Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 693

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

i must admit that barge does look enticing, a real "away from it all" look.

Didn't bother to go up top for photos of today's cruise liner, as paul says too murky a day.

plenty of visitors in town this morning taking photos of the castle with the fountain in the foreground, doubt if they came out well though.

Friday, 25 April 2014 - 20:38

 

Post 692

  Barry W-S, Dover (wadsworthsmith@btinternet.com)

Nice photo PaulB, especially in these weather conditions, it's good to see cruise ships of this calibre, stylish, smooth lines, very Italian

Friday, 25 April 2014 - 11:07

 

Post 691

  PaulB, Dover

Here is the MSC Magnifica pictured a few minutes ago. The image is manipulated as in reality its just not clear enough to get a decent picture straight...as it were. There is still a lot of fog/mist about and its probably unlikely to get much better, although one lives in hope. Maybe this evening...
Also in the picture is the familiar dredger David Church.

Friday, 25 April 2014 - 10:41

 

Post 690

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Fog clearing and yes, MSC Magnifica has arrived. At over 90,000 tonnes, one of our big visitors. But I see an even bigger "celebrity" is due to call next year!

Friday, 25 April 2014 - 08:47

 

Post 689

  PaulB, Dover

Thanks for the ace reminder Kevin. Unfortunately fog has blighted the situation this morning..cant see a thing as I write. Don't know if she is in or not...but hopefully the weather situation will get better so everyone can see. Pity that...yours truly was camera ready for the returning monster cruise liner.

Wow!..great barge. Can you set that one up for me on the Seine Mike, just 300 or 400 metres east of Notre Dame will do...Im moving in !!

Friday, 25 April 2014 - 07:20

 

Post 688

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Always fancied the idea of a trip on a canal barge and that one looks like just the job! A quick reminder that the MSC Magnifica is due into Dover again tomorrow.

Thursday, 24 April 2014 - 19:49

 

Post 687

  Mike J., Dover

Came across this Dutch luxury canal-boat in Wellington Dock this morning.
Dunno how long she's been here.

Further details if you Google HAKVOORT SHIPYARD TIGRE D’OR




Thursday, 24 April 2014 - 11:35

 

Post 686

  PaulB, Sea News, Dover.

TRAVEL CENTRE CLOSING....


Key point in Port transformation arrives with closure of Travel Centre
________________________________________________________

The Port of Dover’s Travel Centre, the building that has welcomed millions of passengers to Europe’s busiest ferry port for the past 30 years, is to close at 8pm on 30th April 2014. The familiar building is closing in readiness for demolition, representing a key point in the Traffic Management Improvement (TMI) project that is transforming the Port.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: "Freight vehicle numbers have virtually trebled over the past thirty years and we want to create a new welcome for our customers, one that delivers enhanced efficiency, flexibility and fantastic customer service."

During the demolition, which is due to be completed by mid-September 2014, two outbound traffic lanes will be maintained during peak times with minimal impact anticipated on inbound tourist and freight traffic.

The Arrivals Area of the Passenger Handling Building has been fully refurbished to provide new and permanent facilities in order to accommodate the existing tenants of the Travel Centre. A new Passenger Lounge has also been provided as an additional customer waiting facility during peak times.

Mr Waggott added: "The Travel Centre has faithfully served our customers over a long period of time, but in order to be the best port in the world, we need to move with the times and that means keeping the £89 billion of goods that come through the Port moving. I offer my continued appreciation for the understanding of our customers whilst we improve the Port for their journeys of the future and to our community whilst we work to reduce possible congestion in the town."




Thursday, 24 April 2014 - 06:26

 

Post 685

  brian d., sunny hieghts.

ah yes I seen it in the bay this afternoon.

Wednesday, 23 April 2014 - 20:44

 

Post 684

  PaulB, Sea News, Dover.

It was a very busy harbour last evening as you can see..with lots of sizzling activity. The Lifeboat joined in with the sunlit action. They were on a training run we can assume, as there was no immediate danger to be seen. All was sunlit tranquillity itself. But they certainly cut an exciting colourful image as they rounded the café and lighthouse on the Prince of Wales pier and headed in our landlubber direction. They made for some nice pictures but we can settle on the one above.

I promised another pic of the Star Trust and here she is below... I managed to get some of the overly orange evening colour out of the picture and here we are. Not too bad. As mentioned in the previous post...she left again not all that long after arriving...about 7.30 or so. And yet another cargo ship arrived today called the Hope Bay...was too hazy at the time to get a good picture of it though.


Wednesday, 23 April 2014 - 16:00

 

Post 683

  PaulB, Sea News, Dover.

Just immediately after assisting the Star Trust cargo ship into Port yesterday, tugboat dauntless returns to base in the picture above. The Star Trust below was also assisted by Doughty which is just out of shot. In the background above you can see the Pilot launch boat powering eastwards at full speed. Time was about 3.30pm. I believe the Star Trust had come all the way from the Panama Canal. That is some trip! Definitely long hail. The interesting thing... by 7.30 early evening she was on her way again. presumably had just dropped off some cargo/containers here and was heading onwards, perhaps to Antwerp...
We have some pictures of her leaving but all a tad too orange in the late dying sun. I will try to un-orange them in due course. Wish me luck...
The Star Trust is a regular visitor here of course. Its great to see our cargo ship too-ings and fro-ings increasing all the time. As Howard says below there...quite a surprise to see the amount and different variety of ships passing through the Port these days. Great to see.
Indeed Howard the input from our resident experts always hugely welcome.

Wednesday, 23 April 2014 - 06:38

 

Post 682

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

quite astonishing to see the variety of vessels that frequent our port.

most of us see dover as a ferry port plus cruise liners in season.

paul sees them all from his eagle's nest and resident experts give the lowdown, great stuff.

Tuesday, 22 April 2014 - 22:22

 

Post 681

  PaulB, Dover

As mentioned in the previous post these are the pictures showing the arrival of the new groyne marker 'lampshade'. Replacing the one that fell heroically in the winter storms. Yours truly didn't actually see the new fitting taking place but noticed the survey boat Diana next to it earlier in the day. You can just see the tiny bit of marker pole sticking out of the water. Diana then moved away but later when I looked all was in place and here we are.. see also the post below plus posts 581, 583, 584, on page 3.


Tuesday, 22 April 2014 - 07:47

 

Post 679

  PaulB, Dover

Very interesting pictures and info below there John and Ed. Had no idea the Cornelis Vrolijk had ever been into Port. And there we are..great stuff as ever lads!
Now by way of that tidal novelty again...
These pictures are from a few days back, the last few days, and you can see the tidal line very pronounced in the harbour. No work was going on or anything to contribute to the distinctive line but some days it is very pronounced...not often though. In the lower right of top picture you can just see the new groyne marker pole. Since then the 'lampshade' and extension have been added to it to bring it in line with requirements. Will have some pictures etc...
Slightly later and on a different camera...a colourful windsurfer tackles the now breaking tide line with panache and gusto.

Monday, 21 April 2014 - 07:00

 

Post 677

  Ed Connell, Dover

One of Cornelis Vrolijk on the South Jetty a few years ago. Registered in Hull and flying the Red Duster.



Sunday, 20 April 2014 - 11:31

 

Post 676

  John Mavin, Dover

That's the Cornelis Vrolijk Fzm. She calls at Dover from time to time, usually for a crew change - which I guess is what's happening here. If you Google her name you can see her company website.




Sunday, 20 April 2014 - 11:11

 

Post 675

  PaulB, Dover

For about an hour yesterday Easter Saturday between 5 and 6 pm...this fishing trawler above circulated around the western entrance. It was met in due course by the small launch from George Hammond. What was going on was impossible to tell..but after a short time all necessities were completed and courtesy of our Channel Traffic info ( top of page Dover.uk.com ) the ship carried on on its journey to...and ive had to double check the spelling on this post..to Ijmuiden in Holland. I must admit I have never heard of Ijmuiden before. So there you are, you learn something new everyday.
The ship is called the Cornelis Vrolijk.


Sunday, 20 April 2014 - 06:48

 

Post 674

  PaulB, Dover

This is another one of these special ops vessels...we seem to have had quite a number of these guys visiting in recent times. Quite a new phenomenon. More pictures of the other ones down and over the page. This most recent one is called HMS Example and I just caught the tail end of her visit as she departed around 11.30am earlier today...slipping out of harbour between ferries.

Saturday, 19 April 2014 - 12:10

 

Post 672

  PaulB, Dover

Archbishop shares in the ‘stirring vision for Port and town’
______________________________________________

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, has this week visited the Port of Dover to see the transformation taking place at one of the UK’s key international gateways.

Archbishop Welby, accompanied by the Bishop of Dover (The Rt Revd Trevor Willmott), met the Port’s Chairman (George Jenkins) and Chief Executive (Tim Waggott).

During the visit, Archbishop Welby, the head of the 85 million strong international Anglican Communion, toured the Port with local chaplains to see for himself the massive investment being made to ensure the Port can provide the 13 million customers who use Europe’s busiest international ferry port each year with the very best customer service, and meeting the dedicated professional team who deliver that service.

Tim Waggott, said: "We were all delighted and honoured to welcome Archbishop Justin to the Port and to show him how we are all working together to transform the Port by serving our customers and community in the best way we can."

The Archbishop also met with the independent chairmen and vice-chairmen of the Port’s two key consultation bodies – the Port & Community Forum and Port Users Group - witnessing the unifying effects of the shared vision being developed for the future development of the Port and its contribution to the local community.

Archbishop Welby, on leaving the Port, said he was: "very grateful for generous time from busy people, and a stirring vision for port and town."

Photo (Right to Left this time) : Robert Hardy (Managing Director of Motis and Independent Vice-Chairman of the Port Users Group), Tim Waggott (Chief Executive, Port of Dover), Archbishop Justin Welby, Bishop Trevor Willmott, George Jenkins (Chairman, Dover Harbour Board), Derek Leach (Chairman of The Dover Society and Independent Chairman of the Port & Community Forum) and Dick Fuller (Independent Vice Chairman and independent local representative of the Port & Community Forum)


* * * *


Following the various incidents at Eurotunnel, The Port of Dover would like to advise its passengers that the traffic to the Port is currently flowing without any delays. Ferry services are operating normally with space available. We hope that the disruptions to the traffic on M20 have not caused any major delays to passengers’ journey. Please consult the Port of Dover website (www.doverport.co.uk) or Twitter account (@Port_of_Dover) for the latest travel information.

Customers wishing to book ferry tickets are advised to contact their chosen ferry operator using following numbers or visit their websites:
Operator Type - Ferry Operator - Telephone No.
Freight - DFDS Seaways 01304 218 400
Freight - P&O Ferries 01304 863 340
Freight - DFDS/LD Lines 01304 218 400
Freight - MyFerryLink 01304 828 422
Tourist - DFDS Seaways 0871 574 7235
Tourist - P&O Ferries 08716 64 64 64
Tourist - DFDS/LD Lines 0871 574 7235
Tourist - MyFerryLink 0844 248 2100

P&O website - http://www.poferries.com/
DFDS website - http://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/
MyFerryLink website - http://www.myferrylink.com/?packedargs=site%3DSF_Pax_Uk
The Port apologises for any delays or inconvenience as a result of the earlier traffic congestion at Eurotunnel.


UPDATE at 06.50 friday: there are some traffic delays now due to volume !



Friday, 18 April 2014 - 06:13

 

Post 670

  PaulB, Dover

The busy cargo traffic carries on in fine style and long may it continue. This ship, called the Vega Pollux, is shown getting ready to depart earlier today Thursday around 3pm. Rotterdam may have been the destination. The tugboat doing the..ermmm tugging.. is none other than Dauntless herself. I don't think I recall the name Vega Pollux before?

Thursday, 17 April 2014 - 21:57