Many thanks to Lisa Kolibabek for these photos.  Any guesses what’s happening here, besides a green tug approaching a RORO?

See the mariners?  Lowering something?

Another ship . . . .

Dropping a line . . .

What’s that bag at the end of the line between the vessels?

Aha!   I include these photos out of order.  So we’re back to the mariners  . . . and the rest of the earlier photo.

and they’re RAISING something related to Philadelphia’s SCI Santa Run.  The delivery vessel here is Jupiter, a survivor from 1902.

This gives this photo a whole new interpretation.

Ditto this photo.  Crew dropped a line . . .

to receive a package from the tug that includes the “red guy” with the extravagant beard and unusual flotation jacket.

Indeed . . . a great idea.   Bravo to SCI of Philadelphia and South Jersey.

Thanks for these photos to Lisa, who reports visiting M/V MORNING LAURA, M/T FREJA HAFNIA, M/T LILLESAND.

She also sends along the Santa Run 2017 report from SCI:   “80 ditty bags were delivered to the 80 seafarers at the Packer Avenue, Axeon, and Paulsboro Refining terminals.   See our website at sciphiladelphia.org.  The top sponsors are Urban Engineers and Mary Ruth Talley.   During the month of December we deliver about 2000 ditty bags to all the seafarers of the Pennsylvania and South Jersey side of the Delaware River.   They include hats, scarves, work gloves, socks, and basic daily essentials of shaving cream, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.   Many of the hats and scarves are knitted throughout the year by volunteers from all over the region.   This year, as part of their rebranding campaign, Philaport sponsored over 700 ski caps.   The ditty bags always put a smile on the seafarers face.  To be thought about when so far from home during the holidays is so appreciated. ”

Here’s the SCI main site with the starting point for their archival photos.  I understand that SCI NY used to do a similar run with W. O. Decker.  I’d love to see photos  . .  from the 1990s or earlier.   PortSide NewYork used to as well.

For some of Lisa’s Christmas cheer photos from two years ago, click here and scroll.  Jupiter is one of the loved vessels of the Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild.