Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3251

  Ed Connell, Dover

Another double header today. Monarch and Saga Sapphire. Photos taken into the sun unfortunately.




Tuesday, 14 June 2016 - 21:38

 

Post 3250

  Ed Connell, Dover

Lady Racisce at the DCT today.



Tuesday, 14 June 2016 - 10:18

 

Post 3249

  Sea News, Dover

RBS SUPPORT FOR DOVER WESTERN DOCKS REVIVAL
_____________________________________________



Major bank provides financial backing to drive forward regeneration


The Port of Dover’s biggest ever single investment, the Dover Western Docks Revival, has received funding support from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

RBS have agreed to help to provide a loan facility of £90m to add to cash resources and long term debt finance agreements already available for the development.

Progress continues to be made with the regeneration vision in the Western Docks and the fact that the project has gained the confidence of a major bank proves the ports’ commitment to its ambitious regeneration aspirations. The project will create much needed high quality employment opportunities for local people and support the Port of Dover’s commitment to becoming the best port in the world for the benefit of its customers and community.

Tim Waggott, Port of Dover Chief Executive commented: "This is the Port of Dover’s biggest ever venture and as such is a costly endeavour. We need investment from other sources to be able to meet our ambitions for the Dover Western Docks Revival project and are delighted that RBS have the confidence in the Port, and our vision for Dover, to provide us with this financial assistance to continue to move forward towards completion."

John Redfern, Head of Corporate South East, RBS added: "It’s fantastic to be able to support a development that will have such a positive impact for the local community and builds Britain’s maritime heritage and trade globally."


ENDS


Its great to see this level of support coming through for Dover's revival.


With the cruise season now in full swing ..here we are with another couple of the latest pictures. It was rather extraordinary the other day with one cruise ship leaving through one exit and another coming in to Port through the opposite exit. Exciting times. First shot shows the Black Watch after exiting and the second pic shows the arrival of the Saga Sapphire at the same time...roughly 17.20 on Sunday. Everything is a wee bit too misty at the moment but there we are. June hasn't exactly busted out all over !



Well done Ed with the pictures below. All looking good.
I hope that fridge was fully stocked when they found it Mike.

Saga Sapphire still here with us
and the terrific Monarch arrived at 3.30am. Great stuff!








Tuesday, 14 June 2016 - 06:48

 

Post 3248

  Ed Connell, Dover

Sea Cloud II this afternoon.


Monday, 13 June 2016 - 19:04

 

Post 3247

  Ed Connell, Dover

Swedish Reefer and Black Watch yesterday.



Monday, 13 June 2016 - 09:56

 

Post 3246

  Mike J., Dover

Did you hear that Dover lifeboat went out on Sunday, searching for a drifting fridge-freezer ?

I kid you not.

Googling 'DOVER LIFEBOAT FRIDGE' should find the news item.

Monday, 13 June 2016 - 09:23

 

Post 3245

  Sea News, Dover

Pictures above from a hectic colourful Saturday evening...very busy and buzzing here on the seafront with the Lifeboat powering off in some style as the sun faded around 7.30pm, Euro football visitors enjoying the atmosphere, revellers revelling, drones whizzing by the observation tower ( is that legal?? ). I tried to get a picture of the drone as it whizzed by and flew up and out over the ferries but without success. Thought: I hope the Irish team haven't booked a long hotel stay in France...

But one lives in hope so fingers crossed. Yours truly will be cheering them on. PS: that's the Pride of Burgundy in the top shot with the Lifeboat.

Sunday morning below and normality is restored with the arrival of the Swedish Reefer below. Visibility was poor. Further thought:What an odd co-incidence Ireland are playing Sweden today.... well there you are.




As well as all the above the Black Watch left us at 6pm through the western exit and at the very same time the Saga Sapphire entered through the eastern. Quite a special bit of excitement to see that, will have pictures later when I catch up with myself.

Well done with that listing and info below Colette - excellent.

PaulB.

Monday, 13 June 2016 - 06:46

 

Post 3244

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________

And now for another week of June Cruise calls

Tomorrow, Monday 13th we have another double header. The Saga Sapphire cruises into CT1, TR. It’s her first visit this season, she was here in September last year. Also, Sea Cloud 11 returns to CT2, TR.

Then on Tuesday 14th June , we have a real treat in store when the Monarch arrives at CT2 on a POC. She was previously named Monarch of the Seas as part of Royal Caribbean international’s fleet but has now been with Pullmantur since 2013. Monarch may be almost 25 years old but she can still offer everything you would expect from a modern ship. Her classic seafaring charm is there for everyone to see & with recent upgrades she now has plenty of appeal for the 21st century cruiser

Monarch holds her place in history for being the first ever major cruise ship to have a woman captain at the helm. Swedish born Karin Stahre Janson took charge in 2007 but has since been joined by a host of other female captains for other operators

Another treat for us all the following day, Wednesday 15th when Princess Cruise’s ‘Pacific Princess’ arrives at CT1, TR. While Pacific Princess features space onboard for just 680 guests, she doesn’t skimp on amenities. This intimate ship offers two incredible specialty restaurants both with great tasting food. In their main dining rooms, traditional dining offers an authentic cruising experience as you sail to some of the world’s most exotic destinations. This is their Midnight Summer Sun & Summer Solstice fjords cruise. Wish I was on this one

Then on Friday June 17th Disney Magic’s penultimate cruise to Dover arrives at CT2, TR.

Saturday 18th June, Saga Sapphire is back with us at CT1, TR.

Ending the week on the following day, Sunday, the Saga Pearl 11 is back again at CT1, TR.

See you all again real soon

Great work all round from the Sea News team, well done everyone


Sunday, 12 June 2016 - 10:33

 

Post 3243

  Sea News, Dover

Above: the calm before the storm. What was going on wondered yours truly...bicycles delivered by a fleet of trucks started arriving at the Herald of Free Enterprise memorial garden right here on the seafront yesterday afternoon...one gaped at the proceedings with head scratching bewilderment. What's afoot...what's afoot...

Then later in the afternoon the 'storm', a lone piper playing Scottish Soldier heralded the arrival of four coaches carrying literally hundreds of enthusiastic bicyclers....and all it appears had been doing an event for the much loved charity...HELP FOR HEROES. So there you have it...

As expected the Black Watch is in today...arriving in the mist at 05.30.
News has also reached us that there was another small boat/migrant episode in the channel yesterday. This is the second incident in a week and remarkably similar to the first. A sinking small boat with migrants was picked up by our regular Border Force player....HMC Seeker, and once again the unfortunates were taken back here to Dover. To see plenty of pictures of Seeker, type the name into our search engine above.
PaulB.

Sunday, 12 June 2016 - 06:42

 

Post 3242

  Sea News, Dover

Yachting at Dover


Saturday is always an excellent day for yachting around the harbour and they are doing the business again today. This picture is however from the same time last week and shows the dashing yachts scything across the harbour in fine style. Conditions are a bit grey but you cant have everything !

I never even noticed the warship there Mike when I was taking the picture below...it must be something to do with the ship being battleship grey on a battleship grey day. I spotted it later of course but who or what she is I don't know.



Saturday, 11 June 2016 - 15:30

 

Post 3241

  Mike J., Dover

I see a largish warship above the stern of the SEA CLOUD 2 in Paul's first photo.

I know little about warships. but looking at silhouettes might it be a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate ?

Anyone know more ?


Friday, 10 June 2016 - 12:36

 

Post 3240

  Sea News, Dover

More pictures of the Sea Cloud II leaving us on Wednesday evening...she sailed south on a glorious evening in the English Channel. Ahhh there is something majestical about a tall masted ship sailing off in the evening sun...sets the heart racing for sure.

"We're bound for Valparaiso round the horn" ...sure couldn't resist a blast of that one - she was actually heading for Portsmouth, which is only marginally less exotic than Valparaiso!



Well done guys with the pictures below. Nice work from Ramsgate by Sarah and from Mike here in Dover. PaulB.

Friday, 10 June 2016 - 06:28

 

Post 3239

  Mike J., Dover

Local fisherman BOY LUKIE crosses the entrance to Granville Dock, midday Thursday.




Friday, 10 June 2016 - 00:14

 

Post 3238

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Thames Barge - Xylonite



Little Ship of Dunkirk - Hilfranor




Thursday, 9 June 2016 - 20:34

 

Post 3237

  Sarah, Ramsgate

A good afternoon in sunny Ramsgate today.

HMS Gleamer - H86



Vattenfall Tornado & Ramsgate Lifeboat returning from today's call out. That is the service call 32 so far this year, our wonderful crew have been very busy indeed.



SC Amesthyst, Mannin & Relief Lifeboat



Thursday, 9 June 2016 - 20:25

 

Post 3236

  Sea News, Dover

Making some use of the archives today...the picture above is from my lady colleague down at the Port...an up close shot of the Sea Cloud II from last year. A moody and romantic picture indeed bringing forth the glorious whiff of old nautical tales and old nautical times.

And below we have a pic from last year of the Artania looking good...and finally a pic from last evening as she departed for Amsterdam. For some reason yours trulys ould camera went haywire yesterday...or was it the photographer, so pix limited today. I may be able to retrieve one or two more of the Sea Cloud II in due course.




Thanks Ed and Mark
Great tale there Mark, very interesting indeed...it looks like you may have tried to upload a picture, have another go when you get a minute. Its easy enough once you get the hang of it.

Well done Ed with the pictures...saved the day again!



Thursday, 9 June 2016 - 07:04

 

Post 3235

  Ed Connell, Dover

Artania and Sea Cloud II today.



Wednesday, 8 June 2016 - 23:09

 

Post 3234

  Mark Rushton, Northants

I know, I know, two posts in two days. But I felt that the news that Artania was in port today could not go unremarked upon. I was on board a Hurtigruten Norwegian ferry a couple of years ago near Aalesund when Artania overtook us, and my reaction was "Gosh, she's an attractive ship" - certainly compared with modern cruise ships. Launched as Royal Princess in 1984 and christened by none other than Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo of Artania's slick overtaking move attached....

Wednesday, 8 June 2016 - 18:52

 

Post 3233

  Sea News, Dover

As promised here we are with pictures of the departing Celebrity Silhouette on a warm Monday evening.
All 122,400 tons of it delicately on the move. it took a considerable time to edge it away from the terminal.
A tight squeeze out the western exit above and away she goes to Amsterdam.

Just came across this picture below in the files from last year and definitely worth another look...it shows Port Business Manager Barbara Buczek presenting the Celebrity Silhouette top team crew with a picture of the famed White Cliffs of Dover...following the presentation the guys came back to see the Cliffs again!
Well done Barbara.


Good to hear about your local exploits Mark, yes it is true or was true anyway that one got a French signal in St Margaret's. Even to this day I am flooded with French emails being in the 'last flat in England'. Whether there is a connection there I dont know. Somehow and thankfully it worked for those rescued this time.

Another story on the news today ...three migrants found in a small dinghy by Border Force out there in the Channel last night. Gosh we had some rough oul electrical storms here last night. Not a night to be dinghying in the Channel. One of the familiar Border Force vessels that we regularly feature will have made the interception. The three migrants were brought here to Dover.

As forecast by Colette...we have Artania and the three master Sea Cloud II in the Port today. Exciting times!

Wednesday, 8 June 2016 - 07:34

 

Post 3232

  Mark Rushton, Northants

With regard to last night's little incident at St Margarets, I'm tempted to enquire how easy (or not) it was for the Midnight Ramblers to contact the emergency services on their mobiles. Last time I went to the beach at St Margarets (which was admittedly a few years ago) the only mobile signal I got was a French service provider ! So when I got home late from my walk having been tempted in to the Zetland at Kingsdown for a couple of pints of Sheps on the way I was able to say, quite truthfully, that I couldn't get a UK mobile signal to say I was running late. A thin excuse, I know, but worth a shot...

Tuesday, 7 June 2016 - 18:26