Mersea Island Museum - Blackwater Ships


Ship:      LIANA
Arrived:3 Jul 1984
Departed:3 Oct 1984
Career:Built as BALDER CARRARA. Renamed LIANA-1984 EULOTA-1984, PETROBULK RASCAL-1989, ZEAL-1994. Broken up Bangladesh 2008.
Arrived as LIANA. Sold to Shell and renamed EULOTA whilst in the Blackwater.
Graham Gould was working on LIANA and MARTITA in the Blackwater when they were being re-activated after Shell had bought them.
"I remember we had to stay in a posh hotel in Colchester's High Street for a couple of nights, commuting out to the ships each day trying to get the plant up and running so that we could then live on board. The priorities were drinking water and getting the fridges working once we had light and heat sorted out.
"Before we took over the vessels, there was no one living on board, the vessels were just visited periodically, maybe once a week, to start the emergency generator, pump up the starting air bottles for the main engine and turn and lubricate the main engine.
"I was told, the two ships had been impounded by the courts and went up for auction. The previous crew were so sure they would be coming back to the ships, they left a lot of their personal gear on board, loads of clothes including a 3 piece suit, stereos, TVs.
"On the EULIMA, one of the generator engines had been destroyed through lack of lubrication. A lub oil filter had been installed incorrectly and starved the bearings of oil. After we left the Blackwater we went over to Dunkirk to pick up a new engine casing and met up with EULOTA again (as in the photograph of EULOTA).
"The EULIMA and EULOTA were chemical tankers with specially constructed cargo tanks. Shell, however, only used them to carry oil products ie lub oil, diesel, petrol, aviation fuel etc.
Tonnage:17,949 gross
Built:1983
Type:Tanker
LR/IMO Number:8028589
ID8028589

LIANA laid up in the River Blackwater, Essex

Above:  LIANA laid up in the River Blackwater, Essex
Source: Mersea Museum / Derek Sands

LIANA and MARTITA laid up in the River Blackwater, taken from the Bradwell shore. LIANA is on the left. Date: 1984.

Above:  LIANA and MARTITA laid up in the River Blackwater, taken from the Bradwell shore. LIANA is on the left. Date: 1984.
Source: Mersea Museum / Graham Gould

Tanker EULOTA ex LIANA at anchor off Dunkerque, following her lay-up in the River Blackwater. Date: 1984.

Above:  Tanker EULOTA ex LIANA at anchor off Dunkerque, following her lay-up in the River Blackwater. Date: 1984.
Source: Mersea Museum / Graham Gould

LIANA at anchor in River Blackwater. She was laid up 3 July 1984 to 3 October 1984. Date: cAugust 1984.

Above:  LIANA at anchor in River Blackwater. She was laid up 3 July 1984 to 3 October 1984. Date: cAugust 1984.
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection


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