2003 Review

Our annual Winter Social was held onboard the Shieldhall at Southampton. 

43 members attended in favourable weather conditions for an enjoyable afternoon consisting of a three course lunch, followed by a slide show given by Peter Ives on a visit to Ho-Chi-Minh City, in preparation for the trip to the Far East later in the year. 

With thanks to all the volunteer crew of the Shieldhall, Bill Gambling the catering manager for an enjoyable lunch, and Peter Ives for his excellent slide show.

Lunch aboard the Shieldhall (Photo by Paul Mason)

Shieldhall at Southampton (Photo by Chris Brooks)

We returned to the Far East with a 15 night tour starting from London Heathrow airport. Five nights in Singapore, staying at our usual Rasa Sentosa Hotel on Sentosa Island, overlooking the Western Anchorage.

Interocean No 2 at Singapore

Sang Yang anchored in the Saigon River

Tiger Durban at Saigon.

In addition a six hour cruise was undertaken on the Saigon River taking in the old and new ports in the city centre and as far downriver to the anchorages as time allowed. There was  also plenty of free time for shopping / sightseeing etc.

In a 'thank you' letter one of our members commented 'all I can do is to admire the end result and say 'magnificent''. What more can we say apart from a big 'thank you' to Silverbird Travel for their usual first class organisation.

Maria C at Hong Kong

Millennia Tower at Hong Kong

(All photos by Paul Mason)

Black Watch at Southampton

Bunga Raya Satu at Southampton Container Terminal

MOL Advantage arriving at Southampton

(Photos by Chris Brooks)

55 members attended the AGM was held onboard the Ocean Scene at Southampton's Ocean Village after an enjoyable lunch. Then we enjoyed a cruise covering Southampton docks, Fawley and Hamble.

The AGM went smoothly with all resolutions carried without any issues. This was followed by the cruise as outlined above which lasted approximately three and a half hours. the cruise ship Black Watch was in port on the day.

Fortunately there were quite a few shipping movements on the day, including the inbound container ship MOL Advantage which made up for for the lack of tankers at Fawley and Hamble. Thanks to everyone who attended, especially to Bo Godfrey for organising the days event and Blue Funnel for their usual excellent arrangements.

25th to 28th April - Mini Continental

21 members took part in a Mini Continental tour staying three nights at the Delta Hotel, Vlaardingen on the riverside near Rotterdam with our usual private boat trips around Antwerp and Rotterdam. We travelled via the HSS from Harwich to Hook of Holland.

Some 275 vessels were noted during the trip and the three members new to our Continental trips enjoyed the experience. Lets hope they return for more of the same in the future.

Unfortunately it was raining for for much of the time in Antwerp, but being under shelter did not prevent the taking of photographs, and lunch was taken when the rain was at its heaviest. There was an average number of vessels in the enclosed docks during our five hour private cruise.

The nine hour private cruise around Rotterdam and Europoort on our old friend the Diane, started off cloudy and windy, but brightened up later in the day, resulting in good photographic conditions with a varied selection of vessels, especially large bulk carriers.

Annie Sierra berthed at Antwerp

Apostolovo arriving in Botlek Harbour, Rotterdam

Ocean going tug Husky outward bound from Rotterdam

Ocean Friend at Rotterdam

(Photos by Chris Brooks)

Harry S Truman in the Solent.

A close encounter with the Alfa Germania off Terneuzen

APL India leaving the riverside container terminal at Antwerp.

Puffin Arrow changing pilots off Vlissingen

TSS Members aboard the Braemar.

(Photos by Paul Mason)

The first TSS cruise.

25 members sampled a four night mini cruise on the cruise ship  Braemar. In direct association with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines we organised a trip departing from Southampton and calling at St Malo and Antwerp with an overnight stopover before disembarkation at Dover. 

It was a most enjoyable four nights on a vessel not too large like some of the modern cruise ships. A happy smiling crew looked after us very well and we had arranged group tables for dinner which looked directly out over the stern. 

One of the highlights was sighting the US aircraft carrier Harry S Truman anchored in the Solent on her return from the Gulf. 

St Malo was a most enjoyable place to visit but with very little shipping as expected.

The transit of the River Schelde into Antwerp produced the usual busy and varied collection of ships.A few members undertook the public harbour cruise in Antwerp where around 50 ships were noted in the enclosed main dock.

The on return to Dover the cruise ships Norweigan Dream and Black Prince were also in Dover on the same day.

A highly recommended 'taster' for a proper cruise and we propose to do a similar trip in August 2004.

Eight members undertook a trip to Helsingor in Demark for watching ship movements in the Sound - the narrow channel between Denmark and Sweden. 

Travel was via the DFDS ferry Dana Sirena - on its maiden crossing from Harwich to Esbjerg and onwards by train to Helsingor for a four night stay.

Our base was the Hotel Hamlet which was very comfortable and friendly. Members made good use of free time by either visiting Copenahgen, undertaking ferry trips across to Sweden, by visiting the maritime museum in Helsingor, or watching the shipping passing through the Sound. 

A successful and enjoyable trip.

Li Bai negotiating the Sound

Mercandia IV - one of the local ferries

(Photos by John Campbell)

The new cruise ship Crystal Serenity at Southampton

The new Indian frigate Talwar anchored off Portsmouth

Mighty Confidence at anchor in the Solent

Pride of Portsmouth departing from Portsmouth

(Photos by Chris Brooks)

Our annual six hour private cruise from Southampton on the Ocean Scene starting at midday. This cruise covered the River Itchen, Southampton Docks, Fawley and Hamble, plus Portsmouth Harbour. 

Despite late notice of a change of departure point all 66 participants arrived within time. It was really a day of newbuildings with the new cruise ship Crystal Serenity being in port as expected.

There was the usual collection of roro's and car carriers in and around Southampton but Fawley was faily quiet. At anchor off Portsmouth was the newbuilding Indian frigate Talwah.

On to Portsmouth where the aircraft carriers Ark Royal and Invincible were both in port. We were also to see the simultaneous sailing of the ferries Pride of Portsmouth and the relatively new Mont St Michel.

On the return leg we were treated to a 'surprise' cream tea, and the gas carrier Northumberland sailing from Fawley. Finally, the Caronia sailed as expected on our way back to Southampton.

A thoroughly enjoyable day with good weather a good selection of shipping.

A repeat of last years experimental midweek Princess Pochahontas seven hour private Thames and Medway cruise including buffet lunch. 

Admittedly not one of our better trips - a technical fault delayed our departure from Tilbury and there were no tankers berthed at Shell Haven or Coryton. Only one coaster was at Southend anchorage and there were no vessels at all at Sheerness. In the Medway the only vessels were the Yeoman Bridge and the laid up Donetsk, while Thamesport was also empty.

En-route back to Gravesend we passed the departing Maersk Constantia and several bulk carriers, container ships and car carriers were noted at Tilbury. Despite everyting including the cloudy and windy weather, everyone seemed quite happy at renewing contacts with old friends.

A close encounter with Dart 2!

Donetsk under arrest in the Medway

Maersk Constantia outbound in the Thames.

(Photos by Paul Mason)

The preserved Cap San Diego and the new Oosterdam at Hamburg 

Inna Gusenkova with pilot boat departing from Cuxhaven

Lydia Oldendorff passing Cuxhaven

Nordjarl departing from Cuxhaven

The busy River Elbe!

(Photos by Chris Brooks)

German Tour - starting from Harwich and travelling on the DFDS recently chartered Duchess of Scandinavia and return the same route. 

A four night stay at Donners Hotel in Cuxhaven with day trips to Hamburg, for our usual five hour private harbour cruise, and also to Bremen/Bremerhaven

Another excellent trip with no problems in warm and sunny weather, with around 260 vessels noted during the trip. Cuxhaven is an ideal location for photography with an uninterrupted background.

The public cruises around Bremerhaven port and from Bremerhaven to Bremen were not too crowded, but it was sad to note the decline of Bremen as a major port with very little shipping to note. 

Some members also undertook a public cruise from Cuxhaven to Hamburg and it was pleasing to do again the journey that DFDS don't do anymore into the centre of the port.

The hotel was also very good with views over the river, especially from the sixth floor restaurant, and was just a short walk away from the riverside.

A repeat of the successful Princess Pocahontas seven hour private Thames and Medway cruise including buffet lunch. 

A day in total contrast with the previous trip this year. Good weather and numerous ship movements, about 15 in total, plus four vessels anchored off Southend including the bulk carrier Balticland and the ro-ro Seahawk.

The Medway was especially busy with five movements, including the container ships Lykes Explorer and HSH Ubin and the bulk carrier Yeoman Bontrup. 

A very good day with probably more activity than we have seen in recent years.

HSH Ubin and Lykes Explorer underway in the Medway

Navion Scandia in the Thames

Balticland and Seahawk in Southend anchorage

(Photos by Chris Brooks)

Anglian Way at Ipswich (Photo by Chris Brooks)

A full container port at Felixstowe (Photo by Chris Brooks)

Members on the Thistle during the cruise. (Photo by Paul Mason)

A new venture - a five hour private cruise on the Thames sailing barge Thistle departing from Ipswich Docks and covering Harwich and Felixstowe.

Despite the bad weather forecast, all turned up on time and the weather was fine with no rain and little wind. Ipswich Docks produced some seven coastal vessels and other local craft.

For the container ship enthusiasts, Felixstowe Container terminal was more or less full.

In addition there were three ferries and one bulk carrier at Harwich. A very good day out with thanks to Topsail Charters and our Stephen Marginson for the organisation.

Another repeat - this time of the successful six hour private Solent cruise onboard the Ocean Scene. Departing from Ocean Village at midday, covering the River Itchen, Southampton Docks, Fawley and Hamble plus Portsmouth Docks. With a buffet lunch included.

Another good day out although a few members unable to attend through illness etc.

The weather remained fine throughout but although there were quite a few vessels in Southmpton and Fawley there was not too much on the move.

Kapitonas Simkus at Southampton.

Mont St Michel departing from Portsmouth

(Photos by Chris Brooks)

As has now become a tradition, the TSS took a table (number 20) at this year's show at Westminster Central Hall. Several committee members were in attendance to answer questions and pass the time of day talking ships.

Three new members signed up on the day and a great deal of interest was shown in the leaflets we produced, hopefully producing some more members when the leaflets are read in full at home. Some twenty five or so TSS members came to say 'hello' at the stand.

In co-operation with our friends on the Shieldhall, we took some places on their "Welcome to Queen Mary 2" cruise on the liners first arrival in Southampton, direct from the builders yard in France.

Despite the weather not being too good, the members who attended had an enjoyable and memorable cruise on the Shieldhall to greet the QM2.

The Queen Mary 2 arriving for the first time at Southampton

(Photo by Paul Mason)