Maneuvering ships is not easy and maneuvering them inside a confined space is an art. The show begins with the pilot's boat and a pair of tugs approaching the ship.
Ships usually turn just inside the port, in the large basin protected by the “Diga Curvilinea” (curved sea wall), better known as “Molo Novo” (New Quay).
The “Crown Ruby” with her 152 meters isn't a match for this space, where ships twice her length can turn quite easily.
Modern ships and ferries can do this on their own because of additional thrusters, a kind of side propellers, which make docking easier. But the dance of the tug boats is more spectacular...Search labels: tug
Somewhat humiliating for such a proud ship, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGreat slow dance though. Let's just hope they don't start raving anytime soon!
An interesting series, looks like it would be fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very 'Cool' ship.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting catures! Fun to look and think about. I just read The Wheels of Darkness, where turning a big ship is pivotal to the story.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool! I love these pictures. They kinda give me a lesson about picturing moving boats and water sports which I'm soon going to try out!
ReplyDelete- Pixellicious Photos
A wonderful series. There is something about watching boats and ships glide across the water that is mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteI loved your photo yesterday replicating the scene of the old postcard. I like to buy paintings and when I travel and take photos of the same scenes.
You get a "SUPERCool" for such great photos of the action.
ReplyDeleteI love this series! Our river is so big, I've never seen this dance. It's interesting that the modern ships can turn on their own. This is a whole new ballet for me. Nice, nice, nice!!!
ReplyDeleteI must be sleepy. Of course, the big ships don't turn here anyway. I wonder if they do anything like this in Portland. I'll be thinking of it next time I go there.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in the Navy my ship was over 900 feet long and I remember some really wide turns. You really got some nice shots!
ReplyDeleteNice action shots!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. It has a lot to do with my previous work...
ReplyDeleteGod bless you!
Cezar
Beautiful series of lovely photos !! Ships are simply lovely !!Unseen Rajasthan
ReplyDeleteI could spend hours watching these ballets.
ReplyDelete"the dance of the tugboats" — I love how you put it! Now I wish I could watch too…
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your visits and expressions of concern, Mr Poet. They really meant a lot to me. It's been a terrible week for the entire Pacific region and I pray that all the countries that experienced the horrible typhoons, earthquake and tsunami are able to recover soon.
I love these photos; the colors, the water, the sky, and especially the boats.
ReplyDeleteTugs are very important to any well-functioning port and I enjoy watching them work, also.
Beautiful scenes here, VP! Grazie!
Always fun to watch the tugs at work.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting sequence!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to know so much about boats. And particularly these big ships & merchant vessels which you photograph.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should link your good Theme Day reflection photo to James's new meme so we could see it again and it would help him kick off the project :) I wouldn't complain.
ReplyDelete@ Mary Stebbins Taitt - I'm looking for it now, it must be an interesting thriller. Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDelete@ James - Now I'm curious, not many ships this long, may I know the name?
@ Ilse - It's a long story, the port is a sort of quiet and ordered spot in a chaotic city, a refuge of sort.
@ tapirgal - I did it, I hope it is correct...
I love this post!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe dance of the tug boats - I love this expression (and the photos are pretty good too).
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