A look back at some of my favourite photos and vessels of 2023.
January 1st and PUTFORD PROTECTOR passes inward for dry-docking in Alexandra dock.
Out two days on the trot – SAMSKIP HOFFELL arrives from Iceland.
The SFPA patrol vessel JURA inward for Albert dock.
KINGSMAN passes for Alexandra dock jetty.
ALREK arrives at King George dock.
The heavy lift vessel HAPPY RANGER sailing from Alexandra dock jetty.
Deans Tugs LINDA D approaches Albert dock.
SIDER KING sails from King George dock having discharged cement.
ROTRA MARE inward for Alexandra dock bringing blades in for a change.
KOMMANDOR SUSAN outward from Alexandra dock.
JURA heads back North after her dry-docking.
OCEAN RELIANCE passes Paull outward bound.
STOLT SEAGULL passes King George dock to swing for Alexandra dock.
PETRA passes Paull inward to Grove wharf.
LAPISLAND inward for King George dock.
WHITCHAMPION arriving off Alexandra dock.
DHB DAUNTLESS passes King George dock inward to Dunston’s.
WICKO arriving King George dock…
… with TRUEMAN on the stern.
FEDERAL BISCAY sails from King George dock.
ADAPEARL passes Paull outward for Ipswich.
LINDA D heads to King George dock.
A rare run around to the Trent sees WILSON RHINE at Flixborough…
… with fleetmate JUMBO at Gunness.
ROLLDOCK SKY outward from Werner quay.
LLOYDSMAN heading back to King George dock.
DUKE OF NORMANDY outward from Alexandra dock.
NOTUS makes an early morning departure from King George dock.
CORAL LOPHELIA sailing from Saltend.
A weekly regular, ODDA MARIE inward for King George dock.
VOS FAMOUS passes King George dock to drydock at MMS.
Our anniversary visit to Oban sees LORD OF THE ISLES arriving.
A short boat trip and ELIZABETH-G seen at the marina…
… with HAVGULL at North pier.
LOCH RIDDON passes Maiden Island inward to Oban.
The main reason for the boat trip – ZUIDERDAM anchored off Maiden Island.
A low down perspective of ISLE OF LEWIS preparing to depart Oban.
CLANSMAN arrives for a flying visit, returning from dry-dock to later head further North.
The small cruise ship EMMA JANE heads out of the marina…
… closely followed by the ELIZABETH-G…
… and the GLEN SHIEL.
The ‘auld trooper’ ISLE OF ARRAN arrives.
LORD OF THE HIGHLANDS arrives for the North pier – the newest cruise ship to run from Oban.
The PHAROS makes a fine sight as she heads out from Oban.
Having returned from drydocking, LOCH STRIVEN arrives back from Lismore.
ISLE OF MULL catches the light nicely as she arrives back to Oban…
… as CORUISK heads out to Craignure.
LORD OF THE ISLES arrives as viewed from Pulpit Hill.
I had two ‘sea days’ while in Oban – first day to Colonsay then Coll and Tiree – HOLLIE ROSE seen at North pier as we sailed.
SALLY ANN passes Maiden Island inward…
… with HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS also inward passing Kerrera.
On the return from Colonsay POLE STAR was off the North side of Kerrera.
ISLE OF LEWIS powers out of Oban bay.
LOCH STRIVEN heads to the slip as we wait to sail to Coll/Tiree…
… and ISLE OF MULL arrives from Craignure.
In the Sound of Mull RONJA SUPERIOR passes southbound.
Next day was a sailing to Lochboisdale – L’AUSTRAL had arrived earlier and anchored in the bay.
At Lochboisdale marina was the MENAI – a former naval tender.
Having had an overnight stay, EILEAN DHIURA heads for the Sound of Kerrera and back to Islay.
I finally caught Calmac’s smallest ferry, the CARVORIA crossing from Kerrera.
GLEN MASSAN arrives back at Oban marina…
… followed by fleetmates GLEN ETIVE…
… and GLEN TARSAN.
ELIZABETH-G also returned from her weeks cruise.
POLE STAR waits in the bay…
… as PHAROS clears the Lighthouse pier.
CORUISK arrives at Oban dressed overall to celebrate the Coronation.
The ever faithful view of the Hull built VITAL SPARK at Inveraray on the way home.
A bonus was KINGDOM OF FIFE working off the Inveraray pier.
GEOQUIP SEEHORN inward on an evening tide.
WILSON NORTH outward from King George dock.
The form VIGILANT was renamed JOHN PAUL DE JORIA and is seen outward from Albert dock.
TRUEMAN passes King George dock at speed.
The Sietas built PIRITA arrives on an evening tide.
OTELLO sailing from Saltend.
ODDA MARIE inward on her weekly visit to King George dock.
FINNHAWK nicely lit as she also makes her weekly visit.
The strange looking ISLE OF JURA heading stern first to work on the gas pipelines under the Humber off Paull.
NORMA approaches Saltend jetty.
ALBANYBORG inward to King George dock.
A visit to the Tees and the early arrival of HAPPY ALBATROSS.
CORAL STAR was the next inward.
The Sietas built A2B ENERGY arrives…
… as her sister DORNBUSCH sails.
CONTAINERSHIPS NORD passes the South Gare inward.
ROMAN heads out for the Tyne.
FIERY CROSS waits off the South Gare…
… for the inward bound ECO NEMESIS.
OCEAN RESEARCHER passes King George dock on a breezy afternoon.
A smart looking FRANCISCA passes Paull for upriver…
… followed by MOZART for the Trent.
WILSON ALMERIA passes Chowderness inward.
FEO SWAN arrives early afternoon to King George dock.
CEMSTAR passes King George inward to William Wright dock.
We had another weeks visit to Aberdeen – HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN arrives.
SEAWELL was next outward bound.
In the now fully operational South harbour, the ice-breaker BOTNICA shifts berths.
A very early arrival of the ISLAND SKY into the main harbour.
TROMS MIRA also making an early arrival.
GRAMPIAN CORINTHIAN arrives.
A bit of sunlight as AURORA HORIZON arrives.
ESVAGT CASTOR sails in a bright spell.
REM SERVER arrives, still in her old K-Line colours.
The Indonesian sail training vessel BIMA SUCI made a fine sight as she sailed…
… assisted by KITTIWAKE…
… and PETEREL.
REM SUPPLIER arriving.
Survey vessel GLOMAR SUPPORTER heads out of the harbour.
SOLVIK SUPPLIER inwards.
STANDARD SUPPLIER outward.
GRAMPIAN SOVEREIGN inward.
STANDARD DEFENDER arrives.
AIDASOL catches the sun off the harbour entrance.
HJALTLAND makes her usual early morning arrival.
REM CETUS next inward.
ISLAND CHIEFTAIN arrives.
Fresh from a recent drydocking, HIGHLAND DEFENDER heads out.
The fishery research vessel SCOTIA heads to sea.
X-bow type SEA FLYER arrives.
Standby vessel VOS INNOVATOR enters the harbour.
SKIPPER TIDE in the South harbour had only been renamed the day before.
SKANDI KVITSOY moving between berths in the harbour.
AURORA PEARL approaches the main harbour.
IBERIAN BULKER berthed in the South harbour.
OLYMPIC TAURUS arrives in the South harbour…
… closely followed by the EDDA SAVANAH.
FRAM PRINCESS arrives the main harbour in the afternoon sunlight.
NORMAND SUPRA sails from the harbour…
… and fleetmate NORMAND SPICA moves between berths.
An afternoon arrival for HELLIAR.
PETEREL returns from Dundee.
OLYMPIC ELECTRA enters the harbour.
She was followed by TROMS LYRA.
SKANDI CALEDONIA berthed at Pocra quay.
SONGA DISCOVERER heads out.
A vintage style supplier STANDARD DUKE arrives very early.
NORSIDE CYGNUS enters port.
SEVEN KESTREL arrives in the South harbour.
VOS PARTNER arrives for the main harbour.
FS CYGNUS next arrival at 11:00
PETEREL heads out to sea.
The Dutch cargo ship EENDRACHT sails just before lunch.
SKANDI BARRA enters the harbour a short while later.
There are new seats up on the Torry battery, a more elevated view of HIGHLAND DEFENDER sailing.
And a very quick move down to the riverside for SKANDI KVITSOY sailing a few minutes later.
On a wet Thursday we spent time in the town, a quick visit to Footdee on the way home gave me shots of WISBY ARGAN moving berths.
A bright morning as REM CRUSADER moves between berths.
GRAMPIAN DON in the entrance channel inward.
HIGHLAND PRESTIGE sailing.
Last of the visit, SEA FLYER moving between berths.
SIRAPINAR XIV passes Victoria dock inward on her delivery voyage from Turkey.
MANXMAN waiting off Paull.
SVITZER ELEANOR inward off Paull now in full Svitzer colours.
BOHWA TSINGTAO passes Paull inward to King George dock.
Newly renamed, TRADESMAN approaches King George dock from Albert dock.
NINA B approaches Alexandra dock.
LADY MENNA passes Paull outward from King George dock.
The new build WES ESTHER passes Chowderness inward.
VARKAN EGE inward to King George dock.
Early morning arrival for JSP MISTRAL.
A long weekend break at Greenock – SOUND OF SCARBA arriving at Gourock.
Evening on the Greenock Esplanade as SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE sails from the cruise terminal.
CMS BOXER berthed in Victoria harbour…
with fleetmates CMS WRESTLER…
… and BRUISER.
Calmac’s ALI CAT approaches Gourock…
… and so does fleetmate ARGYLL FLYER.
SD ORONSAY passes Greenock Custom House Quay outward.
CELEBRITY APEX sails from the cruise terminal.
ANGLEGARTH passes Custom House Quay outward…
… followed by SVITZER WARDEN…
… and SVITZER MARKEN.
The tugs were bound for the PATRIOTIC, seen here inward to Finnart.
SOUND OF SOAY departs from Gourock.
CMS WRESTLER passes Greenock Esplanade outward.
SD NORTHERN RIVER passes Custom House Quay for James Watt dock.
SVITZER WARDEN passes the Esplanade returning upriver.
With an impressive deck cargo, SAMPOGRACHT approaches Greenock container terminal.
SD ORONSAY passes Custom House Quay inward.
A very early arrival as REGAL PRINCESS passes the Esplanade for the cruise terminal.
SD OMAGH passes James Watt dock outward.
JOSE PROGRESS clears Saltend outward bound.
NORDIC SIRA passes outward from King George dock.
An afternoon sailing from Saltend for SENIORITY.
Another long weekend break, this time to the Mersey. ELBSTROM arriving.
BG EMERALD next sighted inward.
SEATRUCK POINT passes inward for drydock.
The water injection dredger IGUAZU passes inward.
The bulk carrier PUMA swinging on arrival.
VS LARA outward from the MSC at Eastham.
The dredger SCALD off the locks at Eastham.
CEMCOASTER passes Eastham Ferry for the MSC.
The Mersey ferry SNOWDROP approaches Seacombe terminal.
STENA EMBLA prepares to sail from Birkenhead.
A recent addition to the Mersey tugs, SVITZER ELIZABETH at the Pier Head.
JSP ANNA swings off the Liverpool container terminal
MSC ROSSELLA sailing stern first off the Liverpool container terminal.
KS GRACE passes inward…
… as TRAWIND ROC departs.
The con/ro ATLANTIC STAR inward for Seaforth dock.
SEATRUCK POWER arriving from Ireland.
ADMIRAL DAY prepares to dredge off Eastham locks.
The small launch/tug F 48 surveying the Eastham channel.
FEDERAL RIDEAU sails from Gladstone lock.
TRADESMAN charges back to King George dock.
Using up holidays, another long weekend this time up to Aberdeen. On arrival, EDDA FRAM in the sun…
… as TROMS MIRA enters the harbour.
ISLAND CHAMPION arrives in sunlight…
.. as 30 minutes later SUPERIORITY sails in heavy rain.
LADY CARINA enters the main harbour.
Lighting improves as BOKA TOPAZ sails.
FRAM PRINCESS outward.
In excellent light, EDDA FERD arrives.
Rather dimmer as SERENADE TIDE approaches.
ATLANTIC MERLIN approaches to run DP trials off the North pier.
REM FORTRESS inward bound.
ATLANTICA SUPPLIER heads out.
SUPRA TIDE heads out.
STANDARD VIKING also.
WISBY ARGAN inward for the river.
Always smart, ENEA outward.
EDT JANE catches the sun nicely.
FLYER TIDE outward.
As was EDDA FRAM.
AURORA HORIZON heads out.
Sailing very slowly, CYGNUS SENTINEL heads out.
AURORA PROTECTOR inwards in great light.
Highlight of the break, SEVEN ATLANTIC enters the main harbour.
HIGHLAND PRESTIGE passes outward.
ISLAND CHALLENGER arrives to the main harbour.
SIEM STINGRAY heads out of the South harbour…
… closely followed by the CONNECTOR.
REM COMMANDER catches the late afternoon sunlight as she heads in from the anchorage.
SOLWAY FISHER arrives in the early daylight.
FUGRO GALAXY outward bound.
Regular Sunday arrival for SEA-CARGO EXPRESS.
STRILMOY arrives to load one box.
SOLVIK SUPPLIER outward.
ESVAGT CASSIOPEIA inward bound.
SIR JOHN FISHER arrives in the harbour.
HIGHLAND GUARDIAN heads out…
… closely followed by EDDA FRENDE…
… and the distinctive ARMADA 78 01.
A Hogmanay break in Oban – ISLE OF ARRAN on the Mull service.
HEBRIDEAN ISLES in the snow…
… and sailing back to Islay via Colonsay with ISLE OF ARRAN astern…
… and clearing the berth.
Early morning view of CLANSMAN on the berth.
POLE STAR working in the entrance.
LOCH STRIVEN arrives…
… followed by ISLE OF LEWIS…
… which is then seen outward…
… with ISLE OF ARRAN returning…
… and LOCH FRISA sailing.
POLE STAR returning to the Lighthouse pier, seen from Pulpit Hill.