Messages

196

Shipping News and information / It's got taller! but do you know why?

« on: July 01, 2007, 07:43:18 PM »

Reading the other news post about the Princess of Norway I was also looking at the North Shields web cam yesterday.

Look at the tower crane on the right on the other side of the river at the Aker yard (Ex Readheads),is it me or has the tower crane got higher?

I sailed passed it this afternoon out of interest and I am sure it has been heightend, 'but for what', is something realy  big about to come the river?

Anything that bring jobs for the lads is always welcome!

By the way for our Dutch friends incase you come over and drive off the ferry the Queen and Princess of Norway do not actualy sail from Ijmuiden to 'Newcastle' as stated, you will have to settle for 'North Shields' which is
'9 mile' down river from Newcastle!,Just follow the signs!. :-)

197

Shipping News and information / Re: German navy vessel in serious trouble. Spectacular shots!

« on: February 24, 2007, 07:30:44 PM »

Whoops!
         By the look of the hull damage "if" they pull her off I hope they have a quick dry dock avalable very nearby!!! :-)

198

Trip reports / Re: Shipspotters Hotels etc.

« on: February 18, 2007, 07:39:42 PM »

I travel to Istanbul Turkey every month on business.
It does not jump to the front of everyone's shipspotters place, but flights are very reasonable,hotels are abundent of all classes and the food is great.
Take a taxi from the Airport (30/40min)(

199

Shipping News and information / Re: MSC Napoli Sinking

« on: February 08, 2007, 08:08:52 PM »

Hello Gareth
Yacht keels do not just happen to "drop off",any good skipper would have some prior warning as the boat would not handle correctly.
Having owned various boats over the years to loose a keel off a yacht takes some doing and you are correct, hitting a submerged object could well of been the cause of this tragic loss.
The only other reason is poor mainternance but to be sailing a yacht in the English channel I will give the boat owner more credit and assume she was seaworthy.
Hitting a 40'submerged container will put a big hole in most things and to  capsize the yacht sounds more of a large hole beeing ripped open when the keel was hit/lost.
Containers have a nasty habit of floating "just submerged" as some air gets trapped and I for one hope they find all of them from the Napoli as anything that floats "also travels" with the tide!.
Mike :-)

200

Shipping News and information / Re: MSC Napoli Sinking

« on: February 07, 2007, 09:01:44 PM »

Hello Tim
The mcanet site does have some good pictures, but I wish they would date them instead of having to trawl through them or am I missing something!
Does anyone know if she is actualy afloat? as she seems to be going down not up as the containers are coming off, or maybe I am missing the latest pic,s.
I hope they salvage her after all this effort but no one mentions the foul winter weather to come, if she breaks her back altogether then thats that.
Mind I know in the past many salvors have tried to break the ship in two as they can salvage her better but loose the "prize" of the complete salvage.
let's see and hope for the best.
Mike :pint: