Messages

1

Shipping News and information / Re: PlanetSolar, the World's Largest Solar-Powered Boat

« on: November 25, 2013, 04:36:04 PM »

The solar powered boat visited London during September. Some photos of her visit at http://thamesvessels.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/turanor-planetsolar-visits-west-india.html

2

Shipping News and information / Re: MASSEY SHAW FIRE BOAT

« on: April 10, 2013, 06:37:54 PM »

Hi,
Looking at the Massey Shaw facebook page it looks like she is inside a shed/barn somewhere close to the docks having her last finishing touches done. It looks like she will take part in the Gloucester Tall Ships event between 24-27th May. Looks like she will then make her 3 stage trip to west india dock/st katherine dock sometime in June. Info from  https://www.facebook.com/masseyshaw and http://www.londonfireboat.com/

Regards
Steve

3

Shipping News and information / Re: London visit

« on: April 04, 2013, 05:13:25 PM »

hi all -

A bit more info on her visit at http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/media/newsletter-canada_plus-bulletin_nouvelles.aspx?lang=eng

Will be quite a nice catch that one.

regards Steve

4

Shipping News and information / Re: HMS BULWARK's landing craft

« on: March 24, 2013, 03:38:51 PM »

Hi Bob,

thats really useful and interesting info. More info to mull over. the Royal Marines don't make it easy
Any other info would be much appreciated if ever you come across any.
Im trying to also find out what the red and yellow flag and blue and red flag carried means.

Thanks for the update

Regards
Steve

PS

Just noted the hover craft that were with Bulwark in 2011 were 'C' codes with C21 and C22

5

Shipping News and information / Re: HMS BULWARK's landing craft

« on: March 23, 2013, 03:42:26 PM »

Hi, Bob

HMS ALBION is currently in Extended Readiness as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review SDSR.

6

Shipping News and information / Re: HMS BULWARK's landing craft

« on: March 23, 2013, 03:28:23 PM »

Hi Bob,

This is a great question and a subject I am researching at the moment. I have seen quite a few LCVP (landing craft) recently over the last two years in London and I am researching what units they were from.

BULWARK was in London in 2011 and had 'B' prefix LCVP on board. They were from 1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1 AGRM)/4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines (4 ASRM) who operate from HMS BULWARK.

OCEAN was in London during 2012 (twice) and carried LCVP with 'N' and 'P' prefix codes. They were from 1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1 AGRM)/9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines (9 ASRM) who operate from HMS OCEAN.

However during the Olympics a number of LCVP carried 'A' prefix codes (A7 0204 was one noted) and a few people, including a number of reports on the Internet sugest they were from the training squadron - 10 Landing Craft Training Squadron ( 10 LCTS) These 'A' prefix LCVP were never spotted on board OCEAN at any time. These also never carried any additional squadron flags. I've logged quite a few numbers recently!

Again this is just what I have resarched for the craft I've seen and may be total nonsence for you but it may help.

Regards
Steve

7

Shipping News and information / Ships and boats in London.

« on: March 01, 2013, 02:04:48 PM »

My blog Ships and boats in London is always worth a visit for anyone with an interest in river activities in London. If you haven't already had a peek its worth a look. All the latest movements and rumours are there with a great selection of my own photographs. I'm even compiling a fleets lists section!
The blog had news of the LANCASTER visit for about a week now.
A shameless promotion i know but some of you may not know its there. Its even had a bit of a makeover since it first began. Its got quite a following and has become quite popular.

It can be found at http://thamesvessels.blogspot.co.uk/

Regards steve

8

Shipping News and information / Re: NATO mine warfare force

« on: December 05, 2012, 02:37:40 PM »

Hello everyone,(especially Bob)

Looks like London is getting that SNMCMG1 visit finally, although with a greatly reduced fleet.
Looking on AIS GODETIA, NARCIS and SAKALA are sitting off the Margate coast with Narcis showing London as its destination.

A pretty reduced fleet from what it started off as and no Karmoy which is a shame.
 
Steve

9

Shipping News and information / Re: NATO mine warfare force

« on: November 02, 2012, 12:40:30 PM »

Hi,

Not sure if the SNMCMG1 fleet will ever make that port visit to London, but an update is that they are currently in Boulogne sur mer. From Nov 5th-7th they are clearing WW2 mines from the Somme Bay. Still mines there after all these years!

Steve

10

Shipping News and information / Re: NATO mine warfare force

« on: September 21, 2012, 02:31:06 PM »

Hello,
Found on the Internet that the SNMCMG1 fleet will be part of the MCM assets taking part in the Joint Warrior 12-2 exercise. This runs from 1-11 october in the Scottish exercise areas.
Regards
Steve

11

Shipping News and information / Re: NATO mine warfare force

« on: September 12, 2012, 12:45:57 PM »

Hello all,

My thinking (and I could well be wrong) is that the vessel on 27th/28th of Sept will be the NE BRASIL U27. Last European POC are Amsterdam (currently in), Copenhagen, Hamburg and London. She then sails to Baltimore to continue her tour. Average time in port is 2/3 days according to the internet.

Looking at the last time SNMCMG1 was in WID in 2010 they all went in. The Italian Frigate went near the pedestrian crossing and the minesweepers bunched up the other end near the the lock.

Regards
Steve

12

Shipping News and information / Re: NATO mine warfare force

« on: September 03, 2012, 04:49:47 PM »

Looks like they departed Frederikshavn Mon 3rd sept. Godetia and Karmoy ( as warship.M341) are plotting on AIS. There is a "vessel" bridge lift on 27 sept. Could be for godetia if the rest of the fleet go into West India? Then again it could be the annual NE Brasil visit.

Regards
steve

13

Shipping News and information / Anybody know much about the UK Royal Marines

« on: August 12, 2012, 04:36:03 PM »

With HMS Ocean being in London for the past few weeks and a previous visit a few months back there have been a number of LCVP Mk5 (?) noted on the Thames.  I thought I would research them as I have a number of photos of them and found that they come from 9ASRM. But how does their numbering system work? I've noted A5, A7, N3, N4 and P7 prefixes. A look on Wikipedia shows a whole list of pennant numbers for their craft but they range from 9473-9724, no mention of any prefix. For example N3 0346
Just interested really as its not something you see everyday.
I know not really 'ship' spotting but there are a few photos on the site.
Regards
Steve

14

Shipping News and information / Re: Sail Royal Greenwich 2012

« on: July 16, 2012, 12:01:12 PM »

Hi Bob

Found a mention on a PLA notice (no.31)

"25th July 2012
At 10:00 the Tall ships will start departing from Tilbury landing stage in groups of 1 to 3 vessels with the last departing at 11:15 and will start proceeding inwards to Erith Rands. The Tall ships will be joined by 40 yachts from Higham Anchorage and further 60 yachts from upriver. The Tall ships will start to close up and form parade formation with yachts proceeding inwards to Blackwall Reach."

Hope that helps
Regards steve

15

Shipping News and information / HMS OCEAN

« on: May 04, 2012, 08:03:56 PM »

For anyone in the London area who was interested in the HMS OCEAN arrival and wasn't at Greenwich, I have a list of all the vessels and helicopters noted on her arrival on my blog. I will post some photos on here and the rest on the blog in the next few days.
See http://thamesvessels.blogspot.co.uk/
Regards
Steve