Ishbel and I sometimes spend a few hours in the Braehead shopping mall which is on the other side of the Clyde from where we live. Travelling through the Clyde tunnel we pass by the big new Queen Elizabeth Hospital and then we drive the short distance to the large shopping area which is where there are chain stores, and a covered mall with a Waterstones bookstore, Apple shop etc. Adjacent to this complex on our route is a very large IKEA store.
Monday July 26: Azamara Quest departed for Spain. (Image: Made in Scotland)
However what has interested us en route to the shops is the fact that 3 very large cruise liners have been moored right next to it, in the King George V dock.
On one of our visits we swung by to find out exactly what was the story here. The security guard simply said they were out of service due to to pandemic (which we had already figured out). They were very smart looking ships as they lay alongside the quay in an area which I shall say "had seen better days".
Well it turns out this week one of the ships is now departing and the photo above shows it leaving its berth at King George V dock. The Braehead shopping area where Ishbel and go is in the background.
It appears that these ships are based in Miami as the article by C Stewart in Monday, July 26th Glasgow Herald explains:
THE FIRST of three cruise ships docked in the River Clyde for more than a year during the Covid pandemic is to make her way back to sea today.
Miami-based Azamara Quest, and sister ships Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Journey, have been berthed at King George V Dock since June last year.
Now, Azamara Quest is to be the first to leave the city and sails for drydock in Cadiz, Spain to finalize preparations ahead of its return to service in the Mediterranean.
EVER GIVEN ARRIVES IN ROTTERDAM THIS WEEK
I have been following the fate of this ship for several reasons: (1) having gone aground ourselves we know how it can happen (2) there have been noticeable lack of some products in the shops or given as a reason for delay of, say, repairs due to goods not arriving from China and (3) I am fascinated by the maritime ships' position technology. It shows the global position of any vessel and also tracks their route.
This 400-metre-long (1,300 ft) ship was buffeted by strong winds and ended up wedged across the waterway with its bow and stern stuck in the canal banks, blocking all traffic until it could be freed.
Gone aground in Suez Canal in March 23
Freed in March 29th
Credit: Suez Canal Authority
Thursday July 29th: £425 billion worth of goods finally arrives in Rotterdam
Credit: Hollandse Hoggle REX
No comments:
Post a Comment