Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 6914

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now of Oceana approaching on a beautiful if chilly morning after one of her occasional trips in the channel. Pictures from a few days ago (April 1st) so catching up... yours truly had a brief time away from the frontline while doing an upgrade in the gubbins department...but almost back to normal now...whatever normal is in these hard times..
Oceana at Dover

At the 8pm applause last night for the NHS carers...and once again many took part..the two cruise ships Oceana and Aurora played some magical notes on their horns to accompany the applause..a great moment in Dover...the ships gave us an excellent musical lift. The whole country takes part in the applause, which is a regular thing now, and it is indeed very uplifting.

Well done Mike re the excellent all-round collection below...great info there too from our 'inshore correspondent'
Lol!! Vic...I will be the first one out...better times ahead

PB

Friday, 3 April 2020 - 06:29

 

Post 6913

  Mike J., Dover

LIAMARE has now completed discharging her sea defence stone cargo, sailng on MoNday evening for the big quarry at Rekefjord in Norway, probably to reload for Dover
The stone traffic is expected to continue for some time & some reports speak of 100,000 tons of stone to be delivered.


VENTURE & SARAH GREY & their barges remain in the Eastern Docks, both barges loaded with LIAMARE’s rocks.
The VENTURE & her barge are hidden by the DCT shed, but the SARAH GREY & her barge are vislble on the Eastern Arm.

.
Outbound PRIDE OF CANTERBURY passes under the stern of the METTE MAERSK who had landed an over-carried Feiixstowe pilot on a murky windy Sunday & was now heading for Rotterdam.


The CANTERBURY was dwarfed by the giant METTE MAERSK, a smidgeon [technical term] under 400.mtrs in length & she can carry 18,000 TEU of containers.

If the MAERSK in a ships name is preceeded by a Christian name this indicates that the ship is owned by the Maersk family but if MAERSK comes first this means that the vessel is one of Maesrsk’s vast chartered fleet of many different types of vessels.

Seatrade reefer PACIFIC REEFER arrived from Colombia Tuesday morning & berthed on WD5.

Survey vessel SEVERN SEA remains in the old Jetfoil terminal, not seen to be have moved from there since her arrival on Friday.

OCEANA sailed about 2130 Tuesday & is is expected back in Dover on Wednesday at 0630.
At 0300 she was east of Ramsgate heading northeast at an economical 6kts.

Tidal Basin on Tuesday with the small survey vessel FUGRO SEEKER who came into Dover for shelter Monday aftgernoon.
She had been heading for Ramsgate from Gosport en route for work in the Scarborough area.



The friendly crew told me she had recently been in involved in work searching for unexploded ordnance but gets involved with all sorts of work looking for seabed objects, towing the object seen on the stern & is fitted much other equipment including multi-beam sonar, which can produce remarkably clear inderwater mages.
Weather permitting she hopes to sail to Ramsgate on Wednesday.
If you google 'FUGRO SEEKER PHOTO' you’ll find a photo of her on the back of a lorry, under escort on some UK motorway.


Wednesday, 1 April 2020 - 03:16

 

Post 6912

  matcham, DOVOR

jUST WAIT TILL THIS IS ALL OVER YOU WILL NOT GET IN A CAFE, OR HOTEL OR ON A BUS THEY WILL ALL BE FULL UP AND THE PUBS AND SHOPS Ha.

Tuesday, 31 March 2020 - 11:58

 

Post 6911

  Sea News, Dover

A further shot of P&O's Oceana...on yet another foray into the channel on the 26th. You can see tug Doughty returning after doing the necessary on a fresh day, and in the background you can just see the pilot emerging from the ship itself. On the full large version of the picture this is visible in more detail, but this is the max size we can do here...but hopefully all can see everything okay...

Thanks Del...yes its a strange but effective picture that of the Premier Inn Hotel below... in post 6909..That's the way of it now...it all looks quite bleak and forlorn, these are hard times, and at night the seafront is very deserted and..well..dark on many levels.

PB

Tuesday, 31 March 2020 - 06:54

 

Post 6910

  Del Styan, Norwich

Having stayed in the seafront Premier Inn many times, its so sad to see it so empty. They have closed most of their hotels. I just hope the employees are getting paid - somehow.
Ditto for the ferries' staff.
In these rotten times, thanks for keeping going.

Monday, 30 March 2020 - 23:15

 

Post 6909

  Sea News, Dover

P&O FERRIES REINFORCES FREIGHT OPERATIONS BY FURLOUGHING 1100 STAFF ONTO GOVERNMENT PAY SCHEME
__________________________________________________________________________________________

P&O FERRIES’ operations on the Dover-Calais route are vital to the wellbeing of the people and economies of Northwestern Europe. Today the company is announcing a significant strategic shift to reprioritise its efforts on its freight operations and maintain the flow of goods, including medical supplies, between the United Kingdom and Europe.

Janette Bell, Chief Executive Officer of P&O Ferries, said: "Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, we are all grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact. P&O Ferries is having to respond with new measures to keep the business operational and to keep freight moving, which is vital to the economies of the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and the wider EU.

"With respect to the United Kingdom, we bring in about 15% of all the goods that the country currently urgently needs. The biggest part of which [33%] is food, including fresh fruit and vegetables from southern Europe and North Africa, as well as vital medicines and medical equipment. P&O Ferries is also handling important but hazardous goods such as detergents and cleaning products.

"Ordinarily, for P&O Ferries to provide the service required for the transport of freight, there needs to be a mix of passengers and cargo on the ships. However, due to the outbreak of Covid-19, there are now very few passengers travelling and we cannot sustain these normal operations. Consequently, P&O Ferries will be suspending its passenger business and we will be focusing all of our efforts on maintaining the flow of freight to Britain.

"This means that 1100 of our hard-working and dedicated staff in the passenger services part of our business will be furloughed onto the Government’s pay scheme. Without being able to make this decision, we would not be able to continue any of our operations. We will be doing all that we can over the next weeks and months to support all of our staff â€" furloughed and still working â€" through these difficult times."

For those employees in Britain affected, the Government scheme will cover 80% of their salary and the company will cover the rest up to their basic salary. Other European countries have similar schemes.

P&O Ferries is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics company, sailing 27,000 times a year on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. It operates more than 20 vessels which carry 8.4 million passengers and 2.3 million freight units every year. Together with its logistics business, P&O Ferrymasters, the company also operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain and Romania, and facilitates the onward movement of goods to Britain from Asian countries via the Silk Road. P&O Ferries is part of DP World, the leading provider of smart logistics solutions, enabling the flow of trade across the globe.

ENDS


* * *

Many thanks to the team at P&O Ferries for the information.


Following along from the P&O announcement...I think the picture of the Hotel below shows just how decimated the Leisure Industry is, and indeed how Leisure Travel is in the current situation. Coronavirus has left many places shutdown and businesses struggling hugely...the picture below shows the Premier Inn Dover and the Table Table Marine Court Restaurant mid afternoon saturday ...this scene would normally be a thriving and bustling scene...but look at it now... the picture tells the story...
Premier Inn Dover under Coronavirus lockdown.




PaulB




Monday, 30 March 2020 - 07:14

 

Post 6908

  Sea News, Dover

Following along from Brian's post on the P&O layoffs (post 6906)...ie 1100 staff laid off temporarily...These picture were taken early morning Thursday and below on Friday. What we can look at here is the total lack of everyday leisure traffic but thankfully plenty and plenty of trucks which keep our supplies coming through from the EU.

Janette Bell Chief Executive P&O Ferries...
"This means that 1100 of our hard-working and dedicated staff in the passenger services part of our business, will be furloughed onto the government’s pay scheme. Without being able to make this decision, we would not be able to continue any of our operations."

We will have the full press release on this tomorrow.



See also Mike's recent pictures of the Port below in post 6905...

PB

Sunday, 29 March 2020 - 07:42

 

Post 6907

  Sea News, Dover

P&O Cruise Ship Aurora at the Port of Dover
Aurora :

Just catching up with Aurora on a sunny but hazy evening above there as she gently moves stern first out of the port. Pictures were taken on ...yes Tuesday evening. The two resting P&O Cruise ships are developing a pattern of coming and going. Aurora left again yesterday but came back again in the night and both are here again as we speak....
Aurora moving away southwards below in the evening light as we look across some of the new developments...



Will just add this one below...taken on my little camera as the main one rain out of power arrrgh! in harmony with the top shot...


Everyone started madly clapping on Thursday night at 8pm in support of our fab and hard working NHS...its a tough and stressful time for the NHS staff so the appreciation is .. well...greatly appreciated.

Aurora in port at the time (Oceana was out and about) showed solidarity with an NHS light display. You can just make out NHS in the pic below...hopefully. Her horn sounded in time with all the people clapping...quite an exciting moment on the seafront.
Aurora and the NHS

Great info and pix below from our 'Inshore correspondent' in 6905...well done Mike, great stuff below there. Don't Miss!

Thanks for the info Brian … situation is changing fast, nobody is travelling..hotels are stark and empty around here...bleak..

Del yes its difficult...I used to get a delivery to the observation tower from that brand where 'every little helps'...its not helping now because the delivery slots have dried up..nothing...the lesser spotted toilet rolls are rare indeed...

PaulB

Saturday, 28 March 2020 - 06:08

 

Post 6906

  brian dixon, dover (brian-dixon2@outlook.com)

p&o have layed off 1100 staff to go frieght only

Saturday, 28 March 2020 - 05:21

 

Post 6905

  Mike J., Dover

All quiet on the White Cliffs.

This was the sign that greeted me when I arrived at the Langdon Cliffs carpark on Friday morning.
Presumably an attempt to encourage people to stay at home.

There was no prohibition to visitors on foot [by getting there on foot they would have met Boris's recommendation for daily exercise !], so during the afternoon I walked up seeking a photo of the workboat/tug SARAH GREY who had arrived around 0800 from Penryn, near Falmouth, with a barge in tow.

She had entered via Western about 0800 with the assistance of replacement tug WULF 7, but photos against the sun on a very hazy morning day were a total waste of time.

After waiting in the bay for ferry movements the little convoy moved to the Eastern Arm & tied up there.
The reason for their arrival is currently unknown


The wheelhouse of tug VENTURE can be seen over the DCT shed roof as she prepared to shift back to Western Docks with her stone barge.

The cliffs were eerily quiet for a nice sunny afternoon & I met only one lady who had walked up from the town.

Certainly quiet on the clifftops but down below the never-ending freight ground slowly thru the check-in booths & poured off the ferries.
Very few private vehicles & never a coach to be seen as the travel restrictions bite.




WULF 7 arrives to help with the shift whilst DOVER SEAWAYS loads freight.


Later in the afternoon an unexpected small vessel came in thru the Western Entrance.


The SEVERN SEA carries her 73 years well, being built in Sweden in 1947 & has had many jobs & names, including a spell as the Swedish minelayer KVALSUND.
Currently she is operating for Ketnvor Morlift of Bideford & arrived in Dover from that port.
Her future plans are currently unknown.
KM have an interesting website with some unusual craft.

Old she may well be, but she is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning System and can carry out a range of tasks including general towage, survey work, subsea installation including inspection and repair.

After waiting for a while off Cruise-2 she docked in the old Jetfoil Terminal.



Saturday, 28 March 2020 - 01:50

 

Post 6904

  Del Styan, Norwich

Hi PB,

Hope your getting your pasta and toilet rolls OK, holed up in your observation tower.

Friday, 27 March 2020 - 23:15

 

Post 6903

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now of Oceana as she returns from her first brief 'sojourn' along the channel ( She retuned last night late from her second one ) but here she is coming back to us around 1pm on the 24th which was....Tuesday...just catching up here. Both 'resting' P&O cruise ships are in port as we speak...

Oceana
Oceana and the Wulf


Interesting post below Mark - thanks for that. yes definitely have a trip after the lockdown as you missed the Hurtigruten adventure...

See also the P&O post further below 6901...

PB
ps: will have some pictures of Aurora next...all being well...

Friday, 27 March 2020 - 06:35

 

Post 6902

  Mark Rushton, Northants

Love the pic of Aurora's crew above the bridge approaching Dover. I hope that in the circumstances P&O have allowed the crew to occupy prime passenger suites, as they may be there a while. There is a precedent for that - when Canberra went to the Indian beaches for scrapping 23 years ago all the crew were told to abandon their crew quarters on leaving Southampton and help themselves to the best state rooms. If you google sscanberra.com you can find the full story of her trip to the breakers as well as the Falklands campaign she was closely involved with. And as soon as this lock down is over I'm going to book a trip on a ship. Anywhere !

Thursday, 26 March 2020 - 23:03

 

Post 6901

  Sea News, Dover

P&O FERRIES REINFORCES FREIGHT OPERATIONS TO SECURE RESILIENCE OF CALAIS-DOVER CROSSING
____________________________________________________________________________________

Release time: immediate


The link between France and Britain is vital to the flow of goods, medical supplies and the economies of the UK and EU.

P&O FERRIES is strengthening its freight operations on the Calais-Dover crossing as part of its commitment to maintain the flow of goods during the Covid-19 crisis. The United Kingdom relies on P&O Ferries for much of its fresh food, as well as imports of medicines and other vital supplies. The crossing is also critical to the economies of France, Ireland and the wider EU.

The shift to meet the challenge of the Covid-19 crisis is made possible thanks to the commitment and hard work of P&O Ferries’ workforce in the Port of Calais, who are taking on new roles in freight handling to keep food, medicines and other goods flowing. P&O Ferries is following the guidance of health authorities on both sides of the channel to protect the health and well-being of employees and customers. The check-in and loading process has been modified to avoid direct contact. Cleaning protocols have been intensified on ships, which have also switched from air-conditioning to fresh air.

Janette Bell, Chief Executive Officer of P&O Ferries, said: "P&O Ferries is doing vital work to ensure the supplies of food, medicines and other supplies to millions of people. In the average week we transport 25,000 loads of freight between France and Britain. The Calais-Dover crossing is also critical to the economy of France, as well as the UK, Ireland and the wider European Union. I want to thank every single member of the P&O Ferries team, especially our colleagues in Calais, who are keeping the flow of goods moving through this crisis. The well-being of millions of people depends on them. I urge all governments to back the commitment of our colleagues by designating port workers as key workers, to secure further the flow of goods."

P&O Ferries is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics company, sailing 27,000 times a year on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. It operates more than 20 vessels which carry 8.4 million passengers and 2.3 million freight units every year. Together with its logistics business, P&O Ferrymasters, the company also operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain and Romania, and facilitates the onward movement of goods to Britain from Asian countries via the Silk Road. P&O Ferries is part of DP World, the leading provider of smart logistics solutions, enabling the flow of trade across the globe.

ENDS


* * *


Many thanks to the team at P&O Ferries for the information above. Good to see the super effort made there..
Difficult times.....


Some pictures now of our new familiar friend Lady Rosemary approaching and arriving at the Port of Dover mid morning on Tuesday earlier this week. You can see her below approaching arriving and moving across to the new Cargo Terminal.

Lady Rosemary

Del yes indeed...or as Hercule Poirot might say ( and you have to do the Belgian accent )
"I have added grey water to my grey cells!"

Good stuff below Patrick … nice to see those shots

PaulB




Thursday, 26 March 2020 - 06:33

 

Post 6900

  Del Styan, Norwich

Well that's a new one to me - grey water. I googled it, and added to my knowledge!
Quiet days leaves time to do such enquires!

Wednesday, 25 March 2020 - 23:02

 

Post 6899

  Patrick, Marine Parade

The two P&O Cruise Liners currently laid up at the Western Docks Cruise Terminals made a short 'pootle' into the Channel this last two days.
The 'OCEANA' sailed north to discharge grey water from its tanks before returning to its original berth


with no passengers on board the crew were no doubt pleased to be able to enjoy the view of the White Cliffs as she entered the port.


Yesterday the 'AURORA' followed suit but sailed south into the Channel off Eastbourne before going about 180 degrees and also returning this morning to Cruise Terminal 2. This time not nose to nose with 'AURORA' but stern to bow (adhering to social distancing no doubt)
Here as she left astern through the Western entrance

and back this morning just after 0800




Wednesday, 25 March 2020 - 16:58

 

Post 6898

  Sea News, Dover

In his general port info round-up in post 6894 below... Mike mentions both Liamare and Duzgit Harmony. Liamare now back in Rotterdam but here she is arriving in Dover a few days ago...



Duzgit Harmony returned to us here in Dover on Monday and here she is approaching through the heat haze. Yours truly tried to limit the effect of the haze in the picture with the computer, but alas alas I may have made it worse...
yikes..
but here she comes anyway..


Then inside harbour manoeuvring into place on the Eastern Arm...shorter range equals no haze..
Nice shot of the lightpole there....Grrrr!!

There are better pictures of Duzgit Harmony in our system...just type the name in our Search Box above.

Yes Oceana returned yesterday and afore long Aurora left too, presumably doing the same thing as mentioned below.

Also Lady Rosemary returned yesterday too...busy day...we will have pictures of all of it.


PaulB
UPDATE: AURORA has returned now too...re-entering port at around 08.10

Wednesday, 25 March 2020 - 06:12

 

Post 6897

  Sea News, Dover

Matt thanks for that great bit of info - brilliant - yes she has now come back..

PaulB

Tuesday, 24 March 2020 - 15:28

 

Post 6896

  Matt, Southampton

Oceana will return to Dover shortly, she sailed towards Rotterdam to empty her tanks of grey waste water.

Tuesday, 24 March 2020 - 10:42

 

Post 6895

  Sea News, Dover

In the post below Mike mentions that the rock barge Selina is now over at the Eastern Arm of the port...these pictures show her being moved a few days ago ( Friday 20th). The barge looks empty at this point. This was her second trip to the Eastern Arm...the first to make way at the dock for visiting reefers. Three tugs in operation here below...Wulf7, Doughty, and Venture...you can see them all here below. The Wulf in lead position...





Thanks for all the info below Mike. Yes Oceana left last night just before 8.30pm taking everyone by surprise including yours truly...it was too dark, a bit of a black night, for any picture ..

PaulB

Tuesday, 24 March 2020 - 06:35