@ Dennis, badly designed type? having sailed in such ships around the world. this design was simpel and good, if something broke down, the crew could repair, would not sailing on that overdesigned heavy vibrating cheaply far eastern built rattelboxes of the today designers. thanks to the admin that they having created a extra category of that outstanding shiptype. by the way, this kind of ship had a good behaviour in heavy weather, when she was loaded down to the marks, even with heavy seas on deck... had never had a bad feeling sailing with this kind of ships.

I think Dennis does actually make a valid point. Why aren't there separate categories for Freedom, Fortune, German Liberty or other standard types? I suspect the SD14 separation is due to a British bias in the early membership of this site.
Nevertheless a great catch and fine series by and from Phil

Dennis.

The SD-14 was a British shipbuilding success story and design intended to replace the Liberty ship standard type.
They had no frills and were originally to cost under 1 million pounds sterling each unit. Some 211 of them were built either at A&P's Southwick and South Dock yards and or by licencees in Greece, Brazil, Scotland and Argentina. To know that some are still in service today is a tribute to their design.

By the way. nice shot.

Why is there a need for a category just for SD14s? They are just really badly designed general cargo ships. The Edsels of the shipping world.

Great shot Phil,

What a surprise to see her and still looking good to.
A rare chance to see one of these fast disappearing classics

all the best

Derek

Congrats Phil, lucky you
I got one SD14 in front of my lense,,never again. Disappaering quick those types.
brgds
capt ted

I first time saw her four years ago in Neorion Shipyards during her dry dock. It was a love at first site. I ve seen her once again, two years ago a few miles from Piraeus while being on a ferry, I could easily recognize her shape however. Concidering Greece's luck of training ship I strongly suggest her to be the one. It will be a pitty to sc..

Hi Phil, this means great luck! many, many thanks for all this nice shots of the MARPESSA E. having sailed on that type of ships 35 years ago (Brazilian built CERESIO) and some of them still going strong.
about Jadran's comment. the registered owner of MARPESSA E is Mikado Corp., managed by Navegadora Transpacifica SA, which is owned by Phocen Ship Agency Ltd., London (founded 1946) which belongs to the Eustathiou Family and headed by Mrs. Joanna Eustathiou.
at the moment they owning as well the MARQUISE Imo No. 8126367, MYTHEAS, Imo No. 8026672 and the Training ship (Yacht?) MASCOT Imo No. 5228114, which is quoted as laid up.

What a surprise !!
You will not see this as often.
Great shot Phil.

What a beautiful sight! I never realized how lucky i was during my time on a containerliner to santos. I saw SD14's there every time.
The future of this one might depend on some of the next class renewals, which are already due.
http://www.rs-head.spb.ru/c/getves.php?imo=8207953
i'll keep my fingers crossed for this lovely little shipspotting time machine.
Brgds,
Stefan

It felt like one hell of a shipspotting catch John!
Cheers
Phil

Oh my goodness! I bet the cost of the cruise felt like it was worth it just for that. I bet it felt like all your shipspotting Christmases had come at once. Excellent.
Best Regards
John J.

Unfortunately we did not see much of Las Palmas town. We travelled on an excursion to Puerto Mogan. A place we've been to before and like very much. Perhaps we'll see more of the island next time.
Cheers
Phil

Phil, I hope you saw a little of the city and beach whilst there; there is so much to see and do, not only in the city, but along the North coast too.
And by the way, 90% of the Port (excluding the two container terminals) has full public access. I doubt that any other port in Europe still allows that.
Happy Daze.... and 10 days to go before I return.
Must look at your other pics now...
All the best, Rick

Thanks Rick. I consider myself very lucky. Our arrival in Las Palmas (on the Arcadia) was in darkness so I didn't see her until we approached the port on a bus after a morning excursion. The distinctive shape caused me to excitedly shout "SD14" much to the bemusement of my wife next to me and our fellow passengers!
Cheers
Phil

Now that was a surprise Phil...and you've nabbed an excellent shot of her too.
"Thanks Frank. I never expected to see an SD14 again. I was very surprised, to say the least "
In 14 winters there, I don't think I've seen one either!
Brilliant, thanks for sharing.
regards, Rick

Thanks Mike, Denis and Don for your comments. It seems she was awaiting orders at Las Palmas and, I agree with Jadran, her immediate fate is questionable

Mike,
If she's currently on her way to Piraeus ... that might mean bad.

1st scenario (bad):
Either she will be set to lay-up in a bay of a small island that Navegadora exclusively uses, even for their ship's regular maintenance/afloat repairs ....or unfortunately, she will only wait for the decision for scrap (but in the before time, Navegadora never scraped their ships sooner then of age 30-35 years old, because of Madam Eustaphio traditional way & maritime feelings).

2nd scenario (good):
Let's all truly hope that this ship further continuous & continuous her trade!!

A perfect shot of a ship 'with character' - I wish I held the copyright ! A1 Phil !

Wow, for a 1984's ship she has a lot of "classic features"!

Great set of photos - congrats!
Looks as if she may have a few more years trading left in her hopefully!
Currently underway Las Palms for Piraeus.

Thanks Jadran for that insight into the vessel's ownership. Glad you like the photo!
Cheers
Phil

Thanks Bob. Las Palmas is full of surprises and almost like stepping back in time with old factory trawlers, conventional reefers and, of course, this SD14!
Cheers
Phil

Thanks Ken. I've plenty more photos to upload. Mostly from Las Palmas which seems to be a haven for rare and interesting ships, though this one probably topped the lot!
Cheers
Phil

I adore this silver funnel with the blue letter "E" being insignia of the late Madam Eustaphio, sole Owner of the Navegadora Transpacifica shipping company up till several years ago, to the very end of her life (anyhow, the ownership of this company is still today remaining within the family).
Thank you very much for posting this "E", Phil!

Great shot Phil, a rare classic.

Regards

Bob

Excellent :)

Amazing Phil i love it.Regards Josip

Nice one Phil, I hope you had a good cruise and look forward to seeing more like this.

Kind regards
Ken

Thanks Frank. I never expected to see an SD14 again. I was very surprised, to say the least
Cheers
Phil

Great catch, Phil
Thanks for posting :-)
Best regards, Frank