My camera seems to have become an extension of my amateur photographer eyes! All photos prior to 2007 are scanned and were taken with a Fuji camera.



Saturday 21 November 2009

Weekend Reflections: Abeille-Bourbon, Brest, Finistère, France, 2009


The Abeille-Bourbon is one of three high seas Search and Rescue tugs on the French Atlantic and Channel coasts. Her sistership, Abeille-Liberté, is based in Cherbourg. The Abeille-Bourbon replaced the Abeille-Flandre, a tug with which I was hopelessly in love with for years and years... and whose Cherbourg sistership was called Abeille-Languedoc.
More information about this tug's characteristics can be found here, albeit in French. Those who, like me, aren't seasick, can watch a video of the Abeille-Bourbon in operation here and of my great love the Abeille-Flandre heading out of Brest at full speed to rescue in 12-14 metre waves here. Many thanks to the 12 men on board, who risk their lives to save others, as well as our coasts from catastrophes.
To see more Weekend Reflections, please visit James @ Newtown Area Daily Photo.

18 comments:

James said...

Tug boats are amazingly powerful and sturdy. I like your pictures and I enjoyed the video. It reminded me of being far out to sea when I was in the navy. That is something that I haven't felt in many years.

Kat said...

I really like that first shot. I could be framed and hung as a dyptich. Really creative. Kathy

Lowell said...

That first shot is just stunning, Ciel! Amazing shot. And thanks for the commentary. I agree about the wonderful work the men perform on these boats.

SquirrelQueen said...

I love the first photo, an excellent capture. The video is exciting, watching the waves hit that other ship was amazing.
The Road to Here

Anonymous said...

I concur. The first shot is special for a special ship.

Quilt Works said...

What I like best is neat image of the ship in the reflection!

...Heavenly reflection!

chrome3d said...

That is one tough looking tug boat and I´m sure the boat and the brave men on board can rescue people from any kind of danger. You convinced me.

tapirgal said...

That is AMAZING video of the Abeille-Flandre. I think I'm in love with it, too! I've never seen a tug that big and beautiful. Is it bigger than the ship-dancing tugs in Livorno? It's certainly bigger than ours.

VP said...

I can't credibly comment on your anyhow nice reflection. I'm awed by those video, particularly the first one. These high-sea tugs are simply huge, twice or thrice the size of a normal tug.
The Abeille Bourbon is about the size of the whole mangled ship I posted few days ago.
The only idea of those waves is more than enough...
Wonderful post, great tugs! Brava!
P.S. - One of my favorite words in French is just abeille, now more than ever.

FO - 2 said...

Creative!
The first shot of the reflection is very good!
Excellent! :)

Cezar and Léia said...

Bonjour Ciel!

Tout d'abord merci beaucoup pour vos commentaires sur mon blog, j'ai adoré ça!
Vous êtes bien gentille!

Borboun est un nom impressionnant pour un bateau, j'ai bien aimé tes images.
En passant, la première image me rappelle un puzzle, c'est vraiment magnifique!
Léia

***Je dois encore mon dictionnaire français pour écrire dans votre blog et les blogs des autres.
Je pense que je vais avoir besoin de mon dictionnaire à côté de moi depuis longtemps
:((

Don and Krise said...

You really do take some of the best reflection shots around. Also, I too have great respect for these men.

Crafty Green Poet said...

wonderful reflections in the first photo...

Gunn said...

Hei again,
It looks like we have seen similar boats. When I read the name "Bourbon"..... I remember that was the name of the company where my cousin Jostein S. used to work a few years back. So I will send this link so you can see what they do..... http://www.bourbon-offshore.no/default.asp?menu=3
I will send you a thought straight away, next time I see a tug boat.
Enjoy your weekend!

storyteller said...

Beautiful reflections in your first photograph!
Hugs and blessings,
Small Reflections

Thérèse said...

J'aime beaucoup la photo du haut qui pourrait servir de couverture à un livre...
"Abeille Bourdon" "Abeille Liberté" que de jolis noms!

allhorsestuff said...

That is impressive and mighty!
Love the history too!
KK

Charlene Amsden said...

What a well captured & stunningly perfect reflection!