Ships in May 2021

20th May 2021 It's been a long, wet, cool and windy winter and spring during the latest pandemic restrictions in the south of England, but life seems to be getting better as the month of May comes to an end. I knew that several fairly new ships were keeping safe off the coast of Dorset in the UK, and some very new ships were heading into the port of Southampton or the port of Portsmouth last week. There was an appalling weather forecast due all along the English Channel from Thursday 20th May 2021 but I left my home and set off by train for the ports. I haven't been to sea since September 2019. I had several trips booked but all had to be cancelled during 2020 because of the Covid restrictions here in the UK and in other countries. I've had my two vaccinations, and so last week when Government restrictions were lifted I was able to go away from home and hope to go to sea, which was very exciting. In Southampton I met one of my 'shippy' friends and we headed off to a big local hotel for Afternoon Tea, up on the 6th floor. Of course it was raining, and the high winds were gusting all around, but I could see a huge ship through the rain on the windows at one end of the Restaurant Terrace: it was the new P&O ship IONA. Well, that was a good start to seeing the sea and a ship. Next we visited Mayflower Park, which was almost deserted. The rain had stopped for a little while, so I could get a photograph of the MSC VIRTUOSA which was berthed at 101, and seemed to have lots of ropes keeping her safely tied up alongside. She is 181,000 tons and looked huge; she is due to sail soon on her Maiden Voyage in a Covid-secure environment. In fact she sailed on her Maiden Voyage, and the first post-Covid UK cruise, that very evening.

MSC Virtuosa, Berth 101, Southampton

MSC Virtuosa, Berth 101 Way off in the distance behind her I could see the bright pink hull of the ONE COLUMBA, a 2018-built container ship, due to leave on 22nd May for Port Said and the Suez Canal. It felt so strange to look and see a space where the Solent Flour Mills used to be until a few months ago. I remember when I worked as a Purserette on board a Union-Castle Liner many years ago, standing on deck for lifeboat drill before sailing on a Friday at 1, and on the port side we could always see the Solent Flour Mills. However, turning round and looking behind me I could see the white-capped waves and feel so grateful not to be at sea, even here in Southampton Water. It was still not raining and now I could see the RED OSPREY of Red Funnel about to head to the Isle of Wight, P&O's IONA just beyond her, and way off in the distance I could see the huge shape of P&O's other new ship VENTURA.

Red Osprey, Iona, Ventura in the distance The gale force winds and rain was forecast for at least the next two days, and it would be interesting to see what would be able to sail. Certainly we knew that at Portsmouth and Southsea the Hovercraft would not be sailing/flying over to the Isle of Wight. In Port Solent, further along the coast near Portsmouth and Southsea, bags were checked into an hotel, and then we went back to the seaside to look at the sea. The waves were hurling themselves into the water's edge, onto the promenade and over it, into the roadside and filling up the gutters. I remember getting out of the car for a minute just to get a couple of photos of the Brittany Ferries GALICIA heading into Portsmouth Harbour from Santander in Spain. I had to jump across the water and didn't quite make it, so ended up with a little sea in my left boot, but it was the only alternative. The ship looked fairly steady but I didn't envy the passengers on their voyage.

Sea water at Southsea

Galicia of Brittany Ferries heading into Portsmouth Harbour from Santander Back in the car and further along the promenade the sea was hurling itself against the sea wall and rising up high into the air and then onto any traffic that was parked. It was quite dramatic to be safely in a car but flinching as the water hit the windscreen and car body. We soon moved further inland, and found somewhere for an evening meal. Ships seen: Iona, Ventura, Virtuosa, Red Osprey, One Columba, Galicia To be continued...

HOVERCRAFT & OTHER VESSELS Part 1

Saturday 22nd October 2016
It was early on a bright and sunny autumn morning when I stood on the pavement near Southsea beach in Hampshire, England. My ferry friends arrived by car and we were soon parked and taking photographs of NORMANDIE of Brittany Ferries as she sailed out of Portsmouth, heading for France.

Normandie of Brittany Ferries

Another view of Normandie


We could then walk into the Hover Travel office nearby, to buy return tickets on a Hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde in the Isle of Wight. The journey takes only ten minutes, but it was fascinating to anticipate and also to enjoy.

We were soon allowed out of the Terminal building to walk across the short distance to board FREEDOM 90 for our Flight at 9 a.m. She had arrived and berthed between SOLENT FLYER and ISLAND FLYER, which made for an unusual sight as far as I was concerned. We felt our vessel lift, and we turned and headed out to cross Southampton Water to the Isle of Wight. I marvelled at the 1955 invention by the famous Sir Christopher Cockerell, which first crossed the English Channel in July 1959. The vessel is described as a vehicle supported on a cushion of air supplied by a powered fan mounted on the craft - brilliant - hence Hover Travel calling it a flight.

Freedom 90, at Southsea

On board Freedom 90


I first went on a SRN4 Hovercraft called PRINCESS ANNE back in the early 1980s, sailing from Dover across the English Channel. Some passengers had their cars loaded on the hovercraft, which were much bigger than today's craft, ready to drive south in France; we simply went as foot passengers for the experience.

Today though we soon arrived at Ryde on the Isle of Wight, disembarked from FREEDOM 90 into the terminal and then climbed the nearby stairs to the bridge over the railway lines. This gave us a good view of the hovercraft down below, and we could watch our vessel head back to Southsea. The tide seemed to be out and there was a lot of mud-flats to be seen as we watched her go. Then it was time for breakfast ashore.

Solent Flyer nearby

Island Flyer on the left, Freedom 90 in the centre and Solent Flyer on the right; a case of one and two halves...

Freedom 90 going back to Southsea

Away she goes

She's well away


Back at the bridge over the railway lines we were pleased to be able to see the brand new SOLENT FLYER down below us on the tarmac, and we were even more pleased to see her changing places with ISLAND FLYER. We really hoped she might be our vessel for our ride back to Southsea... and yes, she was to be!

Island Flyer at Ryde Pier, Isle of Wight

Solent Flyer from the railway bridge

Changing places

To the centre

Two Flyers

Boarding the new Solent Flyer


We were soon on SOLENT FLYER, embarking at the front/bow end this time (rather than near the stern) and admiring her new livery of our national flag. Once inside we could also admire the spacious look of the design with big windows and a streamlined look throughout. The builders plate by Griffon was dated January 2016, with a delivery date of March 2016, and after sea trials she soon came into service with a gross tonnage of 15.27. I particularly admired the mural effect of the wall behind the 24 passengers she can carry, as we sat down and prepared to 'fly' across the water back to Southsea. One of the crew came to talk to us and he was obviously very proud of the new hovercraft.

Inside Solent Flyer

Registration Plate

Builders Plate

On board and looking astern at the seats and mural


We noticed that as it was a Saturday there seemed to be a lot of other smaller craft around us, and it became necessary to take a somewhat convoluted route across the water. The Wightlink ferries were also crossing back and forth between Portsmouth Harbour and the Isle of Wight, so there was a lot to see in our short journey!

Back in Southsea we went down on the beach towards the sea and could watch SOLENT FLYER embark more passengers before she set off for Ryde again.

Solent Flyer viewed from the beach as she began to turn, ready for her next 'flight'

The sea nearby

Solent Flyer going back to Ryde


What wonderful vessels they are.


To be continued...

The Mail must get through...

Saturday 4th May 2013

I had the opportunity to take a Hover Travel hovercraft from Portsmouth/Southsea over to Ryde in the Isle of Wight. The trip took about 20 minutes at 25-30 knots, over slightly choppy sea and sand but was fascinating, sailing amongst ferries, yachts and other craft.


We travelled out on ISLAND EXPRESS to Ryde


At Ryde we had to cross the old railway lines by footbridge, so had a good view of the next incoming hovercraft: FREEDOM 90


ISLAND EXPRESS back again at Ryde


Offloading the Royal Mail


Mailbags going into the Royal Mail van


Then we took FREEDOM 90 back to the mainland from Ryde

What fun to be back on a Mailship run.