Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3819

  Sea News, Dover

FOG ON THE WATER
Very dramatic seascapes early this morning with pockets of fog swirling this way and that, and bubbling up along and over the water. Out of a pocket of such fog came the vessel below, caught me by surprise. It looks very much like our old friend Alert. Picture below was taken a while earlier than the one above.


Many thanks to Mike for the Afon Cefni pix below. Nice work there.

Obviously we have been hearing the news about the upturned fishing boat off Ramsgate....
From the BBC:
"
There are two persons missing. One person - spotted clinging to the upturned hull of the Belgium-flagged boat - was rescued and flown to hospital by helicopter.
Kaimes Beasley, from the Dover Coastguard, said there was "still hope" of finding the missing crew alive. Two helicopters, including one from the Belgian search and rescue service, plus two lifeboats from Ramsgate and Harwich are searching an area from Ramsgate to mid-channel.

"
Naturally we wish and hope for a positive outcome. PB.

Wednesday, 28 December 2016 - 15:01

 

Post 3818

  Mike J., Dover

Arrival of AFON CEFNI from Ramsgate late Tuesday morning.

She’s here to help with the power cable repairs [Ed’s post 3299] with the job apparently starting in the New Year.

Sunny but very cold on the Ad.Pier - thank goodness for the coffee [& the bacon rolls] from the fishermen’s caff by the Turret !



In the old Jetfoil terminal, with the CORALWATER peering over the fence.



Wednesday, 28 December 2016 - 01:23

 

Post 3817

  Sea News, Dover

PICTURE SPECIAL: Here we are as promised, some dazzlingly bright pictures of the all-too-maddd BOXING DAY DIP 2016 in Dover.

It was mad...fast, furious, brief, bright...and cold for those wot dunnit
Once the go ahead was given it was best to stand out of the way as the charge powered seawards
And they kept right on coming... wowser! many dippers this time and a huge crowd watching
Families went in...and some still smiling on the way out despite the chill factor.
This girl was 'doing it for the Lifeboat'
Wow! Spider-Man and a mankini..what a dynamic combination..sheeesh!
Gillian Smissen above there who regularly raises money for the Harmony Therapy Trust and she did so again yesterday...we will have more on this later. Great to see so many raising money here and there for excellent charitable causes. Its a great event. I thought the madhatters tea party was nutz 'til I saw this...

PaulB.



Tuesday, 27 December 2016 - 10:18

 

Post 3816

  Sea News, Dover

Thanks for all the messages from everyone - great stuff! or you could say.. great Christmas stuffin'
Gosh the jokes are getting worse
And excellent Christmas pix from Mike and Ed below there...very enjoyable to see those.
Speaking of the Boxing Day dip...will have pictures later today. Will sort out..
It was a BIG dip this time for sure, I guess the sunshine brought us all out. Yours truly was down in the thick of it rattlin away with the oul camera.
So ..watch for those pictures later. PaulB.

Tuesday, 27 December 2016 - 06:42

 

Post 3815

  Barry W-S, Dover

I would like to give all the Boxing Day Dippers a warming message of goodwill

Not forgetting the 'Sea News Crew' of course, Happy Boxing Day!

Monday, 26 December 2016 - 11:06

 

Post 3814

  Mike J., Dover

Eastern Docks, Christmas morning -



Christmas also brings sad memories as well.

Eastern Docks was deserted, but someone had forgotten to turn off the automation & it was a little bizarre to hear announcements at regular intervals urging passengers to 'use the black & white walkways' & security warnings to look out for 'suspicious objects'

Everything starts rolling again on Boxing Day with the first P&O departure at 0740 & DFDS at 1000

Trinity House's ALERT is spending Christmas tied up to the DAVID CHURCH in the Tug Haven.


Sunday, 25 December 2016 - 23:21

 

Post 3813

  Ed Connell, Dover

Seasons greetings to all. Photo shows the traditional delivery of Christmas goodies to one of the local lightships in years gone by.


Sunday, 25 December 2016 - 23:19

 

Post 3812

  Colette B, Dover

Wishing all the crew on Sea News & everyone at the Port of Dover a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

Sunday, 25 December 2016 - 20:21

 

Post 3811

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Merry Christmas to one & all at Sea News. Have a wonderful day.

Sunday, 25 December 2016 - 09:38

 

Post 3810

  Mike J., Dover

Christmas morning & the Fleets in !

A very Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for the New Year to all 'Sea News' readers & contributors, particularly to PB for running this fascinating forum.




Sunday, 25 December 2016 - 08:31

 

Post 3809

  brian, dover

good news to about the chaps bike being found.. makes for a happy ending for the end of the year....................merry chrismas to one and all................and don't forget to have a happy new year...........

Saturday, 24 December 2016 - 13:02

 

Post 3808

  Sea News, Dover

  
All was beautifully calm with nary a ripple as one of the P&O Spirits left the Port on Thursday around midday. It looks like a black and white picture above but no...all full colour, although you would hardly believe it. Although busy with the Christmas getaway, the ferries and port all coped very well as per usual, all traffic seemed to flow through for the most part.

The picture below is from yesterday friday and you can see the change in the atmospherics..it was a bit rough and blustery for sure as the southeast coast managed to catch a little bit of Storm Barbara...that's the Calais Seaways below there...

  

And now...a good motorbike story. Yours truly has an affinity with motorised two wheels....

Former soldier's stolen 'Help for Heroes' motorbike recovered at Port of Dover
______________________________________________________________

  
Owner collects in time for Christmas

Port of Dover
A former soldier in the British Army has been reunited with his prized ‘Help for Heroes’ branded motorbike at the Port of Dover following its theft from his home in Leeds on 7 December.

David Haines, who has recently been medically retired from service following an injury, was away from home working for the Help the Heroes charity between 4 December and 7 December. On his return, he was shocked to find that thieves had broken into and vandalised his home. A large amount of valuables had been taken and his military medals thrown around.

His Yamaha R6 motorbike, which had been helping him regain his freedom and independence following his injury, was also missing.
Appeals were published in the press and on social media for information or sightings of the distinctive bike which has custom painted Help for Heroes logos on the fuel tank and side fairings.

On Tuesday 20 December, a van was stopped by Securitas Officers on entrance to the Port of Dover for a routine security check. Two motorbikes, lacking the required paperwork, were recovered from the vehicle and reported to Port of Dover Police who subsequently identified one as Mr. Haines’ stolen bike. The West Yorkshire Police were informed of the discovery and the delighted owner was notified.

Mr. Haines travelled to the Port on Friday 23 December where he was reunited with his bike by Port of Dover Police Officers Ian Thwaite and Donna Shorter.

"I couldn’t believe it when I received the call to say my bike had been found. I was so excited to get it back that I didn’t sleep at all that night." said Mr. Haines. "Thanks to the Port of Dover Police and Securitas, this has made my Christmas."
The owner of the second motorbike has also been contacted and informed that their vehicle has been recovered.

Ends

* *

Merry Christmas Del...thanks for the comments in the post below.
Merry Christmas to one and all. Particularly to all the guys who contribute on here and particularly the photo team..
Huge thanks and best wishes to all who send over info, the team at the Port, the team at DFDS, and the team at P&O, the team at DDC, the RNLI guys.....
PaulB.

Saturday, 24 December 2016 - 07:00

 

Post 3807

  del styan, Norwich

Lovely picture of the docks at night. Happy Christmas, and thanks for all the work you do on the website.

Friday, 23 December 2016 - 23:17

 

Post 3806

  Sea News, Dover

The picture above shows the colourful night time scene 2 evenings ago as the trucks queue along the main road and also as you can see..all down Jubilee Way, in a bid to get continental before Christmas. Operation TAP was in force we understand, due to the volume of both freight and indeed family cars.

The picture below shows the Lifeboat paused in very calm waters out in the bay on sunday morning...a very tranquil scene indeed ...sea very calm.
Calm calm all is calm.
 
All traffic appears to be moving well this morning.



Friday, 23 December 2016 - 08:19

 

Post 3805

  Sea News, Dover

A hugely enjoyable post below Ed. Its great to see the DFDS guys in those pictures celebrating 150 years of the excellent company...and what a great Christmas bonus, shares in the company too. Fab stuff indeed. See also 3339 from DFDS.

Good to see the reefers at the DCT too... all v.good but that one of the Luzon Strait at night is a real winner.

Well said Del.


Thursday, 22 December 2016 - 14:56

 

Post 3804

  Ed Connell, Dover

Celebrations took place on all DFDS ships on Friday to mark the 150th anniversary, accompanied by a cake, a glass of non-alcoholic champagne, and shares in the company.




Luzon Strait at the DCT on Sunday night.


Elsebeth at the DCT on Wednesday.


Thursday, 22 December 2016 - 01:21

 

Post 3803

  del styan, Norwich

Wow - it's DFDS for me from now on! What a good gesture to the staff. And as a part time worker myself, good to see they will get some shares too. They will become the John Lewis of the seas.

Wednesday, 21 December 2016 - 23:20

 

Post 3802

  Sea News, Dover

Dunkerque Seaways returning from...Dunkerque...

DFDS’ 150th anniversary gift: Employees become shareholders
______________________________________________________

Ferry Operator DFDS has announced that it will give every one of its more than 7,000 employees shares in DFDS as a 150th anniversary gift. All staff who are employed by the company as of 1 December 2016, and who work at least 24 hours a week, will receive 30 shares valued at around DKK 10,000 (€1,300 as of 16 December). Employees on fewer hours will receive shares proportional to the hours worked.

"Very few companies are in a position of being able to celebrate their 150th anniversary, and even fewer are able to do so in a year when the company is heading for possibly the best result in its history," says DFDS CEO Niels Smedegaard. "We have therefore wanted to combine the celebration of our foundation and our founders with a celebration of, and thanks to, our many employees who every day help to ensure that DFDS can continue contributing to trade, travel and growth also in the future."

The shares are tied up for a three-year period, after which they can be freely redeemed by the employees, who now become co-owners in the company.

The total allocation amounts to more than DKK 70 million (€9.4million)

All DFDS employees celebrated the foundation of the company 150 years ago with events on all the company’s vessels and locations throughout Europe.


Cote des Flandres by George Holland. Nice pic George.

Ends

Great Christmas news for all DFDS employees above. Wowser!
Thanks once again to DFDS for the info.

Elsebeth is in with us today....
she arrived in the wee small hours of the chilly morning from Vlissingen in the Netherlands.






Wednesday, 21 December 2016 - 06:10

 

Post 3801

  Sea News, Dover

FIRST THREE LOCAL APPRENTICES GRADUATE FROM P&O FERRIES' SCHEME AS ABLE SEAFARERS
________________________________________________________________________

Release time: immediate

CHRISTMAS came early for three apprentices at P&O Ferries last week after they became the first ever graduates from the company's apprenticeships scheme.

Dover locals Bradley Heath and Toby Scrivener, aged 22 and 20 respectively, and Deal-based Sam Williams, also aged 20, started the prestigious apprenticeship course in 2014 and will now become fully qualified Able Bodied Seafarers, the rank required for anybody to be hired to work on most merchant ships.

During their two year training programme, all three apprentices helped to sail P&O Ferries' 47,000 ton ships on the English Channel and also completed three spells of academic study at North Kent College in Gravesend.

Bradley, Toby and Sam are pictured after being presented with their Able Seafarer - Marine Training Level 2 certificates from the Scottish Qualifications Authority, the examining body.

Captain Volker Heil, Head of Fleet Operations at P&O Ferries, said: "We have been a proud local employer for many years and Bradley, Toby and Sam are the foundations of the next generation of our workforce. For young men and women to be given the chance to sail enormous 47,000 ton ships across the busiest shipping lane in the world is a remarkable experience and we wish them a long and happy career with P&O Ferries."

Bradley Heath, one of the graduates, said: "It was tough at first but once the course got underway it became very enjoyable. Now that I am qualified as an Able Seafarer my duties include steering, acting as a lookout on the bridge and responding to emergency situations on board. We can go literally anywhere we like, both geographically and with our careers, and I have made friends for life."

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 earlier this year.

ENDS

Many thanks as ever to the team at P&O Ferries for the information.
A big well done to the apprentices above.
The Pride of Kent.



See also helicopter item below...


Tuesday, 20 December 2016 - 07:13

 

Post 3800

  Sea News, Dover

The thunderous noise of a hovering helicopter overhead, disturbed the tranquillity last night around 10PM. The beam from the helicopter shone down and around yours trulys observation tower. After a short while it became apparent that they ( the Police ) were focusing and beaming on the woodland/undergrowth 60 or 70 metres away ( where we have photographed our foxes ). After a further while torchlights were seen searching the woods at ground level and then after 40 minutes or so the helicopter withdrew, but the ground search went on...at the time of writing its not clear what the operation was about...but it was a big and heavy police operation.
Some weak pictures below of the beaming light... (UPDATE: a man has been found dead)
  
  


Ah lovely to see those Christmassy pix below from Ramsgate Sarah. Great stuff!



Tuesday, 20 December 2016 - 07:08