Svitzer Bidston photographed on a choppy River Mersey on 20 March 2014, she was one of three tugs assisting the Crude Oil Tanker Hilda Knutsen to the Tranmere Oil Terminal.

She is a common site on the river although she recently spent some time working in Belfast.

Built in Spain in 2004 she is 29.5m long with a 11m beam and 5.9m draught. The vessel is powered by a Niigita 6L28HX (2169kW at 750rpm) diesel engine through Niigita Z Pellers.

Bollard pull ahead is 55t.

MMSI - 235014278
REG - UK, Liverpool
IMO -9286695
Call Sign - MCYT8
Svitzer Marine Tug
Built -  Zamacona, Bilbao, ES
Yard No. - 515
L 29.5m W 11m
GT 366
Year -  2004
Liverpool, 20 March 2014

Crude Oil Tanker Hilda Knutsen photographed being assisted to her berth
at Tranmere on 20 March 2014.

Built by Hyundai at Ulsan in South Korea in 2013 as Yard Number 2531
she is 275.7m long with a 46m beam and 15.5m draught.

GT = 80850 & DWT 122842

Her main engines consist of two MAN 6S50ME-C8 (2 x 13545bhp/2 x 9960kW)
giving a top speed of 13.5 Knots and four Hyundai Himsen 8H32/40 Auxillary
engines.

Hold capacity = 137,517m3

She is operated KNOT Management and owned by Knutsen OAS Shipping AS, the Company dates back to 1896 when Knut Knutsen established a  shipping company in Haugesund, Norway.

MMSI - 235102561
REG - UK, Aberdeen
IMO -9628300
Call Sign - 2HCU5
Crude Oil Tanker
Built - Hyundai, Ulsan, KR
Yard No. - 2531
L 275.7m W 46m
GT 80850
Year -  2013
Liverpool, 20 March 2014

Another sunset photographed from my hotel balcony on 22 August 2014.

Just visible in the picture on the horizon a tanker is heading North.

The islands visible are Koh Larn to the left and Koh Sak to the right, seen faintly in the distance is Koh Phai.

During my visit to Pattaya in Thailand I saw a total of 131 new ships, most of these were seen from my hotel but I also saw a small number whilst I was out in town or when I went to Koh Larn for the day.

I took the photograph from my hotel balcony, the ships are waiting to gain entry to Laem Chabang.

I also saw four vessels I had seen before, one in Liverpool and the other three when I was in Singapore. All but one of these ships had changed their name and it was only when I was checking IMO Numbers that the duplication became apparent.

To summarise

Bulk Carriers = 13
Chemical / Oil Product Tankers = 15
Crude Oil Tankers = 6
Container Ships = 70
General Cargo Ships = 11
Heavy Load Carriers = 2
Gas Tankers = 5
Naval Vessels = 2
Offshore Vessels = 1
Vehicle Carriers = 5
Wood Chip Carriers = 1

Total GT = 3,013,550

Details of the ships I saw are noted below.

14 August 2014

Maran Centaurus,  9073050,  Crude Oil Tanker,  156537, 1995

15 August 2014

Wan Hai 163,  9158848, Container Ship, 13246, 1998
Octavia, 9290452, Container Ship, 53807, 2005
Patara Varin 2, 8816314, Oil Products Tanker, 992, 1989
Izumo, 9137569, Container Ship, 18602, 1997
Rio Adour, 9344552, Container Ship, 27059, 2006
Fortune Epoch, 9112557, General Cargo Ship, 9992, 1997
CTP Fortune, 9181730, Container Ship, 14855, 1998
Iwaki, 9137571, Container Ship, 18602, 1997
Mermaid Commander, 8601513, Off Shore, 4294, 1987
Mamista, 9121259, Container Ship, 31131, 1996
Tan Bihn 79, 9254276, General Cargo Ship, 6381, 2002

16 August 2014

Starship Leo, 9650066, Container Ship, 20920, 2013
NYK Apollo, 9247730, Container Ship, 75484, 2002
CSCL Santiago, 9386017, Container Ship, 26404, 2008
Kuo Lung, 9148544, Container Ship, 15095, 1998
Kota Harta, 9135092, Container Ship, 13272, 1996
Seamaster, 9625920, Container Ship, 20239, 2013
Pagasitikos, 9464314, Container Ship, 41391, 2012
Rio Lawrence, 9318242, Container Ship, 9978, 2005

17 August 2014

Ganta Bhum, 9110937,  Container Ship, 13188, 1995 
Luna Spirit, 9372315, Vehicles Carrier, 43800, 2007
Wan Hai 221, 9074432, Container Ship, 16911, 1994
Algarrobo, 9399789, Container Ship, 32901, 2009
SITC Hakarta, 9253179, Container Ship, 13267, 2001
Ever Able,  9130509, Container Ship, 14807, 1996
HTMS Tor 113 (113), M36 Class Patrol  Vessel, 2013
MOL Magnificence, 9424900, Container Ship, 78316, 2010
Ametrin, 9519341, Bulk Carrier, 32987, 2011

20 August 2014

Asian Gyro, 9245158, Container Ship, 13267, 2001
Ital Moderna, 9349629, Container Ship, 42020, 2008
Mars Sun, 9332781, Crude Oil Tanker, 59158, 2006
Iwashiro, 9106780, Container Ship, 18619, 1995
Shun Sheng, 9279692, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 5376, 2008
Pilatus 22, 8822284, LPG Tanker, 996, 1989
NP Suratthani 2, 9343572, General Cargo Ship, 2839, 2007
Astral Ace, 9182368, Vehicles Carrier, 36615, 2000
Chemtrans Rugen, 9167186, Crude Oil Tanker, 22181, 2001
Phubai Pattra 2, 9519664, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 5681, 2009
L Amanda, 9159866, Container Ship, 16705, 1997
Bellavia, 9290440, Container Ship, 53807, 2005
Keno, 9330537, Container Ship, 28616, 2007
Phubai Pattra 1, 9481386, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 5681, 2008
KMTC Challenge, 9250139, Bulk Carrier, 30374, 2002
Cape Ferrol, 9359325, Container Ship, 15995, 2008
X Press Kailash, 9348912, Container Ship, 28007, 2008
Hansa Ludwigsburg, 9516741, Container Ship, 18358, 2011
Hai Phuong Sky, 9585429, General Cargo Ship, 2758, 2010
Rolldock Sun, 9393981, Heavy Lift Vessel, 12802, 2010

21 August 2014

Nord Harmony, 9331880, Bulk Carrier, 31236, 2007
Maersk Harmony, 9105932, Container Ship, 50698, 1996
VL 11, 9067099, Oil Products Tanker, 998, 1993
Maersk Bratan, 9394894, Container Ship, 35835, 2008
Wan Hai 171, 9380257, Container Ship, 16488, 2009
Fonthida Naree, 9108594, Bulk Carrier, 17429, 1995
Wan Hai 271, 9493250, Container Ship, 16776, 2011
Maren S, 9306251, Container Ship, 9957, 2005
King Baton Rouge, 9643207, Bulk Carrier, 31882, 2014
Stadt Coburg, 9450923, Container Ship, 42112, 2009
Tocho, 9477725, Vehicles Carrier, 28755, 2010
Nord Yilan, 9573907, Bulk Carrier, 17019, 2010

22 August 2014

Foxtrot, 9580144, Bulk Carrier, 23587, 2012
ER Stralsund, 9194866, Container Ship, 25630, 1999
MOL Success, 9472581, Container Ship, 27104, 2010
Marinos, 9053232, Container Ship, 16236, 1993
Glorious Fuji, 9641780, Bulk Carrier, 23259, 2013
Hanjin Sao Paulo, 9350147, Container Ship, 16472, 2008
San Pedro, 9625281, Container Ship, 17804, 2014
Ever Superb, 9300427, Container Ship, 75246, 2006
Sawasdee Singapore, 9081021, Container Ship, 15778, 1995

23 August 2014

Smooth Sea, 8601630, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 2996, 1986
Rita Maersk, 9298820, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 22184, 2004
Flora Delmas, 9239862, Container Ship, 16916, 2002
Alpine Penelope, 9379301, Crude Oil Tanker, 41696, 2008
Royal Diamond 7,  9367437, Oil Products Tanker, 8539, 2008
Southern Pearl, 9074121, Crude Oil Tanker, 53773, 1994
Saigon Bridge, 9444998, Container Ship, 17200, 2008
Uru Bhum, 9293234, Container Ship, 24955, 2005
Ninos, 8909082, Container Ship, 15122, 1990
Dimitris Y, 9121247, Container Ship, 31131, 1996
Asiatic Eclipse, 9322889, Container Ship, 9978, 2006
Pilatus 26, 7908665, LPG Tanker, 1232, 1979
Glory Hangzhou, 9588433, Bulk Carrier, 12979, 2010
Cape Faro, 9347712, Container Ship, 15995, 2006
APL Cairo,  9234109, Container Ship, 25305, 2001
CSC Friendship, 9344150, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 25593, 2008
Jaska Bakti, 9043689, Vehicles Carrier, 47368, 1992
Jutha Dhammaraksa, 9114050, General Cargo Ship, 6275, 1995
Carmen, 9505027, Vehicles Carrier, 74258, 2011
Pornnutcha 3, 9041863, Oil Products Tanker, 2995, 1992
OOCL Jakarta,  9404883, Container Ship, 40168, 2010
Bunga Kelana 6, 9169718, Crude Oil Tanker, 57017, 1999
Kota Hadiah, 9151307, Container Ship, 13272, 1997
Khunkongka, 8610473, LPG Tanker, 696, 1986
SM 20, 8900880, Oil Products Tanker, 3073, 1989

24 August 2014

Ayutthaya Bridge, 9412854, Container Ship, 17225, 2007
Hyundai Stride, 9149835, Container Ship, 21611, 1997
Da Hua, 9153886, General Cargo Ship, 14021, 1998
Silver Lucky, 9594676,  General Cargo Ship, 9129, 2011
Ever Radiant, 9055474, Container Ship, 53101, 1994
PN 7, 8801709, LPG Tanker, 686, 1988
Orient King, 9377729, General Cargo Ship, 7506, 2007
TS Japan, 9444948, Container Ship, 17515, 2007
Sri Nara, 9062271, Oil Products Tanker, 2920, 1993
HTMS (T83),  T81 Class Patrol Boat, 120, 2000
Transco Sky, 9167693, General Cargo Ship, 4737, 1997
Gao Xin 16, 8655992, General Cargo Ship, 8693, 2006
Wan Hai 272, 9493262, Container Ship, 16776, 2011
Starship Ursa, 9650078, Container Ship, 20920, 2013
Suzuran,  9153082, Container Ship, 14089, 1997
Pilatus 17, 8416619, LPG Tanker, 696, 1985
Luyang Star, 8800303, Bulk Carrier, 37519, 1989
Phubai Pattra 3, 9004140,  Oil Products Tanker, 3018, 1991
MOL Matrix, 9424924, Container Ship, 78316, 2010

25 August 2014

Dia Yuan,  9050369, Bulk Carrier, 39012, 1993
Turicum, 9583110, Bulk Carrier, 32600, 2012
Uni Angel,  9143350,  Container Ship,  14796,  1997
Bermudian Express, 9219240, Container Ship, 16850, 2000
San Lorenzo, 9625295, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 6296, 2009
Morning Sky, 9019987, General Cargo Ship, 6323, 1991
Surabaya Express,  9554731,  Wood Chips Carrier,  5686,  2013
Itha Bhum,  9117131,  Container Ship,  15533,  1996
Yamatai,  9567714, Heavy Load Carrier, 14538, 2010
YM Efficiency, 9353280, Container Ship,  42741, 2009
Ishmar, 8324397,  Bulk Carrier, 25980, 1985
Heung A Venus, 9278985, Container Ship, 13267, 2002

26 August 2014

Najade, 9326706, Container Ship, 27915, 2007
Kuo Chang, 9172313, Container Ship, 15095, 1999
MSC Gianna, 9152856, Container Ship, 30280, 1998
Pearl River Bridge, 9444986, Container Ship, 17200, 2008
Oralia, 9269609, Chemical / Oil  Products Tanker, 5510, 2003

United Tambora photographed in Liverpool Docks on 2 September 2014.

Built  by the Nantong Changqingsha Ship Yard of Rugao, China as Yard Number 803 she is 179.9m long with a 28.4m beam and 10.5m draught.

GT = 22402, NT 11477 & DWT 35239.

She has a maximum speed of 15.2 knots and a service speed of 14.5 knots and is powered by a MAN-B&W 6S42MC Mk 7 engine (6480kW @ 136rpm). 
 
Her hold can accommodate 43,700m3. 

She is operated by United Seven GmbH & Co. who are based in Hamburg.

MMSI - 636091724
REG - LR, Monrovia
IMO - 9502740
Call Sign - A8RY3
Bulk Carrier
Built -  Nantong
Changqingsha, Rugao, CN
Yard No. 803
L 179.9m x W 28.4m
GT - 22402
Year - 2009
Liverpool, 2 September 2014

Local ferry Roongkietwaree (2) photographed in Pattaya, Thailand  on 17 August 2014.

We took this ferry when we visited Koh Lahn which is an island about 45 minutes off the coast.

There were quite a number of similar vessels in port of various ages and conditions.

Unfortunately I cannot find any details about this vessel.

Container ship at sunset photographed on 24 August 2014 from my hotel balcony in Pattaya, Thailand. 

The vessel was en-route to Laem Chabang and had just passed between the Islands of Koh Lahn and Koh Phai, 

I also sailed the same route on the Costa Classica in 2011.

Eli Knutsen seen heading West down the English Channel. I took the photograph on 13 April 2014 from our ferry about half way between Dover and Calais.

She was built in 2009 by the Jiangan Shipyard Corp in Shanghai, China as Yard Number h2472 and has an overall length of 144.18m with a 23m beam and 8.4m draught

GT = 11889 & DWT 16568.5

She can carry 19553.3m3 

Powered by a MAN 6L48/60B Diesel Engine (6300kW) she can make 15.8 knots, the vessel is also equipped with two Wartsilla 4L20 (640kW) and a single 6L20 (960kW) auxillary engines. 

She is operated by Knutsen OAS Shipping AS. The Company dates back to 1896 when Knut Knutsen established a shipping company in Haugesund, Norway.

MMSI -235072088
REG -  UK, Aberdeen
IMO - 9409621
Call Sign - 2CEN8
Chemical / Oil Products Tanker
Built - Jiangnan, Shanghai,
Yard No. - h2472
L 144.18m W 23m
GT 11889
Year - 2009
English Channel,13 April 2014

Photograph of the grand theatre of Ephesus photographed during our visit to the ancient city on 4 June 2012. 

Built into the Northern face of Panayor Hill at the end of Harbour Street  the theatre rises 30m, is 145m wide and can seat 25,000 people.

A much older (and smaller) Hellenistic theatre may have been on this site from around 200 BC but the theatre seen today dates to the Roman period and was constructed in the 1st century AD and expanded and altered up to the 5th Century to form the current layout.

The theatre has 66 rows of seats divided by two walkways forming three horizontal sections. The steepness of the rows seems to increase above each section which was probably for the benefit of those sitting at the back of the theatre.  

In the 4th Century AD a wall was constructed around the base of the theatre to protect the audience from wild animals and from possible injury during gladiatorial and other events. This area was also waterproofed so if necessary it could be filled with water. 

The stage building facing the audience would have been richly decorated with  columns, windows and statues.

The theatre was used not only for concerts and plays, but also for religious, political and philosophical discussions as well as gladiator and other events involving wild animals.

Earthquakes damaged the theatre during the 4th Century after which it apparently was only partially repaired until in the 8th Century the building was incorporated into the cities defences.