Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 4483

  Mike J., Dover

Excellent pix from Patrick of the DWDR work, clearly showing the progress that is being made.

Here's a couple of pix, one showing the new gap in the Dunkirk Jetty & the second showing some of the intensive dredging that has been taking place since the departure of the ENAK & her big grab.


Re Paul’s pix in post 3993 of the rescue of the WAYPOINT-1 last Thursday, I was speaking to one of the fishermen involved a few days ago & he said that they were fishing off Samphire Hoe when their outboard motor ‘blew up’

The RNLI was on the scene within ten minutes & efficiently towed the boat back to the small craft launching ramp near the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club.

The lifeboat couldn't come close in to the beach due to shallow water, so she came in at some speed, releasing the fishing boat as she turned away.
WAYPOINT-1 had enough momentum to reach the ramp.

The outboard is probably a ‘write-off’ so it was an expensive fishing trip, but at least they chose a nice day for it.

More good work, as ever, from the RNLI.



Monday, 17 July 2017 - 23:22

 

Post 4482

  Patrick, Marine Parade

DWDR latest

Digging out the Navigation Channel making way for the new lock cut into Wellington Dock from the outer harbour. The piles and blue supporting structures at the bottom of the photo are in place to allow work to progress on the channel.


The extent of the area to be reclaimed to make way for new cargo terminal and yacht marina comes clearly into focus as yet more piles are put in place in the outer harbour. Also shown is the piling work on the old Hoverpad site that will be built up and infilled to accommodate one of the new cargo berths.


Piling work on the former 'Dunkirk Jetty' pictured here with two working crane barges - one supported by Holyhead Towing tug 'Llanddwyn Island'. Looks like some of the old jetty is destined to remain with the addition of some new piling work. The Grade II listed former Customs Watch House is at the bottom of the picture.



Monday, 17 July 2017 - 21:47

 

Post 4481

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Awesome recent photos, this team gets better & better

Following on from the recent photos of THV Alert, we have got THV Galatea in the Thanet area at present.

Seen off Broadstairs on Sunday with Border Force "Eagle" passing on route to Ramsgate.



Seen off Ramsgate today



This time with Estuary Elite



Estuary Elite & Border Force "Eagle"





Monday, 17 July 2017 - 18:48

 

Post 4480

  Sea News, Dover

Pictured a few days ago, that's Sospan Dau again above there with the Trinity House vessel and ol favourite Alert in the background. Sospan Dau is not immediately visible in the harbour so she may have left us again, she left previously but returned. We don't know if she will return this time so that may be the last picture show.

Still catching up here...last Thursday the 13th, the Lifeboat was called out to rescue a small boat out there in the channel and here we are below. I caught them as they returned...the Lifeboat towing.... Time of pictures 12.40 . A very happy looking small boat crew as you can see, the guys delighted to be delivered back to the beach here in the outer harbour at the Port of Dover. PB.





* *


Great news! The A20 speed limit is going ... says Charlie Elphicke MP.


It was fantastic to see so many people turn out in Aycliffe on Friday to make their voice heard on traffic issues. It was a beautiful evening – perfect weather for a cold pint in a pub garden. Yet such is the strength of feeling in this community that every seat was filled in Aycliffe Church Centre. At least 20 more people stood at the back.

I organised the public meeting to give everyone a chance to put their views to those in charge – so we can work together to fix our roads. And it was great to see so many residents come along and ask important questions.

Aycliffe residents raised the issue of lorries parked up by the Western Heights roundabout causing noise and air pollution. Worst of all is when HGVs take a wrong turn and start driving round residential roads at night. So it’s good to see Highways England have taken action and installed a gate at the entrance to the estate. Residents agreed this had made a big difference.

The people of Aycliffe also want the traffic lights at the roundabout moved back down the A20, away from their estate. I urged Highways England’s area managing director Simon Jones to look again at whether this can be done.

Others highlighted the number of foreign lorry drivers flouting the A20 40mph speed limit. Kent Police’s Inspector Ian Swallow said the force lacked the powers to give these drivers on-the-spot fines, like they do in France. I will keep up the pressure in Parliament to change the law and give police the powers they need.

Some lorry drivers use the B2011 through Capel and Elms Vale, as well as the Alkham Valley Road, as rat-runs to the port. Mr Jones said he would look at how we can stop HGVs diverting through these routes. He said Highways England and the port are working together to redirect trucks onto the M2/A2 rather than the M20/A20. Mr Jones confirmed they are looking at whether the A2 can be dualled.

The A20 40mph limit is the root cause of many of these problems. It’s welcome to see that after a long and hard-fought campaign, Highways England have finally started scrapping it. Soon the work will be complete to return the road to 70mph – with the 40mph limit only enforced on the rare occasions Dover TAP is enforced. This should tackle the problem of lorries using the villages as rat-runs. Yet we must remain vigilant.

The representatives from Highways England, Kent Police and the Port of Dover were faced with tough questions on Friday. Yet they gave a very good account of themselves and received a deserved round of applause – as did Aycliffe’s Ray Williams who did a great job helping me chair the meeting.

Much has been done to tackle gridlock and fix our roads. It is vital we work together to keep up the pressure.


Ends






Monday, 17 July 2017 - 06:45

 

Post 4479

  Sea News, Dover

And now some great beasts of the Channel...


This monster was prowling down the Channel on Friday evening, initial destination was the Suez Canal but no doubt she was on her way to the exotic far east. The ship is called Maribo Maersk and is surely one of the biggest container ships afloat...approaching 200,000 tons.

Previously holding the record for the biggest ship was The Globe of China Shipping and she passed down a day or two earlier in the week.


She is already on our system, if you type in Globe in our search engine you can see more...including when the BBC did a report on her as the worlds biggest container ship. I think I remember Ed saying she no longer holds that title. The BBC reporter below there is Richard Westcott.


Sunday, 16 July 2017 - 06:29

 

Post 4478

  Sea News, Dover

A picture above there of the two cruise liners this morning. Saga Sapphire left and the Pacific Princess on the righthandside. That's one of the Wadden barges to the left foreground as it were.

Yes indeed cracking pictures below there George. Well done, it was worth your while waiting.

Nice shot below there too Mike and welcome info..

Glad you are enjoying it all Jeremy...yes when you get another pic any time you are always welcome.

Well said Vic.

Saturday, 15 July 2017 - 13:18

 

Post 4477

  Mike J., Dover

George - Nice pix of the sailing of the BLACK WATCH.

Re TOPLOADER & post 3894 - I was mistooken about her going up to London.

AIS on Saturday morning shows her down at Dungeness, working off the beach close by the power station, together with tug WILLPOWER & workboat WILLCHALLENGE & a barge who sheltered in Dover recently.

The workboat MORAG M came in Friday afternoon from Teignmouth & is currently parked-up in the old Jetfoil terminal.





Saturday, 15 July 2017 - 11:19

 

Post 4476

  vic matcham , Dovor

I agree they are very good photos you will some on my facebook of the highlands which are very good. Dover is on the way up and the port will never stop growing .The public love seeing our front and what is being done , but still the public will not do as they have been told, standing near the edge of a 400ft white cliff, with young ones too. It will happen, there will be fall of cliffs and it will take them too and they will die.

Saturday, 15 July 2017 - 10:20

 

Post 4475

  Jeremy Ward, Whitfield

Thanks for all the great photo's on here Sorry haven't posted any lately myself.

Friday, 14 July 2017 - 23:14

 

Post 4474

  George, Dover

The beautiful Black Watch was some two hours late departing for the Arctic earlier this evening, but she was worth the wait as I paced up and down the Admiralty Pier:


Not sure about the battle ship grey hull Fred. Olsen have adopted these last couple of years, but she still looks fabulous doesn't she?


Off she goes to the top of the world. Can you believe she is now 45 years old? Long may she continue. Sadly the Black Watch finishes this year's Fred. Olsen programme from Dover as early as next month with her Amsterdam weekender. Next year her twin sister, the Boudicca, will be based at Dover instead and her season will start in March.


Friday, 14 July 2017 - 23:02

 

Post 4473

  Sea News, Dover

I mentioned in the earlier post below that the Black Watch is in with us today...and there she is above arriving this morning early...twas a gorgeously colourful morn so it was, as you can see.

Will the last ship to leave the harbour please put the lights out...Yikes!!

Time was 20.26 last night Thursday and when the DFDS ship headed to Dunkerque that was it...yours truly was the only one left..

Of course I jest...it only stayed like that for a short while.
PaulB.

Friday, 14 July 2017 - 15:14

 

Post 4472

  Sea News, Dover

Yours truly was just casually photographing the departing sailing boat Mistral and not even noticing the giant Navy ship passing in the background when whoosh it popped into view in the viewfinder....and there we are above. I believe its the aircraft carrier HMS Ocean... an impressive beast for sure. By the way Mistral is for sale but pockets may need to be deep..

Below we have a picture I promised for our roving reporter Sarah H to enjoy. Sarah did an excellent spread on the Calais Lifeboat a few days back see 3966..and I promised I would add to it from the archives.

This picture is indeed from the archives and was taken by Martin Collins about 4/5 years ago. Martin was an excellent press officer with the Dover Lifeboat in those days and did a great job...we had lots of info coming through then. Picture shows both Dover and Calais Lifeboats returning from an exercise.

PICTURE BY MARTIN COLLINS.

Well done Mike, another interesting collection below. Good to see

Many thanks to the guys Andrew and Dave over there in Broadstairs, very interesting contributions below there.

And many thanks once again to Colette for the latest excellent Cruise List. The Black Watch has just come in here at the Port of Dover...

PaulB.

Friday, 14 July 2017 - 05:57

 

Post 4471

  Mike J., Dover

A few recent visitors.


WILLPOWER, old Jetfoil terminal, 10th.


Folkestone fishing vessel VALENTINE, 10th.


DERK unloading piles, 10th.


FRISIAN INO about to sail for the Tees after unloading more piles, 13th.


Dutch DAGERAAD - although still carrying her Texel fishing registraion number she is thought now to operate as a motor yacht. 13th.


TOPLOADER - not the prettiest ship in the harbour but a very practical workboat, has been slumbering for about a week in Wellington dock & may be preparing to continue her voyage to London. 13th.


Thursday, 13 July 2017 - 23:59

 

Post 4470

  Colette B, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________


Congrats Sea News Team......Superb content & photos all Round

Great photos of the ongoing construction in the exclusion zone, I like Patrick's one of the worker resting in the piles lol!

Here are our next visitors for July.

On Friday, July 14th our good friend the Black Watch starts her 27 night cruise, ‘Exploring the Fjords of the Arctic’. First visiting the Norwegian ports of Bergen, Skjolden, Olden, Tromso & Honningsvag on to Pyramiden and Longyearbyen in Arctic Norway. She then visits Akureyri and Reykjavik in Iceland before Narsarsuaq in Greenland and Torshavn in the Faroes....... WOW!!!! She arrives here tomorrow at CT2, 06.00, departing 17.00 hours, T/R.

Then we have a Double Whammy on Saturday July 15th, firstly, Saga Sapphire sets off on her 16 night ‘Tall Ships in the Baltic’ cruise. She will be visiting the wonderfully sounding ports of Goteburg (Sweden), Kalundborg (Denmark), Stockholm (Sweden), Turku (Finland), Ventspils & Riga (Latvia), Gdynia (Poland), Kiel Canal (Germany) and Ijmuiden in the Netherlands. She arrives here Saturday at CT1, 08.00, leaving 16.00 hours, T/R.

On the same day the beautiful Princess Cruises ‘Pacific Princess’ makes another visit to our wonderful port. She starts her 14 night ‘Scandinavia & Russian Collection’ cruise to Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn in Estonia and St Petersburg before visiting Helsinki, Stockholm, the Kiel canal and Amsterdam. Arriving here at CT2, 06.00, departing 17.00 hours, T/R.

The following day, Sunday July 16th Saga Pearl ll will be sampling ‘The Best of British’ 12 night cruise. Calling at Newcastle, Peterhead, Invergordon, the Orkneys, Ullapool, Belfast and Liverpool as well as visiting Dublin, Ireland. She arrives at CT1, 08.00, leaving 16.00 hours, T/R.

The next cruise is not until Friday July 21st when the wonderful world of Disney visits us again. ‘Disney Magic ‘will be granting all your wishes as this is her last visit this year

Be back soon


Thursday, 13 July 2017 - 14:20

 

Post 4469

  Dave, Broadstairs

Re post 3981:
Quote " I only hope that our Thanet Council do not drive her away from Ramsgate as other ‘historic’ vessels have been doing lately. "
I doubt the 'Sheemaun" would be driven away as she is privately owned and always paid her mooring fees. Unlike some vessels seek 'free' moorings whilst the others around them pay thousands of pounds per annum.

Thursday, 13 July 2017 - 12:35

 

Post 4468

  Andrew Humphreys, Broadstairs

A visit to Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour during Wednesday evening’s sunlight found, beautifully lit in the clear rain washed atmosphere, the epitome of a ‘Gentlemen’s motor cruiser’ SHEEMAUN sitting on Commercial Quay. This displayed her classic seaworthy lines and her superb pedigree having been built in 1935 by James Noble & Co. of Fraserburgh to the design of G. L. Watson & Co. (For Sarah - of the famous Watson lifeboat design and many famous yachts including those for the Americas Cup) She has a fascinating history which has been brilliantly researched on:-

www.hollowshorecc.co.uk/pdf/Sheemaun/SheemaunHistory1935-2012-1.pdf

Of local interest she was photographed in 1938 at Flushing alongside SUNDOWNER, so both vessels have come together again in Ramsgate. During the Second World War she became HMY SHEEMAUN being taken over by the Royal Navy and based at Cliffe near Gravesend for patrol and ship examination work. She was fitted with twin Hotchkiss machine guns which were accurate, formidable and able to knock out a light tank! Signs of this conversion are still visible in the mainmast tabernacle and deck structure today. A real piece of maritime history and recognised as such by the United Kingdom Historic Fleet Registry, their Flagship in 2010, I only hope that our Thanet Council do not drive her away from Ramsgate as other ‘historic’ vessels have been doing lately.



Thursday, 13 July 2017 - 12:22

 

Post 4467

  Sea News, Dover

Pictured above there is the regular reefer Elvira as she arrived here with us on Tuesday morning early. It was a grey oul morning but fairly tranquil as she came to the Cargo Terminal to take over the slot just vacated by the Luzon Strait.

It was not however a tranquil hour when Skaw Provider departed. She had serviced the Sea Princess as you can see in Mike's excellent picture below page post no 3978 and now with pilot boat alongside she was heading off in choppy waters to Southampton down the coast. Time of this picture: 5pm on Monday.


Thursday, 13 July 2017 - 06:07

 

Post 4466

  Sea News, Dover

Just catching up with some shots of the Saga Sapphire from a few evenings back as she left us for Bergen in Norway....
she had just beautifully and skillfully reversed out of the western exit here...
And off she jolly well goes below...


Unfortunately yours truly didn't get the name of the other featured vessel out there mid-channel. We are running a bit behind with those pictures above as of course since then we have had the Sea Princess visit us as you can see in the earlier posts, here she is below popping off to a place called Gravdal which is also in Norway....a new name on me that one...



Nice work below there from both Mike and Patrick. Very interesting and varied shots indeed....
well done lads, great to see those..
Yes indeed Vic, you could have had plenty of work down here. PB.


Wednesday, 12 July 2017 - 14:59

 

Post 4465

  Mike J., Dover

A trip out to the Goodwins aboard the DOVER EXPLORER on Monday permitted some low-level views of familiar local craft as well as the visiting SEA PRINCESS who later took bunkers from the SKAW PROVIDER.







Tuesday, 11 July 2017 - 23:05

 

Post 4464

  vic matcham , Dovor

I am thinking of all the overtime I would have got if I was piling down there Again very good photos

Tuesday, 11 July 2017 - 21:52