Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 4047

  Sea News, Dover

Havila Phoenix entering Port a few days ago, on Wednesday in fact. She enters just as two smaller workboats depart...the Smit Rother and the Smit Cerne. There's a lotta Smits around here... these two are involved in the range safety patrol further down the coast near Lydd. It was a grey oul day as she arrived once more. She has since departed as seen in Mike's pic further below 3572.
  
Thanks Barry - good man.   

Saturday, 25 March 2017 - 06:33

 

Post 4046

  Barry W-S, Dover

Good to see Doughty back after her refit, the photos are truly amazing of the pilot boat Dovarian hard at work.

Friday, 24 March 2017 - 14:58

 

Post 4045

  Sea News, Dover

Tug Doughty back in action above there, picture taken as she moved across the harbour a couple of days ago. She had been away for a refit we understand...in her absence the Afon Cefni fulfilled the dual role alongside Dauntless...but good to see Doughty back and looking good. In the background out of focus there is the old familiar face of David Church the dredger.

Friday, 24 March 2017 - 14:45

 

Post 4044

  Sea News, Dover

And now...some windy blustery pictures from Wednesday evening as the Saga Pearl II left us for Lisbon..
   
   
   
   
   
  
What we are really featuring above there is the pilot boat Dovorian and of course the pilot thereon as all move out of harbour together into the choppy seas....remembering that for most of the day tugboat Dauntless had to pin Saga Pearl II to the berth at Cruise Terminal One in the high winds. Hopefully all on board had their sea-legs fully functioning for the run to Portugal. It was fresh and cold. Anoraks to the fore...and lead boots.


The final shot above there is zoomed very close in and as sharp as we could get it...the pilot had to leave through that door/ladder and get onboard the small boat...no mean feat. The sun came through briefly for the final two pictures above hence the different colours. Also worth noting that there was no Spitfire send-off this time because of the tough conditions


Thanks Colette - yes a shame about the AIDAvita but there we are - disappointment for many I'm sure.

Well done Mike with the collection and info in the post below. Some very interesting vessels there and no doubt we will be featuring them again in the coming times.

PB.


Friday, 24 March 2017 - 06:08

 

Post 4043

  Mike J,, Dover

The DWDR fleet is starting to gather.

The British workboat MORAG M sneaked in during Wednesday night from Dunkirk & the elegant 42-year old Swedish-built British-flagged survey vessel EGS PIONEER came in mid-morning from Ramsgate [where I expect Sarah had already photographed her !] & docked alongside the DAVID CHURCH.

During Thursday afternoon the Dutch workboat YVONNE W came in thru Eastern from Rotterdam towing a self-propelled crane barge & was met by the MORAG M to assist with docking the barge which was parked on the Ad.Pier.

As they were manoeuvring in the bay the HAVILA PHOENIX slipped out via Western from her brief visit to Cruise-2 to return to her duties on the Pegwell Bay/Belgium power cable project.

Later both workboats were in the old Jetfoil terminal, accompanied by the former Range Safety vessel SMIT STOUR who is now operating as a DWDR survey vessel & was probably operating a taxi service between the jetfoil terminal & the Tidal Basin pontoon.

The crane barge towed in by the YVONNE W is probably the KREEFT as her AIS signal popped up during Thursday evening, presumably as her generators were fired-up & equipment switched on for her operate independently.

More support vessels for the DWDR job are expected soon.

MORAG M coming in to help berth the YVONNE W's barge.



Blunt end views of MORAG M & YYONNE W in the old Jetfoil terminal altho' these catamaran workboats don't really have sharp & & blunt ends until you get below the maindeck.


Departure of HAVILA PHOENIX, passing the YVONNE W convoy.






Friday, 24 March 2017 - 00:59

 

Post 4042

  Colette B, Dover

Ahhh! What a shame the AIDAVita couldn't berth yesterday due to the adverse weather conditions but when it comes to the roaring tempest we have to bear with.....


Wonderful photos of the tug working hard to keep the Saga Pearl II in position, they really know their stuff, well done all round

Brilliant Lifeboat photos Mr B

Thursday, 23 March 2017 - 20:08

 

Post 4041

  Sea News, Dover

Mike mentioned the Saga Pearl's stand-by tug...and there she is above. Its Dauntless pinning the Saga Pearl II to the Cruise Terminal in the fierce wind. She carried out this role for a good part of the day until said wind eventually dropped. You can see the tough seas in the background...while three guys, possibly security, brace it out on the top deck. Shiver me timbers!

Will aim to have some pictures of her departure to follow in due course with close ups of the pilot boat in the difficult conditions.

See also the post below. PB.

Thursday, 23 March 2017 - 07:16

 

Post 4040

  Sea News, Dover

   
There we are above...some pictures of the Saga Pearl II arriving back with us yesterday morning early. You will remember she went off on that St Patricks Day cruise/extravaganza to the Emerald Isle...that land of mist and imagination and hobgoblins and all. She returned through blazing sunlight as you can see but in very blustery conditions. A strong wind was relentlessly whipping through.

You will remember that the AIDA Vita was also due in. Well she came...she came a couple of hours behind the Saga Pearl but the wind was so fierce by then, gale force 8 on the shipping forecast, she had to abort her first attempt at Port entry. She waited around then for almost 3 hours off Langdon Cliffs ...and eventually gave up and wandered away soulfully on her way to Ijmuiden as Mike mentions below there. Time was around 11.30am - 11.45am as she moved away. All the coaches waiting at dockside would have been crushed to see her go. A great pity but better days ahead. The picture below shows her waiting offshore...pic taken through a gap between the loading ferries.  
   

Thanks Sarah...glad you liked those lifeboat pictures below .. was hoping you would for sure

Thanks Mike as ever for the info



Thursday, 23 March 2017 - 05:56

 

Post 4039

  Mike J., Dover

Whoops ! SAGA PEARL 2 berthed on Cruise ONE.. not 2.
Amazing how you can read & re-read before posting & still miss obvious errors - sorry !

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 - 15:31

 

Post 4038

  Mike J., Dover

The SAGA PEARL 2 docked as expected Wednesday morning on Cruise-2.
After docking she needed a tug on standby in the brisk southerly winds which were gusting to 35kts.

The AIDAVITA appeared off the port during the morning, coming up from Guernsey & AIS showed the pilot going out to meet her, but it was decided that she would not berth in the weather conditions & she continued her voyage to Ijmuiden.

A disappointment for the passengers [& for all the shore-staff & tour organisers & local businesses], but at least Dover was merely a 'Port of Call' during her cruise rather than a 'Turn-Round' port which would have caused major disruption & reorganisation..

Ironically the wind has been slowly dropping all day & the SAGA PEARL has dismissed her standby-by tug.

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 - 15:25

 

Post 4037

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Fantastic photos Paul, what a lovely way to start the day.

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 - 09:06

 

Post 4036

  Sea News, Dover

DOVER LIFEBOAT SPECIAL: Here we are with pictures of the Dover Lifeboat team in hi-powered action on sunday morning.
   
   
   
   
   
Yes indeed the action was fast and furious, hopefully the pictures capture the intensity of the training. Most of the action, fortunately for our cameras, took place inside the harbour ( right over by the breakwater though but you cant have everything ) .. at a later time they did power out into the rough open seas...which of course is no problem for them. Will be liaising with their press officer later so will pin this item for the moment.


Don't miss Ed's post below with great pictures and info.
Also see the item from P&O re the Jobs Fair...they're recruiting. See 3563

PaulB

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 - 05:58

 

Post 4035

  Ed Connell, Thornton-Cleveleys, Blackpool

Disappointed not to have been able to attend the drinks gathering, thanks for the invitation. Would have been great to meet up but I had just travelled up to my new abode in Blackpool.

Re #3556: Duzgit Venture was over in Dunkerque West bunkering the three D class vessels during their saturday night/sunday morning layover.

Re #3559: It will be a sad day when the Granville Dock and the Tidal Basin are filled in. All that history disappearing under more tarmac and anonymous sheds. Here are a couple of atmospheric depictions of the Wellington Dock under construction and subsequent deepening (from the Dover Historian and Dover-Kent websites).




Wednesday, 22 March 2017 - 02:41

 

Post 4034

  Sea News, Dover

  
P&O FERRIES SETS OUT STALL TO HIRE STEWARDS AND CALL CENTRE EMPLOYEES AT DOVER AND DEAL JOBS FAIR

_______________________________________________________________________________________________


P&O FERRIES, one of Kent's largest employers, was looking to fill dozens of vacancies for the summer season at last week's Dover and Deal Jobs Fair.

The ferry and logistics company was the principal sponsor of the event, which is organized by Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke.

Jacqueline Burns, Corporate Communications Officer at P&O Ferries, said: "We brought along real vacancies to this year's Jobs Fair - including fixed-term contracts for assistant stewards to work on our ships during the holiday season - and very much hope that some of the hundreds of people we met will apply."

"Our five-strong team spent the day explaining what P&O Ferries has to offer to a wide range of potential employees. We handed out 300 forms which listed current vacancies including openings for assistant stewards to work on fixed-term contracts this summer in the restaurants, bars and shops on our ships. We also have opportunities available to work in our call centre at Channel House in Dover. Anyone interested should email their CV to ......
summer.recruitment@poferries.com together with a covering letter."

"For the next generation, we also handed our details of our apprenticeships scheme. This two-year course - which we would encourage local people to apply for - will enable a group of young men and women to become fully qualified seamen aboard our ships on the English Channel. It represents an outstanding opportunity to build a career in a fascinating sector and help to sail enormous 47,000 ton ships."

Jess Chapman (pictured, far right), who works as an assistant steward on P&O Ferries' ships, added: "I really enjoyed the opportunity to share my knowledge of what it's like to work with P&O Ferries at sea. Let me assure you that it really is a great job to have."

The P&O Ferries stand displayed the book which marks the 180th anniversary of the company's founding in 1837 as well as more information about its famous choir, which was crowned Best Workplace Choir by the BBC in 2013.

P&O Ferries is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics company, sailing on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. It operates 20 vessels which carry more than 10 million passengers, 1.6 million cars and 2.2 million freight units every year. Together with its logistics division, P&O Ferrymasters, the company also operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland and Romania. A P&O Ferrymasters-owned rail terminal in the northern Romanian city of Oradea, which will facilitate the onward movement of goods to Britain from the Silk Road, became operational last year.

ENDS

Many thanks to the team at P&O for the news above. Some nice job offers there.
A picture above there of Hellas Reefer departing yesterday in the gloom. Time was around 5pm as she left for Hamburg. The drizzle hit almost immediately and close-up visibility went out the window...so we settled on the wide view.
Yours truly had been wondering where all the Border Force vessels had vanished too in recent times...but there we are...Seeker was back with us at the weekend. A picture of her above there moving out into the open seas on sunday morning...once more onto the breach...

Ah no Brian, no picture spreads, you are thinking of the old 'forum club' parties. 

Thanks Colette for filling in our cruise diaries there...otherwise yours truly wouldn't know whether he was coming or going , or indeed who was coming and going. Latest List see 3560. Its all happening on Wednesday.

Thanks Mike for all that development info.. good to know all that as we move forward. Exciting times for sure. See 3559.

I agree with you Del....trade must be kept going through Dover. Hopefully they are aware of that in Downing St, Whitehall etc etc.


PaulB



Tuesday, 21 March 2017 - 06:25

 

Post 4033

  Del Styan, Norwich

Bit of a mixed message from Charlie there! I suppose, like the rest of us, he hopes something turns up to keep free trade flowing. I certainly hope so!

Monday, 20 March 2017 - 23:18

 

Post 4032

  brian, dover

any tell tell pictures of forum partys night.

Monday, 20 March 2017 - 19:39

 

Post 4031

  Colette B, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________

Its been a great week on Sea News ....... some brilliant photos of the yachts in the harbour & terrific 'passenger laden' photos of the Saga Pearl II leaving on her 'Getaway St Patrick's Day Cruise....it shoulda been me!

Well done Guys

Exciting times ahead for Dover........ looking forward to it all

And now for a couple more March Cruises this coming Wednesday 22nd. No triple whammy but the next best thing....we have a double header

Firstly, the Saga Pearl II returns to Dover from Cobh, Co Cork, Eire, she will be at CT1, T/R at 08.00 hrs, POC. She will leave at approximately 16.00 hrs for her 20 nights 'Azores & Canaries in Spring' Cruise. Her first port of call on day 4 will be Lisbon, Portugal. She will cruise to many exciting places including Puerto del Rosario Fuerteventura, Las Palmas, San Sebastian, Funchal Madeira, Horta & Ponta Delgada Azores. Her last port of call is Brest France and from there she will cruise back to Dover.

Then the beautiful AIDAVita will cruise into CT2 at around 09.30 hrs, POC. She left Miami Florida on 5th March for her 18 nights cruise ...... Bermuda, Azores, Spain, Channel Islands, Dover & finally Hamburg. Her ETD is 21.30 hrs. Enjoy!!!

I will be back with April Cruises



Monday, 20 March 2017 - 16:45

 

Post 4030

  Mike J., Dover

Western Docks project - some more information has been revealed about the DWDR works which are now getting underway in earnest & soon there will be much activity to see.

Briefly this is my understanding of the plans, but I’m sure that DHB will soon publish issue more accurate details [& hopefully a timetable].

Initially there will be dredging in the outer harbour until mid-May.
Piling will start in April for the two new cargo berths, followed by piling for the ‘marina curve’
When this work is completed land reclamation will then start & the Prince of Wales Pier will effectively be swallowed up by the new works.

The pile-driving is inevitably going to be noisy, but will be restricted to ‘civilised’ hours.

The final stages, probably after 2018, will be the infilling of the Granville Dock, Tidal Basin etc.
A fleet of about 20 dredgers & barges & other craft is expected to arrive over the next month or so with the first ones expected to start arriving in a few days time.

A very interesting operation is about to start.

For more information & excellent drawings & a ‘fly-through’ video of the proposals a visit to DHB’s DWDR website is recommended.

Google ‘DHB DWDR PROJECT’ or put ‘http' in front of ‘://www.doverport.co.uk/dwdr/’

DHB are being a little coy about the completion date for the project.
Some rumours mention 2020.

Work looks to have restarted have restarted on preparation works for cutting the new channel between the Wellington Dock, across the esplanade & beach to the site of the new marina.
At present the temporary footpath from the seafront across the swingbridge to Union Street & the A20 remains in use.

The controversy about extracting the ‘fill’ for the land reclamation from the Goodwins rumbles on, with additional surveys being carried out.
If the sand is NOT extracted from the Goodwins other ‘commercial extraction’ areas will be used which will add expense & involve delays.

DHB will shortly be opening an information office & marketing suite in the De Bradelei complex, it may well be open already.

We live in interesting times . . . . . . .



Monday, 20 March 2017 - 07:13

 

Post 4029

  Sea News, Dover

  
Some blistering sailing action in the fresh blustery conditions over the weekend. These pictures were taken on Saturday ...isn't Dover Harbour a great place to do some serious sailing or probably more accurately called yachting. The yachts always cut a dash, making for some spectacular images as ever...just caught these two as they approached and passed each other.
Karibia Breezes and Falcon... ships that pass in the...errrmm daylight!

   
   
We must be ready for Brexit at the Dover and Deal frontline...says MP Charlie Elphicke
____________________________________________________________________


In two years we will leave the European Union. It is vital that we are ready on day one for whatever happens. I made the case in the House of Commons last week that the most important preparations of all will be at the Dover and Deal frontline.

Last summer we had a taster of what will come if we are not ready. We saw queues of traffic all the way along the A20, A2 and M20. Some say this was nothing compared with what will happen if we are not ready. That is why I am pressing for more and faster investment in our roads. For lorry parks off the M20. For dualling the A2. And for the Lower Thames Crossing.

There are some people who seem to revel in doomsday scenarios for Brexit. I take a different view. We need to be ready and prepared so that the worst does not happen. That means we must invest in the Port of Dover. Over the past few years we have handed over millions to strengthen Calais. It’s time we put Britain, and Britain’s border, first. We must invest in the Dover and Deal frontline.

Of course, the best case scenario is that in two years’ time we get a good deal from the EU. I hope that we do – and I believe that Theresa May is the only leader who can deliver it. Yet as we are leaving the single market, leaving the customs union and ending payments to Brussels – we have to be ready if the EU won’t do a deal. We must make sure we can maintain a seamless flow of trade. That is why I am working with industry experts on both sides of the Channel at how to keep traffic moving through Dover and Calais.

This is vital not just to Dover and Deal, not just to Kent, but for the whole nation. It will not be much good for Scotland if we have queues at Dover, because they will not be able to get their whisky out by road. It will not be good for the Northern Powerhouse if it runs out of power. The Midlands Engine will conk out if it cannot get the components it needs on time.

That is why it is of national importance that trade continues to flow freely through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. It matters to the whole of the United Kingdom – and indeed to Europe. Brexit must work for the good of us all.

If on day one no free trade deal has been agreed, Britain must be prepared. I believe that we can, should and must be – for the good of Dover, Deal, Kent and of the entire nation.

Charlie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal
_______________________________

Ends

FURTHER NOTE FOR THERESA MAY: It is vital that we maintain high levels of trade with the European Union or Dover will suffer like nowhere else. I'm stating the obvious here.... PaulB.


An extra pic for a grey Monday morning...another one of the departing Saga Pearl II a few days ago.

 

You had a brave stab at that night time image below there Patrick.

Many thanks to Charlie as ever for the above.





Monday, 20 March 2017 - 06:14

 

Post 4028

  Patrick, Marine Parade, Dover

After a delayed departure the Braemar finally sailed from Dover Western Docks at around 20:30 on 18 March 2017 with all lights blazing.


Sunday, 19 March 2017 - 10:37