Thames Ship Society

(T.S.S.)

                    2010 Programme                      (Updated 21st Feb 2010)     

The following provisional programme for trips and tours planned to be undertaken in 2010 already exists. Please note that this programme is not yet fixed and the details and dates below are subject to change. Further details will be published shortly.

Saturday 30th January 2010 - Winter Social.

The first event of 2010 will be the Winter Social. This year we return to the popular Churchill Hotel, on the seafront at Dover. 

After welcoming drinks in the bar we will be treated to a three course meal followed by coffee.

We will then have a  slide show given by Andrew Humphreys, entitled "East Kent Shipping Part 2 - Ancient and Modern". 

Why not make a weekend of it and stay at the hotel on Saturday night, with special TSS rates. On the Sunday morning, you can take advantage of a possible organised tour around the Coastguard Station at Dover, which has commanding views over the Channel as far as the coast of France.

Unfortunately this event was cancelled as the hotel went into administration a few days before the event. 

SEAFRANCE MOLIERE departing from Dover on 31st January 2009.

Some vessels seen during our 2009 AGM cruise...

ORIANA was undergoing maintenance at the QE II Terminal.

The huge CMA CGM VELA dwarfed the other container ships at the container terminal.

HELLAS SYMPHONY was at the BP Jetty at Hamble.

(Photographs by Chris Brooks.)

This year's AGM will be held on board Blue Funnel's vessel, Ocean Scene, at Ocean Village, Southampton. 

The day will include a three course lunch, served on board followed by coffee. After lunch the AGM meeting will take place. This meeting provides members with the opportunity to ask questions to the committee, air their views and hear about the past and future activities. In accordance with the TSS constitution the committee for the society are elected each year at the AGM.  

Following the AGM meeting we will depart from Ocean Village for a cruise of Southampton Docks and Southampton Water up as far as Calshot. Members will have excellent opportunities to photograph vessels in Southampton docks which can include container ships, vehicle carriers, general cargo ship, ferries and cruise ships. At Fawley and Hamble oil jetties several tankers are normally present.

The cruise ships VENTURA and BLACK WATCH are expected to be in Southampton on the day of the cruise.

Date confirmed - 35 bookings so far.

Saturday 24th April 2010 - Portishead Ship Show

We hope to have a table at the Portishead Ship Show, where a member of the committee will be in attendance. 

22nd to 26th April 2010 - Croatia and it's Shipyards

Together with South Quay Travel (SQT), the TSS has put together its first ever trip to Croatia, visiting two of the main shipbuilding centres - Split and Rijeka with time to enjoy the country’s beautiful coastline and these historic cities.

Included in the itinerary will be land side tours of both yards with an English speaking guide provided by the yards’ management, access to the on site museum at Split, plus a presentation by a member of the yard’s design team, or another professional engineer. 

At Rijeka, we have arranged a tour of the yard and port facilities. A boat trip around Rijeka is still under negotiation and cannot be confirmed until the final numbers are known.

To avoid the long transfer between these two cities, the tour will be based on two centres. This will also give participants free time to photograph the many ferries operating in and out of Split, or even non-shipping alternatives as the Croatian coastline is steeped in history and known for its beauty.

Flights will be with EasyJet from and returning to Gatwick. Flight times will be confirmed at a later date.

The package will include:

• Four nights/five days accommodation in Opatija & Split, with breakfast included each day.

• Return flight with EasyJet connecting Split with London Gatwick.

• All passenger tax & service charges.

• Return checked baggage costs with 20 kg weight allowance.

• All coach transfers as detailed in the following itinerary.

Full itinerary:

Thursday 22nd April

London Gatwick to Split (EasyJet flight: timings TBA); coach transfers from airport to Split Shipyard and hotel; guided tour of shipyard; one night’s accommodation in Hotel Art on a bed & breakfast basis.

Friday 23rd April

Coach transfer from Hotel Art to Opatija; two night’s accommodation in Hotel Admiral on a bed & breakfast basis.

Saturday 24th April

Coach pick-up from Hotel Admiral for a day excursion to Rijeka Shipyard and port (see note below); return by coach to Hotel Admiral.

Sunday 25th April

Coach pick-up from Hotel Admiral to transfer to Split; free time on arrival; one night’s accommodation in Hotel Art on a bed & breakfast basis.

Monday 26th April

Coach pick-up from Art Hotel to transfer to Split Airport in time to catch the return flight to London Gatwick (EasyJet flight: timings TBA).

Note:

Shipyard visits have been confirmed at Split and Rijeka. We have also included a coach transfer to Rijeka port as an alternative to Pula Shipyard, which has a strict ‘no-visitor’ policy and has not granted us entry on this occasion.

At the Split Shipyard, a tour will be given with an English-speaking guide, which will include entry to the on-site museum with its fine collection of ship models and potentially (depending on availability) a presentation from a professional engineer at no extra charge.

Hotels to be used:

The Hotel Admiral at Opatija is a 4-Star hotel. All rooms have a balcony with sea views. Breakfast is included for the duration of the stay.

Bookings are currently being taken : 15 bookings so far. 

Some vessels seen during our first 2009 Thames and Medway cruise...

The Freedom type bulk carrier RADNOR was in Southend anchorage awaiting a berth.

LNG tanker MARAN GAS CORONIS was berthed in the Medway.

.

MONTE ROSA at Northfleet Hope Container Terminal.

Photographs provided by Chris Brooks.

The first of our popular cruises on the Thames and Medway on board the pleasure boat Princess Pocahontas will take place on this day.

The cruise normally covers the River Thames from Dartford Bridge down to Southend Anchorage, including Northfleet Container Terminal, Coryton oil jetties and and vessels in Southend Anchorage. We will then cross over to the River Medway, covering Sheerness, up as far as Thamesport Container Terminal. Coverage of these areas is subject to time, weather and tides permitting on the day.

Participants are likely to see a varied selection of  vessels on the day including tankers, container ships, roll-on roll-off vessels, bulk carriers and general cargo ships. 

Also included in the cost of the trip is a ploughman's lunch.

The cruise will start and finish at Gravesend.

Date confirmed - 60 bookings so far.

Saturday 12th June 2010  - Solent Cruise (1)

The first of our popular Solent cruises, covering Southampton, the Solent and Portsmouth on board Blue Funnel's vessel Ocean Scene.

The cruise will commence at Southampton's Ocean Village and cover all of Southampton Docks, Southampton Water, including Fawley and Hamble oil terminals and Portsmouth Harbour. The coverage on the day will be subject to time, tides and weather permitting.

Participants are likely to see a large variety of shipping in Southampton, including large container ships at Southampton's busy container terminal, general cargo ships, vehicle carriers, cruise ships and the local ferries. At Fawley and Hamble oil jetties a selection of tankers are normally present. 

For the Naval enthusiasts a number of Royal Navy vessels are usually present in Portsmouth Harbour, as well as cross channel ferries, local ferries to the Isle of Wight and the occasional reefer.

The cruise also will include lunch.

The cruise ships CELEBRITY ECLIPSE, OCEANA, VENTURA and SILVER WHISPER are expected to be in Southampton on the day of the cruise.

Date confirmed - 54 bookings so far.

Some vessels seen during our first 2009 Solent cruise...

OOCL NORFOLK at the container terminal.

D32 DARING at Portsmouth.

S/R WILMINGTON was berthed at Fawley Oil Terminal.

QUEEN MARY 2 passes us outward bound.

Photographs by Chris Brooks.

Some vessels seen during our 2009 Diane Cruise...

SAFMARINE NOKWANDA arriving at Europoort.

ROTTERDAM berthed in Maashaven.

Sunday 20th June - Rotterdam and Europoort Cruise

Our Rotterdam and Europoort cruise will still run this year even though a full continental tour will not take place.

As in previous years, we will board our old friend the Partyschip Diane at 9:00 am at Vlaardingen, near the Delta Hotel. The cruise will last for 10 hours and will cover the old harbours of Rotterdam, Botlek, the Caland Canal, Europoort and the New Waterway, time and tides permitting. Food will be provided on board the Diane.

You can expect to see ships of all types at Rotterdam and Europoort, including VLCCs, large container ships, bulk carriers, general cargo ships and tugs. 

Members must make their own travel arrangements to get to and from Vlaardingen.

Date confirmed - 25 bookings so far.

15th July 2010 - Midweek Thames and Medway Cruise (2)

The second of our popular cruises on the Thames and Medway on board the pleasure boat Princess Pocahontas will take place on this day.

The cruise normally covers the River Thames from Dartford Bridge down to Southend Anchorage, including Northfleet Container Terminal, Coryton oil jetties and and vessels in Southend Anchorage. We will then cross over to the River Medway, covering Sheerness, up as far as Thamesport Container Terminal. Coverage of these areas is subject to time, weather and tides permitting on the day.

Participants are likely to see a varied selection of  vessels on the day including tankers, container ships, roll-on roll-off vessels, bulk carriers and general cargo ships. 

Also included in the cost of the trip is a ploughman's lunch.

The cruise will start and finish at Gravesend.

Date confirmed.

Some vessels seen during our 2008 Marseille & Toulon Tour...

Dock landing ship L9012 SIROCO was also at Toulon during our visit...

Ferry MONTE CINTO at Marseille during our harbour cruise of the port, having arrived from Corsica.

SUPER SERVANT 4 was also in Marseille port during our cruise.

STAR LADY berthed at the Oil Terminal at Port St Louis, Fos, during our port cruise. 

BYZANTION was anchored in the bay of Fos during our cruise...

Photographs by Chris Brooks.

Our trip in 2008 to Marseille and Toulon by Eurostar/TGV was intended to be a one-off. However, due to its success and the very positive feedback received from those who took part, it has been decided to offer a repeat trip this year, again by train to cater for those that prefer not to fly. We have changed hotels this year to the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel, Vieux Port. Though not quite as convenient for the early morning and evening shots of ferry movements from the Jardin de Pharo, this hotel is more convenient for the inter island ferries and night life, and offers significant savings over the previous hotel.

Toulon is an hour’s drive along the coast from Marseille and in addition to a harbour trip we will have the opportunity to linger at the Tour du Mourillon, at which all ships pass at close quarters when entering or leaving the bay. A repeat of the dockyard tour by land train is included (no photography allowed within the dockyard) as is a harbour trip, which does offer excellent opportunities for photography. There will also be free time to explore the shops and the cafés. An English speaking guide will also be in attendance throughout and we have requested the same guide as on our previous visit.

The private boat trip around the Bay of Fos is also a repeat. As before, the route will take us through both arms of Marseille port, along the spectacular cliff scenery, and into much of the huge industrial and dock areas around the bay, including the main anchorage. Learning from our previous trip, a request has been made for a cash snack and bar facility on the boat to counter the effects of the anticipated hot weather. 

 The trip will include:

• Return Eurostar / TGV train from London or Ebbsfleet to Marseille via Lille (Depart approx 1025, change Lille 1224/1254, arrive Marseille 1747)
• Station / hotel  transfers in Marseille
• 3 nights B & B accommodation at the 4 star Radisson Blu Hotel, Vieux Port
• Full day boat excursion on Friday around the Bay of Fos lead by English speaking guide
• Coach transfer to Toulon on Saturday with visits to the naval dockyard, Marine Museum and scenic drive.

Date confirmed - 15 bookings so far.

Saturday 14th August 2010 - Solent Cruise (2)

The second of our popular Solent cruises, covering Southampton, the Solent and Portsmouth on board Blue Funnel's vessel Ocean Scene.

The cruise will commence at Southampton's Ocean Village and cover all of Southampton Docks, Southampton Water, including Fawley and Hamble oil terminals and Portsmouth Harbour. The coverage on the day will be subject to time, tides and weather permitting.

Participants are likely to see a large variety of shipping in Southampton, including large container ships at Southampton's busy container terminal, general cargo ships, vehicle carriers, cruise ships and the local ferries. At Fawley and Hamble oil jetties a selection of tankers are normally present. 

For the Naval enthusiasts a number of Royal Navy vessels are usually present in Portsmouth Harbour, as well as cross channel ferries, local ferries to the Isle of Wight and the occasional reefer.

The cruise also will include lunch.

The cruise ships QUEEN MARY 2, INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS and VENTURA are expected to be in Southampton on the day of the cruise.

Date confirmed.

Photos supplied by Paul Mason.

Some vessels seen during our second 2009 Solent cruise...

CMA CGM BUTTERFLY was at the container terminal.

MARGARET HILL, detained at 202 berth.

KAREN KNUTSEN at Fawley.

BRAMBLELEAF awaits disposal at Portsmouth.

Some vessels seen during our third 2009 Thames and Medway cruise...

PRINSENDAM berthed at Tilbury Cruise Terminal.

ARK FORWARDER inward bound in the River Thames.

The tanker SEAMULLET in Southend Anchorage.

HYUNDAI BUSAN was at Thamesport.

Photos by Chris Brooks

Saturday 4th September 2010 - Thames and Medway Cruise (3)

The third of our popular cruises on the Thames and Medway on board the pleasure boat Princess Pocahontas will take place on this day.

The cruise normally covers the River Thames from Dartford Bridge down to Southend Anchorage, including Northfleet Container Terminal, Coryton oil jetties and and vessels in Southend Anchorage. We will then cross over to the River Medway, covering Sheerness, up as far as Thamesport Container Terminal. Coverage of these areas is subject to time, weather and tides permitting on the day.

Participants are likely to see a varied selection of  vessels on the day including tankers, container ships, roll-on roll-off vessels, bulk carriers and general cargo ships. 

Also included in the cost of the trip is a ploughman's lunch.

The cruise will start and finish at Gravesend.

Date confirmed.

Having organised four successful trips to Istanbul in recent years, we will be paying another visit to Istanbul in 2010.

We hope to obtain permission to enter both Ambarli and Tuzla harbours on our two eight hour private cruises, as well as taking in the busy anchorages off Istanbul and Tuzla.

The hotel will be the three star 85 room Erboy Hotel, which has been used by several members on a private basis on previous occasions. The hotel is located at the historical peninsula also known as the "Old City" and is just a few minutes walk from the major historical areas such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Gulhane Park, Basilica Sistern, Topkapi Palace and the busy ferry terminal at Eminonu. The hotel has a panoramic restaurant terrace, indoor restaurant and bar. Numerous restaurants are within a short walk of the hotel.  

The trip will follow the same format as those in previous years, so the trip will feature:

• Flights to and from Istanbul by British Airways from Heathrow.
• Coach transfers to an from Istanbul airport to the three star Erboy Hotel.
• Seven nights bed and breakfast.
• Two eight hour private cruises, both including lunch.
• Ample free time to explore this fascinating area.

Every day from dawn to dusk, around 60-70 vessels of all shapes and sizes pass through the Bosphorus. If the city ferries are included the number is considerably higher. This is the ideal location to view and photograph the elderly Russian and former russian controlled vessels which ply this stretch of water to and from the Black Sea ports. Other vessels seen include general cargo ships, container ships, vehicle carriers, reefers, cruise ships, tugs, bulk carriers and tankers of up to 200,000 dwt. All vessels transit the Bosphorus in a convoy system. 

More information will be released about the trip shortly.

Bookings : 47 bookings, trip fully booked.

Some vessels seen during our 2008 Istanbul tour..

ALTENAVI was in the anchorage at Istanbul during our first private cruise...

...as was the MIKHAIL STENKO.

EMIN KUL one of the many Istanbul ferries photographed during the week.

ZIM INDIA passing Rumeli Kavagii at the Black Sea end of the Bosphorus.

OCEAN MONARCH at the cruise terminal.

GEORGIOS I was photographed in the anchorage off Tuzla...

... as was the OXFORD CASTLE.

Photos by Chris Brooks