Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 7054

  Mike J., Dover

A miserable murky misty Monday morning saw Royal Caribbean’s distinctive-looking MAJESTY OF THE SEAS dock on the Eastern Arm at 0700 after running well up into the bay on arrival to allow the COTE DE FLANDRES who entered after her to berth ahead of her.
Ferry schedules are more important than mere cruise ships !




SPIRIT OF FRANCE sails whilst the COTE DES FLANDRES discharges.


The MAJESTY OF THE SEAS didn’t stay long, sailing 1630 & heading SW still showing Dover as her destination which I thought was forgetfulness but at midnight I checked again & found her in the NE lane giving an ETA at Dover of 0500 Tuesday !

The CARNIVAL BREEZE sailed from WD4 at 1800 heading SW for the Nab anchorage & as soon as she had cleared the port the pilot took DISNEY MAGIC round to WD4 from CT2 to WD4.

AIS doesn’t show any of the P&O threesome heading this way at the moment but the MAERSK CONNECTOR is still showing her ETA as 1700 Tuesday.

Finally an uncropped version of the York Street zebra-crossing ship-spotting location.





Tuesday, 9 June 2020 - 01:24

 

Post 7053

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now of the arrival of the magnificent Carnival Breeze...a mighty ship indeed, just following along here from Mike's collection in the post below...more info below there too. First shot above looking directly into the early sun. Will have some further pictures too catching her as she slips into WD4.

Approaching above and arriving below...the Carnival Breeze.
To go all technical for a moment..."what a whopper!"


Carnival Breeze looking good as she arrives at the Port of Dover.


* *



Natalie Elphicke: Ambitious for our Ferry Industry
_____________________________________________

Our community will emerge stronger than ever

During this pandemic, the Port of Dover has played a key role making sure our nation gets the supplies of food and medicines we need. Yet like the rest of the economy, trade has been badly hit during the lockdown. Things have been very tough for the Port and the ferry companies.

P&O has been particularly hard hit. The company has announced plans to make hundreds of redundancies. I have been working with all sides to try to save as many jobs as possible. My first priority is the workers and their families who are affected by what has been happening.

In recent weeks, I have pressed the Government to provide support for the ferry industry. Some £35 million was recently announced to support the ferry industry, on top of millions of pounds already provided through the furlough scheme. The Government has been clear that the furlough scheme extension is there to save jobs while businesses weather the immediate storm. Businesses like P&O should be making full use of it, rather than taking decisions on workforce reductions at this time. After all, if there is a strong recovery in trade and passengers once the pandemic ends, they would struggle to be able to provide the necessary capacity.

Some have called on our Government to bail P&O out. In my book, any financial support must come with assurances over British jobs and fair pay and conditions.

Moreover, P&O's owners are not short of money. They are the backed by the sovereign state of Dubai. I have called on the Dubai Government to stump up and make the investment that is needed. It is important to note that the other ferry provider DFDS is not having to take such profound measures - the Dubai Government should reflect on that as well as make the necessary commitment to P&O.

I hope that P&O’s owners will be persuaded to change course. In case they can’t be persuaded, I have started discussions on a jobs task force and action plan for our community. Yet I remain ambitious for our local ferry industry. I want to see the expansion of the ferry industry at Dover beyond freight. Leaving the EU provides a massive opportunity to restore the benefits of duty free travel. I recently raised this directly with the Chancellor and will continue to do so.

It also provides an opportunity to restore the fun of the ferries we used to have. The Dance to France was iconic. And there is extra opportunity, with social distancing possible on a ferry in a way it is not on an aircraft. We have an immediate opportunity to make ferries fun and popular again - and we should seize it.

Let’s also think about the wider hospitality industry too. Real progress has been made in our area in recent years. We now need to do even more. That means making better use of our public spaces, and improving our seafronts, historic and natural attractions, and the links between them.

But importantly it also means supporting local businesses and our community to make more money from these attractions. It’s no good for us if people drive down the motorway and don’t spend their money. We want more money attracted into Dover from the ferry industry, as well as more for local businesses from the millions of visitors to the Castle or the White Cliffs or the seaside.

There may be difficult times ahead. But ours is a resilient community. We have been through tough times before and come through. I know that in our White Cliffs country, we will always find a way to emerge even stronger.


Natalie Elphicke MP


Thanks to Natalie Elphicke for the above...and for championing the P&O workforce....

Great pic collection (and info) below there from Mike...don't miss those..

Thanks for the info Steve..greatly appreciated

Also thanks to Michael for the info offline...

PaulB



Update: Majesty of the Seas now safely at Eastern Arm

Monday, 8 June 2020 - 06:15

 

Post 7052

  Mike J., Dover

Arrival of CARNIVAL BREEZE, the largest cruise ship to visit Dover, early on Sunday morning after a passage from Dubrovnik via Southampton & berthing on WD4.

1004 feet in length & built in 2012, she can carry up to 3690 passengers with 1386 crew-members.




Her arrival in Dover made an unusual sight, looking down York Street, not a normal shipping photography location..




MAJESTY OF THE SEAS is still giving her ETA as 0500 on Monday
The BOKA VANGUARD passed Dover in daylight, but quite invisible in the drizzle.
Still no definite news regarding the arrival of the QUEEN VICTORIA.


Monday, 8 June 2020 - 00:46

 

Post 7051

  Mike J., Dover

Steve -

AIS shows her ETA as 0500 Monday & there's a strong rumour that the QUEEN VICTORIA will have a second attempt at arriving at Dover later in the week.

Three 'new' cruise ships in Dover in the same week - must be some kind of record !

AIS also shows the cable-ship MAERSK CONNECTOR [post 6049] arriving at 1700 on Tuesday.

Another interesting AIS 'target' - the bizarre heavy lift ship BOKA VANGUARD [former SEAWISE VANGUARD - post 4723] will pass thru the Dover Straits Sunday night [probably in darkness, which she always seems to do] heading for Scheveningen [NL] from Singapore - her ETA there is 0700 UK time on Monday.

Useful gadget this AIS . . . . .

Sunday, 7 June 2020 - 12:11

 

Post 7050

  steve newman, Dover, Kent (steve.newman@zoho.com)

Just noticed MAJESTY OF THE SEAS now also showing Dover - Unless its another tease

Sunday, 7 June 2020 - 08:45

 

Post 7049

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now showing the familiar Sikinos approaching and arriving on Friday morning...she was coming over to service the Disney Magic....


…...a-coming above and a-going again below...
As an added extra...you can see all the packed in trucks there in the different ferries...very encouraging in these difficult times...

Last evening in the spot of rough oul weather...the Disney Magic vacates her position on WD4 and moves back over to Cruise Terminal 2 ...musical chairs as she makes way again...



Thanks Brian - yes she is approaching right now as I write....
better get snappin'

PaulB

Sunday, 7 June 2020 - 05:15

 

Post 7048

  brian dixon, dover (brian-dixon2@outlook.com)

carnival breeze making its way to dover.

Saturday, 6 June 2020 - 19:38

 

Post 7047

  Sea News, Dover

Following along now from Mike's pictures of diveboat HM Denham as shown yesterday....

HM Denham: Just caught a couple of shots of her myself above there from...ermm...yes Thursday and there we are above...and speaking of 'diveboats'. The Eagle is still very much on the scene, although yours truly is wondering aloud here as to whatever became of the search for the anchor at Dover 9...but anyway I digress...
here she is majestically and magically circumnavigating the shifting Magic ( Disney Magic ) on Thursday evening...




Another picture below of Arcadia at pier WD4 with Disney Magic as backdrop...similar to the picture used a couple of days ago but a slightly better one hopefully... taken prior to her shifting away...



and away she goes.....


Yours truly spent time trying to make her look good above there...but she's in need of...whats the term oft times used on TV...yes in need of a makeover..


PB


Saturday, 6 June 2020 - 06:14

 

Post 7046

  Sea News, Dover

Following along from Patrick's paddleboarders...you can see one above there bottom right. The paddler stopped paddling long enough to gaze in awe at the shifting Disney Magic. At the time she was shifting over from WD4 to Cruise Terminal 2...she made way temporarily for Arcadia. Arcadia slotted in to WD4 then...as you can see below...
Arcadia has since left us again and Disney has come back over...honestly its like musical chairs...a chap cant keep up!



Interesting collection from Mike below...so don't miss those
I will be able to add to the HM Denham photo-show in a small way in due course...they need a bit of fixing...

Del yes.. a very helpful press release from DFDS there.... encouraging to see that plans are being made, the lockdown cant go on indefinitely..

PB

Friday, 5 June 2020 - 06:36

 

Post 7045

  Mike J., Dover

Early drizzle on Thursday morning found the ARCADIA on WD4,
She has now sailed & her berth taken by DISNEY MAGIC who shifted from Cruise-2 during the afternoon.


The interesting diveboat H.M.DENHAM overnighted on the fuel pontoon after coming up from Weymouth before sailing for Ramsgate early Thursday afternoon.

Here's a couple of a heavily cropped photos of her laying off the Knuckle light, waiting to pass under the stern of the DOVER SEAWAYS as soon as she entered.



The recently repainted DOVER GRAFTER, now in Riley Marine's colours [posts 6918 & 6844] heading down the Wick late afternoon Thursday after working by No.6 berth, using their little self-propelled pontoon [post 6420] which she has in tow, to examine the berth piles.



Thursday evening AIS showed the NORWEGIAN STAR heading for Southampton from Rotterdam.
A lot of of cruise ship 'positioning' going on !







Friday, 5 June 2020 - 02:42

 

Post 7044

  Del Styan, Norwich

Very helpful press release from DFDS, thanks for posting it.

Thursday, 4 June 2020 - 23:07

 

Post 7043

  Sea News, Dover

A NEW LOOK FOR POST-COVID TRAVEL:
DFDS REVEALS ITS PLANS TO HELP HOLIDAYMAKERS REDISCOVER THE FREEDOM OF FERRY TRAVEL
________________________________________________________________________________

Ferry operator DFDS has offered a glimpse of how it is preparing to welcome back holidaymakers who are considering how they can get away for a break this year.


As lockdown measures across Europe begin to ease, a spike in searches for travel ideas and destinations indicates consumers’ desire to find a safe way to take a holiday.[1] While holidays are now likely to look very different for all of us, DFDS is reassuring travellers that it is ready to adapt to the new social distancing environment for travelling.

The company has introduced a number of measures on board its ships to enable social-distancing including:

• Passenger capacity to limit the number of people on board at any one time
• Staggered (pre-) boarding and disembarkation procedures
• Passengers to remain in their cars while waiting to be loaded
• Seating in public areas arranged to allow for social-distancing and all outside deck areas open
• Limited number of passengers permitted to enter onboard shops at any one time. No testing or sampling permitted
• All food and drink to be served by crew, with no self-service options available
• Continued supply of hand sanitisers and use of protective equipment, including face coverings and gloves, by ships’ crews and the installation of plexiglass shields at passenger contact points
• Crew and staff will be wearing gloves and masks in areas where Plexi Glass cannot be installed. Passengers and drivers to wear face coverings during boarding and in public areas on board Dover to France and Newhaven to Dieppe routes
• Continued high frequency cleaning of all contact points with disinfectant
• Provision of a continuous supply of fresh air through the ships’ air supply systems
• New signage and clear floor markings to manage passenger flows

Kasper Moos, head of short routes and passenger for DFDS said: "Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crews. The precautions we are taking across our route network will protect the welfare of everyone travelling on our ships and enable us to support socially-distanced travel.

"The travel industry as a whole faces a number of challenges in responding to the post-coronavirus world. However, one thing that remains is our unique ability to offer access to plenty of space onboard and outside, sea views and lots of fresh air when holidaymakers travel by sea with us. Adjusting to this new world offers a real opportunity for holidaymakers to embrace no-fly alternatives and discover the freedom of ferry travel, to enjoy the simple pleasures of a fresh seabreeze and relaxing start to their holiday experience."

To find out more about DFDS’ ferry services from the UK to France and Holland visit www.dfds.co.uk.



[1] GoogleTrends data 16 April-15 May 2020


ENDs


Many thanks to the team at DFDS for the info above...we are all longing to get back to some normality...

* *


To accompany the picture currently at top of page...more of the delightful Nemo...you don't see so much sailing these times...good to see it... catching the breeze...

Nemo in Dover


The Coastguard helicopter searching just to the west of the Port two evenings ago...presumably another migrant incident (?) as there have been record crossings in the past few days, she put on a dazzling display with the brightest searchlights yours truly has ever seen...dazzling...and effective



An extra shot below here to show the helicopter up close...this pic from a former time. Taken as she hung right outside the 'observation tower' window...you could certainly read the label on my wine bottle from there...

Always good when they fly in this close...great for pictures....
The HM Coastguard helicopter


Many thanks to Mike and Patrick for the posts below there...
great to capture the Disney Magic moving across...ace work...

yes Del its always good to see our ol friend Syd...

PaulB





Thursday, 4 June 2020 - 06:16

 

Post 7042

  Mike J., Dover

Further to Patrick's pix, a few more angles on the shift of the DISNEY MAGIC from WD4 to Ct2.





The two light-coloured patches on the Admiralty Pier, once gave access, in Victorian times, to one of several landing stages on the outside of the Ad.Pier.



Wednesday, 3 June 2020 - 01:24

 

Post 7041

  Del Styan, Norwich

Give Syd a wave for me, if he's not attacked by all the sparrows.

Tuesday, 2 June 2020 - 23:10

 

Post 7040

  Patrick, Marine Parade

The 'DISNEY MAGIC' moved berths today from WD4 to Cruise 2 to allow the latter to be vacant for the return of P&O Cruise Liner 'ARCADIA' that has some scheduled work involving diving operations tomorrow. She is due in within the next few hours.




Meantime cruising at a much smaller and very leisurely pace within the harbour the increasingly popular paddle boarding activities take full advantage of the good weather



with 'Sid the seagull' making a guest appearance again



Tuesday, 2 June 2020 - 22:37

 

Post 7039

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now of Elvira arriving on Sunday....


Time of first shot above there 16.26 on Sunday...on a glorious day as you can see. Another very fast turnaround at the new Cargo Terminal and in the blink of an eye she was back on her way heading to Vlissingen...
will just add this extra one below...showing Doughty coming to her aid mid harbour.


Del yes most people seem to be observing the social distancing rules...however one group ignore these rules completely.. teenagers! No rules there...However I guess in fairness it must be said...they're not a group known to attract the blasted thing...

There has been an increase in Sparrow activity around the 'observation tower' here...very welcome. Great to see them buzzing/darting about. We normally just have seagulls and pigeons...with the occasional crow..
Must be the hot weather.....


PaulB

Tuesday, 2 June 2020 - 06:57

 

Post 7038

  Del Styan, Norwich

Good to see everyone looks suitably distanced while watching the boat problem.
I've been interested to see the national tabloids using many long lens shots to try and show lots of people on beaches, when its fairly obvious most folk are keeping a good distance between them and others. Just like Dover beach in fact!!

Monday, 1 June 2020 - 23:05

 

Post 7037

  Sea News, Dover

Nothing too menacing here below so no worries....a small motor boat was returning to the slipway and the guys must have lost control for a moment and the thing beached itself...fortunately the cavalry came to the rescue in the shape of the Harbour Patrol guys … while the beach watchers watched...and the pictures tell the story...







All's well that ends well.... once again...

A chilling breeze kept the beach numbers down yesterday...but it still looked good... the pictures above are from Saturday...


Del yes its great to see the ferries still busy with plenty of trucks...but yes there are fewer ferries operating as no leisure traffic..


PaulB

Monday, 1 June 2020 - 06:59

 

Post 7036

  Del Styan, Norwich (delsandra@btinternet.com)

Thanks for those pictures of a fully laden DFDS ferry, good to know goods are flowing freely. I did wonder how things were going. I heard there are fewer sailings these days.

Sunday, 31 May 2020 - 23:03

 

Post 7035

  Sea News, Dover

Three shots above there of Oceana arriving at the Port a few days ago. The pictures murderously looking into the blinding early misty light...with added ferries. Have used the third shot there previously but added it again there to make a bit of a sequence for future ref...quiet days...Oceana left the Port later the same day (Thursday).

PB

Sunday, 31 May 2020 - 06:55