Description
Sometimes it's one part of a boat rather than the whole vessel that makes the photograph. Here, it's the large blue barge boat suspended above the deck of the historic Thames sailing barge Raybel that catches my attention. From this angle the hull seems enormous, especially against the tangle of ropes, rigging and warm timber around it. Raybel was at St Katharine Docks for the 2026 Classic Boat Festival, and getting close to vessels like this gives you a chance to notice details that are easily missed when viewing them from a distance. The festival brought around 60 vintage and preserved vessels into the docks. St Katharine Docks I also like the contrast between all that traditional sailing equipment and the modern London buildings behind it. Old working-boat character surrounded by the modern city. For me, that blue hull really makes the photograph.
