Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3614

  Sea News, Dover

DFDS CARRIES MILLIONTH FREIGHT UNIT ON CHANNEL
_______________________________________________

Freight volumes for the DFDS Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes have been roaring ahead this year and the operator has just smashed its predictions on setting a record million units.

Freight sales director Wayne Bullen said: "We knew we were on course, but the special moment came earlier than we originally predicted. Milestones such as this emphasise the high level of service we are offering on the Channel routes and underline the confidence and loyalty we receive from our customers."

DFDS celebrated the occasion by handing out complimentary branded travel mugs to freight drivers arriving for the one-million-mark sailing from Dover, and presented a hamper of goodies to the driver of the millionth vehicle.

He was Michal Vrba, a driver with Inex Spedition, a transport and storage operator based in the north east of the Czech Republic at Trutnov, some two hours from the nation’s capital of Prague.

The company operates a modern fleet of 43 trucks. Michal was delighted that his vehicle was the millionth shipped with DFDS on the Channel during 2016. "I like DFDS, they look after drivers, though I never expected this as well," he said, smiling and accepting the prize hamper.

Wayne Bullen thanked him for his and his company’s valued custom and added: "We are now confident that we will carry over 1.3 million freight units by year end, cruising past the 965,000 record we set for 2015 and confirming our status as the market leader for ferry traffic on the Channel.

"It also reflects on our long-standing policy of valuing our freight customers, whose drivers enjoy dedicated facilities in the Road Kings club on board our vessels as a reward for their loyalty."

DFDS has already celebrated a 63 per cent increase in freight volumes on the Dover routes in the second quarter of this year, part of an upswing following the addition of two new ships on the Calais route in the spring, Cote des Dunes and Cote de Flandres. This means that DFDS now offers up to 54 daily sailings on its two routes to France with the help of a dedicated online booking service for freight, which was launched in March. This simplifies the booking process and allows operators to track shipments and view real-time departure information.

A new and improved terminal at Dunkirk has also boosted traffic, by allowing a faster check in process and a safe and secure parking area for up to 260 vehicles at the port.
DFDS provides shipping and logistics services to more than 8,000 freight customers across its 30-route network, including 11 UK routes. For more information visit www.dfds.co.uk

Ends

Picture shows Wayne Bullen left with Michal Vrba of Inex Spedition in the Czech Republic.
A stunning performance above there from DFDS.
Many thanks once again to the team there for sending the info through

* * *

Spotted this gem passing down the Channel on Tuesday. The ship is called the Roald Amundsen and she was on her way to the delightful French coastal town of Cherbourg. It is a very long range picture as you can see...that's Cap Gris Nez in the background there, on the coast of France. She is a German vessel albeit with a Norwegian name..more below ...


"
Roald Amundsen (named in honor of Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen), is a German steel-ship built at the Elbe River in 1952. Having worked in different areas, she was refitted in 1992 to 1993 as a brig (two-masted square-rigged sailing ship) and now serves as a sail training ship. During summer, she usually operates in the Baltic Sea, and usually embarks for journeys to farther destinations for winter, including several trans-Atlantic crossings.
"
EXTRA

"
Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen (Norwegian: [ˈɾuːɑl ˈɑmʉnsən]; 16 July 1872 – c. 18 June 1928) was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He led the Antarctic expedition of 1910–12 which was the first to reach the South Pole, on 14 December 1911. In 1926, he was the first expedition leader for the air expedition to the North Pole.

Amundsen is recognized as the first person, without dispute, as having reached both poles.[2][3] He is also known as having the first expedition to traverse the Northwest Passage (1903–06) in the Arctic.

In June 1928, while taking part in a rescue mission for the Airship Italia, the plane he was in disappeared. Amundsen was a key expedition leader during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, in the class of Douglas Mawson, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton.
"

So there you have it....






Thursday, 20 October 2016 - 07:22

 

Post 3613

  Sea News, Dover

Here we are as promised with some shots of the Swedish Reefer heading off to Hamburg on Monday. Fairly long range these ones are. You can see the pilot boat returning. I have cropped the top picture and shown it as pic two. The third picture shows the pilot powering homeward but still outside the harbour and being hit with some choppy turbulence. Spray everywhere. Lady Racisce is in at the moment so the pace goes on at the Cargo Terminal.
   



SCARY TIMES: we have shown the following item previously at the top of page in the editorial section, but here is another chance to see it as a reminder...the kids will love this one....should be great fun on the day.
...ooooh I'm a-shiverin' with fear....
 

DONT RUN SCARED- RUN SCARY!!
Join the Port of Dover Halloween Mini Monster Race
_________________________________________

We’re hunting high and low for alarming athletes, frightening fun runners and creepy kids to dress up in their scariest, spooky costumes and race along Dover’s seafront in this years’ Port of Dover Magnificently Macabre ‘Mini Monster Race’ on Friday 28 October.

With fantastic prizes for the most menacing monster fancy dress and for the race winners, it’s a spook-tacular that’s not to be missed.
All monsters competing in the race will receive a morbid medal and a terrifying ‘Trick or Treat’ goody bag. The sinister setting will be the Seafront Kiosk (on Dover Seafront opposite Horrifying Harbour House).

There will be two heats on the day; one for three to seven-year-olds (and their petrifying parents) and another for eight to fourteen-year-olds with availability for only 40 revolting runners in each heat.

Check in will be at 3:30pm with the little monsters’ race at 4:00pm, the second race for the older monsters at 4:30pm.
After the run there will be ghoulish grub and devilish drinks – and some shocking surprises. Finally, at 5:00pm at the Kiosk, the wicked winners will receive their prizes.

All proceeds from the day will go to local charities.
Entry is free so register for a place online at www.doverport.co.uk/events or for a booking form contact ...

Karen.webber@doverport.co.uk


* * *

Thanks Del, glad you liked that one... twas very atmospheric, the strange light lasted for just a few fleeting moments.
PaulB.

Wednesday, 19 October 2016 - 07:44

 

Post 3612

  del styan, Norwich

Lovely shot of the harbour at twilight, Very peaceful.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 - 23:17

 

Post 3611

  Sea News, Dover

Pacific Orca moving down the channel yesterday morning Monday under a stunning and dramatic sky. She was heading for an un-named offshore field I believe having left Vlissingen in Holland earlier. Time of pictures 08.10. I think we may have featured this one before...scratching ones head...

   
 

Some pictures to follow in the morning of the departing Swedish Reefer...all being well.
PB.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 - 17:16

 

Post 3609

  Sea News, Dover

This was the scene above and across the harbour on sunday night...or indeed late evening to be more precise. Yes just before nightfall the whole scene went a kind of rustic orange twilight, it lasted for five minutes no more, it was a kind of an autumn twilight zone...delightfully weird. And then it was gone. Hopefully we have captured some of the mood above there. This is a kind of secondary light, the sun sinks nowhere near...its much further to the right of shot.

Below we have the magnificent AIDA Sol at distance across the harbour yesterday morning on a grey day. She is still coming regularly, with one more visit due yet. She left last night about 9pm...probably heading for Hamburg as per usual.
  

Be Part Of The Future! Dover Skills & Business Expo - Dover Town Hall, Tuesday 15 November (9am-3pm)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
 
Job seekers, students and local businesses are being offered the opportunity to be part of the future at the Dover Skills & Business Expo being held at Dover Town Hall on Tuesday, 15 November (9am-3pm).  

The exhibition, featuring some of the Dover district’s biggest employers will showcase the many new developments that are creating new jobs, training, and business opportunities.  This includes: 

Investment in town centre leisure and retail at the Dover St James development
Development of a new cargo terminal and logistics hub at Dover Western Docks
Construction of new manufacturing space at the Discovery Park Enterprise Zone
Opening of a New Visitor Centre at the Betteshanger Country Park
Launch of the new Dover Maritime Skills Academy
Investment in skills and training at East Kent College. 

The exhibition is being organised by Dover District Council in conjunction with East Kent College, who will be providing a whole host of interactive activities in the Skills Zones where people can get hands on with engineering, construction and building trades, automotive, and IT. 

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: "We’re seeing the biggest investment in the district’s future in a generation.  We want local people and businesses to benefit with opportunities to gain new skills, careers and business opportunities so we’re bringing together a whole host of employers, colleges, and training providers under one roof.  It will also be an opportunity for small businesses to network with some of the district’s biggest companies." 

Graham Razey, Principal of East Kent College, said: "Dover district has been a real success story, with fantastic growth across a range of sectors. We’re extremely happy to be playing a part in that story by delivering the high quality skills training and apprenticeships which Dover needs to keep on growing. 

"We’ll have a number of our curriculum areas at the Dover Skills & Business Expo, and will be holding a range of interactive activities for those who are interested in finding out more about what they could learn at East Kent College’s Dover Campus." 
Entry to the Dover Skills & Business Expo is FREE.  For more information, visit www.skills4dover.co.uk


Ends

Tuesday, 18 October 2016 - 06:31

 

Post 3608

  Sea News, Dover

The Lifeboat guys usually comes out on sunday morning for their training sessions and so on, I understand they have a batch of new recruits down there now too so good luck to them. The weather was rough, as was the sea, you can see the conditions just outside the harbour in the picture above. They clearly opted to stay inside the harbour this time although these guys know how to get through rough weather when they need to.

 
A picture above there of the Swedish Reefer which came into Port yesterday around mid-day through the rough weather...this pic above from the previous time.

AIDASol back in with us again today. She makes a great sight across the ( at the moment) leaden grey harbour.

If there are any designers or artists out there looking in.. have a go at that DFDS Poster comp you can see at the top of page. Entries in by 25 October. There are cash prizes too...wowser! . Go for it ! Send designs to 150@dfds.com.
PaulB.





Monday, 17 October 2016 - 06:48

 

Post 3607

  brian, dover

off the nearest beach vic...........

Monday, 17 October 2016 - 05:33

 

Post 3606

  vicmatcham, some where in the uk

Can you please tell me where the D.H.B.is now going to get the sand they need now we won an order stopping them taking it from the goodwins?

Sunday, 16 October 2016 - 18:46

 

Post 3605

  brian, dover

chasing scotish lassies around inverness to be precice paul......

Sunday, 16 October 2016 - 14:09

 

Post 3604

  Sea News, Dover

  
It was a bit of a rough oul day yesterday saturday, the wind was rough, the sea was rough and yours truly was r....no no no no , but the weather was indeed tough for sailing out there. Yet these hardy souls took it on, aboard the solitary yacht Shimoda. They were well wrapped up for the bracing weather and they meandered around the harbour for a couple of hours fighting the elements with gusto. I took a small burst of pictures and here they are in sequence. In the background the Pride of Kent winds its weary way to Calais.
   
 

Nice picture that below Mike. Yes its difficult getting from point A to point B here in Dover at the moment with any certainty.
Thanks Vic for the comment ...from the middle of nowhere.

PB.

Sunday, 16 October 2016 - 08:09

 

Post 3603

  Mike J., Dover

I saw the SEARCHER entering on Saturday afternoon but then got caught up in the Snargate Street roadworks & by the time I got clear she was parked-up & had missed the 'underway' snap that I was hoping for.






Saturday, 15 October 2016 - 21:28

 

Post 3602

  vic matcham , some where

great photos still of the port weather is still holding out.
I see our MP is still talking he is very good at that but not a person of action.
Again thanks for the photos,

Saturday, 15 October 2016 - 08:43

 

Post 3601

  Sea News, Dover

Following along from Howards post below...lets hope the Pacific Princess is soon restored to pristine condition. She is a nice looking ship for sure, that's the ship above for those who have forgotten for the moment. That particular photo was taken on a visit in June and looking good as you can see.

It was a quiet day yesterday... so here below is another picture to enjoy of the departing Emerald from a couple of days back ....
 

The AIDA Sol certainly looks great at night Barry when she departs. Its a fab sight... haven't been able to get a night picture of the departure, it doesn't seem to work....so far, but one of these days.


Saturday, 15 October 2016 - 08:05

 

Post 3600

  Howard McSweeney, Dover

Just read that the "Pacific Princess" last here in September hit a seawall on arrival in Nice this morning. It was holed below the waterline but watertight doors were immediately closed to prevent further problems. Most of the passengers have gone off on tour as there were no reported injuries. Divers have been down to assess the damage.

Friday, 14 October 2016 - 15:20

 

Post 3599

  Barry W-S, Dover

I saw the Aidasol leaving for Hamburg last night, she looked Great with her decks illuminated in the night's sky. Shame I wasn't in the position to take a photo

Friday, 14 October 2016 - 12:56

 

Post 3598

  Sea News, Dover

With members of 'the Jungle' rioting again yesterday in Calais, and tear gas being used by French Police, the latest Charlie Elphicke newsletter below is very apt at the moment. With President Francois Hollande promising to close the camp and humanitarian groups against closing the camp, the situation is very muddled indeed.


 Calais Jungle must be fully dismantled – never to return...says CHARLIE ELPHICKE MP
_________________________________________________________________________



At long last, it appears the Calais Jungle’s days may be numbered. When I visited the camp last month, I was shocked. It’s worse than I have ever seen it. It should have been dismantled years ago. Instead the numbers there have swollen to 10,000 people.

Traffickers roam free, feasting on people’s hopes of a better life – yet all they sell are broken dreams and a life of modern slavery should the migrants make it to Britain. This situation puts real pressure on our border at the Dover frontline.

We’ve heard empty promises from the French before. This time they must ensure the Jungle is fully dismantled – and never allowed to return.

What is needed is a clear plan where the British and French Governments work together to put an end to this shameful situation once and for all:

1. The people traffickers must be caught and jailed. Make no mistake – these evil slave-masters are at the heart of the migrant crisis. Britain and France must work together to smash the trafficking gangs and disrupt their networks.

2. Protect tourists, truckers and trade at Calais. The attacks we have seen by these chainsaw wielding, tree throwing, petrol bombing criminals on the road to Calais are totally unacceptable. The tragic case of an Eritrean migrant killed in Calais on Sunday by a British driver, who was swerving to avoid an attack by traffickers, shows how dangerous the situation has become. Urgent action is needed to catch these gangs and end their evil trade of modern slavery.

3. Patrol our English Channel. We should increase the Border Force budget and have more than three boats to guard 7,000 miles of coastline. Last month, three Iranians arrived at Walmer beach in a dinghy and claimed asylum. Migrants are detected landing on the beaches of Kent in small craft on a monthly, if not weekly basis – who knows how many more arrive undetected? We need a bigger fleet of border boats patrolling the Channel and a squadron of Dover drones tracking traffickers from the sky.

4. The Jungle should be fully dismantled – now. That means properly dismantled and the people there should be moved to places of safety far from Calais. The French need to be sure people cannot simply sneak back to Calais. The Jungle must never return.

5. The migrants should be helped back to their home nations. Any asylum claims should be processed and failed asylum seekers should be repatriated.

The situation at Calais is appalling. The conditions there are an affront to humanity. That’s why it is vital Britain and France work together to help the vulnerable, bolster border security and wage war on the people traffickers. Only then can we properly protect tourists, truckers and trade – and end the evil of modern slavery.


Charlie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal.

* * *

Well done with those pictures from Ramsgate Mike. Good to see those.
Yes indeed Del staying off the roads recommended late on the 24th October
...see post 3138.
PaulB.




Friday, 14 October 2016 - 07:28

 

Post 3597

  del styan, Norwich

I'd recommend getting tucked up in bed before 11.00 pm on the 24 October! What a whopper!

Thursday, 13 October 2016 - 23:28

 

Post 3596

  Mike J., Dover

Ramsgate - Thursday morning.
The small Border Agency cutter [cutterette ?] EAGLE was roosting in Ramsgate [posts 3124-26-27] & the 44-year-old Danish crane ship JOHN MADSDEN was on the Commercial Quay.
Pilot boat ESTUARY ELAN was coming & going.
Holyhead Towing’s AFON CEFNI is becoming a regular feature on the Eastern Arm









Thursday, 13 October 2016 - 13:37

 

Post 3595

  Sea News, Dover

Away she goes!   
Look at that monster in the background above...
   

Following along from Ed's pictures showing her at the Cargo Terminal... there above we have Emerald again, this time leaving us yesterday round about 3pm or 1500hours. She was heading off the Flushing in Holland, having come also from Holland ( from Vlissingen ) in the dead of the dark previous night. Another fast turnaround at the Port of Dover.

* *

LARGE SLOW MOVER:

All the households along the seafront have had the following delivered by Royal Mail..other households further afield may have had it too but just in case you haven't...here we are with the message from the National Grid......

>>>

Large load due to travel from the Port of Dover to Sellindge Substation on Monday 24 October 2016. Delivery will travel at a maximum speed of 12 mph. Essential specialist maintenance carried out so people continue to have electricity available whenever they need it.

A very large load which is the size of a one bedroomed house is set to travel from the Port of Dover to Sellindge substation on Monday 24 October 2016.

The load, which is a piece of electricity equipment destined for Sellindge substation, will leave the Port of Dover at 23.00. It will join the A20 at the Union Street junction. It will then exit the A20 and travel along the Alkham Valley Road, the A260 (Canterbury Road), the A259 (Churchill Avenue) and join the M20 at junction 13.

It will exit the M20 at junction 9 and then rejoin it to travel back to junction 10, due to a weight restriction at this junction. It will then leave the M20 at junction 10, travelling along the A20 and Church Lane before reaching Sellindge substation. It is expected to arrive at Sellindge substation at approximately 5am on Tuesday 25 October. The movement has been scheduled to take place during the early hours to avoid disruption to local road users.

Throughout its journey the load will be on a specialist vehicle which is over 87 metres long and 5.8 metres wide. The vehicle will travel at approximately 12 miles per hour. It is recommended that road users try to find alternative routes, or allow additional time for their journeys.

To enable the load to leave the Port of Dover we need to close Union Street. This closure will be in place from 10pm on Monday 24 October to 1am on Tuesday 25 October. There will be a signed diversion route in place. Normal diversions will be in place for the ongoing roadworks on the A20.

The vehicle will be escorted by haulage contractors, ALE, and will have a police escort to ensure the removal goes smoothly.
Project Engineer James Sheridan said:
"We’ve carefully planned the route with our specialist haulage contractors and local highway authorities to ensure it has as little effect on people as possible.
He added: "The equipment needed essential maintenance to continue to play its vital role in helping to ensure the region continues to enjoy a safe and reliable electricity supply."


Picture of the previous transformer below by ol' forum friend Brian Dixon...
  

Hi Finance:
Wot!...no Pot Noodles at Tesco. The world has seriously hit crises point. Its all to do with the falling value of the £1 with Anglo Dutch Unilever and Tesco in dispute about pricing. I have four in my cupboard so I may be able to sell them on the black market. I shall become a 'noodle dealer'...

PaulB.


Thanks for the latest Cruise List below Colette. Liners still coming see 3136 yes the great AIDA Sol back in today ....
Great pictures below Ed. Totally great ! Don't miss those.



Thursday, 13 October 2016 - 06:43

 

Post 3594

  Ed Connell, Dover

Dunkerque pilot leaving Delft Seaways today.






Wednesday, 12 October 2016 - 23:23