Stanislav Yudin

By Ria Maat via http://www.shipsotting.com

Stanislav Yudin

IMO: 8219463

Build: 1985 by STX Finland – Turku in Finland, nr 1284

What does this ship have going against it?

Utterly hideous appearance, of course…

An Wu Jiang

By Steffen via http://www.shipspotting.com

An Wu Jiang

IMO: 7904865

Build: 1980 by HDW Kiel – Kiel in Germany, nr 151 as Jonny Wesch

At first glance, I thought this was just another rather pleasant looking general cargo vessel in the Chinese shipping fleet, that, like many others, has survived much longer than most of its contemporaries by sailing in East Asia. However, a closer inspection revealed an “ugly” truth, she isn’t just another general cargo vessel, instead, there’s something strange about her…

Pyxis

By cmcdowall via http://www.shipspotting.com

Pyxis

IMO: 8514083

Build: 1986 by Shin Kurushima Onishi Shipyard – Imabari in Japan,  nr 2446 as Toyofuji No. 14

It seems to be pretty well established that car carriers are among the ugliest ships out there plying the cargo lanes. If that’s true, then only three quarters of a car carrier shouldn’t be as ugly, right?

Wrong.

South Islander

Via http://www.nyk.com

By Blackmore via http://www.marinetraffic.com

South Islander

IMO: 9370379

Build: 2007 by Shin Kochi Heavy Industries, Kochi in Japan, nr 7207

So rigfht now you could be saying to yourself: “why has he gone off his rocker, these seem to be two unconnected pictures of some containership and a car carrier.” Or, at least to me, you should…

Hyundai 60

By mara via http://www.shipspotting.com

 Hyundai 60

IMO: 7349754

Build: 1974 by Blohm & Voss Gmbh – Hamburg in Germany, nr 885 as E. T. P. M. 1601

Behemoth. Gigantic. Humongous. Gargantuan. Mammoth. Leviathan.

It seems that no matter the what synonym for something monstrous that you choose, there is no way that it sounds pretty. which is appropriate, as pretty is definitely not a word that is fitting for this monster.

Olive L. Moore

By Jeff Thoreson via http://www.shipspotting.com

Olive L. Moore

IMO: 8635227

Build: 1928 by Manitowoc Ship Building Inc – Manitowoc, WI in USA, nr 241 as John F. Cushing

Some vessels age well, as they become elderly, they also become classic examples of period lines and celebrate the times gone by. Others try to mask their age through plastic surgery. This is the story of one of the latter, gone even more wrong than Cher or Joan Rivers.

Edda Fides (Updated, again)

Edda Fides

IMO :9456290

Build : Under construction by Astillero Barerra – Vigo in Spain, nr ???

I hate to judge a vessel before she’s been finished,

ShipSpot

So, guess who’s jumping on the bandwagon and starting their own blog, too. Okay, I’ll give you two guesses…

No, it’s not Bill Murray, though I’m sure that would be interesting.

Instead, it’s me, Fairlane, starting my own blog which features, well, so far, some pretty ugly looking, beat-up ships…wait a second, I’m just ripping somebody off here…

Well, not really, the point of this blog is to take what at first glance may just seem to be a random, unexciting vessel, and uncover what sets it apart. Was that longliner fishing boat once a spy ship? Did a famous author once sail aboard that tugboat? Did that bulker once participate in a major news story?

Tidbits like these, and many more are all what I’m setting out to uncover as I spy a variety of unassuming vessels, so join in on the search for these random facts at ShipSpot.

Sukriye

Sukriye

IMO: 8922395

Build: 1989 by Elbewerften Rosslauer Schiffswerft – Rosslau in Germany, nr 3492 as Tavriya 6

“Balance” is a concept that really can make a difference in the aesthetics of a ship’s design. Too much of a component, or too little,

Ice Maiden I Sisters

Ice Maiden I Sisters

As this week’s flashback relates, we can now “mourn” the end of the Ice Maiden I

Valentia

Valentia

IMO: 8206533

Build: 1983 by CNP Freire, Vigo in Spain, nr 214 as Silverstone

Just when you thought there couldn’t be an uglier car carrier. It seemed like that due to their horrible designs, every single hideous one had been sought out and roasted.

Posidon Hellas

 

Posidon Hellas

IMO: 8966963

Build: 1998 by ???, Kanellos in Greece, as Milissios II

So, I’ll admit, due to my summer adventures I’ve fallen a little bit behind, so I’m trying to achieve a bit of a catch-up. We’ll see how that goes.

Anyways, to the ship:

Acergy Condor

Acergy Condor

IMO: 8111879

Build: 1982 HDW Nobiskrug – Rendsburg in Germany, nr 710 as Seaway Condor

When I first looked into this vessel, I didn’t realize the mess I was throwing myself into.

Cedarbranch

From University of Detroit Mercy via http://www.dalnet.lib.mi.us

From University of Detroit Mercy via http://www.dalnet.lib.mi.us

Cedarbranch

IMO: 5066774

Build: 1951 by Marine Industries, Ltd – Sorel in Quebec, Canada, nr 197

Generally I’ve assumed the fifties to be among towards the end of the golden-ages of classic ship designs

New Carissa

New Carissa

IMO: 8716136

Build: 1989 by Marugame Yard – Marugame in Japan, nr 1172

So, wood chip carriers, not a big fan. At first it looks like a bulk freighter, which isn’t too particularly offensive.