Messages

121

Help and Advice / Re: spotting in houston

« on: December 28, 2011, 04:16:41 PM »

That lack of photography does seem odd, photography is openly allowed even on San Diego Harbor tours, and they go right past two major Navy bases, including a submarine installation. How there could be anything more sensitive than that on the Houston Ship Canal, which is regularly filmed for time-lapse transits on Youtube, is beyond me.

122

Shipping News and information / Re: SS Emerald ex Santa Rosa, Regent Rainbow etc.

« on: December 12, 2011, 01:30:40 AM »

I've begun to take the "Dead" designation from the data with a grain of salt. Even moreso in the data on Gross Tonnage.

An example would be the tug CRAIG FOSS, which is described as "Dead" but in reality is alive and well, currently finishing outfitting for a delivery to new owners. Or the LANE VICTORY, which while a museum ship, still sails on multiple occasions during the year, and is far from calling "Dead."

123

Shipping News and information / Re: Renamings

« on: December 06, 2011, 12:52:28 AM »

NORTHERN JAVELIN (IMO: 9465095) renamed APL ITALY as of 24 October.

124

Site related news, functions and modules / Re: New identification for military vessels available

« on: December 03, 2011, 05:12:51 PM »

To elaborate on foggy's comment, many of the US auxiliaries and Sealift Command ships I've photographed have hull numbers that I've listed, but their IMO numbers link to photos of the vessels prior to their entry into military service. It would be a shame to lose such a link to illustrations of the vessel's history when viewing the current photo.

125

Shipping News and information / Re: Renamings

« on: November 23, 2011, 04:24:54 AM »

Tugboat CRAIG FOSS (IMO: 8424551) renamed as CRAIG TRANS and reflagged from USA to Bolivia.

126

Shipping News and information / Re: Oldest Seagoing Ships In Service

« on: November 18, 2011, 04:13:10 PM »

Thanks for the additions everyone, some neat survivors being brougt up!

With the mention of INDEPENDENCE earlier, the 1938 tanker-gone-fish processor, thought I would bring up another golden oldie from the Seattle fishing fleet.

There are plaenty of 1920's and earlier coastal boats still going strong here in the Pacific Northwest, but the longliner CLIPPER EXPRESS (IMO: 5143871) bears the distinction of being a deep-sea fishing vessel of pre-war vintage, dating back to 1937.

127

Shipping News and information / Elusive Ships

« on: November 16, 2011, 07:42:44 PM »

While out on a shipspotting expedition to the Port of Tacoma, I managed to capture Evergreen Line's rather large (6,332 TEU) EVER ENVOY (IMO: 9241308). When I posted her on the site, I was suprised to note that despite being built in 2002, mine was the first image of her to be posted.

So, this just made me wonder, are there any other rather elusive large vessels anyone knows of? Or, any stories of vessels you've been suprised to find you are the first to capture?

For me, it's almost kind of a game to see which vessels I find are new to the site, and the older they are, the more suprising

128

Shipping News and information / Re: Renamings

« on: November 16, 2011, 07:35:38 PM »

DALIAN EXPRESS scheduled for arrival at Seattle on the 21st, she formerly was HAMBURG EXPRESS (IMO: 9229829).

Will confirm change when she arrives.

129

Shipping News and information / Re: Westward Venture

« on: November 16, 2011, 07:29:14 PM »

According to www.coltoncompany.com, she has recently been stripped of machinery and equipment for Sea Star Line's vessels of the same class, which are aparently in rough shape.. It seems that line is also planning on scrapping the EL MORRO in the spring, one of the Venture's sisters.

It's always sad to hear that another old girl like her is headed of for the torches.

130

Shipping News and information / Re: Oldest Seagoing Ships In Service

« on: September 30, 2011, 01:43:56 AM »

Interesting thoughts everyone, thanks for the responses!

My hope was actually to kind of create a forum for celebrating some of these oddball elderly vessels that most aren't aware of, yet just may occasionally visit a port near you, and have, at least in the world of merchant shipping, seemingly achieved a temporary immortality.

I was very excited to actually capture CSL CABO as she departed yesterday. Who knows how much longer she will be sailing, though.

Among my personal sighting hall of fame I would also include HORIZON CHALLENGER, a 1968-built containership.

And, though scrapped at 31 or so years of age, one of my favorites, with the last photo taken of her posted here, 1978's SAMMI HERALD.

131

Shipping News and information / Oldest Seagoing Ships In Service

« on: September 28, 2011, 03:11:27 AM »

I've seen threads regarding the oldest active vessel on the face of the planet, with various candidates from the 19th century coming forward, but how about something a little more specific, yet requiring a little less effort to go and find in person.

What are some candidates for the oldest serving oceangoing vessels out there?

For me, this question was raised by today seeing CSL CABO at a pier on the Duwamish River in Seattle. Built in 1971, at 40 years old she must be one of the most elderly seagoing bulkers still out there. Any other rather old active candidates anyone wants to bring forward?

132

Site related news, functions and modules / "Preserved" Ships

« on: March 18, 2011, 02:32:11 AM »

This probably just seems like a trivial little thing, but I'd just like to bring up the awkwardness I sometimes feel with using the "Museum Ships" category, as there are numerous vessels I've encountered that are vintage, and a no longer in active service, yet would not be considered to be a museum vessel by any means. I really feel that instead a more appropriate category might be for "Preserved Vessels" that would encompass conversions of classic vessels to yachts, charters, or liveaboards, where they are still kept intact, but are generally not publicly accessible.

Does anyone else have any thoughts?