by concerns that refusing to run a Sunday service breached equality laws. Calmac said it consulted a range of organisations including the Lord's Day Observance Society, local churches and the council. Flights to the island on Sundays began six years ago. But the council-run swimming bath is closed and many play parks are locked on the Sabbath. Most shops remain shut and car-washing and hanging out laundry are frowned upon. The ferry, the Isle of Lewis, suffered a breakdown before the Sabbath sailing meaning putting it out of action for a couple of days but a replacement ferry Isle of Arran will operate the service 3 hours into the Sabbath. The Rev Angus Smith, a veteran campaigner against ferries sailing to the islands on the Sabbath, said the breakdown was a reminder of "God's providence". |
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Item Posted: 18/07/09 07:06 MSC Cruises new flagship MSC Splendida was christened this week in a suitably splendid style by screen legend Sophia Loren. The ceremony was accompanied by a gala show starring operatic maestro José Carreras and other artists. The choice of Barcelona follows MSC Cruise’s innovative practice of christening its ships in different countries, a tradition that started with MSC Poesia in Dover in April 2008 and will continue with MSC Magnifica in Hamburg next year. |
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Item Posted: 18/07/09 07:00 Trilas of the USS New York (LPD 21) are well underway and is expected to be commissioned in November 2009. Named for the state of New York, the ship and her motto "Never Forget" honor the victims and first responders of the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks. Constructed in Avondale, La., the ship contains 24 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center within the 311-ton bow unit. |
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Item Posted: 13/07/09 16:34 Singapore's outside port limits anchorages remain a favourite location for shipowners to idle their vessels, despite repeated warnings from the authorities over dangers to navigation. The OPL (outside port limits) anchorages lie to the west and the east of the southern boundaries of Singapore port waters in so-called “grey areas” that do not fall under the jurisdiction of Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia. Although industry sources said the number of vessels anchored OPL has reduced since earlier this year, it is estimated 150-200 ships remain anchored in the two areas. An industry executive said the number of vessels anchored OPL close to Singapore had reduced as dry bulk carriers had largely been put into service, while car carriers initially on hot lay-up had now been moved to safe anchorages in the region for more permanent cold lay-up. The attraction to owners is simple one as given the lack of a jurisdiction the anchorages can be used free of charge. However, the OPL anchorages cover relatively small areas leading to concerns over safety in particular vessels straying into the Singapore Singapore traffic separation scheme immediately to the south. The eastern OPL anchorage is around 10 miles long and between two to three miles wide, while the western OPL anchorage covers an area of roughly three miles by three miles. The Maritime & Port Authority has stated on more than one occasion that vessels anchored OPL interfere with safe navigation in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The authorities have now taken the issue up at an international level and made a statement at last month’s International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee. Singapore said it was seeking the cooperation of all IMO member states to inform masters to obey the collision regulations and not to anchor in any part of the traffic separation scheme. |
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Item Posted: 13/07/09 13:37 The Russian Navy is currently on the verge of 'irreversible collapse', according to a recent analysis published by the authoritative Moscow-based weekly - the Independent Military Review . The report, entitled 'BMF RF [Naval Military Fleet of the Russian Federation] on Foreign Warships', says the main cause for the 'collapse' is the state of the Russian shipbuilding industry, which is "incapable of producing warships in either the quantity or at the level of quality that their navy customer requires" for the future. According to the analysis, the navy's leadership "understands that this is a hopeless situation and are looking for a way out by considering the purchase of naval vessels from abroad". The issue was raised during the International Military Naval Exposition (MVMS) that took place in the last week of June in St Petersburg. The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, outlined the problem when he said: "Our challenge is how to significantly improve the condition of our fleet without destroying the economic activity in the country." |
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Item Posted: 09/07/09 09:23 The keel has been laid of the passenger ship the Queen Elizabeth, ordered by Carnival group for the British shipowner, Cunard Line. Following the Queen Victoria, built at MarGhera shipyard in 2007, the delivery of the new passenger vessel is scheduled for autumn 2010. The Queen Elizabeth, at approximately 294 metres long and with a gross tonnage of around 92,000 tonnes, will be able to accommodate in her 1,046 cabins, over 2,500 guests in addition to a crew of 1,097. She will be one of the largest panamax ships built to date (i.e. able to pass through the Panama Canal). The Queen Elizabeth will be provided with a large number of luxury suites and mini suites, with especial care and attention given to materials and finer details. She will be the second largest ship ordered to date by the owner (following the Queen Mary). The section laid in the dry dock is approximately 14 metres long, 32.2 wide and weighs 468 tons, of which 100 are outfitting. A total of 85 per cent of the berths will boast outside views and 71 per cent will have balconies. Cunard intends to create a traditional 1930s and 1940s on board with country house-style parties beneath the glass roof of the garden lounge, glamorous evening balls, dance marathons and classic films from the 1930s and 1940s. The interior will boast what the company described as an 'art deco flourish', plus some solid, traditional materials such as oak, mahogany, stained glass and marble. Queen Elizabeth will depart on its maiden voyage on October 12, 2010 – a cruise which sold out in a record-breaking 29 minutes 14 seconds in April. The 13-night itinerary from Southampton calls at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal. The ship’s maiden season will run until January 2011 and include voyages to the Western and Central Mediterranean and the Caribbean. . |
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Item Posted: 16/04/08 07:14 |
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