Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3473

  vic matcham, Dovor

Some will be sea sick on that one, nice looking ship but if I was paying out £1000s of pounds it would have to be bigger then that one.

Saturday, 3 September 2016 - 07:44

 

Post 3472

  Sea News, Dover

Finishing up the story on the Serenissima, here she is for one final time as she makes it out into the rough weather yesterday at 4pm or 1600 hrs. When she arrived all was calm as you can see in the previous post, but conditions had deteriorated by 4pm yesterday when she began her journey to Cadiz in Spain.


The pilot boat below feeling the weather as it rounds the Serenissima...


Saturday, 3 September 2016 - 06:30

 

Post 3471

  Sea News, Dover

We had an added bonus today when the unscheduled Serenissima arrived with us around about 11am...
And here she is...






A former Scandanavian ferry we understand, and now operating as a special intimate cruise ship. Some www info below..


"
Few ships of this generation are still cruising and MS "SERENISSIMA" (ex.Harald Jarl, ex Andrea) is a great testament to her present and previous owners that they have seen fit to invest considerable sums over the years to keep her in top form and complying with the stringent health and safety requirements.

She spent many years cruising the Norwegian coast as the "Harald Jarl". The decision by the Norwegian owners, Hurtigruten, to invest in much larger new vessels, presented an opportunity to the American company, Elegant Cruises, to purchase the vessel in 2002 . After a substantial refit in Sweden she began her new life as "Andrea" and undertook worldwide cruising around Britain, Greenland, Norway, the Baltic and Mediterranean and as far away as Antarctica.

Perhaps, one of the best known and loved features of this vessel is its unique style. During the major refit in Sweden the then owners commissioned Swedish interior designers to create a Gustavian style interior. This bright Swedish 18th century influenced, country house style works particularly well on a vessel of this vintage, providing intimacy and classic nautical sensibility often lacking in larger vessels.

After purchasing the vessel in spring 2012, joint owner Serenissima Cruises , intends to undertake in 2012-2013 a profound refurbishment of MS "SERENISSIMA" which includes new crew cabins, zodiac fleet, life tenders, fin stabilizers, jacuzzi, Lido bar and fitness center, the addition of new suites with balconies on upper deck, replacement of carpets, wall-papers, fabrics in existing passenger areas.

"



Also today along the seafront we had the moving wreath laying ceremony at the Merchant Navy Memorial statue with various and numerous dignitaries in attendance such as the MP Charlie Elphicke and so on. A very poignant ceremony as always. The Mayor of Dover was not in attendance....






Friday, 2 September 2016 - 15:19

 

Post 3470

  Sea News, Dover

And now for one of the unsung 'eroes of the 'arbour. Yes everyday the Coral Water ploughs away, working hard servicing the ships as and when needed. Yesterday morning there she was in the early light, posing elegantly just a short hop from yours trulys 'observation tower'.

Nothing too significant in that I guess...but a couple of hours later the same vessel burst into dramatic life sprayjetting water in all directions, whether it was a test or whether there was a spillage of some sort we just don't know....but here we are ...





So there we are, a bit of a Coral Water Special.

Terrific pictures below there of Ramsgate Harbour from both Mike and Sarah. Great stuff indeed, a joy to see. And isn't that a cracker below there from Ed of the Saga Sapphire approaching the Port of Dover with the cliffs as backdrop.
Thanks Vic for the comment. Glad you are enjoying it all. Lots more to come.
PB.

Friday, 2 September 2016 - 06:30

 

Post 3469

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Lovely photos Mike of somewhere I know very well . We had a visitor tonight familiar to Dover, she recently was the Dover Relief Lifeboat that was featured on this forum. She is staying the night at Ramsgate before leaving for Poole tomorrow.







Thursday, 1 September 2016 - 21:27

 

Post 3468

  Vic Mactcham, Dovor

We are still getting some great late summer photos of both the Port of Ramsgate and our own Port of Dover thank you.

Thursday, 1 September 2016 - 09:39

 

Post 3467

  Mike J., Dover

Wednesday found Ramsgate in a reflective mood in nice evening light.

PERFUGIUM MISERIS is an 'art installation' from a recent Ramsgate Festival & sinks below the water as the tide rises.
The 'original' is engraved on the lighthouse at the entrance to the 'Royal Harbour'
For more info do a Google on 'Perfugium Miseris Ramsgate'













Thursday, 1 September 2016 - 07:50

 

Post 3466

  Ed Connell, Dover

Saga Sapphire approaching the Eastern Entrance this morning.


Thursday, 1 September 2016 - 06:56

 

Post 3465

  Sea News, Dover

I posted the previous post a little too soon and missed these two pictures off so here we are...
its the AIDAvita arriving with us here yesterday morning..



She left last night at 9PM on the button in a blaze of colourful light and with three long blasts of her horn to say a sad farewell for this year. PaulB.

Thursday, 1 September 2016 - 06:33

 

Post 3464

  Sea News, Dover

Thanks for the Cruise Visit listing once again below there Colette. Great stuff!
Following along from Ed and Mike's posts below...
above there we have a longish range picture of the docks yesterday morning under a jet streaked blazing sky. You can just see cargo ship Emerald unloading, with the cranes in action... but glad Ed got a close up picture to show us all the actual ship in detail. She left us last night at 7.30PM heading for Flushing in Holland.

Pictures have been hard to get in the channel because of the haze so it was a good get by Mike there of the passing warship. All week it has been hazy/misty except for one evening , Monday I think it was, when I was able to capture the vehicle carrier Tongala, about one hour out of Zeebrugge and on her way to Santander ( no not the bank!)
And there she goes below...



Thursday, 1 September 2016 - 06:05

 

Post 3463

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
____________

Loved those recent photos of the young people braving that briny sea!

And now for the first two weeks of September cruises.

Tomorrow Thursday 1st September Saga Sapphire is back with us once again at CT1, T/R. She arrives at 08.00 and departs at 16.00 hours.

Then on Sunday 4th September we have the return of the Balmoral at CT2, Embark only. She arrives at 07.00 and leaves at 17.00 hours.

We had the Costa Luminosa last week but now its the turn of the Costa Favolosa. On Tuesday 6th September she arrives at CT2 PoC for the first time this season. She was last here in September 2015 and will arrive at 08.00 and depart at 19.00 hours. She is like an enchanted fairytale castle, surrounded by magic, her soaring Gothic-style spaces welcome guests to an atrium enriched with a sparkling diamond décor.

She starts her 12 Night Northern Europe cruise at Warnemunde, Germany. She will arrive in Dover from Amsterdam and her first stop will be the lovely Le Havre. She ends her cruise in the Northern Italian seaport of Savona

On Thursday 8th September Saga Sapphire returns to CT1, T/R, arriving at 08.00, leaving at 16.00 hours.

Then on Saturday 10th September, Costa Pacifica returns to us at CT2, PoC, arriving 07.00 departing at 19.00 hours.

The following day Sunday 11th September Pacific Princess is back once again at CT1, T/R, early at 05.00 leaving at 17.00 hours.

On Monday 12th September, Balmoral is back at CT2, T/R, arriving at 07.00 departing 17.00 hours.

Then on Tuesday 13th September AIDAsol will be at CT2 once more, PoC. She arrives early at 05.20 and departs that evening at 20.00 hours.

The following day Wednesday 14th September, another chance to see the ever so charming Monarch, she was last here in June. She will cruise into CT2 at 08.00, PoC and leaves us for this season at 20.00 hours.

See you all in two weeks time when the next cruise ship will arrive on Sunday the 18th

Wednesday, 31 August 2016 - 22:29

 

Post 3462

  Ed Connell, Dover

Emerald at the DCT today.


This barge being towed by tug GPS Battler with destination Medway, seen heading up into the Downs. Looked like a section of a Mulberry harbour from long distance and I started wondering if the people smugglers were getting serious and starting to construct their own harbour.


Wednesday, 31 August 2016 - 12:26

 

Post 3461

  Mike J., Dover

Distant shapes as the German frigate MECKLENBURG VORPOMMERN headed downchannel on Tuesday afternoon.

A little earlier the big six-legged crane ship PACIFIC ORCA passed by bound for the Rampion windfarm field off the Sussex coast.






Heat haze & ruthless cropping !

Wednesday, 31 August 2016 - 08:54

 

Post 3460

  Sea News, Dover

Merchant Navy Day In Dover 2016
______________________________




A Merchant Navy Day Service is being held at Dover Town Hall on Friday 2 September from 10.30am, followed by a wreath laying ceremony on Dover Seafront at 12 noon. The service and ceremony are being organised by the Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Sue Chandler, with the Dover and District Merchant Navy Memorial Fund, and all are welcome to attend.

Standard bearers will march into the Town Hall at 10.30am, marking the start of the Service of Celebration. The service will be followed by an address from Mr Donald Hunter, the Founder of the Dover and District Merchant Navy Memorial Fund, and a speech from the Chairman of Dover District Council.

An official wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Merchant Navy War Memorial on Marine Parade on Dover Seafront at 12 noon.



SCHEDULE: Merchant Navy Day in Dover 2016
______________________________________

Friday, 2 September 2016 at Dover Town Hall, Biggin Street, Dover



10.00am Town Hall opens.

10.20am Standard bearers arrive and congregate by the side of the Town for Hall (dry weather) or in Connaught Hall (wet weather).

10.30am Guests arrive in Stone Hall.

10.30am The Reverend takes his place.

Sound the ‘Alert’ by bugler.

Standard bearers march up the Town Hall steps (dry weather), or from Connaught Hall (wet weather), through the Stone Hall to dais at rear of Stone Hall.

10.35am Service.

10.55am Speech by Mr Donald Hunter, Founder of the Dover & District Merchant Navy Memorial Fund, followed by closing speech by Cllr Sue Chandler, Chairman of Dover District Council.

11.00am Standard bearers march out of Hall.

Light refreshments served in the Connaught Hall.

11.40am Those with tickets for the coach take their seats.

(Coach stationed outside the main entrance to the Town Hall).

11.50am Coach departs for wreath laying ceremony at Dover Seafront.

12 noon Wreath laying ceremony at the Merchant Navy War Memorial, Marine Parade, Dover Seafront.



Please note timings are approximate.

* *

And now some recent pictures of the daily happenings...
Well its a breezy blustery sunday morning below there and HMC Valiant goes out for another long day patrolling the channel. With the situation getting ever more frenzied in Calais re the migrants, Valiant is needed more than ever.. and there she goes..



The Pacific Princess away on sunday evening .. off to Lerwick in bonny Scotland.



AIDAvita is back in with us today. More pictures in due course.



Wednesday, 31 August 2016 - 07:12

 

Post 3459

  Sea News, Dover

The picture above shows the Port early yesterday morning monday. It was a very pleasant bank holiday indeed, so Dover was very busy...weather was terrific and with more of the same to come today too. Keep applying the factor 47 !


On sunday the Nederland Reefer arrived with us...since gone. Unfortunately yours truly missed the moment, but here is a picture of the same ship from an earlier time. But just before the picture...a mission statement on cargo from the Port of Dover website.



Working together to secure a strong future for cargo at Dover
_________________________________________________


The Port of Dover has been in fruitful discussions with George Hammond PLC to explore how best to secure the long term success of the cargo business at Dover as the Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) scheme, designed to further develop that key business, moves forward.

Established in 1767, Kent based, George Hammond PLC developed the general cargo business in Dover over 50 years ago and with the valued support of the Port of Dover have successfully operated the Dover Cargo Terminal since its inception in 1990. Both parties have identified that the surest way to provide long term loyal customer continuity into the new DWDR era is to integrate the Port Services Division of George Hammond PLC into the wider Port business. With the continuing involvement of George Hammond PLC’s managing director James Ryeland and his dedicated senior team and staff, the Port will preserve the existing expertise whilst enabling the business to grow.

The parties have signed Heads of Terms for the transaction and are currently negotiating the detailed legal agreement before embarking on the process to effect the transfer, which will herald the next exciting step for the cargo business and the future of the Port.


ENDS



The cargo trade here at the Port has increased very nicely in recent times so it is very good to see that development above.
PB.




Tuesday, 30 August 2016 - 06:43

 

Post 3458

  Sea News, Dover

The Pacific Princess was in with us yesterday sunday as was the Saga Pearl II. In the background there above you can see ' the Princess' as the yacht meanders by in the foreground as it were. Pictures from around noon. There was a stiff breeze for yachting as you can see in the pictures below...conditions were fresh and ermmm ..a wee bit challenging... all seems a tad calmer today but one doesn't want to speak toooo soon. After all it is a bank holiday!
PaulB.



"
You talk like Marlene Dietrich
And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire
Your clothes are all made by Balmain
And there's diamonds and pearls in your hair...

"

Monday, 29 August 2016 - 08:11

 

Post 3457

  Sea News, Dover

The Artania was back with us again yesterday and here we have some pictures of both arrival and departure. Top shots show the early morning arrival and the Port is basked in a watery yellow summer sun. Time was around 7am as she glided in on a calm sea. All is tranquillity itself.

Time of departure below is 6pm approx. She was heading off to Amsterdam, that super trendy prime city of the Netherlands. You can see the pilot boat in the bottom shot getting right in there on a gorgeous evening. Nice evening indeed for a cruise to Holland although it was a bit misty out there in the channel.

We have another double header of cruise ships in today...the Pacific Princess and the Saga Pearl II.
Already docked by 6am so we didn't catch their arrival.



Sunday, 28 August 2016 - 06:29

 

Post 3456

  Sea News, Dover

Jolly Boating Weather!
Yes everything that can float is out there floating. Non-exotic marine craft of all sorts are braving the briny, and here are just a couple of them..

All aboard - we have a full load on here...five boys on a float (as opposed to three men in a boat) wowser how does it stay upright...?


Ooops we've lost one. Man overboard!!


And we don't want to leave the girls out...
Those crazy days of hi-summer!

Artania has just arrived back with us a short time ago. Pictures later.



Saturday, 27 August 2016 - 08:23

 

Post 3455

  Sea News, Dover

Another picture of the stunning Costa Luminosa. This shot taken later in the day but some time prior to departure, although even then we were still plagued by mist or haze...was hoping to get pictures of the huge ship leaving but she didn't depart until after dark.



Friday, 26 August 2016 - 15:49

 

Post 3454

  Sea News, Dover

Ah thanks Vic. You are of course dead right. It is indeed the Dover Grammar School for Boys
Dover College is closer to the centre of town. My mental faculties had a temporary aberration. At least I hope it was temporary.
PaulB

Friday, 26 August 2016 - 14:58