Prince (Formerly Black Prince (II)) Leaves
"Remember, remember the 5th of November", the old saying goes.  That applies to when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliment in 1605.  But in 2009 it will be remembered as the date Black Prince became just Prince and took on bunkers in readiness for a long journey ahead.  I'd received a phone call just after 7.30pm from my friend Andy telling me of the latest developments.  Checking the AIS, it would appear she was registered with the new name by 11.20am.  Since it was dark there wasn't a lot I could do so waited until the morning of the 6th to have a look for myself.  It was pretty cold but thankfully not raining.  The warship USS Ramage was in Ocean Terminal and being towed to Mayflower.  She had been at Charlie anchorage four days earlier when Oasis turned up in the Solent and no one knew what she was doing here.
The most curious thing about this was only the Red Ensign was flying from the mast.  Since the name had been changed it was obvious Fred Olsen had sold her.  But to whom?  Did Saveca finally get approval and come up with the goods?  Or had they just got fed up waiting and paying indefinite berthing fees so they took the money from an Indian ship breaker?  She was still listed to sail on the 9th but that was all info available.  That had already been changed on the 3rd when she was supposed to leave.
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			(C) Copyright Patricia Dempsey 6th November 2009 Not to be reproduced without permission