There and Back

The loan of Rosie` 150-600mm lens, gave me an opportunity to have a stroll to the church where Kestrels are nesting. They have nested here for a number of years and usually successfully raised young. This year being no exception. They have raised at least two, and possible three young this year and are at the stage where the youngsters are out of the nest and sitting on the roof, awaiting food from the parents, and giving their wings a bit of a testing. Sitting waiting for some food A short hop onto the top of the roof to test my wings. Later this morning we visited Landguard point for a walk. Covering approximately 33 hectares (81 acres) this shingle spit on the southern tip of Suffolk's stunning coastline offers a variety of flora and fauna. Unusual and rare plants, migrating birds, military history and huge ships arriving and departing at Britain's busiest container port. This was the container ship that I wanted to photograph - the MSC CLA

Recently, while at Languard Point, I was at watching these two vessels coming into Felixstowe Port and mulling over their countries of origin. So, when at home, a bit of research on the internet gave me the following. ANNABA, registered in Liberia but owned by a firm in Germany. It has a length of 168m and deadweight of 20600 tons The  MAERSK ESSEN, registered in the Marshall Islands but the owner is from Singapore. It has a length of 366m and deadweight of 142105 tons.The interesting point is that neither ship is registered in the country of the owner. So, why is this? Well, When registering a vessel for international travel, one must choose a nation under the flag of which that vessel will sail. The term “flag of convenience” refers to registering a ship in a sovereign state different from that of the ship's owners. Why register a flag of convenience? Ships registered under flags of convenience can often reduce operating costs or avoid the