Large Semi-Submercible ship 'Osprey' due in Tyne

[Mike]

The large semi-submercible ship 'Osprey' is due in the Tyne on March 31 at present ETA at 17.00.
http://www.oht.no/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=514
I am reasonably sure this must be the ship to move the old Swan Hunters floating dock the now FD Bhurati currently loaded at Swans yard with the old floating crane Titan II and other dockside crane sections.
The 'Osprey' at 53.000 tons is not small and is an interesting ship herself as she was converted from an oil tanker a few years ago and is twice as big as the 'Fjord' in the Tyne last year with the 'Icemaiden 1' onboard which was originaly thought to be going to do the job.
It will still be interesting to see if she will load in the Tyne as the highest tide of the month is not until April 10th at 15.47,deepest berth is No 1 berth Riverside quay at 12.1m@ chart datum, Northumberland quay is 9m @chart datum.
Fjord by the way is in Abu Dhabi loading the first of three round trips to Nigeria with fabrication modules.
I only hope we have enough tugs as a few are departing over the next few days!
Mike  :-)

[Mike]

It is now confirmed by Fairstar 'Osprey' is to move the floating dock to India.
However she is now due at an estimated ETA of 2.00 on the 1st April.
Mike :-)

[Nathan]

If anyone is interested,

The Tees tug Ormesby Cross is due depart the Tees for Newcastle early tomorrow morning (3rd) and return during the afternoon. I presume it may have somthing to due with Osprey?

All the best

[mick stephenson]

From the port of tyne website

"Transferring the remaining cranes, equipment and floating dry-dock at Swan Hunters is no mean feat and requires a specialist heavy lift vessel the

[Mike]

Hi Coaster
I see the floating Swans dock is moving at 05.00 (Friday) in the morning to riverside quay from Swans quay for the loading onto Osprey.
Also Osprey is down to move in the afternoon at 16.00 to move from the RSQ to Northumberland quay to make space,
Osprey's sailing time on Saturday still looking uncertain! (high tide is 10.38 Saturday morning)
Mike

[Guest]

Hi Mike

Well it looks all set for an outbound tonight @ 19.00 - Ormsby Cross is on its way from Teeside to assist and is just passing Hartlepool.

Pity I could hear the fog horn at Tynemouth on my way home from work  :-o

Regards

[Robert J Smith]

I see you also have the French patrol vessel FS PLUVIER (P678) due on the Tyne on the 9th April @ 13.30, going to N/C7.

Regards

Bob

[Guest]

Hi Bob

Well that will make up for HMS Westminster which was expected in this month but is no longer scheduled.

Doesn't look too good for photography of the outbound Osprey tonight as it gray and raining - not good camera weather  :-o

Regards

[Ian]

Managed to grab this shot through the rain and gloom......

http://www.ianuk01.co.uk/swanhunters/swanhunters09.jpg

[Guest]

ianuk01 wrote:
Managed to grab this shot through the rain and gloom......

http://www.ianuk01.co.uk/swanhunters/swanhunters09.jpg

Hi Ian

Nice shot - real shame about the weather and time of day that she finally went outbound, especially as it was such a fine evening the night before.

Osprey is slowly making her way to India - last seen off Weymouth @      9/4/2009 14:24:31 UTC

Regards

[Mayhem]

I got this one, much darker and fitting the mood which she left in. It was quiet and subdued at the Fish Quay, as befitted the leaving of icons which had been with us for decades

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/cazdragon22/RandomStuff/eaf1071e.jpg