This morning, 16th March, there will be a strange departure from Southampton.
A big piece of pipeline, destined for Seaton in Devon will be leaving the docks with 3 tugs.
The pipeline was towed into Southampton a couple of weeks ago in sections. Once in the relatively sheltered waters of the docks, the sections were welded together, ready for today's trip.
What will make this trip tricky is the length. The pipeline will be 1,600 metres long and the overall tow, from the lead tug to the tail end will measure 1,800 metres.
Initial plans mentioned leaving via the Western Solent, past the Needles and west down the English Channel.
In addition to this, the tug Llandwy Island will be towing another section of 800 metres.
I think someone may have asked the obvious question; how will the whole thing cope with the turn at the bottom of Southampton Water, into the Western Solent?
So, the plans changed and the tow will now leave Southampton via the North Channel and go out into the Channel via the Nab.
Whatever route they take, it will be an amazing site to see more than a mile of tugs and pipe negotiating Southampton Water.
Kelvin
