Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 3069

  Sarah, Ramsgate

We had a wonderful visitor this morning. It is Waveney Class lifeboat "John F Kennedy" now called "Sarah JFK" It is the old Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat. It called in on it's journey to it's new home in Eastbourne.










Friday, 22 April 2016 - 13:49

 

Post 3068

  Sea News, Dover

RITUAL: Awaiting the arrival of the Sun.

One felt like a pagan god yesterday morning, or err maybe even an ordinary pagan, sitting in the near gloom waiting on the arrival of the golden globe of life. It was dark, very dark, but the sky slowly brightened, and those darkness demons began to drift away...




......and then at last...here comes the sun...




Well done with the Hansa Bremen Ed. I just caught the tail end of her leaving for Rotterdam late in the misty day yesterday and had a stab at a pic or two. Twas a bit long range though....will check if they are any good later, still in camera as I speak.

Good to hear that the cruise season is picking up Colette.
Some exciting days to come....that round Ireland one sounds interesting for sure. Hopefully the Wild Atlantic will behave itself on the day...oooh it can get rough out there, but it can be a spectacular trip to be sure and hopefully all will enjoy.

The beacon on the clifftop was alight last night marking the Queens 90th Birthday.

Friday, 22 April 2016 - 06:36

 

Post 3067

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
____________

We have a real treat on Sunday 24th April when two AIDA's cruise into Dover, the AIDADiva arrives first at 07.00, CT2, PoC (called in April last year). Then at 09.30 the AIDAVita (don't remember this one before) cruises into CT1, PoC.

The following day Monday 25th, the ever faithful Braemar arrives back at CT2, TR.

On Saturday 30th April, feast your eyes on this Beauty, the cruising yacht L'Austral. She is a stunning vessel, with sleek lines and an unusual dark grey hull which should make her stand out in the port of Dover. She is furnished luxuriously throughout, with a cascade of 'Swarovski' crystals lighting up the atrium, the style is French chic.

She will leave us for an 8 night Northern European cruise calling at Bruges, Galway, Killybegs, Belfast ending in my hometown of Dublin, I would love this one

I'll be back soon, I'm pleased to say we have a lot of cruise calls in May



Thursday, 21 April 2016 - 14:39

 

Post 3066

  Ed Connell, Dover

Hansa Bremen at the DCT today.



Thursday, 21 April 2016 - 12:31

 

Post 3065

  Sea News, Dover

Port opens road to international freight success as part of Exporting is GREAT week
___________________________________________________________________

A freight holding facility, capable of accommodating 220 HGVs and removing 4km of queuing traffic from Kent’s highways, has officially opened in the Port of Dover.

The Traffic Management Improvement scheme – part of an £85m capital investment programme – was unveiled today (April 20) as the Port announced it has become the Government’s first maritime partner in the Exporting is GREAT campaign to boost British trade overseas.

The Port’s new holding facility will ensure smoother traffic flows for outbound vehicles carrying British exports through Europe’s busiest ferry port, which last year handled recorded volumes of freight.

Tim Waggott, the Port’s Chief Executive, said:

"The Port of Dover is a crucial link of national and international importance, a conveyor belt carrying goods and supplies between industry and consumers.

"We handle up to £119bn of trade annually and last year saw record freight volumes of 2.53 million units heading through Dover – up nearly five per cent on the previous year’s all-time high.

"However, we are never complacent and are constantly looking at ways to improve our service to UK plc. That’s why we’ve invested millions in removing old buildings and installing new traffic management technology and infrastructure to create even more freight holding capacity. And that’s why we are wholeheartedly supporting the Government’s drive to boost British exports."

Exporting is GREAT is an initiative launched by the Prime Minister and Chancellor to inspire and support 100,000 additional UK exporters to sell their goods and services overseas by 2020.

Trade and Investment Minister, Lord Price, said:

"The UK is a great trading nation and the Port of Dover’s new facility will provide even more opportunity for British businesses to sell their goods overseas.

"Up to 17 per cent of the UK’s trade passes through the Port, as UK companies explore new markets in Europe.

"It’s great to see partners like this working with the Government – through the Exporting is GREAT campaign – to support our businesses and boost exports."


ENDS




Exporting is great for sure. Good luck to all supporting the above initiative. The Port's new holding facility is very welcome.

A day or so ago in blustery waters, this fishing boat above came in to view...the...wait, its a mouthful..the MFV Carhelmer passed by just off Port. Its a British fishing boat despite the name but always a delight to see these guys and catch a picture when they come in close to shore. A tough oul game fishing like that.

As you know we have been having some very good weather. Lots of people enjoying the sunshine in different ways. The other evening this couple below went kayaking by in the late day sunshine. Ahhh a lovely way to spend the evening.




Good to know you were one of those celebrating Sue. Thanks for that info below. I sometimes wonder if I dreamt it all...the giant hovercraft approaching the beach right here in central harbour. Bet it was a good if sad celebration that night. I was only in these parts a wet day then...and couldn't quite grasp what was happening.

Thanks once again to George Holland for the Hovercraft spread below. Got us all reflecting. PB.






Thursday, 21 April 2016 - 06:06

 

Post 3064

  Sue Nicholas, River (suenicholas@onetel.com)

Yes I was there when the Hovercraft made its last farewell..A very sad day for those who had worked with the hovercraft.The roar of the engine as it swept upon the beach was amazing.
We had a farewell party in the hotel on the sea front.

Wednesday, 20 April 2016 - 08:06

 

Post 3063

  Sea News, Dover

HOVERCRAFT SPECIAL:

A Collection of Pictures and Words from George Holland.



The following email from George explains all...


Hi Paul,

You may have heard the sad news that the former Hoverspeed craft, The Princess Margaret and The Princess Anne are destined to be demolished in the near future. They have been resting at the former HMS Daedalus site at Lee-on-Solent since they were retired from service in late 2000. The Hovercraft Museum hopes to save The Princess Anne so she can be preserved for the nation. However, The Princess Margaret is expected to be broken up very soon.

It seems disgraceful that there is nothing in Dover to commemorate the hovercraft era at all, apart from a lone propeller that is standing in the way of the impending redevelopment of the former hoverport into a new cargo terminal. The 'Noisy Ladies' were an amazing form of cross-Channel transport that lasted over three decades.

I have attached a few photos I took of the poor old 'Maggie' and her sister when I went to see them for one last time earlier this month. They are nearly fifty years old!

Best wishes,

George.


Further pictures from George below..






Many thanks George for the collection above. Sad times indeed for the two 'noisy ladies'.
I remember on the last night of service one of those great Hovercrafts came up close to the main beach here on Dover Seafront. It was an astonishing sight...it was I guess a kind of farewell. Somebody told me afterwards that there was a farewell drink at an establishment on the seafront and the great beast nodded a fond farewell. It was too dark for photographs but sadly then I wasn't doing much photographing anyway... regrets about that, but great days.

PaulB.







Wednesday, 20 April 2016 - 06:53

 

Post 3062

  Sea News, Dover

Following along from Ed's post 2607 of the Atlantic Reefer at the Dover Cargo Terminal...there we are above with a few more pictures of her arrival on the day in dazzling sunlight with blue sea and blue sky...what more could you ask for. She has since left us again...in fact she went off the very same day so the Dover fast turnaround continues in fine style. The tugboats doing a sterling job as ever at all times.

The guy below is a bit of a jolly jape novelty from a few days ago. La Belle France arriving with us here in Dover with all flags a-flyin'. She was rolling and rolling and heaving...or errrr no maybe that was just yours truly watching through the lens. But the boat cut a dashing image in a nice way. The flags are almost bigger than Pere Duval. The guy shown has his arm held aloft through the several shots I took....one guesses that he was taking a 'selfie' of the arrival.





Well done Ed with that nice pic of the Atlantic Reefer
and
Very interesting post below Mike...wot a whopper that cruise liner is

Tuesday, 19 April 2016 - 06:01

 

Post 3061

  Mike J., Dover

During Saturday morning the brand-new OVATION OF THE SEAS passed Dover bound for Southampton from her German builders via Rotterdam on a series of short ‘shakedown’ cruises before entering service in the Chinese market.
Apparently Royal-Caribbean have or will have three vessels of this class.



What an ugly ship.
The 4,180 passengers will be able to enjoy sky-diving simulators, bumper cars, a ‘circus school’ & other traditional nautical pastimes.

The strange thing sticking up ?
Apparently it is a hydraulically-operated capsule that can swing up & out & over the side of the ship for thrills.
All the fun of the fair !



Cruising has certainly changed - back in the ‘Olden Days’ cruising was said to be only for ‘the newly wed & the nearly dead’ !

Photos courtesy of the unofficial Dover Marina Facebook page.

Commercial-ship-minded readers may be more interested in a very specialized RoRo barge, the TERRA MARIQUE, coming to Dover mid-week to load a big transformer, presumably something like the one in post 270 & thereabouts.
Should be worth looking out for.

Plenty of information on both ‘ships’ on the internet.


Sunday, 17 April 2016 - 21:27

 

Post 3060

  Ed Connell, Dover

Atlantic Reefer at the DCT today.


Sunday, 17 April 2016 - 19:26

 

Post 3059

  Mike J., Dover

Cruise-2, Saturday 1400. Bunker tanker SULLBERG alongside.





1630 - sailing off into the drizzle, bound for La Pallice.





Saturday, 16 April 2016 - 23:20

 

Post 3058

  Ed Connell, Dover

Braemar on CT2 and Coastalwater on ED5 today.




Saturday, 16 April 2016 - 09:29

 

Post 3057

  del styan, Norwich

Brilliant shot of Boulogne. I had no idea you could see it from Dover. I always thought it was round the Opal coast " bend". Well done!

Friday, 15 April 2016 - 23:41

 

Post 3056

  Barry W-S, Dover

It's Great to see a detailed photo taken of Boulogne from Dover, 'lens across the sea', it's amazing that in certain conditions you can take pictures from that distance.

Love the shark close-up

Friday, 15 April 2016 - 15:15

 

Post 3055

  Sea News, Dover

Some long range experiments here. Top shot shows Boulogne and the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral which is situated on top of the hill in the delightful old town there. Have spent many a nice time along the ramparts of the old town sampling the local delights. The visibility and indeed the lighting was unbelievably good on Wednesday, particularly late in the day and as we went towards evening. So yours truly had a go at getting some pictures. Obviously taking pictures at such range, right across the Channel, leaves a lot to be desired but there we are above anyway.

I cant resist including the shark below at Nausicaa, Boulogne...you wouldn't want to fall in the tank with him .. no indeed.


This one below is for my junior doctor daughter BB who is doing such long long hours at the moment...she is out on her feet. It cant be right surely. Anyway...she likes the sharks at Nausicaa so this might cheer her up.


Below we have the dredger David Church out there in the Channel on the same Wednesday evening ..... Yes indeed that is for sure Msr Hollande and family picnicking on the slopes beyond...



PaulB.

Friday, 15 April 2016 - 07:44

 

Post 3054

  Sea News, Dover

I saw this dredger relatively close to shore yesterday evening, it was only when I looked at the pictures in close up later that I realised it was our old friend Reimerswaal.. which we featured a short while ago. I remember it well as it I found the name a spelling nightmare at the time. But what are the odds...of all the dredgers plying their wares up and down the channel I had to get this one twice...without knowing..
How did the old phrase go
" of all the gin joints in all the world you had to walk into mine...."
There you have it! PaulB.



You can find the earlier pictures in the Search Engine just above.
Well done Ed and Sarah with the pictures below..and all the guys contributing.
Some fascinating stuff on show now.
and yes indeed Colette re the seal...of course I myself don't know a thing about being a diva !! Nosiree Bob!

Thursday, 14 April 2016 - 07:25

 

Post 3053

  Ed Connell, Dover

Elsebeth at the DCT today.


Wednesday, 13 April 2016 - 15:57

 

Post 3052

  ColetteB, Dover

It's amazing the stuff that happens on Dover beach, 'Bollywood Comes to Town'. Pity our friendly little seal wasn't there, he's missed his golden opportunity to break into the Bollywood scene. He pops up with such aplomb posing for MrB with an air of 'Divaism' as if to say 'it's all about me'.

On a more serious note, I can't believe there is another demonstration planned for April 23rd. Charlie Elphicke hits it right on the button, 'these protests are too high a price to pay'. The disruption to our town and the huge financial costs are totally unacceptable, not to mention the bad press we wrongly receive

Wednesday, 13 April 2016 - 14:42

 

Post 3051

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Whilst attending a fundraisers meeting at Ramsgate Lifeboat Station yesterday I spotted this visitor.

HMS Explorer - P164





Wednesday, 13 April 2016 - 14:41

 

Post 3050

  Sea News, Dover

Took this picture yesterday...there is not a great deal out of the ordinary about it other than it shows distinctly the flowing tide movement line. The light was terrific yesterday...very clear and crystal like. This line appears from time to time but not as often as one might think...so its a little bit of a phenomenon. I think we discussed this in a previous era and as I remember we settled on tidal flow as being the reason.
The ferry is the Spirit of Britain.

Really liking those pictures below Jeremy...ace work there.
Keep them coming

Wednesday, 13 April 2016 - 08:22