Welcome


We'll periodically post images of vessels that drift past our perch on the Bosphorous. If you are a new arrival, the Bosphorous is the waterway (straits) that divides Europe from Asia and cuts right through the middle of Istanbul. You could swim from Europe to Asia (or vice versa) in about 30 minutes - if you could survive the boat traffic and/or the pollution.

The blog's perch is about half way up (or down) the Bosphorous - not the city's most supreme view. Yet, it's not too high, not too low - good enough to afford a decent view. Then again, anything better in terms of view will cost you upward of a million. Dollars. No... more. Much more. This view is free.

The aim here is to provide regular images and - where possible - further details regarding boat traffic between the Black Sea, the Marmara and points beyond.

It's not CIA - although they used to maintain a prominent viewing location (and probably still do) - The transit through the Bosphorous is Russia's traditional outlet to the world's oceans - most other Russian outlets ice over in the winter. But, there is no hidden blog agenda, no intent to spy. This is just our view and publicly available data related to those views: Boats on the Water. Passing by. Happened to catch them ....

Friday, April 28, 2017

un-named conjunction









We were caught off guard when these two came into view, so our best shot was with a cellular phone camera - certainly not the best resolution, but an interesting view,
We have what appears to be a Russian navy vessel going north against the regular traffic flow with a freight vessel coming the other way, following the normal procedure.

No names or IDs for either, but this comes a day after an accident in the Black Sea just outside our view where a Russian navy vessel collided with another vessel and sank.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

unicom alpha



Brush up on your Cryllic to get the name right ...

Name: Unicom Alpha
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: carrier
Flags: Russia
Date: 25 Apr 2017
Weather:  spring but chilly

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Kadri Karakurt






Name: Kadri Karakurt
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: cargo
Flags: Turkey
Date: 18 Apr 2017
Weather:  spring evening after some rain

Karewood Star






Name: Karewood Star
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: cargo
Flags: Bahamas
Date: 18 Apr 2017
Weather:  spring evening after some rain

Friday, April 14, 2017

Victor Borisov - Sakar













Several vessels came through back to back - none big, but these 2 were one behind the other.

Name: Victor Borisov & Sakar
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: carrier & cargo
Flags: Malta
Date: 14 Apr 2017
Weather:  pleasant early spring evening

Lavr







Nice light. Finally spring. (6PM)


Name Lavr
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: cargo
Flags: Belize
Date: 14 Apr 2017
Weather: very much spring

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

ark-10/aran















An unusual grouping. The barge doesn't resolve to any known vessel, but the rear tug (Aran) shows as currently passing the Bosphorous. Must be the right combination.

Name Ark-10 /  Aran
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: tug & barge
Flags: Malta
Date: 05 Apr 2017
Weather: fog in the morning, opening after noon

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Seagull





Name Seagull
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: ??
Flags: ??
Date: 02 Apr 2017
Weather: chilly but finally some clear weather

Transfair












Name : Transfair
Heading: North/Black Sea
Type: cargo
Flags: Panama
Date: 02Apr 2017
Weather: chilly but finally some clear weather