An early morning arrival for the cruise ship OCEAN COUNTESS (ex RUBY-07, OCEAN COUNTESS-07, LILI MARLENE-06, OCEAN COUNTESS-05, OLYMPIA COUNTESS-04, OLYMPIC COUNTESS-02, AWANI DREAM 2-98, CUNARD COUNTESS-96) for a passenger turnaround before heading later in the day for Dublin. IMO number: 7358561. Gross tonnage: 16,795 (2,642 dwt). Managed by European Classical Cruises, Piraeus. Flag: Portugal (Madeira). Built: 1975-05 by Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen, Denmark (yard no: 858). Completed by I.N.M.A., La Spezia - entered service 1976-08. Dimensions: loa: 163.6 m b: 22.8 m draught: - m. Main engine(s): 4, B&W 7U50HU diesels. Power: 15,447 kW. Speed: 21.5 kn.

Associated British Port's trailing suction hopper dredger UKD ORCA passes Seacombe for work at Garston dock. IMO number: 9491355. Gross tonnage: 3,087 (3,775 dwt). Managed by UK Dredging, Cardiff. Flag: United Kingdom (Cardiff). Completed: 2010-07 by Barkmeijer Stroobos BV, Stroobos, Netherlands. Dimensions: loa: 78.0 m b: 15.85 m draught: 5.53 m. Main engine(s): D-E 3, Wartsila 6L20 4-stroke diesels. Power: 3,600 kW. Speed: 12.0 kn.

The water injection plough dredger NORMA at work at the entrance to Alfred Lock. IMO number: unknown. Managed by Westminster Dredging Co., Fareham. Flag: United Kingdom (Southampton). Completed: 1981 by ? / major upgrade in 2008. Dimensions: loa: 27.0 m; b: 9.5 m draught: 2.15 m. Main engine(s): Twin Scottel azimuthing thrusters. Power: 625 kW. Speed: - kn. Photo 2.

The NORMA has to move from the lock entrance to allow the VECHTDIEP to depart for Aveiro, Portugal. IMO number: 9224142. Managed by Feederlines BV, Groningen. Flag: Liberia. Gross tonnage: 4,938 (7,200 dwt). Completed: 2000-12 by Bodewes, Hoogezand, Netherlands. Dimensions: loa: 118.6 m; b: 15.2 m; draught: 7.06 m. Main engine(s): MaK 8M32 4-stroke diesel. Power: 3,840 kW. Speed: 14.0 kn.

Meanwhile the Ukrainian-owned river / sea coaster SALIX (ex VISEU-96, BARGSTEDT-06) discharges cargo in East Float, Birkenhead. IMO number: 8520446. Managed by Tomex, Odessa, Ukraine. Flag: Antigua & Barbuda (St. John's). Gross tonnage: 2,120 (3,023 dwt). Completed: 1986-02 by J. J. Seitas KG Schiffswerft GmbH & Co., Hamburg, Germany. Dimensions: loa: 92.18 m b: 11.54 m draught: 5.19 m. Main engine(s): Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz SBV 6M628 4-stroke diesel. Power: 1,599 kW. Speed: 10.0 kn.

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The LPG tanker MAINGAS passes Seacombe enroute to the Ship Canal and Stanlow. IMO number: 9108843. Managed by Hartmann Schiffahrts, Leer, Germany. Flag: Liberia. Gross tonnage: 3,932 (3,467 dwt). Completed: 2001-02 by Severnav S.A., Dobreta Turnu Severin, Romania. Dimensions: loa: 96.90 m b: 15.60 m draught: 5.50 m. Main engine(s): U.C.M. Resita MAN-B&W 4L35MC 2-stroke diesel. Power: 2,400 kW. Speed: 13.0 knots. Photo 2.

Sailing in the opposite direction from the Ship Canal heading for the Isle of Wight is the Turkish-owned oil products tanker MED BALTIC. IMO number: 9462304. Managed by Med Marine Pilotage & Towage, Istanbul. Flag: Malta (Valletta). Gross tonnage: 5,651 (8,269 dwt). Completed: 2011-02 by Med Yilmax Tersanesi, Zonguldak, Turkey. Dimensions: loa: 123.9 m b: 17.2 m draught: 7,24 m. Main engine(s): Caterpillar 8M32C 4-stroke diesel. Power: 4,000 kW Speed: 14.0 kn. Photo 2.

The Cypriot-registered coaster ATLANTIC MOON (ex OOSTERSCHELDEBORG-07) departs Garston for Belfast. IMO number: 9259032. Managed by Oost Atlantic Lijn BV, Rotterdam. Flag: Cyprus (Limassol). Gross tonnage: 3,164 (5,000 dwt). Completed: 2002-09 by Scheepswerf Peters, Kampen, Netherlands. Dimensions: loa: 95.3 m b: 13.4 m draught: 5.72 m. Main engine(s): Wartsila 6L26A diesel. Power: 1,950 kW Speed: 12.0 kn.

October 14th - not pleasant weather! The Boskalis-owned, hopper suction dredger SHOALWAY returns from the discharge grounds to dredge another load of spoil within the Liverpool dock system. IMO number: 9556337. Managed by Boskalis Baggermaatschappij, Papendrecht. Flag: Cyprus (Limassol). Gross tonnage: 4,088 (5,490 dwt). Completed: 2010-04 by Intervak BV, Harlingen, Netherlands. Dimensions: loa: 90.0 m b: 19.0 m draught: 5.93 m. Main engine(s): 2, Caterpillar 16 cyl 4-stroke diesels. Power: 2,982 kW. Speed: 14.0 kn.

The small Turkish-owned products tanker CHEM VIOLET arrives for the Liverpool Dock's system. IMO number: 9479632. Managed by Deniz Endustrisi AS, Istanbul. Flag: Malta. Gross tonnage: 2,105 (3,074 dwt). Completed: 2010-05 by Cicek Tersanesi, Tuzla, Turkey. Dimensions: loa: 84.98 m b: 12.60 m draught: 5.40 m. Main engine(s): 2, Mitsubishi 12 cyl diesels. Power: 1,880 kW. Speed: 13.0 knots. In the background is the Greek-owned, Malta-flagged bulker FASSA (30,936 gt / 2006 by Nantong COSCO, Nantong, China) loading scrap steel in Gladstone Dock. She is managed by J. G. Goumas (Shipping) Co., Athens.

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German-owned and, unusually, Israeli-built, the coaster BLUE CARMEL (ex THEDA-09) works cargo in East Float. IMO number: 9491903. Managed by Bernd Meyering Bereederungs GmbH & Co. KG, Haren-Ems. Flag: Antigua & Barbuda (St. John's). Gross tonnage: 3,845 (4,798 dwt). Completed: 2009-12 by Israel Shipyards Ltd., Haifa, Israel. Dimensions: loa: 89.96 m b: 15.40 m draught: 5.80 m. Main engine(s): MAN-B&W 6L27/38 4-stroke diesel. Power: 2,040 kW. Speed: 11.8 kn.

The Norwegian-owned river / sea coaster MOSVIK (ex STAR VITA-07, PIA-05) unloads in West Float, Birkenhead. IMO number: 8710998. Managed by HAV Ship Management AS Predstavitelstvo v Kaliningrade (RF), Bergen, Norway (evidently a Russian connection - and also an Icelandic one judging by the web url sported on the hull). Flag: Antigua & Barbuda (St. John's). Gross tonnage: 2,236 (2,850 dwt). Completed: 1987-09 by Schiffswerft Hugo Peters GmbH, Wewelsfleth, Germany. Dimensions: loa: 82.34 m b:12.50 m draught: 4.87 m. Main engine(s): Wartsila 4L28 2-stroke diesel. Power: 1,200 kW. Speed: 11.0 kn.

Another river / sea coaster, smaller than the previous example, is the WATERWAY, (ex ALISSA-08) arriving for the Birkenhead dock system. IMO number: 9143594. Managed by Baltnautic Shipping Ltd., Klaipeda, Lithuania. Flag: St. Vincent and Grenadines (Kingstown). Gross tonnage: 1,143 (1,454 dwt). Hull built: 1996-10, Plocka Stocznia Rzeczna, Plock, Poland. Completed by Schloemer at Oldersum. Dimensions: loa: 81.40 m b: 9.46 m draught: 4.65 m. Main engine(s): Cummins 12 cyl 4-stroke diesel. Power: 883 kW. Speed: 8.0 kn. Photo 2 about to moor in Albert Basin while the water level is raised to enable entry to East Float.

On a busy day for Birkenhead docks, the larger coaster KWINTEBANK departs for Aughinish from Albert Lock. IMO number: 9234288. Managed by POT Scheepvaart BV, Delfzijl. Flag: Netherlands (Delfzijl). Gross tonnage: 6,378 (9,600 dwt). Hull built: 2002-08 by Daewoo-Mangalia, Mangalia, Romania. Completed by Bodewes Volharding, Foxhol, Netherlands. Dimensions: loa: 132.23 m b: 15.87 m draught: 8.07 m. Main engine: Caterpillar-MaK 8M32C 4-stroke diesel. Power: 4,030 kW. Speed: 15.0 kn.

A little later yet another river / sea coaster, the Norwegian-owned JOMI (ex ARKLOW VIEW-06), heads for Eastham and onwards to Runcorn. IMO number: 9038397. Managed by Misje Rederi AS, Bergen, Norway. Flag: Bahamas (Nassau). Gross tonnage: 2,827 gt (4,258 dwt). Completed: 1991-09 by Schiffswerft Hugo Peters GmbH, Wewelsfleth, Germany. Dimensions: loa: 88.20 m b: 13.70 m draught: 5.79 m. Main engine(s): Krupp MaK 8M332 4-stroke diesel. Power: 1,300 kW Speed: 11.5 kn.

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The last ship to depart on the October 14th tide is the Norwegian offshore multi-purpose ship ISLAND PIONEER heading for her station off the north coast of Anglesey. IMO number: 9344849. Gross tonnage: 5,233 (4,948 dwt). Managed by Island Offshore Management AS, Ulsteinvik. Flag: Norway (Alesund). Built: 2006-04, Martim Shipyard, Gdansk, Poland. Fitted out by Ulstein Verft AS, Ulsteinvik, Norway. Dimensions: loa: 95.0 m b: 20.5 m draught: 6.50 m. Main engine(s): D-E; 4 generators; 2, electric motors; 2, azimuthing thrusters (2500kW ea). Total Power: 9,920 kW. Speed: 15.0kn.

October 28th. A more modern and larger version of the ship of the same name (now renamed CALISTO, IMO number: 9306067 - see July 2010), the present INDEPENDENT PURSUIT (ex HAMMONIA FORTUNA-11) has joined the ICL fleet rotation serving the East Coast of the US from Northern Europe. Note that the pedestals of the cranes are in place but without the jibs fitted. IMO number: 9336189. Managed by Hammonia Reederei GmbH, Hamburg (Peter Doehle). Flag: Liberia. Gross tonnage: 26,435 (34,282 dwt) - 2,500 teus. Completed: 2007-06 by Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Jiangyin, P. R. China. Dimensions: loa: 208.90 m b: 29.80 m draught: 11.60 m. Main engine(s): Hudong MAN-B&W 6K80ME-C diesel. Power: 21,660 kW. Speed: 22.0 kn. Photo 2.

One of the "MULTITANK" series of oil products tankers, the STOLT PELICAN (ex ISEBEK-08, MULTITANK SAXONIA-97) is a sister to the STOLT RAZORBILL and is shown here departing for Bilbao. IMO number: 9016882. Managed by Stolt Tankers BV, Rotterdam. Flag: United Kingdom (Cardiff). Gross tonnage: 3,711 (5,797 dwt). Completed: 1996-07 by Baltiyskiy Zavod, St. Petersburg, Russia. Dimensions: loa: 99.9 m b: 16.50 m draught: 6.78. Main engine: MAN-B&W 6L42MC diesel. Power: 3,840 kW. Speed: 15.4 knots.

The Danish products tanker BRO GOTHENBURG (ex RED TEAL-11) arrives for Stanlow. IMO number: 9362140. Managed by A. P. Moller-Maersk A/S, Copenhagen. Flag: Denmark (Copenhagen). Gross tonnage: 4,859 (6,844 dwt). Completed: 2007-01 by Tuzla Gemi, Istanbul, Turkey. Dimensions: loa: 119.1 m b: 16.90 m draught: 6.74 m. Main engine: Caterpillar 8 cyl 4-stroke diesel. Power: 3,840 kW. Speed: 14.0 knots. Photo 2.

The bunkering barge HENTY PROVIDER (ex THAMES RAPID-08, RAPID-86, BP RAPID-86, SHEPPEY-76) arrives back home from Northern Ireland. IMO number: 7341661. Managed by Henty Oil Ltd., Liverpool. Flag: United Kingdom (Liverpool). Gross tonnage: 589 (704 dwt). Completed: 1974-10 by Appledore SB, Appledore, UK. Dimensions: loa: 58.9 m b: 10.3 m. Main engine(s): not known. Power: -. Speed: - kn.

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Another of Peter Doehle's ships, the mini-bulker BELINA (ex AIDA-07) heads for Belfast having left Garston Dock. IMO number: 9016882. Gross tonnage: 4,927 (6,918 dwt). Managed by Peter Doehle Schiffahrts-KG, Hamburg. Flag: Antigua & Barbuda (St. John's). Completed: 1997-06 by Alexandria Shipyard, Alexandria, Egypt. Dimensions: loa: 106.98 m; b: 18.2 m draught: 6.16 m. Main engine(s): MAN-B&W 6S26MC 2-stroke diesel. Power: 2,190 kW. Speed: 12.0 kn. Photo 2.

Unusual to see what was a Norwegian high speed catamaran coastal ferry on the Mersey! But the NICO (ex VARANGERFJORD-07) has been converted to an offshore utility craft and is capable of a wide range of tasks including cable laying. She is currently working at the Rhyl Flats wind farm. IMO number: 8916853. Gross tonnage: 417. Completed: 1990-06 by Kvaerner Fjellstrand, Omastrand, Norway. Dimensions: loa: 38.82 m b: 9.40 m draught: 1.65 m. Main engines: 2, MTU diesels, water jet drive. Power: 3,600 kW. Speed: 35.5 knots (max).

The heavily laden ENCOUNTER, a regular container feeder, arrives for Seaforth Dock on CMA-CGM service. IMO number: 9255775. Gross tonnage: 7,642 (9,335 dwt) - 750 teus. Managed by JR Ship Management BV, Harlingen. Flag: Netherlands (Harlingen). Built: 2004-04 by Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries SA, Mangalia, Romania. Completed by Bodewes Volharding, Foxhol. Dimensions: loa: 134.65 m; b: 21.50 m draught: 7.10 m. Main engine(s): MaK 8M43 diesel. Power: 7,200 kW. Speed: 18.0 kn.

Another ship on CMA-CGM service is the PERSEUS J (ex WEC VAN EYCK-09, HMS VAN EYCK-08, PERSEUS J-08) seen here departing from Gladstone Lock bound for Belfast. IMO number: 9371414. Managed by Jungerhans Maritime Services GmbH, Haren-Ems. Flag: Cyprus (Limassol). Gross tonnage: 10,965 (12,558 dwt) - 925 teus. Completed: 2008-06 by Naval Gijon SA, Gijon, Spain. Dimensions: loa: 140.38 m b: 22.80 m draught: 8.70 m. Main engines: MAN 8L48/60B 4-stroke diesel. Power: 9,600 kW. Speed: 18.3 knots. Photo 2.

A somewhat unusual configuration for a coaster with the accommodation block forward, the ABIS BORDEAUX is one of a recent class of ships designed to carry project cargo with hatches open. She is seen here bound for Stavanger with a large tank loaded at Bromborough. IMO number: 9545039. Managed by Abis Shipping Co., Harlingen. Flag: Netherlands (Harlingen). Gross tonnage: 2,978 (3,930 dwt). Completed: 2011-04 by Hangzhou Dongfeng SB Co., Hangzhou, P. R. China. Dimensions: loa: 89.95 m b: 13.75 m draught: - m. Main engine(s): MaK 8M20C diesel. Power: - kW. Speed: 13.0 knots. Photo 2.

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