Messages

1

Shipping News and information / Re: Refloating of Costa Concordia started this morning

« on: July 20, 2014, 09:31:57 AM »

This morning The Parbuckling.com reported "Deck 5 has completely emerged and there are still about 2 meters for deck 4 to refloat. The wreck is stable in its position while operations to control ballast are performed. So far an average floating of about 6 meters has been reached through these operations."
All is being revealed?

2

Shipping News and information / Re: Laid Up Ships

« on: December 20, 2008, 10:08:47 AM »

Phil,

The bulk market is dead!  Sign of the times I guess.  Understand that Zodiac have already laid up 8 capesize bulkers - 5 at Johore and three in Southampton including the WATERFORD on 101 berth. Chris Allport

3

Shipping News and information / Re: Speedone

« on: November 26, 2008, 01:59:13 PM »

How disappointing. Today's press reports that no buyer has been forthcoming and that Speed Ferrioes will now go into liquidation. Guess all the staff, both afloat & ashore are out of work. This is a real blow for myself and all the many other British residents in France who have supported SpeedFerriies since start-up in 2004 who will really miss this excellent and reasonably priced operation. They provided the first very real competion for the established operators including Eurotunnel at realistic prices. Expect that we can now expect P&O, Sea France etc to raise their fares back to the exorbitant rates until another low-cost operator takes up the challenge.. Just hope that LD keeps its fares at a reasonable level.   Chris Allport

4

Shipping News and information / Re: Passing distances of modern shipping

« on: March 20, 2008, 11:16:18 AM »

Hi guys,

This is a deadly serious subject and not one to be treated in a lighthearted manner. There is plenty of legal precedent of what is an unacceptable passing distance for ships whether ancient or modern, however over the ages no one has clearly defined a figure for a safe passing distance. The key is to avoid a 'close quarters situation' and certainly any passing distance of less than 1 nm is clearly approaching this legal interpretation. I've just been looking at Captain Richard Cahill's guidance in his book " Collisions and their Causes"  and he has a stab at defining a safe distance. It has always been the ordinary practice of seamen to be prudent and take the safest course of action to avoid a close quarters situation developing. For what it's worth,  my advice would be nothing closer than 1 nm, any closer and you are taking unnecessary risks with you ship and the lives of fellow seafarers. If you want a more detailed explaination read Captain Cahill's excellent book.  Regards,  Chris Allport

5

Shipping News and information / Re: Port line ship

« on: February 02, 2008, 09:15:14 AM »

Mgt,

Further my previous note, take a look at:-
 http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/72984/ppuser/11395 .

That was the Port Nicholson's third voyage and during her second trip to NZ, where we took 8 weeks to discharge, one week to prepare the ship for her reefer cargo and then 5 weeks to load. Those were the days...? Somewhat different life compared with the box boats of today.

Brgd, Chris Allport

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Shipping News and information / Re: Port line ship

« on: February 02, 2008, 09:02:47 AM »

Hi Mgt,

I was second trip apprentice on Port Nicholson from mid 1963 thru to spring 1964. I recall that the Master that voyage was Captain Townsend and the C/O John Holdrup. A really beautiful ship and at the time the largest refrigerated cargo vessel in the world. As to her fate after Port Line was wound up, the Miramar site is the best bet.  You may find a lot more about her on the Vintage Port and Shipnostalgia websites, where I and many others have posted photos.

Brgds, Chris Allport

7

Shipping News and information / Re: MSC Napoli bow arrives in Belfast

« on: January 20, 2008, 03:02:11 PM »

There is a very well researched and balanced article on the MSC Napoli incident "one year on" in the Sunday Times today. Go to ttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3196943.ece

I was particularly pleased to note that the Sunday Times journalist praised the Captain and Crew of the MSC Napoli in their expertise working as a team to follow their training and well developed procedures evacuating the vessel successfully without injury to any crewmembers. This truely was an exceptional demonstration of professionalism and good seamanship.

The article includes some intersting statements, perhaps the most significant being "Was it a freak accident or does it suggest lethal flaws in a method of transport responsible for shifting 90% of world trade?" It will be interesting if the upcoming MAIB report due publication in the next month or so will answer this question. Perhaps the prolonged delay in publication of the report is an indication that the findings of the investigation have serious implications for the container shipping industry and the classification societies that control construction  - particularly if the root cause of the MSC Napoli foundering was due to flaws in the design and construction. We'll have to wait and see.  Regards. Chris Allport

8

Shipping News and information / Re: 10 missing after Bulkcarrier "Da Ji" sank

« on: January 14, 2008, 10:28:25 AM »

I hope this tragic incident will get the same degree of investigation that incidents in other areas of the world are subjected to. It is important to determine the root cause of why this vessel sank with such high loss of life and lessons are learned to prevent a recurrance.

Chris Allport

9

Shipping News and information / Re: MSC India accident - 1 Dead

« on: January 09, 2008, 05:50:33 PM »

It's a sad fact that far more seafaeres are lost through accidents whilst conducting drills with lifeboats than are saved by them. This is another incident which adds to that tragic total.

Chris Allport

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Shipping News and information / Re: Black Sea faces oil 'catastrophe'

« on: November 14, 2007, 12:50:52 PM »

It's a personal tragedy that so many seafarers appear to have lost their lives in this catastophic event. I hope that Mr Alexander Tkachev, governor of Russia's Krasnodar region and authorities in Russia are giving as much attention to saving as many as possible and searching for the bodies of those lost, as they are to the environmental impact.

I always understood that sulphur was inert and would no little, if no harm to the environment

Always amazes me that a little oil in the water takes precedence over human like.

Chris Allport

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Shipping News and information / Re: Northwest Passage open for business

« on: September 18, 2007, 02:01:51 PM »

Don't always believe what you see on the BBC or other international media. There is a recent conference report on the subject in this months' edition of the Nautical Institute's (www.nautinst.org) journal SEAWAYS entitled "Canada's third ocean - trade route of the 21st Century" which provides some well informed information on the subject. The closing remarks provided by Captain James Steele reflect on the vastness of the north, the lack of significant infrastructure to take care of incidents and the fact that it is clear that the Northwest Passage is not, and will not be, ice free for some significant period. But with all the interest and activity in the north to "watch this space" which is perhaps an appropriate phase.

Regards,  Chris Allport

12

Shipping News and information / Re: SCRAPPED ULCC PHOTOS

« on: June 24, 2007, 04:29:12 PM »

Nice one Knudde; Auke Visser's  International Tankers site is brilliant, especially, if like me you have spent 30 years associated with esso/exxon tankers.

Rgds

Chris Allport

13

Shipping News and information / Re: MSC Alexa in collision

« on: June 14, 2007, 04:35:54 PM »

Interesting that Mediterranean Shipping Company - the Ship Manager of this 1996 built vessel,  has issued no briefing statement regarding this incident on it's website. When the MSC Napoli foundered in January, Zodiac Maritime, the shipmanager, was very quick to issue a statement of facts. Pity that MSC themselves are so slow when one of their own vessels is involved.

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Shipping News and information / Re: Kristina Regina in collision

« on: May 29, 2007, 11:35:11 AM »

Collisions are never caused by fog!

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Shipping News and information / Re: MSC Napoli Sinking

« on: January 22, 2007, 05:08:28 PM »

What an excellent editoial from Lloyds List (perhaps a few other coastal administrationsw will take note), however I am surprised at them for not first checking both Zodiac Maritime and MSC websites before publishing their comments. Even if rather concise, Zodiac issued press releases on both 18th and 21st echoing their action and concerns - which one would expect from from a well managed and quality operator. Needless to say that MSC was silent.