Norstone

[Jim H]

Dredger Norstone seems to have left her normal operating South Coast area and is shown on AIS as being in Hull. Does anyone have any info as to the reason for this, although when I last saw her departing Langstone harbour she did look a little worse for wear.

[Kelvin Davies]

Jim,
It was looking rather shabby the last time I saw her at Calshot.
If you look at the vegetation growing on the hull in my photo:
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=581547
you can see why I referred to it as an "organic" dredger!
Kelvin

[Jim H]

I agree with your comments regarding her condition, maybe she gone to Hull for an over due refit?

[Jim H]

Kelvin,
I think I have found out why NORSTONE is in Hull:http://www.mms-shiprepair.co.uk/latestNews.aspx

[Kelvin Davies]

Jim,
Well spotted!
I see there's a couple of other Southampton regulars listed there;
Adsteam (Svitzer Sarah, Clipper Beaune (ex Crescent Beaune), UKD Bluefin and Velox.
Cheers

Kelvin

[Mick Evans]

I can also confirm that the dredger NORSTONE is in the Graving Dock undergoing maintenance.

The following screen grab from my AIS receiver clearly shows her in the drydock.   :-D

[stbrab]

Hi, yes that is/was the Norstone, i took her up there and bought her back, we left Hull on easter Monday.
It was a normal drydocking, just over 2 years from her last one and in that time we had steamed over 37,000 miles which considering her working area, steams of no more than 3 hours, shows how hard she works.  Last year we did 400 cargos, not bad for a ship built in 1971.  Any more info let me know.

[Jim H]

Many thanks for the information, I see her quite often either at Keddals whalf or Tipnor unloading, and off Hayling island dredging so I know she works hard.
There was a small article on The Solent news web site on friday  regarding Norstone and her work mate Donald Redford, and Norstone towing her to Cowes roads. This acticle has been removed so I can only think that this may not have been the case. Any info would be of interest as I follow Norstone on the local AIS.

[stbrab]

Hi, she didn't tow the Donald Redford as far as i know.  She'll be hard at work now for another 2 years till drydock.  Most of the time she'll be going into  Langstone as they have a new plant ashore and its a lot quicker.
Added a couple more pictures