Tuesday, 19 March 2024

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Sea Pictures from Dover.

Sailing Ships just off Dover: Europa above and De Gallant below...


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Post 1941
  Ed Connell, Dover
Malo Seaways conducting berthing trials in Dover this afternoon. This is the ex Stena Nordica which has been chartered to replace the Dieppe Seaways which was returned to her owners some time ago.








Monday, 20 April 2015 - 15:47
 
Post 1940
  Ed Connell, Dover
AIDAdiva, renovation works on ED7, and Pacific Reefer.







Monday, 20 April 2015 - 09:47
 
Post 1939
  brian, dover
aidamar was hanging about outside the harbour last night,at the same time the aidadiva set sail.

Monday, 20 April 2015 - 06:11
 
Post 1938
  Sea News, Dover

This is the AIDA Diva arriving with us here in Dover yesterday morning sunday. A first for us and of course a delight to see the 70,000 tonner gracing our immediate waters. There is not a great deal of difference between the AIDA ships to help distinguish one from another and last night as she left she crossed paths with another AIDA...the AIDA Mar , heading to Southampton. Yours truly thought he was having double vision for a moment or two but no, all was well...It would have made for an interesting set of pictures if it hadn't been 8.15pm and just that bit too dark.




Monday, 20 April 2015 - 06:06
 
Post 1937
  Sea News, Dover

CHINESE DELIVERY!
The Zhen Hua with one of the P&O Spirit ferries.....

Ed's post 1489 reminded me that I had some recent pictures of the same Chinese ship Zhen Hua...I think it is the same ship anyway but these lifting ships change appearance in relation to the cargo carried. My pictures shown here are from the 5 April and as you can see the ship is heading in the opposite direction, coming down the channel, so it has been a busy hard-working bee. It was a very colourful evening as you can see too - late in the day lighting.

Fascinating picture below Mike. Exciting change coming for sure..things are moving forward. Smiley

Woe!! strike a light!! as they used to say in all the best Ealing comedies...the AIDA Diva is just sweetly gliding across the bay as we speak.
Fab! This is a first for us.
See also Post 1481 Cruise Visits.
I better go and get some pictures or we might miss out...another fabulous cruise liner. PB.


Sunday, 19 April 2015 - 07:26
 
Post 1936
  Mike J., Dover



The shape of things to come . . . . .









Saturday, 18 April 2015 - 20:33
 
Post 1570
  Sea News, Dover

DFDS Seaways offers great savings on mid-week cross Channel sailings
- Save 30% on single or return fares on Dover-Dunkirk route
_____________________________________________________



Award winning ferry operator, DFDS Seaways, has launched an offer with a 30% discount on mid-week sailings on its Dover-Dunkirk service.

This means that you can travel to France in your car with up to nine passengers from just £28 per crossing (one way). This offer is valid for single or return sailings between Monday and Thursday from 22 April until 15 July, subject to availability.

To take advantage of this offer, use code E30OFF when booking online or via the contact centre before 6 May. With only 3,600 tickets available through this offer, we suggest you book early!

Our port in Dunkirk is located 25 miles north of Calais, meaning it is the ideal starting point for a break in France’s beautiful northern coast or the historic cities of Lille or Arras. Or you can travel to beautiful Bruges where you will find a delicious array of beer, chocolate and Flemish delights on offer.

Our fleet of three modern ships on the Dover-Dunkirk route can transport you to northern France in just two hours. Whilst on board, you can enjoy a delicious hot meal or choose from a range of hot and cold snacks in one of the cafes or bars, shop for holiday essentials and luxuries, or sit back and relax while the children play in the dedicated children’s area. There is something for everyone on DFDS Seaways’ ferries, meaning your holiday starts as soon as you board.

DFDS Seaways sails up to 24 times a day between Dover and Dunkirk, providing passengers with flexible crossing times, a relaxing travel experience and convenient travel options.

To book this offer now, or for more travel inspiration, visit www.dfds.co.uk, or telephone 0871 574 7235.


- ENDS -


A great offer above there from DFDS SEAWAYS - huge thanks to DFDS as ever for the info direct.
Its great in Dunkerque ( Dunkirk) so well worth popping over at those prices. Excellent. Picture above shows the Dunkerque Seaways in fine action. Smiley

* *

Just to add now a few pictures of yesterdays activities in and around the harbour.




The top shot shows the Willendeavour working hard around the harbour yesterday, at a guess surveying and probably in harness with the drilling/exploring platform Coastal Explorer also in shot. Second picture is a closer one of the Willendeavour in action. We then swing the camera around and we have the workings the other end of Port on Dover 7. There was also much activity over at CT2 but visibility was grey all day so yours truly wasn't entirely sure what was afoot.



Ah yes indeed Ray a tight squeeze but probably not quite as bad as it looks in the pic...Smiley
Fascinating picture again Ed. Cracking stuff!

Friday, 17 April 2015 - 06:42
 
Post 1569
  Ed Connell, Dover
Chinese heavy lift ship Zhen Hua 19 heading up the Northeast lane on Thursday afternoon with a cargo of container cranes.



Friday, 17 April 2015 - 02:05
 
Post 1568
  Ray, Dover
Magnificent shot of the Aida Luna squeazing past the P.O.W. Pier, there must have been a few worried folk on the Bridge at that moment as she looks about to contact the end of the Pier. In which case the folk on the pier head would have cause to be concerned!
Let's hope the camera angle made it look worse than it actually was.

Thursday, 16 April 2015 - 22:55
 
Post 1567
  Sea News, Dover
STILL WATERS.

The picture above shows the hard-working Eastern Bay departing last evening for Flushing at about 7.15 pm ( 19.15 ). The ship was just catching the last rays of the warm evening sun on an exceptional day here in Dover. Yours truly's Windows 8 was telling us.. 'Dover 28 degrees' ...so one heck of a day for early spring. Lots of people were out and about along the seafront giving those pasty winter knees an airing in short shorts of all kinds. Terrific! The ship departing above is catching those hi-summer late-day colours for sure. She timed her departure just right for us, twenty minutes later and we would not have had a workable image.

Squeezing the Beast in. This is the AIDA Luna below, pictured here arriving in fine style on the day before (Tuesday). You can see here just how big she is...its a tight fit and no mistake. The tugs once again doing an excellent job, watched by a host of passengers eager to get both feet on Dover ground.

The bottom picture in this post shows the Boudicca departing for Portugal the same evening Tuesday and of course.. looking good. PB.


For more info on cruise visits see the latest news in post 1481.
Also if you require the latest info on Ferry Deals or news on any visiting ship just type into our SEARCH ENGINE - it works a treat so it does! Smiley

Thursday, 16 April 2015 - 06:10
 
Post 1566
  Sea News, Dover
DOVER GOES TROPICAL !! Smiley

It looks like we hit 28 degrees here today. Pretty good going for mid April. Lots of people enjoying the beach and the sparkling water....but will it last?

Fascinating info below Ed. Some terrific paintings there for sure. Delighted that they are holding this exhibition. Let's hope lots of people get down there.
See also Post 1476 and 1479 for more info and of course the post below.


Wednesday, 15 April 2015 - 17:41
 
Post 1565
  Ed Connell, Dover
Some photos of the DHB paintings on display at the Yacht Club at the weekend. There were a couple of other interesting ones but the reflections from the glass were too great to offer a decent image.

Lots of members of DAD busy experimenting with watercolours.


"Beating to Windward" by T U Kingsbury


"Dover from Shakespeare's Cliff" by JMW Turner


"Dover Harbour in 1856" by Henry Pether


"Misty morning Dieppe" by T U Kingsbury


"On the Goodwin Sands" by T U Kingsbury 1897


"View of Dover from the South pier head"


"View of the Custom House and Castle of Dover in the time of Queen Elizabeth" (this one is at the foot of the stairs and is part of the RCPYC fittings. This is a fragment of the full engraving, the rest had too many reflections. It was originally donated to the Dover Club which occupied the building before the RCPYC moved there after their own building was destroyed in WW2)


Tuesday, 14 April 2015 - 13:01
 
Post 1564
  Sea News, Dover


Port’s community spirit sails into action
_________________________________

Thousands of people enjoyed it and thousands of pounds were raised on the day, but last year’s Port of Dover Community Regatta continues to have a lasting effect in bringing the Port and community together by nurturing the sailing skills of local young people.

Local youth charity Cinque Ports Pirates was chosen as the beneficiary of the money raised during the 2014 Regatta from the Port of Dover-sponsored Dover Port Dash tournament. An RS Tera type boat has now been purchased and was officially named recently as ‘Community Spirit’, one of three it has bought thanks to various benefactors.

Having been asked by the charity to name the boat, the Port ran a staff competition and the winning entry came from Senior Systems Engineer, Karl Bowman and Port of Dover Police officer, Martin Dadd.

Attending the official naming ceremony, Barbara Buczek, General Manager – Business Development, says:

"The name chosen by Port staff was Community Spirit, reflecting how the Port is playing its part at the heart of the community. Whilst we keep Dover, the Port and the UK economy moving, we are also working together with local good causes to enable young people to actively enjoy the recreational and educational benefits of the Port."

Karen Amber, Cinque Ports Pirates, says:

"The money raised has brought the local community and the Port closer together in providing more opportunities for local young people to experience the enjoyment of sailing. Cinque Port Pirates is so closely connected with the harbour, it is fitting that Port of Dover staff who work here every day, had their input into naming ‘Community Spirit’.

ENDS




The brilliant pictures shown were sent over by our colleagues down at the Port. Huge thanks to them as ever.

Top Photo includes sponsor Ken Dupuy and Cinque Ports Pirates with Tally Ho!
Photo 2 includes Karl Bowman and Cinque Ports Pirates with Community Spirit;
and Photo 3 includes Community Spirit sailing in Dover Harbour.

· The Cinque Ports Pirates is a youth charity where children pay a membership of just £15 a year and £6 a session. The Pirates are based in both Dover and Folkestone, and sail every Saturday and Sunday morning in Dover Harbour and once per month on a Saturday at Folkestone.
Visit www.cinqueportspiratessailingclub.co.uk for more information.


Smiley

Tuesday, 14 April 2015 - 07:26
 
Post 1563
  Sea News, Dover


Another picture here of the Coastal Explorer platform with support vessel in attendance taken yesterday in very calm conditions and prior to all the fog, the water was that beautifully calm full silver sheen...Support vessel is called Ashraf see also post 1479 below.

Thanks for the cruise info below Colette in 1481 - that's great to have as ever. I see the Boudicca already docked as I write. Either she came in very early or I'm just starting very late. Smiley

Many thanks for the info as ever Mike. If Nigel wants to drop me a line I can add his website to our LINKS page. Can do that if it is something he would like to do.
PaulB.



Tuesday, 14 April 2015 - 07:14
 
Post 1562
  Mike J., Dover
There's a little more on the COASTAL EXPLORER & the Western Docks developments on Nigel Scutt’s excellent ‘Dover Marina’ website which covers a lot more than just the Marina -

. . . . . . something to have a look at if you are taking a walk along the Prince of Wales pier.
This jack up barge is the Coastal Explorer and is currently carrying out test bore drilling and investigation works of the seabed and what lays beneath, ahead of the continuing Dover Western Docks Regeneration (DWDR). She will be changing location as the work progresses and it will be an opportunity to get up close to the action and see at first hand the ongoing operation . . . . . .


There is also mention of a new ‘DWDR Marketing Suite’ opened by DHB & open to the public 1400/1700 on Wednesdays in the same building as the Cinque Port Yacht Club with information about the Western Docks Project.

www.dover-marina.com/




Monday, 13 April 2015 - 18:39
 
Post 1561
  ColetteB, Dover
And now for the remaining cruise calls for April, a wonderful addition to all the nautical comings & goings from small sail through to massive container ships bringing their cargo from all around the globe Smiley Smiley

Tomorrow Tuesday 14th both the Boudicca, CT1 and the AIDALuna, CT2 will be back once again in Dover.

Then no cruise calls until Sunday 19th when another AIDA ship arrives from her last port of call (Le Havre) in the shape of the AIDADiva at CT2, I don't recall this one being here before, over to you John Smiley

No cruise ships the following week. Then on Tuesday 28th the Boudicca returns to CT2.

To end the month on the 30th there is another treat in store for us, the AIDABella cruises in to Dover from it's previous port of call Honfleur.

This again may be a first for Dover Smiley



Monday, 13 April 2015 - 17:04
 
Post 1560
  Sea News, Dover

The Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club were out in the harbour in fine action this week again. Picture above is from Saturday morning while it was still slate grey weatherwise...but as ever the yachts make for dazzling imagery and with bags of style no matter what the weather.

Glad you were able to get to the Picture Exhibition Mike...very interesting reports all round in the post below - great stuff! Those pictures must be seen and will aim to get there as soon as I can. Will watch for the Malo Seaways too...exciting times.

Below we have the sky over the Port on Sunday morning. Perhaps it was the return to cold air in the atmosphere but the jet streams showed up in spectacular style. You can see at a glance where the real competition comes from as you can hardly believe the sky can be that busy. And the picture just captures a section of sky. There were even more jet streams just out of shot.
It was sooo bright looking into the sun that I never saw the seagull in the shot so he turned out to be an added bonus.

Final shot below is another pic of the platform ( Coastal Explorer) as it moved off under its own power on Saturday night and returned to the inner harbour...just catching the last rays of the sun as it did so. Normally it appears to be working all through the night as the lights onboard are fully ablaze at all times. PB.






Monday, 13 April 2015 - 07:09
 
Post 1559
  Mike J., Dover
The visitors book at the exhibition at the Cinque Ports Yacht Club on Saturday afternoon showed that there had been a slow start but it is well worth visiting.

There were about 20 pictures in various styles from the DHB collection, some accurate & a some a little fanciful, but all worth a look.

Most of the paintings were from around the 1850s but I was told that the paintings would be rotated until the exhibition closes in September, so it'll be worth looking in from time to time to look for any changes.

It was interesting to see how the port had changed, for example when the North & South Piers were just piers extending out to the open sea, long before the current harbour walls were built.
Nowadays they form the edge of the channel down to the Tidal Basin.

The morning muck had cleared to a nice sunny afternoon so a stroll up the Prince of Wales seemed in order for a closer-up look at the COASTAL EXPLORER who had crew working aboard.

Associated with the COASTAL EXPLORER is the colourful Falmouth-registered workboat ASHRAF which was on the pontoon in the Tidal Basin & the smart Dutch survey launch GEOMOTION SURVEY was moored nearby.
The CITY OF LONDON II showed up well in the afternoon sunshine.

Strong rumours have the ‘new’ DFDS ferry, the MALO SEAWAYS, coming to Dover on Wednesday for trials.
The former STENA NORDICA was seen off Calais on 30/3 in Ed’s post 1457.
She is currently in Arno’s repair yard in Dunkirk & is showing up on AIS.













Saturday, 11 April 2015 - 22:39
 
Post 1558
  Sea News, Dover
The AIDA Luna arriving yesterday morning ( Friday) in foggy conditions at around 7am...we are busy busy right now.

interesting information just through from Dover District Council....
TOURISM THRIVING IN DOVER DISTRICT

Tourism continues to thrive in White Cliffs Country – with 3.6 million day visitors to Dover District in 2013, and a total economic impact of almost £250m, according to recent figures.

According to the most recent tourism research commissioned by Visit Kent, the total economic impact of tourism in Dover District was £248,314,000 in 2013, an increase of £4,718,000 compared to the last survey for 2011. Visitor numbers rose by 121,000 compared to 2011, while the total number of actual jobs rose by 581.

The figures were derived using the Cambridge Economic Impact Model, an industry respected tool for measuring the volume and value of tourism. The research was undertaken by Tourism South East. The report was compiled by The South West Research Company (TSWRC) as part of the ‘COOL’ Interreg programme.

Following on from its success in gaining The Telegraph’s ‘High Street of the Year’, Deal was recently named amongst the top 30 best places for a weekend retreat by The Times. Dover Castle remains a key attraction, and The White Cliffs of Dover were voted by The Guardian as one of the top places to walk in the country.

A range of exciting initiatives and investment is set to continue to boost tourism for the future for Dover District. This includes a £3m Heritage Lottery Fund investment for the Kearsney Parks, major events including the Dover Music Festival, and the display of an original Magna Carta for Sandwich. The St James’s development in Dover Town Centre is attracting major investment from big leisure names, including Cineworld, Travelodge, Bella Italia and Frankie & Benny’s.

For more information about White Cliffs Country, please see www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk

- ends -

A couple of extra shots through the fog here...yesterday visibility was sometimes poor and oft times bad, but we managed to get some pictures. The one above was taken at the same time as the ship arrived ...approximately...and shows the sun rising above the fog as the foghorns blasted out across the town and the wailing bell wailed solemnly.
And later in the day when we realised the visibility wasn't going to improve we took this picture below. This is the platform featured by Mike earlier in post 1472 and as you can see it has moved out into the bay, watched here by the all seeing eye. We don't have any further info as to the purpose.


Also don't forget...if you are interested in seeing Dover's splendid art treasures over this weekend see post 1476 below...details there.

Saturday, 11 April 2015 - 06:06
 
Post 1557
  Sea News, Dover
One should never spread oneself too thinly but after a lethargic Easter I fancied a beefed up trip to bracing Sandwich on Easter Monday. The weather was most definitely not hot, certainly not as hot as mustard, in fact it was downright chilli when one ventured the 150 yards from the carpark to the pub. En route I gave the ancient Nikon a run out and you see the results here. Then it was off to get the manly baguette in tasty sizzling Sandwich. ( okay ..enough already! Smiley )
PaulB.

The main vessel featured is called the White Star, no doubt after the famous White Star Line, but we haven't been able to find out anything about her. If anybody knows...etc etc.. Note the high tide.



I see the AIDA Luna is arriving now. Quite foggy but a picture or two may be possible.
Please check out the post below if you would like to see Dover's rarely-seen ART TREASURES.

Friday, 10 April 2015 - 07:16
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