Its all about the Sea!

Its all been about the vessels on the sea this week.

The Shetland Bergen race has taken place and the winner of the first leg was announced on Thursday with prize giving at the Town Hall on Friday night. I was asked to take photos for the Shetland times and the 5 crew with ages ranging from 56-82 received prizes. Other prizes included a wooden spoon and a large bottle of whisky for last place.

                                                           The wooden spoon and a large bottle for last place

A song had been written and was delivered by the crew for their skipper who had done 28 Shetland - Bergen races. A very noisy event full of humour and well attended by all the crews.

Serenity took just 33 hours to complete the first art from Bergen to Shetland.

Part of the fiddle group that will be attending the Edinburgh Tattoo also played for the Norwegian visitors

I was also asked to go aboard the anti whaling vessel Sam Simon, which was bought by the Simpson's creator for  £1 million. unfortunately the vessel departed early due to the weather so I only managed departing shots as it left Grimista.

Its been hard to miss the collection of oil related vessels off Gulberwick and Cunningsburgh all week. The Clair Ridge power and accommodation appeared on `Mighty Servant 3 '. BP hopes to get around 640 million barrels of oil in the next 40 years from the oil field which is 50 miles west of Shetland

The Hereema Thialf is two massive cranes that was brought in the assembly a couple of platforms, you don't appreciate the size until a yacht goes by. This can lift 14,200 tones as a duel lift, it can accommodate 736 people and also has a helicopter deck. as well as being self propelled, reaching 7 knots.

A number of other oil related vessels have also been off the coast making it a very interesting few weeks