Covid news

A large cruise liner could be seen from the Sandown esplanade this morning, to the right of the Nab Tower. Black hull and single black funnel with red trim, but no name painted in large down the side that I could make out, even with the monocular. Swinging at anchor with the tide, then on the turn. At least it was at Sandown. Complete on each side with six or seven of those orange bottles which pass for life boats these days. The big sister of the pleasure boat noticed more than five years ago, at Kingston, at reference 4.

Back at base, I soon learn that it is the cruise ship 'Queen Elizabeth', out to anchor, her forthcoming cruise cancelled due to some of the crew testing positive. I suppose that even if all the cruisers are older people with two jabs, that it not going to be true of the crew and it is a rather confined space. Such a last minute cancellation must be an expensive business for Cunard, and I don't suppose insurance would be easy for them, if possible at all, just at present.

Also that it is anchored at Nab Anchorage No.2. As can be seen at reference 1 if you hover over the blue diamond.

Also the Nab Anchorage No.3 is foul, whatever that might mean. This from the Queen's Harbour Master at Portsmouth. Unfortunately NAVWARN 57/12 doesn't carry a date, so I have no idea whether this warning is still current. Presumably if you a a mariner you know the system.

Then there is the question of the unidentified flying objects. To wit, two V-shaped formations, one of five objects and one of three, flying low and flying north. Quite small and quite silent from where we were on the esplanade. The thought being that they were too small and too silent to be regular aeroplanes, but perhaps they were further away than we thought.

Reference 1: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ports/22335/United_Kingdom_port:NAB%20ANCHORAGE.

Reference 2: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/local-notices/navigational-warnings/2021/1257-nab-anchorage-no-3-foul.

Reference 3: https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/. My first port of call, as it were.

Reference 4: https://psmv2.blogspot.com/2015/08/zanussi-or-bust.html.