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Shipspotters all over the world => Help and Advice => Topic started by: itsfoto on January 19, 2014, 07:22:59 PM

Title: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: itsfoto on January 19, 2014, 07:22:59 PM
I'll possibly be in Piraeus for a couple of days in July. It would be nice if I could catch some of the cruiseliners that visit the port. But it seems to me that that may be a rather difficult thing to achieve.

I suppose the breakwaters (like the one seen here: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1938599 (http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1938599)) are totally inaccessible for a shorebased person. Am I right?

I did not find any hint of sightseeing boats cruising the port. Are there any at all?

Where would one want to position oneself to shoot the big ships on their way in or out of the port?

Any suggestion or hint would be much appreciated.

greetings

Uwe

Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: malnik on January 19, 2014, 09:47:56 PM
If you do find a breakwater to stand on watch out for MSC ships.....Magnifica demolished one - similar to the one in the pic - only a couple of months ago!
Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: Pieter_Inpijn on January 20, 2014, 06:32:37 AM
I was three times at Piraeus, last time four years ago.
The part of the harbour with the ferries is an open port, even a free shuttle bus to the most distant ferries (north side).
The moles are not accessible.
The cruise terminal is totally fenced of, no access possible (south side).
The position of the sun is most important, you have to switch position several times during the day.
In the morning I was standing on the ferry dock at the south side, in the afternoon and evening on the northern side (good view on the cruise terminal on the other side).
During the day I took the small ferry to Salamina, seeing all the ships in the Drapetsona area.
Take care never to photograph or even point your camera to any navy or grey painted vessel!




Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: Tim J. on January 20, 2014, 08:33:33 PM
Hi,
there is also a ferry to Aegina, a small island not too far away (1-2 hrs), passing the anchorage.
Makes a nice trip in the morning.

best regards,
Tim
Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: peter j. fitzpatrick on January 20, 2014, 10:34:06 PM
Hi
A difficult area to photograph at any time of year
Lots of ferries you can get that will take you to local destinations
Aegina is a good trip and also salamina
Salamina will take you through perama bay and see all the anchored vessels in the bay
Also you will see what is anchored off kynossoura
But beware that as you get to salamina you will be approaching the naval base
Put your camera away well before
In the eighties many people used to get arrested for taking pictures in these areas
Now you don't get much bother but the authorities frown on having a hobby such as ship photography
Take care and enjoy your trip
Oh and take a big lens with you
Peter j.fitzpatrick
Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: itsfoto on January 23, 2014, 10:28:46 AM
Thanks to Peter, Pieter and Tim for your suggestions.

The most challenging thing to do still seems to be to get a good view of those cruiseliners that dock at the cruise terminal on the south side of the port.
And it seems no boat will take me there.

greetings

Uwe
Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: Jukka Koskimies on August 22, 2014, 08:30:14 AM
Hi,

Probably too late for your plans, Uwe, and maybe not exactly what you were after, but for personal interest: At least still in 2007-08 the prime spot to shoot the ships on their way in and out of the port (out especially in the afternoon) was the "Red Lighthouse" at the end of the northern breakwater at the main port entrance. You get there reasonably close with the city tram No. 20.
 
Is the place still accessible?

Greetings,
Jukka
Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: Petros Psarras on August 22, 2014, 09:40:14 AM
Good morning to everyone!!
I copy my message that I have sent to a shipspotter regarding Shipsotting in my home port city

"
The best and safest spot in order to take photos is the "red lighthouse." The strange thing is that now there isn't any lighthouse since last November due to an alision with MSC Magnifica. In order to go there you can take the Piraeus Port authority buses every 15-30 minutes.These buses start at Gate E5 which is in front the Piraeus ISAP Line 1 train station.It will be very easy to recognise the point because many works are taking place due to Metro Line 3 station constructions . In Piraeus Port authority buses there are no tickets. This is the best place in order to go to take photos and in the same time to avoid any Coast guard officers who will tell you that taking photos is prohibited bla bla..."


Take care . You can take photos up from the Liberty also. but not near the building of Ministry of Maritime because there,there are also the Hellenic Coast Guard headquarters.
Moreover if during your visit at the port ,Golden Iris is berthed at Piraeus,it is better not to go near the area...Because there are many people without uniforms who are either security guards or hcg members ... I don't know why but Israeli ships always have some more security.
As I said before Red lighthouse does not exist anymore but you can go there,and now I can say it is easier to take photos there . For instance the manoeuvring of the big cruise ships is now easier to be photographed.

Ferries from Piraeus to Salamis and vice versa Every 1hour (or 30 minutes until 15.30 lt)
Ferries to Saronic Islands (many...you can say every 1,5 hour)
Title: Re: shipspotting in Piraeus
Post by: itsfoto on August 23, 2014, 11:20:57 AM
Thank you, Jukka, too late or not. I heeded Petros' recommendations, found them good and useful, and went away with good pics of much of what I came for, including the GOLDEN IRIS.
In fact, in recent years I have visited (with a view on spotting ships in the mediterraean area) Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Barcelona and now Piraeus. Each destination has its own challenges, all are very rewarding indeed. (Istanbul is safely on the top of the list, though.)

cheers

Uwe