First visit to Aberdeen this year, staying at the Apartrooms again. On arrival at the Torry battery on the Saturday afternoon we was met with thick fog – so much that we could hear the delayed ferry arriving but not see her until she was inside the North breakwater.
As we headed back to check in, the fog had cleared a little to allow shots of NORTHERN MARIA on Dunnottar quay.
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A few drone views – the main harbour.
The entrance channel looking towards the Torry battery.
The South harbour from above the battery. My preferred spot to take photos from is just in front of the large building on the South side.
The Torry battery site – our car in my prime position. You can also see the rocket house I use to take photos from.
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Sunday started grey but brightened up.
My first drone flight over water as HROSSEY arrives. Still need some practice on distances.
I hoped to fly the drone on ships I already had good photos of, the next inward, FLYER TIDE met that criteria.
VOS GRACE berthed at Duthies quay.
We were booked on the 11:00 harbour/dolphin trip on SEA-CAB – it also gave me the opportunity for some otherwise inaccessible shots.
Here, CARRICKFERGUS sits at her berth.
HELENE-B berthed on Pacific wharf.
CEMBAY berthed at Pocra quay.
FS CRATHES berthed at Matthews Cross quay.
A closer view of VOS GRACE at Duthies.
NS IONA through the cut at Regent quay East.
SENIORITY berthed at Installation quay.
The pilot launch SEA HAVEN heads out alongside us.
ISLAND OCEAN on Castlegate quay in the South harbour.
The sad sight of the burnt out SOLONG on Crathes quay – believed to be waiting to be taken to Ghent for breaking up.
BOKA POLARIS berthed at Dunnottar quay.
As we head out of the South harbour a final view of ISLAND OCEAN.
After a period of close up dolphin watching we head back in to the main harbour with ENERGY PACE following us in with an escort.
CEMBAY at Pocra quay.
SENIORITY at Installation quay.
FS CYGNUS berthed at Albert quay.
ENERGY PACE in the Tidal basin inwards.
HELENE-B at Pacific wharf.
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Monday started early, 0540 as the first photo was taken.
As I arrived at the harbour VOS SEEKER was already well in the channel.
A last minute decision to fly for FIDRA meant bow shots were missed.
The first of two cruise ships for the South harbour – AZAMARA QUEST arrives against some strong backlight as she approaches but then does a full turn to go alongside Balmoral quay.
FIDRA working the stern of AZAMARA QUEST.
Next arrival soon after was the OCEAN ENDEAVOUR.
Having waited for the OCEAN ENDEAVOUR to pass, FIDRA heads back to base.
A quick flight to get AZAMARA QUEST alongside…
… with OCEAN ENDEAVOUR still approaching the berth.
ISLAND OCEAN alongside Castlegate quay.
Returning to the harbour, ATLANTICA DUKE was caught arriving.
Back to the South harbour, AZAMARA QUEST nicely sunlit.
SKIPPER TIDE the next arrival.
As the rain starts to get heavy, SERENADE TIDE enters the harbour…
… followed closely by her fleetmate SPRINGER TIDE.
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Tuesday started dry but rain was forecast.
HILDASAY makes her approach in to the harbour.
AURORA COEY next inward, with an escort.
HROSSEY bowls in at 06:25.
NORTHERN VICTORIA arrives into the South harbour.
As the weather closed in, Bev and I took a drive out to Pennan and Cullen on the North coast.
When we arrived back the day was much better and I was ‘given leave’ to go back to the harbours.
ACE KRISTIANSAND had arrived and berthed on Castlegate quay.
VESTRI ENABLER had also arrived onto Balmoral quay.
The bunkering tanker ANTARES was just pulling away from the ISLAND OCEAN to sail.
Another view of VESTRI ENABLER from the North side of the harbour.
The large anchor handling tug PACIFIC DISPATCH had also arrived and berthed on Dunnottar quay.
It’s not often I’m around for the ferry sailing, HROSSEY heads out.
PACIFIC DISPATCH finer angle, with a cargo of logs on Castlegate quay waiting for export.
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Wednesday started grey but was forecast to get brighter.
Early morning sees VESTRI ENABLER moved to Castlegate quay.
Another cruise ship visitor, ISLAND SKY arrives for Balmoral quay.
Back to the battery as SPICA TIDE arrives.
AURORA COOPER heads out next.
AURORA GALAXY next inward.
Next inward was a repeat so the drone was deployed – VESTLAND ARTEMIS arriving main harbour.
An interesting arrival, FRAMFJORD bound for Torry quay. I suspect she is now used for bulk powders, possibly a cement cargo.
As the brighter weather starts to arrive, HIGHLAND PRINCE makes her way in.
Back to the South harbour as VESTRI ENABLER starts DP trials. I hoped she would be presenting multiple views but she mainly held station.
Gardline’s HORIZON GEODISCOVERY makes her way in to the main harbour.
SERVICE TIDE next in in the fine sunshine.
Views I’d been hoping to get – HELLIAR arrives in glorious sunlight.
GRAMPIAN CALGARY heads out for validation trials.
A vessel I’ve seen a few times out of camera reach in port, WELL ENHANCER arrives after basking in glorious sunshine 3 miles offshore for an hour…
…then a quick dash down to the harbour for a stern view.
EDDA FRENDE at Pocra base.
After an evening meal, a quick visit to Fittie and a view of ATLANTICA DUKE berthed at Torry.
AURORA POWER exits the river stern first at speed and turns to head to sea.
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A dull and wet start to Thursday which dries up later.
The Belgian dredger MARIEKE arriving with tugs in attendance in pouring rain.
SENIORITY heads out again for Immingham…
… closely followed by VOS ENDEAVOUR.
NS ELIDA berthed on Balmoral quay.
VESTRI ENABLER sails from Castlegate quay.
Mid afternoon as ISLAND OCEAN also sails from Castlegate quay.
Moving quickly back to Torry battery as ACE VIKING heads to the anchorage.
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Friday starts grey with not a lot of interest due to arrive.
AURORA STORM was the first inward of a rush hour.
HELLIAR next inward.
SPICA TIDE makes a return to the harbour…
… followed by FALNES TIDE…
… HIGHLAND PRESTIGE next…
… and finally STRIL ODIN.
VOS GRACE heads out for trials.
With nothing due I headed back to apartment by 0930 – well it was the wife’s birthday.
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Saturday morning, last few hours before heading home.
On arrival at the harbour GRAMPIAN DEE was just arriving…
… with FIDRA escorting her.
HROSSEY charging in.
The only DOF vessel taken this trip, SKANDI GAMMA arrives.
REM INSULA next inward.
HILDASAY bowls in next.
EDDA FERD berthed on Castlegate quay.
VIKING VELA berthed on Balmoral quay had arrived in the early hours.
As I was heading back to the car, a 30 second burst of sun hit her for my final shot of the trip.
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It was great to meet up with Billy again, and George. I also indulged in quite a few breakfast rolls from Theresa in the small butty van on Crombie road, Torry – excellent value for money.
Already looking forward to my return at the end of September.