I live on the edge of a major shipping lane. I take advantage of that. I like watching the ships. We have;CruiseContainerCargoCar carriersFerriesOil tankersBunkerSailingWarHovercraftLifeboatsPleasure craft (Lots)I enjoy watching them all. So much so, that I registered and act as a node for marine traffic. In particular, in the nice weather, I like to cycle across to the sea wall at the back of Haslar Hospital with my radio, camera and spotter scope for a couple of hours to watch them. I guess it’s a bit like fishing but without the rods, and my catch is to see a ship.
On my morning walks it’s normal to see at least one of the Brittany Ferries, usually either the Normandie or the Mon St Michell, very occasionally the Bae De Sein. Then there is the Commodore Clipper, I’m lucky if I see her once a month. Every so often I’ll see one of the Bunker ships, either the Whitchampion or the JaneyW. Occaisionally, a cruise ship comes in to Portsmouth Harbour, more recently because the channel has been deepened for the carriers, the cruise ships can get a bit bigger. The Reefers are always a favourite to see, this morning for example, there was The Arrow – Reefers? Refrigeration ships. The containers they carry are chilled because they carry fruit. This makes Portsmouth one the main harbours for importing this. The pilot vessels are hosted at Fort Blockhouse, it’s nice to see them moving. There are of course the Wightlink Ferries and the fast cat over to Ryde. I also see the hovercraft moving out of the Southsea hoverport. Finally, I mustn’t forget the Gosport Ferries plying their trade over to Portsmouth. I never cease to be amazed at the skill the captains have in lining them up. I should also mention the tugs, I follow @TugmasterLloyd on Twitter, he produces some lovely pictures. See, there’s always something interesting to see.
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