Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3799

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Ramsgate Harbour Illuminations taken on my way home tonight.









Monday, 19 December 2016 - 17:49

 

Post 3798

  Sea News, Dover

A terrific set of pictures below there Sarah in both posts...well done, just what we needed on a gloomy oul day...a cracking set of pictures. In fact you could say they were ermmm... Christmas Crackers !

Monday, 19 December 2016 - 15:44

 

Post 3797

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Ramsgate Lifeboat returning to the Boathouse after completing Service Call 101









Monday, 19 December 2016 - 10:35

 

Post 3796

  Sarah, Ramsgate

The Eagle has landed, photos taken yesterday.







Ramsgate Lifeboat can be seen in the background completing Service Call 101.





Monday, 19 December 2016 - 10:26

 

Post 3795

  Sea News, Dover

We had another 'new' ship in with us yesterday, the reefer Luzon Strait...never seen this one before so its all happening...
 
   
   
It was a wee bit too grey to give her a colourful arrival but there we are above nonetheless. Pictures aren't great but the event is recorded now anyway. She left us in the dark misty night and is now on her way to Hamburg, Germany.
Great stuff!

Now...from local MP Charlie Elphicke
Burlington House rubble helps build Destination Dover
___________________________________________

Huge pyramids of rubble are looming over Dover docks. They grow every day as work forges ahead on the Western Docks Revival. But there is more here than meets the eye. These heaps of brick and rock, which will be used to build the new cargo terminal, are the remains of Dover’s most-hated building – Burlington House. At last the Townwall Street eyesore is being put to good use, for the first time ever.

For decades the ugly empty building towered over Dover. After years of failed bids to knock it down, most people thought they would never see it demolished. Yet last year the demolition diggers arrived – and we had a fantastic summer watching it being torn down, brick by brick.

Getting Burlington House down was a huge victory for Dover. It was a symbol of how things are changing. And now Burlington House will become the foundations of a new cargo terminal at the Western Docks.

But there is far more to the Western Docks Revival than just cargo. Port chief executive Tim Waggott has often stated his ambition for Dover to be the best port in the world. And it looks like strong plans are now in place for a world class new marina to transform the seafront. When finished, people will be able to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat while looking out at, for me, the best view in the world – Dover Castle and the White Cliffs.

I was treated to a tour of the project on Friday – and you can really feel the excitement fizzing down at the docks right now. New chairman Richard Everitt is a breath of fresh air. This is the first time in a long time the port will have a chairman who will work well with the community and be trusted by the community. With strong leadership the port is now driving Dover forward towards a brighter future.

And our docks are also vital to the national economy – accounting for a quarter of Britain’s trade with the European Union. So in the Commons on Thursday, I pressed Brexit Minister David Jones to prioritise Dover for funding to keep trade booming post-Brexit. And on Monday I asked Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill to spend more on upgrading our border technology to keep traffic flowing and security tight.

I have also written to Brexit Secretary David Davis, arguing Dover needs investment to grow without gridlock. Our freight traffic has gone up 30% in just three years – with a further 40% rise expected by 2030.

It’s clear that Dover is leading the way, handling more trade than any other port and pushing ahead with exciting projects like the Western Docks Revival.
That’s why I keep making the case for more investment at the docks – to keep trade growing without gridlock, bolster border security and help build Destination Dover.


Ends




Another chance to see that hugely exciting 'sand ' picture of recent times...

   

Monday, 19 December 2016 - 07:52

 

Post 3794

  Sea News, Dover

The great British getaway was seriously hampered by fog yesterday. Heathrow itself had to cancel multiple flights and of course we were affected here. But in our case all those pre-bookers got away. P&O had more than 21,000 prebooked for travel yesterday Saturday and no doubt DFDS had similar. But despite the wailing foghorn all got away. In between the bouts of moving fog there was also some gorgeous sunshine.

From the Port:
Around half a million passengers in cars and coaches are expected to pass through the Port of Dover during the Christmas holiday period this year. In excess of 57,000 freight vehicles will also be using Europe’s busiest ferry terminal to stock British shops with seasonal merchandise and export UK-manufactured goods to the Continent in the run-up to Christmas. The Port anticipates that the busiest periods will be the weekend of December 16 to 18, and the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before Christmas Day.
   
The top two pictures were taken yesterday at different times to show the fog swirling about....
while uploading this morning I came across the classic below from the past and couldn't resist it.
  

Thanks Del Vic and Colette for the posts below.
Glad you enjoyed the Port Event Vic..it really is good.
Yes indeed Colette we have a great team of contributors on the Sea News.

Sunday, 18 December 2016 - 08:13

 

Post 3793

  del styan, Norwich

lovely night shots, well done!

Saturday, 17 December 2016 - 23:30

 

Post 3792

  vic matcham, Dovor

Thank you again for the photos we went down there today well done to the D,H,B, greatEVENT for all the familys

Saturday, 17 December 2016 - 19:22

 

Post 3791

  Colette B, Dover

Some fine tunes indeed from both the very talented P&O Choir and The Dover and Deal Sea Cadets, what a lovely treat! Good photos there Mr B

The Port of Dover, White Cliffs Christmas Experience is a great success and its lovely to see that the Dover community, in huge numbers both young and not so young, are enjoying it all

Love the atmospheric shots of the moon, a trip there is on my Christmas wish list 'I've got a ticket to the moon, I'll be rising high above the earth so soon'........

Terrific photos from the Sea News crew as ever

Saturday, 17 December 2016 - 11:37

 

Post 3790

  Sea News, Dover

   
   
There was a small function at the Port's Christmas festival a few nights back which saw both the Dover and Deal Sea Cadets Band and the P&O Choir take part in marvellous musical fashion...and very entertaining they were for sure. During the evening a cheque was presented to the Sea Cadets with further funds allocated to the independent Dover Community Fund. There will be more about this in due course and more about the successful Christmas skating rink and all round festival. Get down there if you haven't already, and enjoy the hugely busy event...get out on that ice!
Whoooosh!

Top picture L to R shows Nigel Collor a leading DDC Councillor, Tim Ingleton Head of Inward Investment DDC, Tim Waggott CEO Port of Dover. Second shot shows Tim Ingleton again, this time with the Mayor of Dover himself Neil Rix.

Below we have another shot of the Dover and Deal Sea Cadets Band, but NOTE the full picture at top of page. Final shot shows the P&O Choir in fine voice as ever.
   
   


And now below a follow up picture of the spectacular moon, this time its a tad less full as it hovers over the White Cliffs of Dover on thursday night.
 

Nice pix below Mike, man on the spot once again.

Saturday, 17 December 2016 - 08:10

 

Post 3789

  Mike J., Dover

Back from her Ramsgate visits DAVID CHURCH has been 'grabbing' in the approaches to the inner docks over the last few days.
Quite a few years ago I saw her 'playing away from home' at Whitstable.



.

Friday, 16 December 2016 - 20:16

 

Post 3788

  Sea News, Dover

DFDS WELCOMES MILLIONTH CAR ON DOVER-FRANCE ROUTES
____________________________________________________

Car volumes on DFDS’ Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes hit the million mark last week and the ferry operator marked the occasion with a special celebration.

The occupants of the millionth car to be carried on the company’s Dover-France services, passengers Nigel and Theresa Mann, and their friends Michael and Carol Walker, were greeted by DFDS staff on board the Cote des Flandres and presented with gifts to mark the occasion.

The group, who had travelled from Ipswich for a short break in France, received a free upgrade to the Premium Lounge on board. They were welcomed by Max Foster, passenger director for DFDS, who also handed over a prize of €150 to spend during their trip, plus two free future crossings on the Dover-France routes, and a couple of bottles of champagne.

Nigel said: "It was a real surprise to receive a free upgrade and to be given such a special welcome on board. We’re heading to the Christmas markets at Arras, so our cash prize will come in very useful and help us to enjoy our break that little bit more. What a wonderful way to start our journey to France!"

Max Foster said: "We’ve seen huge growth in the number of vehicles carried on our routes from Dover this year, thanks in part to the introduction of our two new ships on the Dover-Calais service. What better way to celebrate reaching our million milestone than to celebrate with our passengers and help make their journey with us extra special?"

The milestone coincides with a significant weekend for the award-winning ferry operator, which celebrates its 150th anniversary on 11 December. Not only has the company now carried more than one million cars this year, but it has also exceeded 3.5 million passengers and is on track to transport 1.4 million freight units by the end of December.

DFDS offers 54 sailings a day on its routes from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk. For more information or to book visit www.dfds.co.uk.

Ends

Misty watery pic above there of the Dunkerque Seaways heading out and below we have the full moon rounding the cliffs Wednesday night.


Huge thanks to the DFDS team for the info above. A million cars .. wowser...Great stuff for sure!
Nice pix below Ed - good to get Elvira there.. Classic shot and good to see our ol friend David Church returning from Ramsgate.
See also Sarah's pix in post 3320 . PB. 





Friday, 16 December 2016 - 08:43

 

Post 3787

  Ed Connell, Dover

Elvira at the DCT yesterday with David Church returning from Ramsgate.



Thursday, 15 December 2016 - 13:13

 

Post 3786

  Sea News, Dover

Our old friend Elvira was in with us yesterday but as happens often this time of year..she came in the dark and left in the dark. She left last night at 4.45pm heading for Rotterdam...a scary full moon rose later no doubt to guide her on her way. But here is a picture of the ship from a recent time...

  

Yet more dramatic sunrise pictures, this time from yesterday morning wednesday. The sky is very dramatic these days at both ends of the day. Lovely to do a trip over to get those bargains previously mentioned under a sky like that.
   
 

Thanks for that info Brian. Well done young man.
Great work from the pontoon by Mike...lovely moody shots those
and also great work from Sarah over there in Ramsgate...our 'roving correspondent' in fine action once again.

Thursday, 15 December 2016 - 07:48

 

Post 3785

  brian, dover

i have heard today that saga sky is being sold for scrap,the repairs being to costly I under stand.

Wednesday, 14 December 2016 - 19:24

 

Post 3784

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Border Force Eagle was also in the harbour.







Windfarm vessel Spectrum 1 entering the Harbour.



Ramsgate Lifeboat soaking up the sunshine at the Station.



Wednesday, 14 December 2016 - 16:55

 

Post 3783

  Sarah, Ramsgate

It was a lovely winter sunshine day in Ramsgate today & we had a very well known, on this forum, visitor. Many thanks Mike for the heads up.











Wednesday, 14 December 2016 - 16:48

 

Post 3782

  Mike J., Dover

A misty murky morning found the SOLENT GUARDIAN on the pontoon.



I noticed on AIS last night that a couple of ‘Sunseeker’ luxury motor yachts were in the Tidal Basin, having come up from the Solent [they’re built at Poole] but they left before dawn & mid-morning were heading up the Thames.

Tuesday, 13 December 2016 - 13:41

 

Post 3781

  Sea News, Dover

P&O FERRIES TAKES 21,000 BOOKINGS FOR THIS SATURDAY AS CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 50 PER CENT DISCOUNTS ON BOARD
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Release time: immediate

P&O FERRIES is expecting one of the busiest shopping days of the year on its English Channel ships on the last Saturday before the Christmas break after taking 21,000 advance bookings - three times the usual daily number for this time of year.

The ferry company expects to take in excess of £350,000 at the on-board tills of its six ships, as cross-Channel travellers take advantage of the highly competitive prices for products including alcohol, fragrances, leather goods, toys and chocolate.

Many of the items sold in P&O Ferries shops cost 50 per cent less than the same goods bought on the high street.

Nicola Tompkins, Head of Buying and Merchandising at P&O Ferries, said: "The last Saturday before the Christmas break is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year on our ships and this time round we have seen advance bookings surge."

"Although duty free is no longer around, a lot of people don't realize that the prices we charge in our on-board shops are still much more competitive than the high street, with discounts of up to 50 per cent on many lines. We also offer a 'Shop and Sail' ticket for anyone who wants to do their Christmas shopping on board, where you can travel to France and back on one of our ships for just £15."

Some of this year's exceptional offers include:

• Up to 50 per cent off the average high street price when you buy six bottles of Barefoot wine - £18 for six. Wines available include Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Malbec and Merlot.

• Surprisingly Good Pinot Noir - six bottles for £12.

• Da Luca Prosecco - six bottles for £26.

• Up to 40 per cent off high street prices on fragrances for ladies and gentlemen.

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.

ENDS


P&O Ferries. At the top of page we have the Pride of Kent in Calais, next picture the Pride of Burgundy and then the two Spirit ships in reverse order at Dover.
Exciting times for a trip over...A few exceptional bargains to be had above there for sure. Grab 'em and run......
PaulB.


Mike


Tuesday, 13 December 2016 - 05:43

 

Post 3780

  Mike J., Dover.

Silly me ! Within seconds of my post I realised why the crane was there !

If I had a brain I'd be dangerous.


Monday, 12 December 2016 - 16:54