Messages

16

Trip reports / IT'S OPEN!!!

« on: June 22, 2018, 12:51:43 PM »

Good News for all the ship spotter's coming to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia USA.

The fishing pier at Overlook Beach at Fort Monroe Hampton VA that was damaged and closed after Hurricane Isabel in 2003 has been repaired/rebuilt and opened in April 2018.

This pier will allow to get closer pictures of ships as the pass into and out of the Hampton Roads area including Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, and Portsmouth VA.  You will be seeing some pictures from in the future taken from there.

This can be accessed with FREE parking and no access fees from the parking lot at Overlook Beach at Fort Monroe Hampton VA.  If you are in the area I HIGHLY suggest checking it out.

Thanks and hopes this help!!!

17

Site related news, functions and modules / Re: Having Trouble with Date Button

« on: June 07, 2018, 03:16:31 PM »

It seems to be working now.  Maybe I was having an ID-10-T error my part.

18

Site related news, functions and modules / Re: Museum Ships category

« on: June 06, 2018, 06:18:52 PM »

Like It!!!

19

Site related news, functions and modules / Having Trouble with Date Button

« on: June 06, 2018, 06:17:46 PM »

All of sudden the date button when posting new pictures has stopped working.  Wondering what I am doing wrong.

20

Site related news, functions and modules / Re: Frustrated

« on: January 21, 2018, 09:28:20 PM »

Thank you to the administrators who have responded to me via PM.  It is your work that helps make this a very enjoyable and great website.

21

Site related news, functions and modules / Frustrated

« on: January 21, 2018, 03:00:05 PM »

As I have been looking at pictures I have posted in the past I have noticed that a number have been renamed by what I guess would be administrators.

Well, the problem is the "corrections" they are doing are not always correct.

For example, when I have named a US Navy LCAC as "US Navy LCAC XX", the administrator has renamed them "USS LCAC XX".  The problem is that are not commissioned (nor ever have been) and there for not entitled to be referred to as "USS".  I know this may be a "minor" thing, but in the interest of accuracy I have striven to label pictures correctly and to have them mislabeled as a correction is incorrect, IMHO.

Another example, is my label of "US Navy Harbor Security Boat XXX" has been changed to a simple USN Harbor Security Boat.  These boats carry specific numbers and when I can, I try to identify them as such.  Also, it causes them to be combined with boats that are clearly not the same.

Finally, I strive to use the correct spelling of names when posting.  One is using periods when indicated, while I understand the site does not like this, to not do so is inaccurate.  Also, "USCGC Flyingfish" is clearly ONE word on all the official documentation I can find, not two.

While I know many of you will disagree with me, and it is not normal to call out administrators (trust me, I know you job must be hard and try to respect your decisions as much as I can), accuracy is important to me and I hope there is some middle ground we can meet.

Also, I have a decent knowledge of naval ships and I more than willing to assist when needed in properly identifying or labeling them on the site (in fact would look forward to the challenge), all you have to do is ask.

Thanks, and please understand I am not trying to be disrespectful, just express my thoughts.

22

Trip reports / New & updated places in the Hampton Roads area.

« on: December 25, 2017, 03:31:46 PM »

Just a couple of updates-

1) The pier at the point at Fort Monroe Hampton VA (Old Point Comfort) is being rebuilt.  What I have been told is that it will be lengthened and given a T-shape end for fishermen.  If so, this promises to give a place for closer shots of ships entering and leaving the Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, and Newport News VA).

2) I have discovered a fishing pier built over the wave and windscreen for the Monitor-Merrimac Tunnel Bridge in Newport News.  It is located at the end of Terminal Ave behind the Harbor Master's Building and is open to the he public as part of the King Lincoln Park.  This place can given access to good shots of ships going in and out of Newport News and the local fishing fleet.

3) On a sad note, the Thimble Shoals overlook on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has been closed for rebuilding, and IF reopened, will be at least 2-3 years out.

Thanks and I hope this helps when folks are looking to do some ship spotting in the Hampton Roads VA area.

23

Shipping News and information / Re: Hyundai selling to Maersk

« on: June 09, 2017, 09:08:45 PM »

Thanks!!!!

24

Shipping News and information / Hyundai selling to Maersk

« on: June 09, 2017, 06:37:59 PM »

Recently had the opportunity to shot pics of Maersk Shanghai in the Hampton Roads.  Pretty sure she is the recently built Hyundai Neptune renamed.  Wondering why Hyundai would have sold such a new ship to Maersk?  Any ideas out there?

25

Trip reports / May 2017 Activity (Updated 05-23-17)

« on: May 12, 2017, 11:43:59 AM »

05-15-17 In an attempt to hear all those who commented on my forum posts, I will change my posting style to a monthly activity report as opposed to a report on each day I do something.  Hopefully this will allow three things-
- Trip reports that don't get too long.
- Not cluttering up the trip report forum.
- Still letting others now what I am seeing and doing.
Please understand, I take pictures and post them as a hobby and way of showing my interest in all things ships.  I am not a professional photographer, though I am trying to improve my quality.  Nor I am trying to stir up a lot of controversy.  If the membership feels like I am causing a lot of problems, please let me know and I will try to change or if needed, leave shipspotting.com.  Thanks.[/i][/b][/b][/i][/u]

05-03-17
Went to Fort Monroe Hampton VA.
Still trying to get used to my new camera.  Very bright conditions, probably limited quality.
Ships seen include - Atlantic Conveyor, MSC Barabara, Seamax Norwalk, USNS Arctic, USS Jason Dunham, and a number of US Navy LCAC units.

05-06-17
Spent another day on the Virginia Peninsula.  Picture conditions were a little better today.
Ships seen include - Chicago, Cornhusker State, Great Navigator, Maersk Iowa, Mataquito, Octavia, Primavera, UBC Miami, USCGC Harriet Lane, and USS Forrest Sherman. TTFN.

05-11-17
Went to Fort Macon Atlantic Beach (Morehead City NC) and watched the tanker BOW HUNTER come in.

05-14-17
Went to Wilmington, Southport, and Fort Fisher NC.  Saw some ferries.  Not a lot of other activity while I was there.

05-17 & 05-18-17
Spent some time both days at Fort Monroe (entrance to Hampton Roads) in Virginia.  Ships seen include - Algoma Vision, CMA CGM La Travita, CMA CGM Lorie, CSCL Africa, Mehuin, MOL Marvel, MSC Florentina, Oliva R, and ZIM Chicago.

05-22-17
Spent some more time at Fort Monroe Hampton VA.  Probably last ship spotting time for at least a week or more.  Also had to fight rainy weather.  Ships seen include-
Ever Lambet, Ken Goh, Nevzat Kalkavan and YM Unity.  Also some US Navy including 2 Cruisers, 1 Destroyer, 1 Amphibious Assault Ship and 2 MSC Units.

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Trip reports / Day Trip in Hampton VA

« on: April 17, 2017, 03:34:40 PM »

Took a day trip to Hampton VA on Easter.  Took pictures from both the fort and went on the Naval Station Boat Tour.  Have a new camera (broke old one), not sure if I like it yet or not.  Will see what comes out.

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Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: March 19, 2017, 11:47:13 PM »

03-19...  Started Vacation today.  Drove to Charleston SC today, stopping briefly in Wilmington NC.  Ships spotted include...  Carnival Ecstasy, USCGC Escanaba, USS Whidbey Island, and USS Yorktown.  Plan for tomorrow is to drive to Savannah GA.

(Just be aware that most/if not all pictures will not be posted until starting in mid to late April 2017)

03-21...  Due to internet failure at the hotel last night, I was unable to update.  Yesterday spent some of the morning in Charleston SC, then drove Savannah GA (with a stop in between to fight some fire ....  seriously, the road shoulder was on fire and had to put it out).  Today drove to Mayport/Jacksonville FL and then drove to Cocoa Beach FL (Port Canaveral).  Will be here for the next couple of days.  Hope to take a harbor tour, go to the space center, and check out some museums.  If you know of anyplace to check out in the Cape Canaveral area, please let me know!!!
Ships seen in the past couple of days include.... Bahama Spirit, Buccoo Reef, Ever Living, Grandeur of the Seas, Hoegh Shanghai, Independence, MOL Motivator, NOAAS Ferdinand R. Hassler, PAC Singus, Resolve, and YM Utmost

Hope everything is doing ok.

03-22-17 Went to Kennedy Space Center today.  Not ship spotting, but still nice.  Did get a couple of pics of small ships/boats going in and out of Cape Canaveral.  Hope to get pics of bigger ships in the next couple of days.  Don't want to offend the Evil Overlord Space Chickens, if you get my drift.

03-23-17 Went to the US Navy SEAL/UDT Museum and then spent time watching Port Canaveral some more.  Was able to get some pictures of - American Endurance, Carnival Liberty, and Disney Wonder among other stuff.  Hope to take a tour of the harbor tomorrow if the weather is ok.

03-24-17 So the harbor tour didn't happen - winds were too high for the boat.  Did spend some time at Jetty Park doing some ship spotting.  Ships seen include Balsa 92, Majesty of the Seas, and Disney Dream.  Plan for tomorrow is to drive down the ocean highway to Key West.

03-25-17 Drove to Key West today.  Did get into town in time to watch the Nieuw Amsterdam and some small ferries leave.  Plan for tomorrow is to go on a day long trip on the Yankee Freedom III to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson.

03-26-17 Went on day cruise to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas aboard the Yankee Freedom III.  Also got some pics of Brilliance of the Seas and Eurodam as well as smaller ships and boats.  Plan for tomorrow is to explore Key West and Fort Z. Taylor.

03-27-17 Spent the day around Fort Taylor in Key West FL.  Saw some small craft.  Plan for tomorrow is to drive to Tampa.  Will spend some time in the next few days at Fort De Soto their and also take a harbor tour.

03-28-17 Drove from Key West to Clearwater FL, that took most of the day, but I did get to get pictures of the Carnival Breeze as she came into Key West before I left.  Plan for the day tomorrow is try out some shipspotting sites at Fort De Soto and the Skyway Bridge for Tampa/St. Petersburg FL.

03-29-17 Spent the day at Fort De Soto at the entrance to Tampa Bay in Florida USA.  Really thought I would see more, but I guess I came on a day with little scheduled.  Did get pictures of the SFL Dee and Texas Enterprise.

03-30-17 Took a harbor tour and then spent some time at Fort De Soto again.  Ships seen include..  Joint Frost, JAG Punit, American Victory, Brilliance of the Seas, Western Spirit, Gary Chouest, Norwegian Jade, and OSG Independence.  Plan for the day tomorrow is to drive to Pensacola.  Will be there for a couple of days - might try to go to Mobile for a day trip during this.

03-31-17 Drove to Pensacola FL today, so didn't take a lot of pictures.  Did go by Plaza De Luna (thanks to Tad Arnold for the info) and did see and take pictures of the tanker Eagle Sydney.  Hope to go to Mobile for the day tomorrow.

04-01-17 Spent the day down on the waterfront in Mobile AL.  Saw a number of tugs, 3 Independence Class Corvettes/LCS fitting out at AUSTAL USA Shipbuilding, UBC Montego Bay arrive and other ships.  Plan on going to the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas and Fort Pickens tomorrow.  Probably won't get any ship pictures.

04-06-17 After spending time with family and doing a lot of driving, spent my final day of vacation at Fort Monroe Hampton VA.  Ships seen include ...  Atlantic Sea, Elvia, Northern Majestic, NYK Diana, USNS Arctic, USS Mitscher, USS Winston S Churchill and Yorktown Express.  Then I managed to ruin my camera (BUMMER MAJOR TIME).  Hope to start posting pics tomorrow.

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Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: March 12, 2017, 12:49:34 PM »

Thanks, I am looking forward to it, just be aware most photos probably will not be posted till after the first week in April

29

Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: March 07, 2017, 01:46:09 PM »

Spent a good portion of the day, Monday March 6th at Fort Hampton VA.  Will probably be the last time ship spotting for the next few weeks (BOOO...  I really enjoy it) but will be going on vacation towards the end of the month and it very well could provide some interesting opportunities for new ship spotting sites (YAAAAYYYY!!!!)

Ships seen include-
Cape Aster, Colombo Express, MSC Roma, NYK Nebula, OOCL Seoul, Philadelphia Express, USNS Arctic, USNS Leroy Grumman, USS Arlington, and YM Unity

P.S. - Please feel free and encouraged to comment/like/make observations on my photos and forum posts.  I enjoy the feedback and I am constantly trying to improve my picture taking techniques.  If not, that is OK too.  Either way, thanks for looking (if your reading this your looking) and best wishes!!!

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Trip reports / Re: My Trip Reports - Steven Collingwood

« on: March 05, 2017, 01:51:15 PM »

Spent a good portion of the day on Saturday, March the 4th at Fort Monroe Hampton VA.

Ships seen include:
Bao Ning Ling, Chem Altamira, CMA CGM Florida, CMA CGM Tancredi, Europe, Maersk Visby, MSC Alessia, Northern Monument, USNS Arctic, USS Detroit, Wise Young, and Yorktown Express.

Hope to spend tomorrow (the 6th) up there then.

After that probably will not be able to do anything until I go on vacation later in the month. (Imagine 3 whole weeks without seeing a patient, I love being a paramedic, but a break is good).

During vacation planning on driving to Savannah GA, Jacksonville FL (briefly), Cape Canaveral FL, Key West FL, Tampa FL, and Pensacola FL.  Any thing readers would suggest I should do/go there?

TTFN