Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3696

  Alan Poole, St Margarets at Cliffe (poole438@btinternet.com)

The warship in your photo was a Russian "Ropucha class" landing ship, Korolev.
The british warship inshore is a river class OPV

Wednesday, 16 November 2016 - 18:49

 

Post 3695

  Jan T, Dover

Was down at the Cruise Terminal last Saturday evening,and all looked very much like Christmas with the skating rink and Christmas lights.
Seems hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner.

Wednesday, 16 November 2016 - 10:01

 

Post 3694

  Sea News, Dover

 
Meet Father Christmas and his real reindeer this saturday
_______________________________________________

There is a packed festive programme in store for the grand opening of the Port of Dover’s White Cliffs Christmas on Saturday 19 November at Cruise Terminal One, Dover Marine Station, Western Docks.

From 10am you can skate on our real ice rink (booking is recommended) or shop at our indoor Christmas Market Stalls including: Kent Dark Chocolate, English Heritage – Dover Castle, Prinny B clothing, Romney Marsh Brewery, Cotton & Reel, Phoenix Greetings Cards, E&D Shabby Chic, The Flower Jar Confectionery, Adorn, Photographer Peter Kesby and handmade gifts from The Student Makers and Intricutz Crafts. There will also be Christmas Workshops for children and adults.

From 11.15am musical entertainment will be provided including the Swingtime Sweethearts, singing songs from their Christmas repertoire and the fabulous Michael Buble tribute Jason Alan Sway. Talented local band Rudy Warman and the Heavy Weather will also be performing their unique sound.

At 2pm Father Christmas will arrive on his sleigh guided by his real reindeers. He will then take up residence in his enchanting Marine Station Grotto every Saturday and Sunday until 23 December, to greet children with his friendly elf helper and give out early presents. Children can also bring their Christmas Wish letters to Father Christmas and place them in the special post box.

The Jubilee Seaways, a record breaking Lego version of a DFDS ferry built to celebrate their 150th anniversary, will also be visiting the Old Marine Station.

Shuttle buses to the event from Dover Market Square in the town centre and Dover Priory Station will be running on most days at £3.00 per adult and £2.00 per child for a return journey.

To book ice-skating and Father Christmas or to view the Shuttle Bus timetable, visit our website www.whitecliffschristmas.co.uk

We hope you can join us at the Port for some good old fashioned festive fun.

Ends

Sounds great - I will be down there for sure. PB

* *

A pic below of the Atlantic Reefer just after leaving Port on Monday afternoon. She was off to Hamburg. The pic is a bit long range. You can see the pilot boat alongside awaiting the pilot and in the foreground a yacht idles by in fine style, just to make the pic complete. The Southern Bay has replaced Atlantic Reefer at the cargo terminal.

  

Good to see that pic below Andrew. Nice shot for sure and unusual angle too. Great stuff!
Thanks for all your comments...glad you are enjoying the Sea News pages.
Good work once again Mike on the Topjack situation.
PaulB.




Wednesday, 16 November 2016 - 07:13

 

Post 3693

  Andrew Humphreys, Broadstairs

Wednesday, 16 November 2016 - 01:02

 

Post 3691

  Andrew Humphreys, Broadstairs (andrew.humphreys4@btinternet.com)

With this year's cruise ship season nearing completion I have taken time to look through my pictures and came across this photograph, taken on the 12th June 2010, of DISNEY MAGIC appearing to come a little too close to the Prince of Wales Pier for comfort, a place of happy memories for many of us. As one of Vic's generation I visited Dover and the Prince of Wales Pier in the 1950's, when I remember The Dover Harbour Board's fine twin funnelled tug LADY BRASSEY used to lay alongside. Thank you all for making Sea News so interesting and keeping me up to date with the Port's activities.

Wednesday, 16 November 2016 - 00:53

 

Post 3690

  Mike J., Dover

Nice sunshine for Paul’s Sunday stroll along the quay.

Dull & murky on Tuesday afternoon with the re-assembly of TOPJACK continuing.
The British workboat/tug MTS VECTOR arrived during the morning from Ostende.






Tuesday, 15 November 2016 - 21:04

 

Post 3689

  Sea News, Dover

  
  
   
  

As all can see yours truly had the same idea as Mike and went trawling down to the tidal basin to photograph the comings and goings....and there we are with the results above. Pictures are from Sunday morning and both the Lifeboat and Border Force Eagle were there glowing in the high bright sun. A little while later Eagle made its way out into the channel for another busy busy day.


Very interesting post below Mike, nice pictures.
Am amazed by the picture of Sandwich from the bridge, isn't the transformation remarkable....even thinking of the gorgeous trees over there these days. Amazing pic. Would hardly believe its the same place. Yes indeed see also 3199 to compare the view.
Ah Vic twas a shame but I'm afraid the Big Moon didn't appear here for us in Dover. Got that pic the night before though..better than nothing. PB



Tuesday, 15 November 2016 - 14:53

 

Post 3688

  Mike J., Dover

Thanks to Steve Higgins of Riley Marine for the TOPJACK correction & my apologies for the duff info - I really shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
Must have been a wonderful view [certainly an unusual angle] for the man in the basket !

Remember the COASTAL EXPLORER last year ?
She [it ?] did a lot of exploration near the Prince of Wales & arrived by road & was assembled on the quayside.
Post 1472 refers [or search for COASTAL EXPLORER].

Late Monday afternoon found the EAGLE & the SEARCHER in the Tidal Basin as the angling boat GEMINI came in thru the drizzle with a boatload of rather damp anglers.


Paul’s post 3199 & the view from Sandwich Toll Bridge - here’s a 1950s postcard from the same spot - there’s been a few changes !

Something going on - flags on the quay & the Dutch coaster NANNY is dressed overall.


Monday, 14 November 2016 - 23:20

 

Post 3687

  vic matcham , Dovor

A cow could not jump over that moon

Monday, 14 November 2016 - 15:56

 

Post 3686

  Sea News, Dover

 
Above there is a view of the Supermoon over the harbour last night, but watch for it tonight weather permitting, as according to the pundits its going to appear as the biggest moon for a long time...hence the term Supermoon. A phenomenon of note..they say.

It will be big...but ermmm perhaps not as big as the one below...
 

Monday, 14 November 2016 - 14:45

 

Post 3685

  Sea News, Dover

I've had the following email through from Steve Higgins of Riley Marine Limited clarifying things for us.
Many thanks Steve.
PaulB.

"
I noticed the article about the jackup ‘top jack’ and the pic’s, including the pic that shows one of our work boats the ‘dover worker’ (nice pic) but your information is incorrect (at this time), the jackup is being dismantled but will be reassembled with a mid section removed to make it narrower on the beam for a contract elsewhere and it is planned at the moment to get there by sea (not road) under tow.

Kind regards
Steve Higgins

Operations Director
Riley Marine Limited

"
A couple of extra pictures now of the guys working on the jackup last week...from longer range..
  
  
See also post 3210.

Monday, 14 November 2016 - 07:43

 

Post 3684

  Sea News, Dover

Good to hear from you Edward. Thanks for that information below...always welcome
See also post 3220 from Mike.
PaulB.

Sunday, 13 November 2016 - 16:43

 

Post 3683

  Edward Nightingale, Lynton Devon (edwardnightingale1938@gmail.com)

and the vessel showing interest might well be the Trumpeter !

Sunday, 13 November 2016 - 15:52

 

Post 3682

  Edward Nightingale, LYNTON (edwardnightingale1938@gmail.com)

Sir,

Ref your unnamed warship shown on today's forum, may I suggest 1991 built Russian Ropucha Class Landing ship KOROLEV.

Regards

Edward

Sunday, 13 November 2016 - 15:42

 

Post 3681

  Sea News, Dover

 
Making A Splash About Excellent Bathing Water Standards
________________________________________________
 
Dover District Council is welcoming news that latest Government figures show bathing water quality is excellent at all three designated bathing water sites in Dover District, (Sandwich Bay, Deal Castle and St Margaret’s Bay). 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has this week announced the bathing water classifications for 2016. The results are based on monitoring data collected by the Environment Agency between 2013 and 2016, and ‘excellent’ is the highest, cleanest class. 

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, DDC Cabinet Member for Property Management and Public Protection said: "We are delighted to know that the bathing water quality is excellent.  The natural environment is vital to our everyday lives, health and economy, and it is great that we can reassure people about the water quality at these key locations." 

Ends

I believe the standard of water here in Dover Harbour is excellent too...but as its regarded as a harbour rather than a beach it doesn't get mentioned, but the long distance swimmers thrive on it as you can see. PaulB.


  


Port of Dover saves jobs and trading at Dover outlet
____________________________________________

Port secures new retailer for De Bradelei Wharf


Following the sudden closure of De Bradelei Wharf on 4 October, both the Port of Dover and the new leaseholder, J. B. Armstrong, worked extremely hard to secure the continuation of the business with minimal impact and are thrilled to have completed and reopened in such a short time.

Protecting local jobs and trade was paramount to the Port and the reopening has secured 90% of the previous outlet’s 80 staff in the new store.

Support from concessions at the Dover branch has been positive, with many returning to the centre, as well as lots of new ladieswear and new casual menswear brands. Talks are ongoing with lots more companies, which is encouraging news for continued trading in Dover.

Port of Dover Chief Executive Tim Waggott said: "Understanding the importance of the outlet centre to the community and economy in Dover, we were determined to ensure its future trading. I’m delighted that we were able to swiftly secure the Armstrong family as the new leaseholders and am excited to see the many improvements they have planned. I would like to wish them a rewarding Christmas trading season and every success going forward."

The new owners are planning to rebrand the business and will be launching a competition in the next few weeks for local people to get involved in the new identity with the winning entry receiving a £200 shopping voucher for the store. Also planned is an exciting Christmas calendar including a Santa’s grotto.

Co-owner, Venetia Sanders said: "It was obviously a speedy transition from the outlet being locked up and closed to us being up and running. It’s been a hectic few weeks but thanks to the Port of Dover helping us move in quickly we have been able to keep the business alive."

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: "I’m delighted De Bradelei is back open for business. The Port of Dover deserves credit for getting new owners in so quickly and ahead of the important Christmas trading period. 

"This is a really positive move for Dover and for the port – and it’s great to see these shops back up and running."

Ends


Remembrance Sunday.



Sunday, 13 November 2016 - 07:31

 

Post 3680

  Sea News, Dover

Ace work below there Sarah. Terrific atmospheric shots of Alert. Must have been chilly down there on the waters edge this morning and no mistake.
Great information there Mike. Good to get that info for sure. Another Russian, well I never ( see 3218 )...



Saturday, 12 November 2016 - 15:40

 

Post 3679

  Mike J., Dover

Nice sequence from Sarah of the ALERT who got home for Saturday night in Harwich, docking about 1415.

Paul's warships - a rummage around the internet showed that '130' is another Russki, the 'Ropula' class landing ship KOROLEV, built in Poland in 1992.

She met one of the RN's four 'River' class patrol vessels, who have a very distinctive hull shape.
Hard to make out the pennant number on the bow [my money's on 281], but one of -
P257 - CLYDE
P281 - TYNE
P282 - SEVERN
P283 - MERSEY

The RN probably turned around to inspect the Russki & I'm sure that there would have been a lot of use of cameras & binoculars on both ships.

And seamen being seamen probably a friendly wave or two.

Saturday, 12 November 2016 - 14:42

 

Post 3678

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Alert stayed the night in Ramsgate & I managed to catch her leaving for Harwich this morning.











Saturday, 12 November 2016 - 10:29

 

Post 3677

  Sea News, Dover

About 4pm on Thursday evening as the light was fading, I noticed the warship above making its way down the channel heading south ( or west if you prefer). I wondered if it was another Russian. The AIS doesn't tell us of course and Vladimir Putin doesn't email me details on the manouverings of the Russian fleet at any given time...cant think why? But just as I noticed this one, lo and behold I see another warship coming the other way...up the channel. This one looked like the Royal Navy...but visibility was poor so who could tell for sure.

The plan was then to get a picture as they passed each other...so I paused with camera, waiting..ready to pounce. But the warship coming up the channel suddenly did a complete 180 degree turn and went south along with the first vessel for a mile or two. Then again...it did another 180 degree turn after a few minutes and resumed its original path as you can see in picture three. Never a dull moment....Picture quality isn't great but... PB.

  
 

Saturday, 12 November 2016 - 08:54

 

Post 3676

  Mike J., Dover

Well done the RNLI.

I heard a siren from Eastern Docks at 1100 & again at 1102 but couldn't see whether there was any pause in the activity.



Friday, 11 November 2016 - 22:37