Sea and river Barges?

 Once known as Coasters!

Moving around Europe will small but essential loads is the work of the Sea barges that can work the the English Channel, the River Rhine and the Humber and many other rivers to to the Black sea and beyond into the Ukraine and Russia! 

They need certain conditions at sea, but on rivers they remain in their own league and so far there is no replacement for them?

But the coaster has seen its demise, with better Port facilities and ferries taking vehicle loads to and from islands and remote places along the coasts of the U.K. and Europe, despite being smaller that General cargo, they were bigger than a sea barge, but were limited to deep rivers and not canals?

Suez Canal?

 Shipping Limitations!

We have a new problem developing with these new super sized container ships in that of weight, once three to four vessels were required to carry this amount of containers but no more?

The Suez canal is over crowded and despite being widened it is still not enough, with plans for another to be built, to make a two way lanes this option will improve safety and increase speed! 

With ships now only getting bigger, many of the current canals may not be able to take them. unless they are enlarged?

New designs for shipping will have to be produced, as well as better training for the crews to deal with navigation?

Cruise liners hive for Germs?

The allure of the Seas, Rivers, Lakes, Canals?

Many people enjoy that luxury cruise a once in a life time experience or an addiction to the life style?

What many people do not realise is that many of these boats have a quick turnaround of passengers or clients and despite the best efforts of the underpaid cheap labour crews to clean not all is and so the possibility of cross-infections are high!

The companies will probably be in uproar with me saying this but I know the truth, since many members of my own family have worked on shipping around the world and some of them are truly unbelievably filthy, even at the best of times!

After this SARS COV-2/COVID-19 business is over, the world will have to be a different place and separation of people will be something of an issue? Since no vaccine or cure has yet been found and this may linger for another year with what ever else is going on, a mutation of this germ is highly possible and those smoking or who have underlaying issues such as addictions to narcotics, alcohol and lung infections could or will die!

Queens of the Oceans!

Cruise Ships still popular?

It is perhaps the fate of the Titanic that has made the cruise ship popular, travelling in luxury more today holidaying in a self-contained environment? Cruising is a growing market that is popular world-wide despite accidents and losses and more new ships are coming on line for western operations!

But many other nations also operate their own versions, not all as big as these new queens but just as comfortable and suited for their own clientele? River and canal boats, along with great lakes are just as popular, some people want the peace and tranquillity while other want the fun, musicals and the casinos that mark these holiday vessels for what they are!

Adventures, despite the many incidents remains very attractive, Antarctica, volcanoes, sea-life and on-off shore short trips are all popular with all age groups! The vessels themselves are usually kept to a high standard and staff try their best to deal with difficult people? 

The future will see the introduction of electrical powered vessels and one doubts that the cruise ships of today will be replaced by space flight for some time still to come?

Cruising Along?

For how Long!

One wonders in the next one-hundred years, if space tourism will replace ships, sails and canal boats or will they just be as popular as ever? Space is enticing, but flying is not for everyone and we should not try to force things like this on people just let them be!

Cruising is popular because today ships are built as floating islands with nearly everything one would want and not need to make land fall, but they do and this to keep the tourists happy with and excursion while the ship is replenished with fresh food and fuel where needs be?

On the other hand river cruising and canal boats are more slower and have a rich historical and nature interest with them for a more gentle pace of life! Sailing will always be popular because of the challenges of keeping control of the weather and environment?

Pleasure Boats.

From the Sea to Rivers.

No matter where you go around the world, you will see pleasure craft they are usually small and can navigate between rivers and the sea, lakes and some large canals.

People like to be their own Captains of the water world, but they are a relaxing form of transport. The pleasure boat industry is big business, after Yachting and Speed boats. 

These boats still can be turned into profitable money making ventures, such as line fishing at sea.