Why do boats do this?

[Simpo Two]

The first time I saw a boat do this I thought it had either made a mistake or was picking up a stranded crew member. But now I've seen another boat do the same thing in the same place.The vessel comes up to the port but doesn't tie up - what's it up to?

[J3JCV]

What type of boat?

[Jaguar steve]

They've got in close enough to read the board telling them what the visitor's berth charges are...

[Simpo Two]

J3JCV said:

What type of boat?

Coasters, in this case 'Alert' https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships...

[Boatbuoy]

I assume you mean like this one?



I suspect they had a route planned, then there has been a change of plan. Possibly re-tasked, got a new customer, or there was a bridge opening or flood barrier closure to avoid?

[croyde]

Is that Great Yarmouth?

If it is (I suspect it isn't) but that road bridge is so low that even the hire boats have to wait for low tide to pass under it. Ask me how I know

[Simpo Two]

Boatbuoy said:

I assume you mean like this one?



I suspect they had a route planned, then there has been a change of plan. Possibly re-tasked, got a new customer, or there was a bridge opening or flood barrier closure to avoid?

You'd think so, but it's happened twice in exactly the same place with two different boats, 2-3 weeks apart.

croyde said:

Is that Great Yarmouth?

If you click the link then 'Show on live map' all the goodness will unfold

[Mr Pointy]

"Do we turn left or right at the junction, dear"
"Right"
"???"
"No, the other Right"

[Boatbuoy]

Simpo Two said:

Boatbuoy said:

I assume you mean like this one?



I suspect they had a route planned, then there has been a change of plan. Possibly re-tasked, got a new customer, or there was a bridge opening or flood barrier closure to avoid?

You'd think so, but it's happened twice in exactly the same place with two different boats, 2-3 weeks apart.

...and the one I found did the same, which is why I included it. It suggests to me that it's not an uncommon occurrence. Maybe VTS request that some vessels do a bit of a dog leg to manage traffic, a bit like ATC stacking aircraft.

[sherman]

Could it have something to do with waterflow in all those channels?

They go up that channel, spin round and get the help of the tide or current to help their progress out to sea.

[croyde]

Yep! should have zoomed in. Holland.

At least I got the terrain correct. The Broads is as flat as Holland and there are also windmills

[spitfire-ian]

Simpo Two said:

Coasters, in this case 'Alert' https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships...

Oooh it's heading this way, I'll give it a wave when I go for a run in the morning!

Edited to add:

If you look at the past track it does spend about 30-40 minutes in the location you show so is probably just picking someone up.

There's quite a bit of convenient quayside and parking there.

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.8068335,4.6477024,...

Edited by spitfire-ian on Thursday 23 February 15:05

Edited by spitfire-ian on Thursday 23 February 15:05

[swanny71]

Simpo Two said:

Coasters, in this case 'Alert' https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships...

Looks like she berthed for a short while (stationary at 00:15 UTC)
Picking up crew, stores, bunkering etc?

[cliffords]

croyde said:

Is that Great Yarmouth?

If it is (I suspect it isn't) but that road bridge is so low that even the hire boats have to wait for low tide to pass under it. Ask me how I know

How do you know ?

[croyde]

cliffords said:

croyde said:

Is that Great Yarmouth?

If it is (I suspect it isn't) but that road bridge is so low that even the hire boats have to wait for low tide to pass under it. Ask me how I know

How do you know ?

A group of us 40 years ago got stuck under the bridge after crossing Breydon Water and not having a clue about tides.

There went the deposit.

Older and wiser now so I tie up at Berney Arms Mill (Pub sadly abandoned) and call Gt Yarmouth Yacht station to check the bridge clearance if I don't want to wait for the low tide.

[spitfire-ian]

The ship in question this morning.



20230224-IMG_2386 by Ian, on Flickr

[Simpo Two]

swanny71 said:

Looks like she berthed for a short while (stationary at 00:15 UTC)
Picking up crew, stores, bunkering etc?

You'd think it would be easier to load everything on at the destination port, which wasn't far away, rather than diverting the ship. Guess not!

[OutInTheShed]

Possibly it goes ahead into the creek then comes out astern, so it's pointing the right way to leave?
Possibly it is taking on a Pilot or changing pilots for the river section?

[Jaguar steve]

spitfire-ian said:

The ship in question this morning.



20230224-IMG_2386 by Ian, on Flickr

Manningtree?

If so I have more familiarity with that bank of mud in the middle of your picture than anybody might reasonably want to have as first time up the Stour many years ago there wasn't quite as much water on top of it there as I thought there would be...

[spitfire-ian]

Jaguar steve said:

Manningtree?

If so I have more familiarity with that bank of mud in the middle of your picture than anybody might reasonably want to have as first time up the Stour many years ago there wasn't quite as much water on top of it there as I thought there would be...

Yes, well Mistley to be precise.