20 photos unique to 2020

2020 will never be forgotten, an unprecedented time that has seen the modern day world as we know it change in a way never seen.

An unprecedented and scary time for us all, and at times, hard to remain positive as the future still has many uncertainties.

Being a keyworker, work life has been different in some aspects, but nice to be involved in an industry that supports our country and playing our part in keeping the country going.

Through this time, my photography has been a nice distraction along with some quality family time.

Here are 20 photos that are unique to this year so far.

1 – Once the UK went into lockdown, the cruise industry ground to a rapid and total halt. The port of Southampton continued to support the many cruise ships that needed a safe haven and be kept supplied with stores and fuel for the many crew that were onboard. The Marella cruises fleet sent most of their ships to the UK.

Royal Caribbean brought “Allure of the Seas” to Southampton whilst she waited for a refit in Cadiz.

2 – A few ships were halfway through the annual world cruises, Cunard brought flagship "Queen Mary 2" directly home from Australia.

3 & 4 – The port of Southampton carried on throughout, finding time to support the efforts of the NHS as part of the weekly “clap for carers”. At 20:00 every Thursday , the horns of ships and port equipment sounded out over the city along with displaying apt words with containers.

5 – Whilst Red Funnel, Wightlink & Hovertravel continued to serve the Isle of Wight, Princess cruises brought "Regal Princess" to Southampton repatriating UK crew home.

6 & 7 – With flights grounded, British Airways had to find alternative airports to store aircraft during the pause. Bournemouth airport saw 35 short haul Airbus A319s & A320s arrive.

8 – European Aviation purchased a few newly retired Virgin A340s which were hastily put into service with cargo flights of urgently required PPE for the UK, a positive during this time.

9 – A number of British Airways long haul 747s also arrived, a sad sight, but at the far end of the airfield, the positive aspect with the European Aviation operation in full swing.

10 – With the port of Southampton supporting many different shipping activities, the large number of cruise ships had to share berths, so sent those that were supplied with stores and fuel to anchorages in the area. Weymouth hosted the whole P&O Cruises fleet, the first time all ships had been together since the 175th anniversary in 2012. Shortly after, "Oceana" was sold to a new owner.

11 – The sight of all the P&O Cruises fleet became a tourist attraction once the ease in domestic travel happened, and really was quite a sight.

12 & 13 – As some international flights resumed, crew repatriations commenced, a major operation with so many nationalities on any one ship. Royal Caribbean brought "Jewel of the Seas" and "Majesty of the Seas" to Southampton, as did Carnival with "Carnival Breeze" and "Carnival Valor" bringing the distinctive whale shaped funnels to Hampshire for the first time in many years.

14 – Bournemouth also saw ships anchor off the Dorset town in Poole Bay. A sight never before seen by the John Egging memorial was that of P&O Cruises "Ventura" and "Aurora".

15 – Riding the last waves of the day, a surfer with P&O Cruises "Aurora".

16 – Normally a cause for big celebration, but rather muted during this unprecedented time, the largest cruise ship ever to call at Portsmouth, and the first to use the newly enlarged berth, Royal Caribbean "Majesty of the Seas" arrived for crew repatriations.

17 – The moon rising over "Aurora" in Poole Bay.

18 – Cunard’s "Queen Elizabeth" after having her Australasian, Asian and Alaska cruises cancelled, headed home to the UK.

19 – Fresh from refits, "Allure of the Seas" and "Anthem of the Seas" make for an impressive sight off the Dorset coast in Poole Bay, easily seen from Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth and Sandbanks.