Southampton best place to view ships??

[chr55y]

Hi there, strange question to ask, but promised sons to take them to Southampton to watch the tankers and cruise ships coming in, I'm bored with IOW ferry and fast cat. Does anyone know the best place to go?? Thanks Chrissy

[minimatt1967]

How about Calshot Park. always used to get a good few there

[dtmpower]

Weston Shore or Mayflower Park ?

[diablo_pete]

Thanks guys will check out sat nav. Chrissy

[Legmaster]

Best place to view up close the big ships is from the end of Town Quay (don't even have to get out of the car...). You'll get to see all the Mahoosive container ships and some cruise ships heading up to the Western Docks (berth numbers 101 upwards).

For the Eastern Docks (berth numbers in the 20's, 30's & 40's), as previously mentioned, from Weston Shore (keep a pit bull in the car...), Calshot or try Victoria Country Park.

Just about all tankers go to Fawley Terminal, so Calshot for them.

Not sure when you are going but to make sure you don't miss out, the full list of arrivals and departures which shows when the big 'uns are in and out, can be found here:
http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/shipping_movments....

You've picked the wrong time of year for cruise ships as not too many visit during the winter months. Schedule here:
http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/cruise_ship.asp

Queen Victoria leaves 106 at 1700 2nd Jan so you'll get a good view of her from the end of Town Quay.

And for real time info of all shipping traffic - this is the site you need:
http://www.ais-live.co.uk/AIS%20Live/aissolentwith...

Finally and as a plug for a Southampton charity close to my heart, if your lad is 12 or over, take him out on a square rigger for the day so he gets to play pirates whilst viewing the ships:
Jubilee Sailing Trust

[diablo_pete]

Legmaster said:

Best place to view up close the big ships is from the end of Town Quay (don't even have to get out of the car...). You'll get to see all the Mahoosive container ships and some cruise ships heading up to the Western Docks (berth numbers 101 upwards).

For the Eastern Docks (berth numbers in the 20's, 30's & 40's), as previously mentioned, from Weston Shore (keep a pit bull in the car...), Calshot or try Victoria Country Park.

Just about all tankers go to Fawley Terminal, so Calshot for them.

Not sure when you are going but to make sure you don't miss out, the full list of arrivals and departures which shows when the big 'uns are in and out, can be found here:
http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/shipping_movments....

You've picked the wrong time of year for cruise ships as not too many visit during the winter months. Schedule here:
http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/cruise_ship.asp

Queen Victoria leaves 106 at 1700 2nd Jan so you'll get a good view of her from the end of Town Quay.

And for real time info of all shipping traffic - this is the site you need:
http://www.ais-live.co.uk/AIS%20Live/aissolentwith...

Finally and as a plug for a Southampton charity close to my heart, if your lad is 12 or over, take him out on a square rigger for the day so he gets to play pirates whilst viewing the ships:
Jubilee Sailing Trust

Thanks Legmaster, went to Hamble today as boys not very well. Will go round to Southampton next week when better and back to their enthusiastic selves. Chrissy

[dwilkie]

Not sure if this will help, but here's the live positions of all the ships with an AIS beacon in the Solent, so if you watch them on there for a bit (it DOES update) you'll be able to get an idea for where they pass closest

http://www.ais-live.co.uk/AIS%20Live/aissolent.htm...