Rick's Shipping Blog

Belfast Today

2012-02-13T15:01:00.000Z

Today at Belfast we had Mekhanik Kottsov on Sinclair Wharf. Arklow Spray and Arklow Venture on Gotto Wharf. Verity, Fri Stream and Oriental II on Stormont Wharf. Serra Atasoy and Ben Maye on West Twin Wharf. Fehn Sirius on Scrap Wharf.
Coastal Deniz on VT3 and Stena Superfast VII on VT4. Finaly Arklow Raven inbound.
Photos on My website and a video at http://www.youtube.com/user/Ricksshipphotos?feature=mhee

Today's Sightings

2012-01-26T14:41:00.000Z

Today's Belfast sightings, on Richardson's Wharf the container ship Gerd and the general cargo ship Helga. On Gotto Wharf the Wilson Cork.
Round on Stormont we had the Eems Sprinter and the bulk carrier Ida. On West Twin was the Arklow Rambler and Burgtor. Genmar Companion and Stena Europe on Ship Repair Quay.
Bro Designer on OB 1 and Ternhav on OB 4.
Photos as usual on my website.

Early start at Belfast

2012-01-24T22:34:00.001Z

Made an early start to Belfast to get a few shots of Ship Repair Quay and Stena Europe/Genmar Companion.
On Scrap Wharf was the Wave.
Serra Atasoy and Arklow Venus were on West Twin with Fri Sea and Astra on Stormont. Islay Trader was in Barnetts Dock and Straitview in Pollock.
Ternvik was on OB 4.

Braving the Elements

2012-01-21T16:22:00.000Z

A battle against the wind and rain for todays installment.
On Stormont Wharf was the bulk carrier Astra. On West Twin Wharf the Arklow Venus and the Mekhanik Tyulenev. Outbound was the container ship Enforcer and inbound for OB4 the Maersk Borneo.
In Barnetts Dock was the Krempertor and on Sinclair Wharf we had the Mekhanik Fomin.
Not a large number but worth the fight.
Photos as usual on my website.

Bangor to Belfast

2012-01-16T17:35:00.001Z

Day off and a chance to give my new 28-200mm zoom lens a test run.
First stop of the day was Bangor to see the Genmar Companion at anchor awaiting entry to Harland for repair. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-16454384
Also at anchor we had the Emsriver and the Reggedijk.
Next up to Belfast and on Stormont Wharf was the Chuetsu Maru, Eurostar and Elena Topic. On West Twin Wharf was Verity and Islay Trader. Shi Dai 1 was still on Ship Repair Quay and on OB3 LPG Carrier Angela.
In York Dock I found the Hathor and in Pollock the Ben Maye. On Sinclair Wharf was the Elke K and Samskip Endeavour was on Richardson's Wharf. A good day and the lens passed the test. Photos on my website ships of the month page.

Costa Concordia

2012-01-14T07:15:00.002Z

Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia with over 4,000 passengers and crew onboard has run aground off the Island of Giglio. Early reports are at least 6 people have lost their lives.

IMO number :	9320544
Name of ship :	COSTA CONCORDIA
Call Sign :	IBHD
MMSI :	247158500
Gross tonnage :	114147
DWT :	8900
Type of ship :	Passenger (Cruise) Ship
Year of build :	2006
Flag :	Italy

The Costa Concordia hit a sandbar on Friday evening and listed about 20 degrees. Lifeboats were launched and people tried to swim for land. Reports this morning show the ship on her side.
Full report is available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16558910

Belfast 12th January 2012

2012-01-12T17:57:00.000Z

First for the day was the Mana inbound with Stena Superfast VII on VT4 and Stena Lagan outbound.
On Stormont we had the Chuetsu Maru, Independent and Jag Aarati with the Nordstrand on West Twin.
Clipper Pace, Shi Dai 1 and Aberdeen are still at Harlands. On the Oil berths we had Bro Gazelle on 1 and Arran on 3.
Lystind headed into York Dock aided by Farset and round in Pollock we had the Atlantic Titan.
On Sinclair Wharf we had Pommern and Wilson Sky and on Richardson's Wharf was Union Emerald and the Mana.
Back to Hollywood I caught the Wilson Sky outbound and Stena Superfast VIII on VT4.

Belfast 8th January 2012

2012-01-08T16:03:00.000Z

Headed down to Belfast this morning after Marine Traffic stated that the Genmar Companion was due in at 11am. It looks like she may have to wait awhile longer as Ship Repair Quay was occupied by the Bulk Carrier Shi Dai 1 and Clipper Pace with Aberdeen still in Dry Dock.
LPG Tanker Auteuil was on OB2 and Pirita arrived on VT3. Orabelt arrived and berthed on West Twin followed by Arklow Sky ont Stormont.
Round in York Dock we had the Jan/V. Ben Maye was in Pollock Dock with Svitzer Pembroke on Gotto Wharf.

First outing of the year

2012-01-02T20:08:00.002Z

First outing of the year to Belfast and a good range of vessels on view. Arklow Rose on Gotto Wharf, Cable Layer Leon Thevenin on Sinclair Wharf. The tug Svitzer Pembroke in Pollock Dock. The Bulk Carrier Genco Ardennes was on Stormont and two more Arklows, Sky and Freedom on West Twin.
Support Vessel North Sea Giant was on Richardson's Wharf and BG Rotterdam on VT3.
On OB1 Marida Mistletoe and Damsterdijk on Scrap Wharf. Coastrunner and Little Mo in Abbercorn Basin completed the day

Swanland

2011-11-27T11:17:00.001Z

Two crew members have been rescued and six are still missing after the general cargo ship Swanland sank in the Irish Sea 32km northwest of the Llyn Peninsula early this morning.
The Swanland
IMO number : 7607431
Call Sign : E5U2283
MMSI : 518333000
Gross tonnage : 1978
DWT : 3150
Type of ship : General Cargo Ship
Year of build : 1977
Flag : Cook islands
was carrying 3000 tones of limestone and was bound for Cowes.
The crew raised the alarm at around 02:00 gmt reporting that the hull had cracked and was taking in water.
In August 2010 the Swanland was rescued from grounding on rocks off the Lizzard Peninsula.

Belfast this afternoon

2011-11-21T20:06:00.001Z

A day off work and this afternoon was spent at Belfast.
First sighting was Stena Superfast VIII outbound in Belfast Lough. I have booked a sailing on her sister Stena Superfast VII for 10th December.
Round at VT4 we had the barge Ashleigh 1 with the tug Coastrunner and another workboat I did not identify. Otterbank was also working close to Stena Voyager. On VT3 we had BG Ireland and Coastakl Deniz with Stena Lagan on VT2.
Next up to Thomson Dock and I found the Wilson Harrier, Swami and Santa Rita on Stormont Wharf and Arklow Spirit and Mekhanik Kotsov on West Twin. Over on Ship Repair Quay was the Corystes and Aberdeen.
Stadum was on Scrap Wharf and the Oil Berths were empty.
Otterbank returned to Abercorn Basin and the ols Stena Ferries were on Donegal Quay along with Express. Round in York Dock I found the Union Emerald. All in all yet another good day.
Photos as usual on my website.

Belfast 13th November

2011-11-13T16:09:00.000Z

A good day at Belfast with a nice selection of ships.
First on Donegal Quay we had Express on winter layup, Stena Hibernia and Stena Navigator.
On Stormont Wharf we had the Bulk Carrier Balgaka and the General Cargo ships Sea-Stern and Nina I. As I arrived Norton Cross and Willowgarth were assisting the Bulk Carrier Red Queen onto her berth at Stormont Wharf. On West Twin Wharf we had Mekhanik Pyatlin and Arklow Faith. The Crude Oil Tanker Aberdeen was clearly visible in the Harland and Wolff Drydock and on Scrap Wharf the Blue River.
Bro Designer and Bro Gazelle were on OB1 and OB2.
Round in Pollock Dock I found the Celtic Voyager.

Thames River Cruise

2011-11-01T23:43:00.000Z

Just returned from a long weekend in London.
Spent a few hours on the Thames on Friday afternoon enjoying a lunch cruise on Bataeux London's Naticia.
Photos are now on my website.

Monday 3rd October Belfast

2011-10-03T16:48:00.000+01:00

Today in Belfast we had Atlantic Moon in York Dock.
Tasman and Celtic Challenger on Gotto Wharf. Giorgos B on Sinclair Wharf.
On Stormont we had Nordic Giant and Cork Sand, Arklow Fortune and Holstenor. On West Twin Wharf we had Britannica Hav and Arklow Freedom. Rind on Richardson's Wharf. Torm Vita and Frigg on Ship Repair Quay. Katharina siemer on Scrap Wharf.

Last cruise ship of the season

2011-10-01T12:13:00.000+01:00

Thursday 29th September saw Belfast's last cruise ship of the season, Fred Olsen's Black Watch.
Already looking forward to next year when some 40 cruise ships are expected.
Also in dock that day we had Verity, Storm Ranger and Orarikke with Torm Vita and Paivi the day before.
Photos as usual on my website.

Belfast 26/9/11

2011-09-26T16:53:00.001+01:00

Todays sightings were the tug Svitzer Milford in York Dock, the work boat SGT Pepper in Pollock Dock.
Round on Stormont we had the cruise ship Fram and on West Twin Wharf Berthold K, Blue Bay and Johanna Desiree. Bro Deliverer was on OB1 and Cepheus J on VT3.
As I was leaving the tug Sally McLoughlin was entering the Herdman Channel.
Photos on my website Sips of the month page.

Bulk Carriers a Plenty

2011-09-04T15:01:00.000+01:00

Bulk Carriers dominated todays sightings at Belfast with Taio Frontier on Stormont Wharf and Karmen on West Twin Wharf. Other sightings Jan V in York Dock, Ben Maye on Gotto Wharf.
Cruise ship Boudicca on Stormont Wharf and Sea Hunter on West Twin Wharf.
Photos as usual on the website.

Today's Sightings for Belfast

2011-08-29T20:29:00.000+01:00

York and Pollock Docks where empty this morning so first stop West Twin Wharf with three vessels. Celtic Freedom, Hunzedijk and Arklow Sand. The trawler Still Ostrea was outbound in Victoria Channel.
Nothing in the Musgrave Channel but Nuuk Maersk was on Oil Berth 4. Caught Stena Caledonia swinging on to VT 4 with Coastal Deniz on VT 3 and Stena Lagan on VT 2.
A run down the road to Hollywood and we had BG Ireland and Aristote inbound in Belfast Lough and Jolanta in for Kilroot.

Belfast Today

2011-08-25T22:25:00.000+01:00

First stop York Dock and Dyckburg then round to Pollock Dock where we had Fri Sea on Sinclair Wharf. On West Twin Wharf Arklow's Faith and Spirit with River Spirit leaving the Herdman Channel.
On Oil Berth 1 we had Merida Melissa and Maersk Borneo on Oil Berth 4. Dana Gothia was on Richardson's Wharf and Stena Navigator on VT4.
Eems Solar was on Ballylumford Power Station Jetty and Thorm Moselle was on Cloghan Point Oil Jetty.
Onyx inbound in Belfast Lough completed a good day.
Photos on my website Ships of the month.

Weekends shipspotting

2011-08-21T17:06:00.000+01:00

Saturday was spent at Bangor, Donaghadee and Helen's Bay. Sightings where the Perseus J anchored off Bangor. The Fisheries vessel Banrion Uladh and the trawlers Stefanie M, Havilah and Dinginis Jan at Bangor. RNLBs Saxon and Sir Samuel Kelly at Donaghadee. No sightings at Helen's Bay.
Stopped of at Hollywood to snap Stena Hibernia and Verity in Belfast Lough.
Sunday was down to Belfast to see the Crown Princess on Stormont Wharf.
RMS Buchholz was on Sinclair Wharf and round on Oil Berth3 we had Bitflower and Apollo Lynx on Scrap Wharf.

New Toy

2011-08-18T11:49:00.000+01:00

Purchased a slide duplicator today.
Over the next few days there will be around 600 photos added to my website.

Belfast Today

2011-08-15T14:40:00.001+01:00

Todays sightings on Stormont Wharf we had Arklow Viking and Tallin. On West Twin Wharf was Arklow Sea and Lauren C.
On VTs Stena Scotia, Stena Lagan, BG Ireland and HSS Voyager. Round on Musgrave Channel Angela was on Oil Berth 3 and Blue Bay on Scrap Wharf.
Customs Vessel Sentinel was in Pollock dock with Sea Shannon on Gotto Wharf, Ben Maye and RMS Rahm were on Sinclair Wharf.
Pilot Boat 4 and Norton Cross brought in Nathalie Ehler and TS Royalist arrived at Abercorn Basin.

Belfast Today

2011-08-07T17:47:00.000+01:00

Again a quiet day. Rolldock Sea did not arrive but we had Mannan in and out. Usual ferries. Coastal Deniz on VT3 and Bro Deliverer on OT1. Marne on scrap berth with Pasadena still on Gotto Wharf and Arklow Sea on Sinclair Wharf. Shetland Trader was in York Dock.

Meagre pickings at Belfast this morning

2011-08-06T11:03:00.001+01:00

Very quiet down at Belfast today with just 2 ships in dock apart from the regular Stena Ferries.
Pasadena was on Gotto Wharf and India was on VT3
Stena Mersey is still carrying the name Mersey Seaways and Stena Scotia was on Richardson Wharf.
Photos added to my web page https://picasaweb.google.com/110523706319157500190/ShipsOfTheMonthAugust2011#

Belfast Docks

2011-08-01T15:00:00.004+01:00

It's been some time but the ship spotting bug has taken hold of me again.
A visit to Belfast this morning and quite a collection. First stop was Pollock Dock, here I found Oranjeborg and Arklow Sea on Gotto Wharf. Next round to York Dock and 2 more first sightings Sun Bird and
Est . On Stormont Wharf where Verity, Ayr and Marne with Ben Maye on West Twin Wharf. Lagan Seaways was on Ship Repair Quay and Stena Scotia was just about to leave Victoria Terminal 1.
Down on VT 3 was BG Ireland with Stena Voyager on VT4.
Round at Musgrave Channel Bro Designer was on Oil Terminal 1 and I could just see the bow end of Elbetor poking out of the Scrap Metal Wharf.
A good day and it's good to be back. Photos are on my web page. https://picasaweb.google.com/110523706319157500190/ShipsOfTheMonthAugust2011##

New website launched

2011-07-31T12:41:00.002+01:00

Hi all

It's been a while but I'm back.

Fotopic is no more so my new website is at

https://sites.google.com/site/ricksshipphotos/

Hope to get back to regular updates very soon.