Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 1083

  PaulB, Sea News, Dover.

PORT OF DOVER BREAKS NEW GROUND

It was out with the old to prepare to bring in the new when Dover MP Charlie Elphicke ( right) stood alongside Dover Harbour Board Chairman, George Jenkins OBE, and Chief Executive, Tim Waggott, on Friday 22 August. All three were there to start the demolition of the old Seacat berth at the former hoverport – the first physical step in the major revival plan for the Port.

The Dover Western Docks Revival project is a multi-million pound port regeneration project. The demolition of the old Seacat berth, to be completed by the end of 2014, is the first stage in a project that will be a catalyst for the regeneration of Dover, the old berth making way for a new cargo terminal and associated waterfront developments over the next few years.

Charlie Elphicke:
"It is a real pleasure to be here at the groundbreaking of the Western Docks Revival. It's great to see the commitment of the port to new investment and the creation of hundreds of new local jobs. There's a real sense of change and partnership with the town. New investment, new community directors and a new fund for Dover too. A partnership that can strengthen Port of Dover’s position as one of the UK’s leading ports and enhance its position as the leading ferry port in Europe."

Tim Waggott:
"This demonstrates ongoing momentum for Dover Western Docks Revival that will bring the town and the port closer together as we develop a port that will protect our long-term port capacity and bring new business to Dover. We have spent a great deal of time discussing and debating the plan and this begins our journey to fulfilling those promises. This is a significant milestone as we continue regenerating the port."

Ends.

* *

This was the dazzling sky above the Port and above the Braemar Sunday morning. It must be the arrival of the colder air as all the jet streams showed up in spectacular fashion in the early morning sky. Almost unbelievable and the picture shows it exactly as was. No trickery even though there is a Channel 4 logo in the middle of it. Can you spot it? No such blinding sunlight today though for Bank Holiday Monday.



Monday, 25 August 2014 - 07:09

 

Post 1082

  PaulB, Dover

Meant to add this one to the mix earlier...its the Adonia of P&O Cruises making its way down the channel saturday night with France as added backdrop. Bit late in the day and the colours are very late evening but the visibility was good and here we are...would be nice if more P&O Cruise liners could come in here to see us in Dover and of course very welcome they would be. This one was bound for Southampton.

Sunday, 24 August 2014 - 09:13

 

Post 1081

  PaulB, Dover

The Ryndam a-comin and a-goin'......
The Ryndam arriving very early yesterday morning Saturday. Bleary eyed picture in a way...only goat-herders and shepherds were up and about at that hour, and of course yours truly. Always a welcome sight to see a cruise liner drifting slowly across the harbour under a big but ever so slightly chillier sky these days.
She slipped away again about 16.30..almost un-noticed as it was something of an early departure, but got a shot at the last minute with the added inclusion of the busy pilot boat darting about. The AIDA Luna left last night probably about 20.00 ( 8pm) or so with three magnificent organ-like toots but it was essentially too dark for cameras... but Howard captured the setup in the pictures below. Good ones Howard.
Yes indeed a very sad start to the weekend with that incident in Post 1012.

Sunday, 24 August 2014 - 06:47

 

Post 1080

  Howard McSweeney, Dover

Not very original but was up at the castle earlier and took these.

Very sad news about the diver, the lifeboat crew would be traumatised also.



Saturday, 23 August 2014 - 22:23

 

Post 1079

  PaulB, Sea News, Dover.

Press Release just in from DOVER LIFEBOAT:Tragic Start To the Bank Holiday Weekend 
____________________________________________________________________

The volunteer crew of Dover’s RNLI lifeboat had a tragic start to the Bank Holiday Weekend when they went to the aid of a diver in difficulties on Friday evening.

Dover Coastguard requested an immediate launch following a call from a dive boat that had an unconscious male diver on board. Dover’s Severn Class Lifeboat, ‘City Of London II’ left its berth just before 2200 with a paramedic on board and met up with the diving vessel two miles off the harbour entrance. The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and CPR was commenced and continued until the lifeboat was back alongside.

The lifeboat was met by medical staff from the Kent Air Ambulance which had landed close to the lifeboat station. Unfortunately despite the efforts of the lifeboat crew and ambulance staff the casualty did not recover and the matter is now in the hands of Kent Police.


All at Dover Lifeboat Station offer their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.


* *

Condolences too from all on Sea News.



Saturday, 23 August 2014 - 11:22

 

Post 1078

  PaulB, Dover

The picture above was sent in to me a few years back from our Port of Dover colleagues just along the seafront. It shows a chap called David Anderson standing beside the aforementioned Hovercraft propeller. I use the picture now to show the scale of the propeller in relation to the size of your average citizen. Perhaps on reflection the plinth in Granville Gardens along the seafront may not be strong enough. One suspects it would need solid reinforcing. But yes Dover is the natural home for this iconic propeller...forget museums...the reputation of the Hovercraft was forged right here in the grit and spray of the Dover Strait. The propeller looks fantastic.

Here is a section of a press release from 2011 relating to the picture above:
Port of Dover welcomed hovercraft enthusiast David Anderson to the site of the previous hoverport recently. David, now 49 and pictured below, began his love affair with hovercraft at the age of five and admits to having taken over 200 hovercraft trips, many from Dover. He says; "more often than not I was fortunate to sit with the captain and the Flight Engineer."

He was eager to see the lone propeller, the last symbol of Dover’s hovercraft era which still stands at the site of the old hoverport, up close and capture the moment through a series of photographs. Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, commented: "this chapter in cross-Channel travel fascinates many people, from the local area of Dover and much further afield. We were delighted to welcome David to the Port and enable him to fulfil his ambition of documenting this piece of maritime history."

The picture above follows on from Mike's posting about the cranes dismantling the Seacat section. This shows the said cranes in action yesterday with the Saga Pearl II languishing quietly in the background under a menacing sky.
We received a late press release last night about this.. just come in...this will follow in due course...

The Saga Pearl II turning last evening preparing itself for immediate departure to Stockholm.
ADDED: Cruise Liners Ryndam and AIDa Luna in Port today.


Saturday, 23 August 2014 - 06:10

 

Post 1077

  Mike J., Dover

Howard / PaulB -

A quick rummage around the internet found "JAMES’ HOVERCRAFT SITE" which reckons that the propeller is awaiting transfer to the Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-Solent, the home of at least one of the Dover SRN4 hovercraft. [unserviceable].

But I agree that the seafront here at Dover would be a much better spot for it, much better than in amongst a lot of other elderly machinery.

I was chatting to the banksman at the Seacat berth site this morning & he reckons that there is several months of work there before the job is finished.
The piles will be left in situ, but cut down to a metre below low water level & divers will be needed for this job.

A second monster crane has arrived, it has a 300-ton lift & came down under its own power - the original crawler crane had to be assembled on site.


Friday, 22 August 2014 - 09:40

 

Post 1076

  PaulB, Dover

I hope that propeller finds a good home Howard as its a great thing and evocative of the Hovercraft era. The vacant plinth along the seafront ( Granville Gardens) is crying out for something good since the famed miner departed, so perhaps it should be put right there. Would be good to have it fully restored with added plaque dedicated to the memory of the mighty Hovercraft and all who hovered with her. It would also be in keeping with the towns nautical tradition as was placing the anchors in Townwall St.

Long ago when I lived far away and hardly knew Dover from a hole in the head...this famous slogan captured the imagination.."Hover over from Dover".
I recognise that as a simple slogan but somehow a great one and very effective from an advertising point of view. I wonder who penned it initially...sail over from Dover doesn't work, nor does any other combination, but somehow the Hover one did the trick. I came, I saw, and I hovered...

A lot of people have a lot of affection for the Hovercraft era.
And now one or two might enjoy pictures of this delightful older era wooden vessel which meandered around the harbour a couple of evening ago and then stayed overnight about 120 metres from the 'observation tower'. It might be called a ketch I guess..?




Friday, 22 August 2014 - 06:46

 

Post 1075

  Howard McSweeney, Dover

If i can be allowed to go off subject, mike - along with his very interesting photos - commented on the demise of the Hoverspeed terminal.

Went past a few days ago and the propeller was still there, what is its fate?




Thursday, 21 August 2014 - 20:38

 

Post 1074

  Mike J., Dover

Last Saturday morning the DOVER EXPLORER departed Western heading for the Goodwins towing a small rubber dinghy for landing the punters on the sands.
I did the same trip a couple of times on the hovercraft - fascinating visits.

She was followed out by a couple of colourful local angling boats, the catamaran PORTIA & the more conventional ROYAL CHARLOTTE.












Thursday, 21 August 2014 - 11:44

 

Post 1073

  Mike J., Dover

Whilst walking up the Prince of Wales on Saturday for a few snaps of the SEADREAM-1 I noticed that demolition of the Seacat berth at the side of the Hoverport was taking place.
Probably mostly gone by now - the end of the High-Speed Era.

Now that the DHB Police RIB has been laid-up the Harbour Patrol launch DIPLOMAT [?] temporarily changes itself into a Police Launch when required.

The continuous plume of smoke from the SEADREAM mentioned earlier is probably from her generators which are perhaps as old as the ship - 30 years !











Thursday, 21 August 2014 - 11:33

 

Post 1072

  PaulB, Dover

Great info Mike...
Thanks re update Colette....

Thursday, 21 August 2014 - 10:09

 

Post 1071

  ColetteB, Dover

Some terrific photos & information there over the last few days

And now for the rest of this week's cruises

Today, Thursday 21st August the Saga Sapphire is back with us at CT1, TR.

Tomorrow 22nd the Saga Pearl 11 returns to CT1, TR.

Two cruises on Saturday 23rd, the Ryndam is back at CT1, TR & the AIDALuna, PoC at CT2.

We end this week on Sunday with the Braemar, CT2 TR.

There are no cruises on Monday & Tuesday, be back again soon

Thursday, 21 August 2014 - 06:47

 

Post 1070

  Mike J., Dover

Jacqui -

The ‘lump’ aboard the MIGHTY SERVANT 1 is the DOLWIN BETA en route Haugesund from the builder’s yard in Dubai.

Certainly a big lump - 70H x 99L x 74W mtrs & weighing about 20,000 tons.

She was floated aboard & will be floated off on arrival Norway.

Eventually she will be ‘planted’ near Heligoland off the German coast in the ‘Dolwin’ wind farm & will work as a ‘converter station’ through which the output of the wind turbines will be fed to the shore.



Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - 21:36

 

Post 1069

  Jacqui Whatson, Dover

Yes indeed Paul, that's the one! Thank you.

Would love to have seen her up close.

Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - 18:16

 

Post 1068

  Ray, Dover

Unless by some coincidence there are two of these lumps it was still visible from Langdon Cliffs on Monday late morning, it certainly is large whatever it is.
Unfortunately I had not got my Binoculars with us and the pay telescope was not brilliant.

Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - 18:13

 

Post 1067

  PaulB, Dover

ah - Jacqui I may be able to help with that query. Take a look at this. By a miraculous coincidence I was just getting this picture ready for use as you posted...
Is this the beast you refer to? This picture taken at huge range, very very long distance. The vessel is called I believe...Mighty Servant 1. What a whopper!
It is well into the distance, in fact over the horizon behind the MFL ferry but still looks massive, a monster mover indeed.
Makes up for us not seeing the Dockwise Vanguard hopefully.

Great stuff with those pictures Ed. Great to have the cargo close ups everytime...twould also always be good to see anything from Dunkerque as and when.
A fan of Dunkerque myself.


Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - 17:07

 

Post 1066

  Jacqui Whatson, Dover

Question for Ed or Mike,

On Sunday late afternoon we were sitting up at St Martins Battery and what looked like an oil rig on a ship passed way out on the horizon. I could see it quite clearly through my binoculars but it was too far away for my camera.
When we got home I looked on AIS but couldn't find anything like it. Looking on Google I wondered if it was one of the Dockwise vessels or an SSV. I know the Blue Marlin and the Black Marlin carry oil rigs, could it have been one of these?
I wondered if either or both of you learned guys could help? Would love to find out.
Thanks in advance.

Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - 16:44

 

Post 1065

  Ed Connell, Dover

A few photos from the last few days.

Cargoship Fegulus


Cargoship Swedish Reefer


Cruise ship Sea Dream


Toplift working out at the breakwater by the Knuckle.



Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - 01:53

 

Post 1064

  PaulB, Dover

The AIDALuna arriving in calm and tranquil style at 07.50 this morning. Also in harbour today is our familiar friend the Ocean Princess.
Below we have the Crystal Symphony departing in the blustery choppy conditions a couple of evenings ago. Choppy seas there for the departing pilot. All adds to the drama of course.. picturewise.


Vic we will look further at the situation you mention and see if anything can be done.
Colette speaking of birthdays - this specialist SEA NEWS page isn't one year old yet, but its coming up very soon, end of august, and yes a good luck for the future to MyFerryLink.

Tuesday, 19 August 2014 - 07:57