Random Sixth Boro 10

The sixth boro, i.e., the watery part that holds the other boros together, is the one that never sleeps, with current, tides, mechanical denizens and their operators, their flora and fauna,  . . .  I’ll leave the list there for now.

You can read the season changing in the fact that Eastern Welder has reappeared for sixth boro clams.

Morning Claire is a regular in the boro, but last time I saw her was several thousand miles to the south.

Stolt Larix is one of the world’s largest parcel tanker fleets, but

what really caught my attention was its PBA backboard, where crew might play watch against watch. I’m always checking for hoops on ships that pass.  I wonder how good the crew teams are.

Gregg is off to assist a tanker in.

Names intrigue me, and I find bulk carriers have the best of the best, like Mega Maggie here.

Century Royal headed into the North River, prompting me to double check her provenance, and her voyage from Progresso MX to Yonkers USA tells me she’s loaded deep with raw Mexican sugar, not road salt as I’d originally assumed.

Here’s an obvious clue to season.

And finally, I’ve not yet seen the newest ferry carry any passengers, but she is training for the shuttle.  For one of my most recent articles, click here for my review of SSG Michael H. Ollis.

All photos, WVD, who’s out to see what and who he might next see.

Random Mississipi River Ships

With 2017 looming, it’s time to imagine some possible goals for the near future, assuming we have time.  “Big River” mentions a lot of places I’ve yet to see from the water.  Johnny Cash’s 1962 version isn’t my favorite, I link to it here because he looks so young.   This style boat named Natchez–for one of those places–has worked on the big river in many many capacities for a long time.  Anyone now who is credited for introducing steam to the Mississippi River system?  Answer follows.

By the way this Natchez was launched in 1975, but

the steam plant that drives it

has been around since 1925, albeit in a different vessel.

New Orleans is over a hundred miles from the Gulf and the number of sea-going vessels that pass is phenomenal.

And since they have such wanderlust-feeding names, I’ll let them speak for themselves . . .  the one directly below is SeaKay Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a version of “Big River” closer to what I usually listen to, and it was recorded in long-gone Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City.

And speaking of Roosevelts, that’s who teamed up with Robert Fulton to introduce steam boating to the Mississipi River.

So why are there no contemporary and catchy songs about the Hudson watershed?  Oh, I’m no songwriter and play no instruments.

Now if only I can get a job sailing from St. Paul MN to the Gulf.  I’m working on it.

All photos by Will Van Dorp.

 

Nola Light

Apologies if you received a premature version of this post;  I hit the wrong button.

“Light” here refers not to load but to sunshine and clouds.  These photos were taken just below Algiers Point in unsettled December weather.  Some buildings of New Orleans are visible on the horizon to the left.

These photos of Capes Kennedy and Knox were taken

about an hour apart.  As part of the Ready Reserve fleet, they can be deployed with five days’ notice.

SFL Kent–photos taken about an hour apart–as of this posting, she’s en route

to Morocco.

Notice the EO on the stack beyond the starboard side of SFL Kent?

It’s Alice‘s sister Elsa!

 

UBC Saiki is currently in Veracruz.

 

These photos were taken within minutes of each other.

Since this photo was taken, Century Royal has sailed to the DR.

 

All photos by Will Van Dorp.