NORSIDE SUPPORTER at Able Bex Quay for bunkers 22.10.24

64 years ago today I recorded the AYUTHIA (q.v.)as my ship sighting no. 1.
Today the counter moved on to 15645 merchant ships which I know is nowhere near the totals built up by my more ardent colleagues!

This was a new sighting for me and turned out to be a ship with a rather chequered career to date.
NORSIDE SUPPORTER (9671632), Bahamas, 4413gt, complted Port Adelaide 11-1987 1987 ISLAND SEAWAY - 2011 converted from RoRo Ferry to to accommodation ship - 2011 SEABED SUPPORTER - 2012 FLYING VIKING - 2013 converted to offshore support vessel - 2020 PACIFIC SUPPORTER - 2020 NORSIDE SUPPORTER (Note: Equasis show differences from Miramar, missing out 2011 and 2012 renames and showing instead 2013 SEABED SUPPORTER)

Bex Quay - 19 November 2024: Ron M

Ron, check out these details https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/2248689

Which just leaves me more ocnfused!
Anyone able to check details against a current Lloyd's Register?

Ron M

This is ISLAND SEAWAY of 1987 when in Australian waters

Caption was
Built by the "Igloo Engineering Company" aka Eglo at Osborne Port Adelaide.
In replacing the ferry "Troubridge" Monday 1st June 1987, this vessel operated in joint partnership of R W Miller & Co., and the South Australian Government Roads Department to run from Adelaide and Kangaroo Island.
Island Seaway was severely criticised as being unsuitable for the Backstairs Passage crossing. Seventy-five sheep and cattle died on the inaugural trip due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and the ship was once described as 'steering like a shopping trolley'.
The vessel subsequently underwent a AU$1 million refit of its propulsion system in September 1989 which improved its reliability.1987-8 Howard Smith Ltd purchased R W Miller & Co's holdings. 1995 sold to Maltese - Maresi Shipping Ltd. Operates an all year round scheduled service between the ports of Valletta (Malta), Catania (Sicily) and Reggio Calabria (Italy) providing passenger transportation, accompanied cars and any wheeled cargo.
Still trading out of Valetta July 1999 under original name. No further details known

See also: viewtopic.php?f=33&t=30842

Ron M