Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 2468

  Sea News, Dover

The fabulous Norwegian Star's striking arrival at dawn....at the glorious Port of Dover.






Will let the pictures do the talking this time.....

Tuesday, 6 October 2015 - 16:00

 

Post 2467

  Sea News, Dover

Historic England recognises Port’s commitment to heritage.....
________________________________________________


The public body which looks after England’s historic environment has recognised a major Port of Dover restoration project.

Historic England – formerly English Heritage – praised the time, effort, determination and craftsmanship employed by the port and its contractors in restoring Dover Marine Station – now home to Dover Cruise Terminal 1 – to its former glory.

The recognition came after the annual English Heritage Awards which celebrate people and organisations who’ve gone to great lengths to look after/care for their historical environment.

The Port of Dover’s work on the Grade II-listed Marine Station focused on its 180m steel and glass Beaux-Arts style roof, as well as the building’s associated access structures. It involved replacing the roof trusses, applying protective paint, replacing patent glazing, electrical and roofing materials, and providing brick and stonework repairs - all while maintaining ongoing cruise operations.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "Projects like this make an important contribution to local and national history, to the life of the local community and to the vital task of securing England’s rich and varied heritage for present and future generations."

During the renovation works, the port installed a 60m ‘rolling roof’ which was moved along the building as each phase was completed. This innovation, designed to protect the building’s exposed fabric from the elements, was reportedly the largest single span roof system ever used in this situation.

Tim Waggott, the Port of Dover’s chief executive, said: "As part of its commitment to restore, promote and celebrate its historic buildings and structures, the Port commissioned a multi-million pound heritage works project – with the Marine Station building a key focus of the regeneration. The project shows how the port cares for such assets in ensuring they are appropriately maintained whilst still able to play a role in the on-going business of a busy international port operation. We look forward to welcoming more customers together with our community to this fantastic place in the years to come."

ENDS





Many thanks to our colleagues over at DHB for the report and pictures above.


also ................................


FURTHER INFO RE THE MAUNSELL FORTS - see post 2013 below.
The fort we have put on the Forum is the Red Sands Army Fort comprising of 7 Towers....

"
Details from The Maunsell Forts website:

In 1943 Guy Maunsell designed a new type of fort that looked more futuristic. Each fort consisted of a central control tower linked to six "satellites".
Out of the three army forts situated in the Thames estuary, the Nore Army Fort was closest to the shore. This army fort is the only one that no longer exists as it was badly damaged during the 50’s and was demolished by 1960.

The Red Sands army fort is made up of seven forts that were linked by walkways. There is an on-going effort to restore the Red Sands army forts because they are considered to be in the best condition.

Located over 9 miles away from the shores, the Shivering Sands Army Fort currently stays abandoned. Out of the seven forts built here, only six stand today after one of the forts was hit by a Norwegian boat in 1963. It served as the location of the first pirate radio that broadcast from the Maunsell forts. Its future is uncertain but there are plans to dismantle it.

Right after the war they were put under maintenance, but soon they lost any strategic importance and were used in different ways.

"

Many thanks to SARAH HEWES for the forts info above. We may be able to get pictures of the other forts up in due course.
Nice picture below once again Ed. Nice shot.


The fabulous Norwegian Star is approaching the Port....what a beauty !! wowser! Come down and see one of the last great ships for this year.
We will have pictures.



Tuesday, 6 October 2015 - 06:23

 

Post 2466

  Ed Connell, Dover

Another view of Swedish Reefer on the DCT this afternoon.



Monday, 5 October 2015 - 22:27

 

Post 2465

  Sea News, Dover

Some fascinating pictures above of the Maunsell Forts in the Thames estuary. They were taken by SARAH HEWES while on her recent trip aboard the Waverley, which can be seen further down the page. I myself know nothing of these Forts ( I'm not from these parts that's my excuse ) but they are certainly fascinating. The second picture is a crop of the first one as yours truly was intrigued to see that one appears to be lived in and has docking facilities and Sky Sports!
It would certainly suit me provided I could have a twice weekly delivery of pot noodles !! PaulB.

Many thanks to Sarah once again.
Below we have the arrival this morning of the Swedish Reefer... which has battled all the way from Columbia. A long oul haul for sure.



See also todays earlier post below.

Monday, 5 October 2015 - 16:40

 

Post 2464

  Sea News, Dover

We have had a good little spell of warm 'indian summer' weather but it looks like its all change today Monday for some autumnal gales with rain to match. But before all that gets going lets remember that we had a gorgeous weekend with great picture opportunities over and across the harbour...the notable thick fog on Saturday morning got the cameras whirring, after it began to lift of course. Nothing at all was visible for a time.

The top shot there is by MIKE JACKSON. Mike took the picture from on high and it shows the swirling mist surrounding the AIDA Bella at cruise terminal 2 on Saturday morning. Good one Mike.

Yours truly was also snapping away. The yachts were out as per usual on Saturday...but this time they were more than a tad ...becalmed! as you can see in the picture below. It was still misty later in the morning as they gently moved back and forth at little or no pace. But as ever they make a great sight. The final picture below goes back to early early morn...when the sun over the harbour began to colourfully burst through the fog.




Never dull in and around the harbour Jan. That shark has now taken up residence at Nausicaa we understand.

Good to see the Rodin again in the picture below. Had many a trip on that particular one. Will be good to see both those ships, Rodin and Berlioz, back in service eventually. Good pic Ed. Well done capturing that. Good to see it. PaulB.

Monday, 5 October 2015 - 06:16

 

Post 2463

  Ed Connell, Dover

Rodin on Quai de Lorraine in Dunkerque West today. A DFDS team has been assessing all work required and preparing to ask for quotes. In due course she will drydock for repainting etc and enter service later in the year.



Sunday, 4 October 2015 - 16:26

 

Post 2462

  JanT, Dover

Well shiver me timbers we sure do see life in our harbour, nice to see him frolicking with the swimmers
Nice to see the pictures of the Waverley, life is never dull within our harbour, and thanks to you chaps and your cameras we get to see a lot of it.

Sunday, 4 October 2015 - 07:48

 

Post 2461

  Sea News, Dover

SHARK!!


Whoa ! This dangerous grisly man-eating beast was spotted in the immediate water last weekend..."whats to be done!" thought I, while stuck in monumental dither mode, but before a chap could say gadzooks!.. these brave swimmers leapt into action and tackled the marauding monster head-on. There was much splishin' and splashin' and wranglin' and wrestliin'.. but after a titanic struggle the beast was subdued with a gusto unseen previously in these waters.

PaulB.

While we are on a roll with the much loved and famed Waverley..
here is another picture to add to the collection....taken as she passed Dover in 2014.



Sunday, 4 October 2015 - 06:53

 

Post 2460

  Sea News, Dover

In post 2003 Mike mentioned he was on the Waverley on Thursday...by an amazing coincidence so was our 'roving contributor' SARAH HEWES who supplied these very nice pictures of the ever popular Waverley in fine action along the Thames estuary.



From Wikipedia:
"The Waverley is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1946, she sailed from Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde to Arrochar on Loch Long until 1973. Bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS), she has been restored to her 1947 appearance and now operates passenger excursions around the British coast.

Since 2003 Waverley has been listed in the National Historic Fleet by National Historic Ships UK as "a vessel of pre-eminent national importance". She appeared in the 2011 film Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows."


EXTRA: Now that the fog is clearing a wee bit I can see the large shape of the AIDA Bella... she is back with us again.

Saturday, 3 October 2015 - 07:37

 

Post 2459

  Sea News, Dover

LATEST FROM HMRC....


Alcohol smuggling truckers jailed:

Two men have been jailed for their part in an alcohol smuggling plot after an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
HGV drivers Mervyn Osgood, 61, and Darren Brooker, 46, both from Kent, were found guilty of importing non duty paid alcohol into the UK on several occasions which was bought from a bonded warehouse in France. The alcohol was then delivered to locations across the UK and sold at ‘duty free’ prices.

Alan Tully, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:

"Osgood and Brooker evaded up to half a million pounds in duty by smuggling alcohol into the UK at the expense of legitimate traders and taxpayers.

"We urge anyone with information about the sale, storage or transport of illicit alcohol to call the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."

Border Force officers at Dover docks stopped a lorry in October 2012 that had arrived from Calais laden with beer. Officers realised that the paperwork had already been used the day before by Osgood who had arrived at Dover with an identical load.

The lorry driver was arrested and questioned. Osgood was arrested in February 2013 and, after being linked to the fraud by analysis of Osgood’s telephone records, Brooker was arrested in July 2013.

Both men were found guilty of alcohol smuggling offences and sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 29 September 2015. A third man was found not guilty.

Ends




Friday, 2 October 2015 - 12:39

 

Post 2458

  Mike J., Dover

Damn !

I was on the POW at 0800 for a few snaps & went off, planning to be back for her sailing this afternoon & when I got home found she had sailed !

Most annoying, she would have been perfectly lit & would have looked good from the end of the pier.
But at least Mr.B has a good record of her departure.
Maybe someone else was there & will post later, there was another photographer there but he said nowt.

I don’t think that that she HAS returned to ‘conventional’ cruising as she still has the yellow ladders on each side for transferring personnel to & from the windfarm workboats.

I expect that she’ll feature further on Nigel Scutt’s DOVER MARINA Facebook page, he has excellent pix of her arrival says that she was involved with some sort of military exercise when she was in Poole Harbour.

Grrrrr - the one that got away . . . . .








Friday, 2 October 2015 - 10:31

 

Post 2457

  Sea News, Dover

Following on from the post below, here we have the last few pictures of the departing Sea Discoverer a few minutes ago as we write..



And one from earlier this morning..


Friday, 2 October 2015 - 09:51

 

Post 2456

  Sea News, Dover

Interesting pictures Mike...could be a duck house on tow there..acquired for use by trendy wealthy pond owners further upstream in the shires!
Thanks for the info re the Northsea Beta.
Nice sweeping picture there Ed. Great view from there. Yes the Sea Discoverer is still with us basking across there in the misty morning sunlight. PB.
UPDATE AT 09.00 : Sea Discoverer has left the harbour!

Friday, 2 October 2015 - 08:08

 

Post 2455

  Mike J., Dover

Nice pix of the NORTHSEA BETA, ships occasionally call off Dover for stores or personnel changes.
Maybe she was dropping a pilot as occasionally they are unable to disembark when they leave the Scheldt due to bad weather & it was a brisk old day yesterday.
If the weather is too bad to drop the ‘over-carried’ pilot off Dover they usually have to stay aboard until, I think, Brixham.

Good to see the arrival of the SEA DISCOVERER & I’m pleased to see that she stayed overnight & is supposed to sail late this afternoon.

Myself & a friend did a trip on the WAVERLEY yesterday & although it is well outside DSN's ‘area’ readers may be interested in this curious tug & tow that we met just below Tower Bridge.
Movie set? Advertising? Instant island for trendy wealthy riverside mansion-owner?
She was going the wrong way for an annexe to Dover Castle.
All very strange.






Friday, 2 October 2015 - 06:51

 

Post 2454

  Ed Connell, Dover

Sea Discoverer with the cliffs in the background. Another view of this eccentric oddball.



Thursday, 1 October 2015 - 13:10

 

Post 2453

  Sea News, Dover

The Sea Discoverer arriving this morning early ( see also post 1995 ).
You can see the American influence, the American lines...the vessel has its charms but clearly looks like a steamboat from the Mississipi..ermm without the paddle of course. But good to see it.


Thursday, 1 October 2015 - 11:33

 

Post 2452

  Sea News, Dover

Northsea Beta, a chemical or oil products tanker, came in close to shore or more accurately close to harbour a couple of evenings back and was met by the Pilot boat in a stiffening breeze. Presumably it was a crew change or something of that sort, as in the last picture you can see the small boat by the ladder with several guys close by. This can be a tricky manoeuvre depending of course on the conditions and most definitely not for the fainthearted in a howling gale! Always makes for interesting pictures.

Have just added this picture below of the sun rising yesterday morning wednesday. A great season begins now for spectacular sunrises. Welcome to October.


Thursday, 1 October 2015 - 06:33

 

Post 2451

  Sea News, Dover

Thanks for that final list below Colette. Sadly yes it looks like its the end of the cruise season. There have been some great ships this year and we are finishing with a bang not a whimper. I don't know where the summer went, in many ways I am still waiting for it to arrive but there we are...that's another story.

And yes we have reached 100 pages here in this location so a fine milestone with lots more to come.

The picture above shows the AIDA Bella. Yours truly was trying to multitask by capturing the seagull, the low tide, and the fab ship all at once but I cut off the bow of the ship. The lesson here is...don't multitask!!

PaulB
Cruise List 1998
Community Funding Extra 1997

Wednesday, 30 September 2015 - 15:19

 

Post 2450

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________

Sadly, this is the last of Dover cruises for this season. I will miss them as I'm sure many of you will. Many thanks to all you guys & gals for the superb photos & informative data

Look out for the Sea Discoverer tomorrow Thursday 1st October, thanks for that information Mike, shame you're not here to see her.

Saturday 3rd October the very photogenic AIDAbella is back with us at CT2, POC.

Tuesday 6th October the beautiful Norwegian Star can't resist a last visit this season to the iconic Port of Dover, CT2, POC. She was last here in May this year.

The following day Wednesday 7th, the AIDAbella returns to CT2, POC.

Then another two visits from AIDAbella, one on Sunday 11th with her final visit this season on Thursday 15th October, both at CT2, POC.

Finally, on Thursday 22nd, our last cruise ship, the AIDACara will make an appearance at CT2, POC. She was here in August this year.

So Sea News has completed 100 pages, WOW!!! Here's to the next 100 MrB





Wednesday, 30 September 2015 - 12:13

 

Post 2449

  Sea News, Dover

Port’s £100,000 cash injection to boost community fund
_______________________________________________


Port chiefs are pumping even more cash into the community fund which has been backing the people of Dover.
The Port of Dover is committing £100,000 in addition to the £250,000 it used to pump-prime the scheme last year, just as the second round for bids has opened.

Projects or groups which enhance the town’s skills and job prospects, or benefit its social, cultural or environmental credentials, are being invited to apply for grants of between £2,000 and £10,000.

Although the scheme – known as the Port of Dover Community Fund – is financed by the port, it’s administered independently by Kent Community Foundation. The charity, which has more than 14 years’ experience in this field, says 20 organisations have already registered an interest in the latest round of funding.

And, on September 29, to help even more local good causes benefit, it held a workshop where community groups learned what criteria they need to meet for funding, how to apply, or – if they tried and were not successful in the last round – how to make their applications stronger.

Andrew Garrett, from the foundation, said: "We’ve already had some enquiries and expressions of interest coming in from local groups, with some really exciting projects that could potentially make a real difference in the long term."

The scheme is open to projects or organisations either based in the town or which serve the people of Dover.

Port of Dover chief executive, Tim Waggott, said:
"This fund is about putting the port at the heart of its community and making a real and lasting difference. The latest injection of money is a clear sign that we remain committed to that principle.
The fund is independently managed by Kent Community Foundation but, in addition to the money, the port is keen to host the workshop to ensure the people of Dover get maximum benefit from the funding on offer."

The deadline for funding applications is November 27.

ENDS

(Apologies we are a bit late with that Port Post above and missed the date of the workshop - yours trulys fault entirely..but the funding possibilities remain buoyant. PaulB. )


* *

The busy cruise ( and cargo ) schedule goes on...above we have the AIDA Bella arriving again with us yesterday tuesday bringing lots of visitors to the town to enjoy fabulous views like the one below, which shows the sea in the harbour at low low tide early morn yesterday. That darned moon is playing its glorious part still, with very high tides and very low ones too. Hopefully nobody is suffering flooding probems....Look at that east wind blow.





Wednesday, 30 September 2015 - 07:14