Loading a Van der Valk at Southampton Docks

Imperial One

Imperial One

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Feb 2010
Messages
609
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
I hope some of you might find this of interest. I have just spent most of the day at Southampton Docks loading a 17.50 Van der Valk onto a transport ship bound for Turkey. Last time we did this it went really well and took about an hour start to finish but today seemed to have every possible hiccup along the way meaning we spent a lot of time just waiting about.....amazing how relaxing enforced non activity can be!:) Eventually the Peters and May team got it all sorted and once the loading started, all went well. The boat will be cleaned tonight and of course fully wrapped in a protective cover lashed down with netting so that she is spotless on arrival with her new owner. One of the guys on the dock videoed the whole thing and had promised to send it to me so if anyone is interested I will post this in a day or so's time.
Other ships loaded ahead of us were a Nordwest 370 a couple of Squadrons, a Princess and a Prestige all bound for sunnier climes. Our boat has been loaded sideways and the Captain of the transport vessel has asked for additional D rings welded to the deck to be sure she is lashed down well enough so that she does not shoot off the side of the deck:eek::eek:.............a little worrying but I am (pretty) confident she will be OK.

View attachment 32840View attachment 32841View attachment 32844View attachment 32845
 
Yes would love to see the video if you can post it. All looks very familiar - first becuase Swansong has been my neighbour on A pontoon in Ocean Village these last 3 weeks or so (beautiful ship!) and second because I spent last Friday doing a similar shipping. Swansong's cover is being made by Dan, the same guy who did mine last week so it will be a grand job.

She's not new is she? She didn't look new in OV, at least

What are owner's plans for a tender - I couldn't figure out what was going on with those chocks!

Bon voyage
 
Had the privilege of drinking a few glasses of wine over the past couple of years on Swansong. Lovely boat in lovely condition. I hope the new owners enjoy her as much as the last.
 
And who said the industry was in trouble? 12 boats shipped last Friday (with M2) more today. I know they are not all new or all made in the UK, but there is still serious UK value add going into some of them.
 
Hello one and all. Sorry about the late reply, have been busy catching up with all the things that did not get done yesterday!
Taz, thank you for the compliment. Lisilou and JFM - on the case re the video hope to get it up there shortly.
P430, Ken and Suzanne are great hosts and there was always a drink on board - sadly NOT yesterday when I was sat on my backside for hours, nowhere near a shop and actually feeling rather hungry and thirsty!:(
JFM, I did see Match on the pontoon along from her at OVM and very nice she looked to JFM, a great looking boat Sir, I am sure she will love the Med sunshine. I saw your post last week about the loading as well. Was it you who was on board her doing a deep clean to the sound of soothing music on the hifi.........I am guessing it was not you but a valet crew. They made a great job whoever it was.
Our lady is off to Turkey and no she is not new. It is the boat that we got runner up boat of the year with a few years back after her debut to the UK at SIBS. The last owner has looked after her very well and she was looking lovely and clean ready to be covered up and shipped but along came the delays, the summer weather and the OVM seagulls who love to use the coachroof as a handy opener for their mussel and winkle dinners.
Yes the cover is being made by Dan and Darren. The dinghy chocks were initially shaped for an Avon Rib but this never happened. The new owners Son wants a PWC on her but the Father has said he will get a RIB instead.

I thought she looks rather festive in this shot with the ribbon effect of the tie strops.:cool:
View attachment 32891
 
rafiki_ said:
And who said the industry was in trouble? 12 boats shipped last Friday (with M2) more today. I know they are not all new or all made in the UK, but there is still serious UK value add going into some of them.
Click to expand...

Sorry cant see that at all. First we cannot run the country on shipping out our high value goods and secondly I have seen so much of this one off sale. Its amazing how many of our boats for sale are going to scandinavia, all at rock bottom prices because the UK customer cant afford them. We are really busy packing up whole factories going overseas, Good for us this year maybe, but no long term future for UK plc.
 
She's beautiful IO!!! Your heart must've been in your mouth watching that. Thanks for posting.
L
:)
 
Last edited:
One or two interesting moments for sure! If the crane had dropped her I think she might have dented the quayside somewhat:D Thanks for your kind comment, she is a lovely boat internally.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top