Aberdeen Anchorage

[markmullen]

I've been up in Aberdeen today delivering a customer's 911 turbo to them.

Whilst I was there I saw loads (15-20) support ships at anchor just offshore.

What are they doing there? Waiting for tasks?

I know the ships are there to support offshore industry, oil and gas, wind farms etc, but day to day what do they do? Carry supplies? Crew?

I'm just intrigued as there must be a huge expense involved in keeping a fleet like that standing by, if that's what they were doing.

[Ed.]

Waiting for a free slot in the harbour? They come in and go out all through the night.

[gwm]

Yeah they are pretty much on standby, ferry supplies. drag anchors, etc. Better sitting there than out in the North Sea for weeks at a time!

[MogulBoy]

If you are a visitor to Aberdeen and can spare the time take a quick look at the harbour, it's easy to access - just a short walk from the city centre and/or you can drive right along the quay side. It's impressive to see all of the supply vessels lined up.

[chrisj_abz]

yep mostly they are between jobs, and its slightly cheaper to have them anchor up in the bay than sit in the harbour being charged berthing fee's!

some of the big ports like Singapore are a lot worse, its like the horizon is totally full of ships..

[onesickpuppy]

It's not really got anything to do with berthing fees. When vessels come in they pay dues which are charged per each period of 7 days or part thereof and it's actually cheaper to sit alongside with just the harbour generator running. The port is extremely busy and there aren't a lot of layby berths available so if you're not on-hire you tend to get kicked out to the bay. I have one out there just now although she's heading up round the corner off Fraserburgh to shelter from the weather.

If you're up again Mark drop me a line and if I have a vessel in you can have lunch onboard and you'd be welcome to take your camera .

ETA: But I want a shot of the Porsche!

Edited by onesickpuppy on Wednesday 2nd October 17:21

[markmullen]

onesickpuppy said:

If you're up again Mark drop me a line and if I have a vessel in you can have lunch onboard and you'd be welcome to take your camera .

Fantastic offer, many thanks

[Lefty]

MogulBoy said:

If you are a visitor to Aberdeen and can spare the time take a quick look at the harbour, it's easy to access - just a short walk from the city centre and/or you can drive right along the quay side. It's impressive to see all of the supply vessels lined up.

Regent Centre?

OP, you can book a "cruise" of the harbour with the harbour pilot chaps, thoroughly recommended.

[MGZRod]

They look fine at night, candles in the night... But when I'm driving about during the day they are an eyesore. As is the harbour (I know it's not there to look pretty!), being so close though you never get a good view to appreciate the scale and industrial attractiveness of it.

[SrMoreno]

Lefty said:

Regent Centre?

OP, you can book a "cruise" of the harbour with the harbour pilot chaps, thoroughly recommended.

Who do you contact for that?

[Lefty]

There was a sign at the entrance. Clydecruises.com I think.

[SrMoreno]

Lefty said:

There was a sign at the entrance. Clydecruises.com I think.

Thanks. It looks like they're done for this year, unfortunately. The "Fish & ships" tour, with an Ashvale fish supper, sounds like it would have been good!

[bracken78]

Aberdeen is a seriously busy place. Presently there must be around 8 AHTS/PSV etc available in the port for charter. Everything else will be on hire to someone. Rates at present are quite cheap at present with vessel like this 19,000 BHP beast (http://www.vikingsupply.com/event/doLink/famid/321641) going to mid to high teens daily hire (not including the cost of fuels).

Excellent offer from onesickpuppy. These vessels are amazing.