Dropped Balls and New Years Ships

January 1 glides in as some folks pay attention to dropped things like balls and quite unusual and unexpected other items.  In fact, in a few weeks media will be mentioning balls in bowls ad nauseum.

My surprise on my new year’s morning jaunt was that two tankers side by side sported baskets.  See it on Stolt Efficiency, painted on the homeport backstop.  Presumably, halftime would include drinks served on the picnic table.

 

The angle is not as favorable here, but Stena Penguin also had a basket through which balls might drop.

The back to back ships seemed to beg for crew to compete, but first they’d have to move the tankers stern to stern and each team post some of their crew on the other vessel’s deck.  I don’t think this will catch on.

Silver Philippa appeared to have no basket.

Nor did Arctic Flounder or

the revelatory vessel Single.

Single what?!

Overnight, though, a whole new set of ships arrived in the port, as some of these tankers departed, possibly to away games?

Photos and attempts at levity by Will Van Dorp.