This image of the Crude Oil Tanker Maran Ajax represents 2 firsts for me. Firstly (not a pun) it is the first ship image that I have captured in 2023 and secondly, it was the first time I have seen and been able to photograph her. When I arrived at Calshot Southampton just after 9AM on Friday the 3rd of February 2023 the Crude Oil Tanker was manoeuvring in Southampton Water being eased towards the Esso Number 5 berth of the Fawley Refinery. The tugs in attendance were the Fawley Tugs Lomax, Apex and Phenix, assisted by the Svitzer Tug Eston.

Maran Ajax was built in 2017, has a Gross Tonnage of 161653 Tons and is Registered in Greece. The image was captured using my Canon EOS R5 camera and Canon RF 100-500mm zoom lens from a camera position on the top of the Shingle Bank that is adjacent to the car park of Calshot Castle. I was unable to use a tripod (which I prefer) because of the soft pebble surface of the bank.