2024

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for January 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Lady Adele ~ arriving at Port of Poole - December 2023  

Ships of the Wijnne Barends fleet are frequent callers at both Poole and Portland so about time one of the “ladies” starred in our monthly feature. Thanks to these excellent photos by Frazer Hockey we can show Lady Adele arriving into Poole on the 8th December and another shot of her discharging her cargo at South Quay before she departed in ballast for Rotterdam on the 12th. This was Lady Adele's second visit of 2023, having called at Poole in February with a previous load of timber from Latvia. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for January 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Lady Adele ~ alongside South Quay, Poole - December 2023  

Wijnne Barends Shipping has its origins in 1855 … its fortunes have risen and fallen over time - but it’s still going strong today. The company’s ship ownership peaked in 1955 when they had a fleet of 130 coastal vessels … these days they own a fleet of 36 ships (lengths 80-115 m / gross tonnages 2,500-5,000). Lady Adele was built in 2015 by the Groningen Shipyard at Waterhuizen in the Netherlands.  

Key Dimensions for Lady Adele ... Gross Tonnage = 2,544 ... Length = 88m ... Beam = 13m ... Service Speed = 10 knots ... Hold dimensions = 62m x 10.8m x 7.7m(height) ... Grain capacity c182,000 cu.ft. … Built 2015 in Netherlands

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for February 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Condor Voyager ~ at South Quay, Poole - January 2024 

Condor Voyager arrived in Poole on the morning of Saturday 6th January having crossed from St. Malo empty. Darryl Morrell was on hand to capture these two great photos of Condor Voyager deploying her Marine Evacuation System for required safety drills and tests, She then sailed to Cherbourg the following morning (Sunday 7th) for refit. In 2020 Condor Ferries' new ownership structure saw Brittany Ferries became stakeholder. In 2021 Brittany Ferries re-assigned their High Speed Craft (operated previously as "Normandie Express") to Condor on charter and renamed her Condor Voyager. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for February 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Condor Voyager ~ at South Quay, Poole - January 2024

Brittany Ferries purchased the "Normandie Express" from Incat in 2007 for £30m, having been on charter from them since 2005. Built 2000 as "Incat Tasmania", she was renamed "The Lynx" for a Tranz Rail inter-island charter in New Zealand until 2003.

Key Dimensions ... Gross Tonnage - 6,581 … Length - 97.22 m … Beam - 26.6 m … Draft - 3.43 m … Service Speed 33 knots (46.5k max.) … Capacity - 850 passengers & 267 cars ... Powered by 4 x Ruston 20RK270 engines (7080kW each) and propelled by 4 x Lips 120E water-jets.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for March 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ BBC Rio ~ entering Poole Harbour - February 2024  

BBC Rio entered Poole Harbour on the morning of 2nd February and thankfully, Harry Whittle was on hand to record her arrival. The ship left Masan in South Korea 19th December last year with a cargo of wind turbine blades bound for Germany. Her service call at Poole enabled two containerised items on the port side to be offloaded, a crew change and some essential maintenance. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for March 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ BBC Rio ~ entering Poole Harbour - February 2024  

BBC Chartering & Logistics was established in 1997 and named after the founding partners Bruno Bischoff and Roelf Briese. The company is based in Germany with offices or representatives in most major markets worldwide enabling rapid growth of their shipping business specialising in heavy lifts and project cargoes. The BBC fleet now numbers over 140 vessels with lifting capacities up to 800 tonnes. 
Key Dimensions for BBC Rio ... Gross Tonnage = 14,941 ... Length = 162m ... Beam = 25m ... Service Speed = 14 knots ... Hold capacity = 25,500 cu. m. … 3 cranes x 80 tonnes ... Container capacity 1050 TEU … Built 2012 in Yezhing, China. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for April 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Freeway ~ dredging at Port of Poole - March 2024  

The trailing suction hopper dredger Freeway arrived at Poole on the morning of the 18th March for a week's maintenance dredging from the Swash Channel to the Ro-Ro terminal and turning basin. Freeway is managed by Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster NV and currently completing a series of assignments along the UK South Coast. Darryl Morrell was on hand to capture these two great shots whilst the dredger was working the western end of the Ferry Turning Area at Port of Poole.  

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for April 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Freeway ~ dredging at Port of Poole - March 2024  

In January 2015 Boskalis christened the Freeway in the harbour next to its head office in Papendrecht, the Netherlands. She was the fourth vessel in a series of 4,500 cubic meter hopper dredgers built by Boskalis around that time and is very well suited for operations in shallow water including port maintenance and coastal protection projects. After completing her assignment at Poole, by 23rd March Freeway was on her way to Plymouth for her next task. 

Key Dimensions for Freeway ... Gross Tonnage = 4,320 ... Deadweight Tonnage = 5,950 … Length = 92m ... Beam = 19m ... Service Speed loaded = 11knots ... Total Power = 9,750 kW … Hopper Capacity c4,500 cu.m. … Dredging Depth = 30m … Built 2015 in Szczecin, Poland by the Shipkits consortium 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for May 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Jaynee W  ~ alongside South Quay, Port of Poole - April 2024  

This month we acknowledge the weekly Whitaker! The company’s tankers are regular visitors to Dorset bunkering Brittany Ferries’ ships running out of Poole. Thanks again to Darryl Morrell for his two super drone shots. Our first image shows Jaynee W during her visit on 13th April - waiting alongside South Quay. 

Key Dimensions for Jaynee W ... Gross Tonnage = 1,690 ... Deadweight Tonnage = 2,750 … Length = 75m ... Beam = 12.5m ... Service Speed loaded = 10knots … Tanker Capacity c2,500 cu.m. across 14 tanks … Built 1996

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for May 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Whitchampion ~ arriving at Port of Poole - April 2024  

Whitaker operate a small fleet of 8 seagoing tankers mainly in the UK and Northern Europe. The company, established in 1880, remains family owned and managed. Darryl’s second image shows Whitchampion arriving into Poole on 20th April. 

Key Dimensions for Whitchampion ... Gross Tonnage = 2,960 ... Deadweight Tonnage = 4,480 … Length = 85m ... Beam = 15m ... Service Speed loaded = 10knots … Tanker Capacity c4,800 cu.m. across 15 tanks … Built 2003   

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for June 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Seabourn Venture ~ arriving at Poole - May 2024  

When Seabourn Venture called at Poole on 10th May our ~Ships~Dorset~ contributor Fraser Hockey was up bright and early to capture the first photo of the ship as she made her arrival through Poole Harbour’s Main Channel and a second view as she approached her South Quay berth amidst early morning ferry movements. Seabourn Cruise Line has been wholly owned by Carnival Corporation since 1998, yet Seabourn Venture was the first expedition cruise ship to join the entire Carnival group of companies. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for June 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Seabourn Venture ~ arriving at South Quay, Poole - May 2024  

The ship’s hull was built and launched from the CIMAR shipyard on the Marano Lagoon at the northern end of the Adriatic between Venice and Trieste. From there it was towed to the Mariotti yard in Genoa for fitting out and completion. Seabourn Venture was delivered to Seabourn Cruise Line in June 2022 built to a standard that enables it to operate in Antarctica & Arctic during local Summer and Autumn. It carries two submarines onboard each carry six passengers and a pilot plus 24 Zodiac RIBs.

Key Dimensions for Seabourn Venture … Gross Tonnage = 23,000 … Length = 172m … Beam = 24m … Propulsion = 2x 6MW ABB Azipods … Service speed = 18-22 knots … Capacity for 264 passengers in 132 cabins … Crew = 120 … Polar Class PC6 ... in service 2022.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for July 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Queen Mary 2 & Renaissance - at Portland - June 2024  

The 1st June was an unexpectedly busy day at Portland Port UK. Scheduled cruise call Renaissance arrived from ClydePort, Greenock at 07.00 to berth at the enticingly named Outer Coaling Pier with cable ship CS Sovereign occupying her customary berth on the Inner Coaling Pier. It wasn’t long before one of Portland’s regular bunker tankers, Monjasa Provider, positioned herself alongside Renaissance for refuelling. By 08.00 Cunard’s 2004 built flagship Queen Mary 2 was berthing at Portland's Deep Water Berth following a short notice diversion from her planned Le Havre call due to threats of industrial action in France. Portland Port UK set up their usual free shuttles to Weymouth where the Wessex Folk Festival was underway. The scene was captured by Ships Dorset contributor Paul Dallaway and his second image provides a great closeup of Renaissance allowing us to see how well CFC have refurbished this 1993 built cruise ship.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for July 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Renaissance - at Portland - June 2024  

Renaissance is the first ship to be owned by French cruise operator Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) who purchased her soon after the company was established in 2022. The ship had been built by, and served with, Holland America Line since 1993 as Maasdam until being withdrawn from service in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. It was sold to Greek operator Seajets the same year and remained in lay-up until September 2022 when CFC purchased the cruise ship and sent it to Damen Shipyards in Brest for refit. 

Key Dimensions for Renaissance  … Gross Tonnage = 55,575 … Length = 220m … Beam = 31m … Service speed = 14 knots / Maximum Speed = 22 knots … Capacity for 1,100 passengers in 629 cabins … Crew = 580 ... in service with HAL 1993 / in service with CFC since 2023.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for August 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Alicia - arriving at Poole - July 2024  

The 1930 built superyacht Alicia arrived from Guernsey at the end of June and berthed at Poole Quay Boat Haven. Ships Dorset contributor Harry Whittle was on hand to capture these two great images of Alicia passing Bulwark Quay and going astern onto her Boat Haven berth. The vessel was built by Defoe Shipbuilding Co. at Bay City, Michigan, USA and launched as Janidore with steel hull, aluminium superstructure and teak decks. Powered by twin diesel D379 Caterpillar engines and 40,000 litre fuel tanks, her range can be extended to as much as to 3,000 nautical miles by selecting an economy speed of 9 knots and that range is supported by fresh water tank capacity of 15,000 Litres. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for August 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Alicia - arriving at Poole - July 2024  

When, in March 2015, the current owner decided to restore the Alicia to her original 1930 condition, a three-year project commenced at Solent Marine's Ocean Quay Yard on the River Itchen in Southampton. Over the next 40 months the vessel was rebuilt from the keel up … an almost entirely new steel hull and new aluminium superstructure that was built by SMS’ sister company, Wight Shipyard. In addition, Alicia received a complete rebuild of her onboard systems, many of which have been replaced by the latest technology available. The vessel was relaunched in August 2018 under her new name and after sea trials sailed for the Mediterranean to attend the 20th Les Voiles de Saint Tropez - a celebration of classic superyachts.

Key Dimensions for Alicia  … Gross Tonnage = 373 … Length = 50m … Beam = 7.5m … Powered by 2x 650HP engines … Service speed = 10 knots / Maximum Speed = 13 knots … Accommodates 10 guests in 6 cabins … Crew = 9 … built 1930 / major restoration completed 2018.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for September 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Patricia - in Poole Bay - August 2024  

Trinity House’s Multi Functional Tender Patricia undertakes maintenance work on aids to navigation, towing, wreck location and other projects around the coast of England, Wales and the Channel Islands. When Patricia was spotted in Poole Bay by Ships Dorset contributor Don Williams in the first week of August she was displaying “restricted manoeuvrability” daytime signal and her working deck was loaded with navigational buoys. At 86m long, THV Patricia has accommodation for 12 additional people over and above the operational crew (but ceased taking passengers when Covid struck). She has a helicopter-landing pad, a 20 tonne capacity main crane and 28 tonne bollard pull with towing winch. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for September 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Patricia - in Poole Bay - August 2024  

Patricia was built at the Robb Caledon Shipyard, Leith in 1981 as Yard No 530 and entered service with the Trinity House lighthouse tender fleet in 1982. The vessel is equipped with two 9m heavy duty workboats and a 5.4m RIB … has a 80 sq. m Deck Area with storage, workshops and load handling in the tween deck & hold … and accommodation in 34 Single Cabins and 6 Double Cabins for crew & guests. After her visit to Poole Bay, Patricia called at Southampton before sailing to undertake her next assignment at Harwich.

Key Dimensions for Patricia  … Gross Tonnage = 2,640 … Length = 86m … Beam = 14m … Powered by 2x 1,120Kw Ruston engines … 650Kw bow thruster ... Service Speed 12 knots … Bunker and Freshwater capacity to provide 20 days endurance … in service 1982.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for October 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Sun Princess - alongside at Portland - September 2024 

Princess Cruises’ new Sun Princess arrived at Portland Port 24th September - a maiden arrival - after spending two days in Southampton  on a Press and Travel Trade visit. She departed in the evening for Vigo, Maderia, Tenerife and Fort Lauderdale - a repositioning cruise to take up her first Caribbean season. Maritime Photographer, Steve Belasco was on hand to capture the occasion. 

The 2024 Sun Princess is the third ship to sail for Princess Cruises under this name. The ship is the first of the company’s “Sphere class” and powered by LNG. 

It’s big … but is it the “biggest” cruise ship to call at Portland Port UK? 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for October 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Sun Princess - departing Portland - September 2024 

Sun Princess is the longest cruise ship to berth at Portland Port UK … 345 metres (gross tonnage 177,882)

MSC Virtuosa is the highest gross tonnage of any cruise ship to berth at Portland … 181,541 (length 331m) … the ship called at Portland again a few days after Sun Princess on 27th September.

If we stray beyond berthing alongside and widen our search to Weymouth Bay … the biggest cruise ship to enter (and anchor in) the bay was Iona … length 344m … gross tonnage 184,089.

The “all time record” for Dorset waters (unless of course I’m corrected?) was the September 2020 visit by Allure of the Seas anchored in Poole Bay … gross tonnage 235,282 (length 363m).

Key Dimensions for Sun Princess … Gross Tonnage = 177,882 …Length = 345m … Beam = 47m … Maximum Speed = 22 knots … Lower Berth Capacity for 4,300 passengers in 2,157 cabins … Crew = 1,600 ... in service since February 2024.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for November 2024 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Hamburg - alongside at Poole - October 2024 

From Pool to Poole! On the afternoon of 9th October, the MS Hamburg made her maiden call to the Port of Poole. Arriving from the Pool of London (moored alongside HMS Belfast), the luxury cruise ship arrived in Poole about 13.30 with 319 passengers aboard and her brief call ended with an 18.30 departure for Falmouth. The two great photos by regular Ships Dorset contributor, Darryl Morrell, show off the ships new livery. During her short stay a traditional "plaque exchange" took place onboard between Poole Harbour Master, Harry Gregory, and the Captain of MS Hamburg, Captain Igor Gaber. 

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for November 2024 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Hamburg - departing  Poole - October 2024 

MS Hamburg is a 15,000-ton, 420 passenger cruise ship owned by the Conti Group and now operated by Plantours Cruises. She was built in 1997, in Wismar, Germany. Previously, as the Columbus, the ship sailed for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises of Hamburg from 1997 to 2012 ... Since 2012, as the Hamburg, her operators have been Plantours of Bremen. The new livery & logo she has adopted this year is part of an identity refresh celebrating Plantours Kreuzfahrten’s 35th anniversary

Key Dimensions for Hamburg … Gross Tonnage = 15,067 …Length = 144m … Beam = 21.5m … Maximum Speed = 16 knots … Capacity for 420 passengers in 197 cabins & 8 suites … Crew = 170 ... in service since 1997.