Shipspotting on the Ilse of Wight

[gwrdave]

I know I've seen several articles on Cowes etc but does anybody know the best places on the Isle of Wight and what the time difference is between ships docking at say Southampton and Fawley. What sort of lens would I need and position of the sun. Be at Cowes early May.

Any information would be gladly accepted.

Dave Gallie (gwrdave)
New Zealand

[ChasB46]

GWRDAve ... if you download this pdf it will give you an idea of the Thorn shipping channel passing Cowes. http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/admin/content/files/PDF_Downloads/Yachtsmans-guide-LowRes.pdf  All the large ships entering Southampton Water / Fawley / Docks have to use this channel 24/7 as its the dredged area. Thus the big stuff passes Cowes seafront. However the smaller coastal vessels for Fawley and Docks often use the North Channel ..tide depth permitting.
All port info can be found here  http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Home/ but specific arrival/ departure times are listed /updated are accessed here http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Planned_Movements/
The arrival times for Fawley & BP Hamble in this list are at Hook Buoy (adjacent to Calshot which is the northern tip of the red channel area of previous map). Cowes thus approx 30 minutes earlier for arrivals etc. Other times are for actual berthing in Southampton Docks. This can vary depending how far into docks the ship has to penetrate. For container berths I would estimate 2 hours. Sun is behind you most of the day but will be in your lens towards evening. The previous map shows North so you can guesstimate suns travel.
There is frequent car ferry service from Cowes to Southampton and you can buy ticket as a foot passenger. example http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2168136 This ferry uses the shipping channel (or just outside if clear channel vessel is using main channel) The ferry passes Fawley, Hamble and travels part way into docks. Approx 1 hour journey. Terminates short of New Docks and container port. Do not use Red Jet service Cowes to Southampton as you cannot get photos from windows. http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2155707  If you need more info email me via Shipspotting.
If you are interested in cruise ships preplanned dates are here http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

[gwrdave]

ChasB46,

Thanks for a very detailed post will really help as it will other people as well.

Thanks again,

Dave

[Clydee]

ChasB46

I look forward to the time when we have a Category or Search key for Shipspotting locations

It would provide access to very useful information like yours, readily available to travelling members

Best regards
Clyde

[Nigel Price]

Clyde,

That is a good idea to have a category for shipspotting locations. It would be easy for the locals to write up a viewing/photography access guide for visitors. If there was a function where we could incorporate a map that would also help.  Things to include :  where to go, distances, sun direction & time of day, local port website and how accurate it is for times of ship movements. Is there public transport to get there ? Maybe include some photos taken from these places that we list so the visitor can get an idea of what he will see/ be able to photograph ( Is it worth while to make the effort to get there ? )Probably more things to include.
regards,

Nigel

[Cody Williams]

Something that may also be helpful is a custom Google map. I have found that it is very easy to throw one together in a short period of time. Here is the end result of my map.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zEn2BuDLFYY4.kWBz9928MOcM

Kind regards
Cody

[Clydee]

Thank you Nigel.  It would be a good way for members to help members and prospective members

And no site programming would be needed.  Just a consistent form of vessel heading for the pic of a vessel at one of the locations.  And details to assist the reader in the Description part of the upload.  With personal options available to the informing member

Searching could be done using the Beginning with or Anywhere options.

Cody
That's great work.  It could be used in many ways to help a visitor to a port