Solent towage fleet tugs ready to assist a major tanker

Three impressive Solent Towage Fleet Tugs are seeing here ready to assist a major tanker coming into port at Southampton, photos taken at Calshot on the 27th September 2011, don´t you just love tugs

All P & O CRUISES passenger ships together at Southampton next year

To celebrate 175 years of P & O, the company is bringing together into port all seven passenger ships, the date will be the 3rd July 2012, not to be missed, photos of ORIANA and AURORA at Southampton, two of my favourite ships

The three CUNARD QUEENS in Southampton together for the first time

5th of June 2012 is a date to pencil on your diary if you are a ships enthusiast, for the first time the three new CUNARD ships, flagship QM2, QUEEN VICTORIA and QUEEN ELIZABETH will be together at their home port for the very first time, an occasion not to be missed

Cruise Ferry "OSCAR WILDE"

The MS "OSCAR WILDE" was built in Finland in 1987 as the KRONPRINS HARALD, she has sailed for JAHRE LINE and COLOR LINE, in 2007 she was acquired by IRISH FERRIES and renamed "OSCAR WILDE, she is operated on the Rosslare/Cherbourg and Rosslare/Roscoff routes, the ship is approximately 32.000 GRT and has a top speed of 25.5 knots, the capacity is for 1450 passengers and 580 cars. Photos, Cherbourg 1st September 2011 from the BF BARFLEUR

DFDS and LD LINES place bid for SEAFRANCE

It´s not all plain sailing for SEAFRANCE unfortunately, DFDS and LD LINES have placed a bid to acquire the french ferry operator, apparently a joint firm would be created to operate the Calais/Dover service, so let´s wait for next weeks for further developments, this is of course a very busy channel route which needs proper service and healthy competition. Photos of the wonderful cruise ferry SEAFRANCE BERLIOZ departing Calais earlier this year

The new "MSC DIVINA" will debut for MSC CRUISES next spring

The MSC DIVINA new cruise ship to be operated by MSC CRUISES will debut next spring, the ship is now nearing completion, this post shows the ship early in the year being built at the STX shipyards in France, photos taken at Saint-Nazaire when I was about to sail from there to Spain with LD LINES, April and May 2011, please visit my CRUISE SHIPS AND LINERS blog for other photos

"STENA LAGAN" departing Liverpool last thursday

The "STENA LAGAN" is seen here on her way out from Liverpool to Belfast, at the breakwater she met a very special visitor to the port of Liverpool, photos 15th September 2011

Spectacular farewell to QM2

Last night Liverpool organized a wonderful send off for CUNARD flagship "QUEEN MARY 2", the CUNARD  building was displaying  footage of Company´s History with emphasis on the new QM2, the atmosphere was electric with onlookers and passengers on board singing, the fireworks started at 22.00 at Birkinhead, people standing at the cruise terminal didn´t have a great view because the ship is so big that the majority of the display was obstructed by the sheer size of QM2, still great entertainment, a proper send off from the city, there´s no place like Liverpool for CUNARD

Amazing "QUEEN MARY 2" in Liverpool

CUNARD flagship, the biggest liner have built, without a doubt so far the passenger ship of the XXI century is visiting Liverpool today, I went to New Brighton to photograph her on her way in and what a spectacle this was, an incredible beautiful moment even with the weather on our side, one of the sunniest days I have seen this year in the Liverpool area, the QM2 is already a legend, she was in fact born a legend, crowds turned up in their thousands to admire this majestic passenger liner, she is truly unique and what a privilege it is to be a ships enthusiast

CUNARD flagship in Liverpool tomorrow

The majestic QM2 is visiting the city of Liverpool tomorrow for the second time since her debut in 2004, she is due to dock at the cruise terminal at 12.15, she will stay until 22.00, fireworks are organized for the event, it´s also the last day of the Riverside Festival

BESSIE-ELLEN, last wooden coasting ketch at Liverpool

The BESSIE-ELLEN was built in Plymouth in 1904, she is still based there, she was at Liverpool for the Riverside Festival and was of course very popular with visitors, the crew is indeed a very proud one, and friendly as well, please visit my TALL SHIPS blog clicking link below for other photos of this beautiful vessel taken on the 11th September 2011

Tall ship "MERCEDES" a unique vessel at the Riverside Festival, Liverpool

Last week end during the Riverside Festival, tall ship "MERCEDES" was opened to the public and what a treat she was serving light snacks and drinks, a favourite for visitors, this ship is one of a kind, very modern for tall ships standards, the vessel was built in 2005 her home port is Amsterdam, please visit my TALL SHIPS BLOG, clicking link below for other posts and photos showing the wonderful facilities on board the vessel, THANK YOU "MERCEDES", photos taken 11th September 2011

tall ship "PHOENIX" at the Riverside Festival, Liverpool

One of the greatest attractions during the Riverside Festival is without a doubt the brig "PHOENIX", the ship was opened to the public over the week end and registered a huge number of visitors, she is due to stay in port until tomorrow, for anyone wishing to photograph the ship on her way out, best to check time of departure, which is conditioned to tide and weather conditions, photo included 11th September 2011, for other posts and photos of this extraordinary vessel please visit my TALL SHIPS BLOG by clicking link below

BROCKLEBANK looking amazing at the Liverpool Riverside Festival

Tug BROCKLEBANK looked beautiful yesterday at the riverside festival, she was opened to the public with guided tours organized by members of the crew, photo 11th September 2011 taken from tall ship ZEBU

The Riverside Festival at Liverpool it´s worth the visit

It started last thursday the 8th and is due to finish this coming thursday the 15th with the visit of Cunard flagship "QUEEN MARY 2", the ship will be sailing at 22.00 with a fireworks display, one of the major attractions during the festival is the tall ships, particulary during the period they are opened to the public, photos included were taken today, Albert Dock full of sailing craft and other vessels and the tall ship, local resident Zebu

Southampton water, always busy with shipping

Southampton on a good sunny day is a must for ship´s enthusiasts, there´s loads of spots for ship spotting, I am a great admirer of Calshot, here are some photos dated the 3rd September