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ONLINE  EVENTS 2021 ~~ see our EVENTS section for details and to join.

2021 events online ~ see & hear about Stockholm's vintage steamers, Azamara Quest, Island Princess, Astor, World Renaissance, MTS Jason, Norway and many more ships - brought to you by our enthusiastic speakers. 

Talks & Meetings on Ocean Liners, Cargo Ships, Ferries, Mariner's Memoirs, Paddle Steamers, Cruise Ships, Naval History, Ship Design, Maritime Memories and much more ~ enjoyed by ships & shipping enthusiasts ~ a community with common interests 

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~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for October 2021 ~ 1of2 ~ ~ Ocean Explorer ~ Alongside South Quay, Poole 

New-build Ocean Explorer and operator Vantage Cruises selected Poole as port of departure for the ship’s maiden voyage. 
Wednesday 25th August 2021 … arrived Poole after sailing from her Chinese shipbuilders via Falmouth. Saturday 28th August 2021 … departed Poole after embarking her first paying passengers and sailed off to Tresco in the Scilly Islands on her maiden cruise voyage. Whilst alongside Darryl Morrell and his Airteam Images captured these two impressive drone views. 

Shipowner SunStone Ships has an agreement with China Merchants Heavy Industry of Haimen to build a series of 7 next-generation “Infinity-Class” vessels over the 2019-2023 period. The third in this series is Ocean Explorer, on charter long-term to Vantage Travel. The Infinity class ships are purported to demonstrate cutting-edge design, innovations like X-bow technology, and significant operating efficiencies.

~SHIPS~DORSET~ Images of the Month for October 2021 ~ 2of2 ~ ~ Ocean Explorer ~ Alongside South Quay, Poole

The passenger capacity of Infinity-class vessels can be configured between 130-200 and crew capacity between 85-115. With 8 accessible decks and Ice Class 1A classification the ships are built to Polar Code 6, with Safe Return to Port, Dynamic Positioning and Zero Speed Stabilizers. Ocean Explorer features the latest satellite and navigation technology, including ULSTEIN X-BOW® technology, allowing for smoother sailing and deeper exploration into packed ice.

Key dimensions of Ocean Explorer … Gross Tonnage = 8228 … Length = 104.4m … Beam = 18.4m … Draft = 5.3m … Service Speed = 11knots (16.5k max). Ocean Explorer accommodates 140 guests with 63 twin cabins and 14 solo cabins … the ship has 91 crew berths.

To view previous "Images of the Month" click our Image Archive link ...