Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 669

  PaulB, Sea News Dover

DFDS SEAWAYS SERVES UP NVQ QUALIFICATIONS
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Eleven stewards from DFDS Seaways’ Dover-Dunkirk route have been enrolled onto an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 in Professional Cookery, as part of an ongoing investment in personal development.

The onboard stewards, from across the UK and Europe, have previously held positions as Kitchen Porters and are now being given the opportunity to train to become fully qualified Chefs on the Dover-Dunkirk ferry route. From the 12 March all eleven candidates are being trained to achieve the NVQ, furthering their knowledge of catering, from the preparation of food to cooking and storing dishes.

Commenting on the enrolment, Matthew Mcphail, Food and Beverage Onboard Sales Department at DFDS Seaways, said, "We are very pleased to announce our continuous development with this enrolment for our kitchen staff, designed to help build skills and experience. We strive to ensure our staff have the highest possible qualifications to provide the best quality food and service for our passengers whilst they dine onboard."

Photo above from left to right: Nicola Steer, HR and crewing officer, John Wilson, Kitchen Steward, Liam Richards, Kitchen Steward, Richard King, Kitchen Steward, Matt McPhail, Food and Beverage Manager, Les Potts, Head Chef on Dunkerque Seaways, Faustina Gaituak, assessor from Runway Training.

There are up to 24 sailings a day between Dover and Dunkirk providing passengers with flexible crossing times, a luxury on-board travel experience and convenient travel options. Whilst onboard, passengers can dine at the Self-Service Restaurant, visit the Lounge Bar or grab a snack at the Food Express. For more information about DFDS Seaways or to book a ferry crossing visit www.dfds.co.uk or call 0871 574 7235.

Always worth remembering that DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships. In 2012, DFDS Seaways transported 5 million passengers across the 11 passenger routes. DFDS Seaways prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.

In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Harwich to Esbjerg, Newcastle to Amsterdam, Newhaven to Dieppe and Portsmouth to Le Havre.


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Many thanks for that Vic. Glad you are liking the page. All being well ..we will have lots more exciting stuff to come.
Good story that Jacqui..made me chuckle too.




Thursday, 17 April 2014 - 06:37

 

Post 668

  Vic Matcham, Dover

By showing the great photos of the port as you do it is helping get more of the public down to see it all for themselves.
It is by far the best page not only in the Dover Forum but the best of all the forums thank you.

Thursday, 17 April 2014 - 04:12

 

Post 667

  Vic Matcham, Dover

I know I KEEP SAYING THANK YOU,BUT THEY ARE GREAT PHOTOS AND I LOVE LOOKING AT THE MOON MYSELF. THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST PAGE ON ALL THE FORUMS NOT JUST DOVER,
Anyone from outside the town and see this they would be rushing down to look themselves, you are doing well by showing them all to the public.

Thursday, 17 April 2014 - 04:09

 

Post 666

  Jacqui, Dover

Made me laugh when she was coming across the harbour the other day Paul. I was listening on SW radio and Port Control told her - "No more than 8 knots in the harbour please sir". She quickly slowed down lol. Lovely sight though, seeing her stream in the Eastern entrance. Love all your photos.

Wednesday, 16 April 2014 - 20:40

 

Post 665

  PaulB, Dover

We are having a very busy time of it with the Royal Navy popping in and out and generally hovering about in the immediate vicinity. Herewith the latest....
Above we have HMS Explorer which powered across the harbour 2days ago. Visiting the same day as the mighty MSC Magnifica. As always they cut a mean dash. We had the similar HMS Puncher recently too. Pictures of HMS Puncher over on page 2 and on page 3. These are patrol or special ops vessels as I understand it but also used in training these days.
Thanks to Kevins tip off I had a go at getting a picture of HMS Tyne which was just off Port last evening. Very long range picture so a wee bit soft alas. Right on cue the Lifeboat powered past...clearly out on a shout! The Tyne just went off afterwards too in roughly the same direction as the Lifeboat...heading west into the low evening sun.


We are all having a go at the moon. Blimey! and why not. Well done with that one Jacqui/Adam. The previous moon shot by yours truly further down the page was taken early evening while the great orb was hanging above Calais. These latest ones above were taken early this morning..very early..while hovering above Western Heights.

Wednesday, 16 April 2014 - 15:30

 

Post 664

  Jacqui, Dover

My son Adam took this with his new camera from his bedroom window. I think it's rather good.

Wednesday, 16 April 2014 - 12:55

 

Post 663

  PaulB, Dover

Cracking pictures John
Great spot Kevin re HMS Tyne. Had a stab at getting some pix. Very long range though..will see if any good a bit later

Wednesday, 16 April 2014 - 06:57

 

Post 662

  John Mavin, Dover

It's true what Paul says about shooting the moon and I've never trusted in-camera metering for these sorts of situations. This was taken handraulically using an old Weston meter I've had for forty years.

The second picure, from June 2010, is interesting because I don't think I've ever seen a full moon so low in the sky.





Tuesday, 15 April 2014 - 21:47

 

Post 661

  JanT, Dover

Over the last few days some really great pictures, showing our lovely seafront and all that goes on, keep those cameras clicking chaps
And with this very pleasant spring like weather and the start of the cruise ships, really feels like summer is on its way.

Tuesday, 15 April 2014 - 19:03

 

Post 660

  Kevin Charles, Dover

The Royal Navy River class patrol ship, HMS Tyne, is currently off the Western Entrance.

Tuesday, 15 April 2014 - 19:01

 

Post 659

  PaulB, Dover

These pictures are of last nights magnificent full moon. It rose early while there was still light so that helped with the shots. The moon is never very easy. But as the night wore on, down here at the lapping waters edge, it conjured up an eerie spooky feel...well shiver me timbers but I'm sure I saw Long John Silver walking the plank at one point...but it may have been a mirage, or an ethereal vision...or maybe that extra glass of...


Yes its great Kevin to see the kids getting all that marvellous local nautical training. Indeed one of them may well be on an MSC bridge one day before too long. Nice shot that Colette from your phone...but don't forget to get that nice camera of yours out too. The ship above is the Pride of Canterbury.



Tuesday, 15 April 2014 - 17:28

 

Post 658

  ColetteB, Dover

Terrific photos guys of the MSC Magnifica, 95,000 tons + Blimey!!!
Like Kevin, I love the one with the sailing boats too, great shot there Mr B I was on my way back from Ashford late yesterday afternoon & as I came into Dover I couldn't resist driving along the seafront to see her. Jumped out of my car & took a shot but alas only had my mobile & it was too far away but here it is anyway. She will be back on the 25th so must remember my camera.



Tuesday, 15 April 2014 - 13:41

 

Post 657

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Great photos, Paul. I especially like the one with the sailing boats. With the great work of the sea sports centre and the new maritime skills academy up at Whitfield, some of those kids may well end up on the bridge of ships like the MSC Magnifica!

Tuesday, 15 April 2014 - 08:09

 

Post 656

  PaulB, Dover

More on the MSC Magnifica. Nice picture in the post below there Kevin, took quite a few myself as she was leaving. The time was approximately a quarter to seven as she began to move away, and in nice but low evening sunlight too. As you say the views would have been quite spectacular from onboard. There were hundreds on the top deck enoying the visuals. As she moved off towards Amsterdam...the Sprit of Britain moved out into the channel also. Right on cue. It made a great sight as the day began to draw to a close. By the way...that P&O offer for a £23 day trip with 6 bottles of wine for FREE is still on...if you book by April 21.
You can travel up until the 9th may.

The picture below was taken earlier in the day monday and shows the kids training onboard their little sail boats. It gave me a chance to use the old classic Nikon ( in digital terms ) as everything else was charging...the curse of the modern era ! But what a mighty backdrop for the kids...the MSC Magnifica. You can see just how big she is in this particular shot.



Tuesday, 15 April 2014 - 06:21

 

Post 655

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Great to see MSC Magnifica back in Dover today. The passengers were certainly treated to some fine weather and her departure in the evening sun with the town, port, castle, and White Cliffs as backdrop must surely make Dover the most scenic UK cruise port!




Monday, 14 April 2014 - 19:41

 

Post 654

  PaulB, Dover

WELCOME MSC MAGNIFICA
This is cruise liner number 3 this season but it is the first of the big players, the first of the heavy hitters. It is totally huge. Kevin mentions below that it weighs in at more than 90,000 tons ( update: 95,000 tons +) and of course is carrying masses of passengers, all eager to see both the local sights and the treasures further afield. Let us hope many stayed locally but as ever the ship was met by a large number of coaches.
The massive ship turned around on a tiny circle...it didnt appear to need a great deal of input from the tugboat Dauntless, and then reversed into its position at CT2. It was all accomplished with what appeared to be considerable ease...however yours truly wouldn't like to try reversing something on that scale. No Sirreee ! A wider view below as she reverses into position.
Wot a whopper !

Monday, 14 April 2014 - 11:31

 

Post 653

  PaulB, Dover

THE BRIDGE !

BRIDGE strengthens links between Dover and Calais


With freight traffic between Dover and Calais expected to rise by 40% by 2030, the importance of strengthening the route between the two independent ports is currently the focus of cross-Channel collaboration and major investment.

Seeking to protect the long-term resilience of this internationally important trade link, described as a ‘European motorway of the sea’, the BRIDGE (Building the Resilience of International and Dependent Gateways in Europe) Project brings together the Port of Dover and Port of Calais.

Currently those two busiest Roll–on Roll–off (Ro-Ro) ferry terminals in Europe handle more than one third of RoRo cargo between the UK and continental Europe, representing goods worth more than 70 billion euros.

The BRIDGE Project, which aims to ensure that Dover and Calais are part of European efforts to create a fully integrated freight corridor combining road, rail and maritime transport and linking the UK with Northern France, Benelux and North-East Spain, was recently unveiled at a joint event held in the French port.

Calais Port 2015 sets out plans to increase capacity through the development of a new harbour, a new cross-Channel terminal with a further three cross-Channel berths and one Ro-Ro berth, and 80 hectares of new platforms. To handle the increased traffic, Calais, like Dover, is reorganising cross-Channel traffic flows and the road networks in and around the Port. Major investment being undertaken under the Calais 2015 banner also includes the development of a rail motorway terminal linking the Port in Nord-Pas de Calais with Perpignan in the south of France, enabling the transhipment of trailers between rail, road and ferry in the Port.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said:
"BRIDGE recognises that, by collaborating, we can complement each other and enhance the resilience of this international trade route. We connect the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland with the continental mainland, so it is essential that Dover works closely with our opposite numbers in Calais. By developing efficient port facilities and transport connections on both sides of the Channel we will be perfectly placed to meet the needs of our customers, communities and strengthen the local economies."

In the short term, the BRIDGE project will ensure that the two ports operate efficiently by adapting the berths to the highest technical standards of ship accommodation, as well as focussing on the enhancement of the local transport networks to improve the resilience of the trade route.

At the Port of Dover, three berths are being enhanced with two piers recently extended. To improve the short-term operational performance and safety on the Kent side of the English Channel, a further three major berths will be refurbished by 2015.

The ports of Dover and Calais, each recognised by the European Commission as strategically important, and designated as ‘core ports’ under the TEN-T network 2014-2020, have been working together on the BRIDGE Project.

During the event, and in the presence of their stakeholders and the Nord-Pas de Calais Council (as the owner of the Port of Calais), a Memorandum of Understanding between the two ports was signed by the Côte d'Opale Chamber of Commerce and Industry (as the port manager) and Dover Harbour Board.


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Thanks for that ace reminder Kevin. I have a tendency to forget what's coming where and when myself. Always great to get a tip off.
No sign of anything as I write.

Terrifically encouraging to see these new moves forward as shown in the press release above.


ADDED EXTRA: Cruise liner MSC Magnifica arrived into harbour at 07.25. Truly magnificent. We will have pictures later.



Monday, 14 April 2014 - 06:35

 

Post 652

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Just a quick reminder that the first of the big cruise ships of the season is due tomorrow, the MSC Magnifica. At over 90,000 tons and with 2,500 passengers, it should be a busy day for Dover!

Sunday, 13 April 2014 - 09:26

 

Post 651

  PaulB, Dover

Very long range shot of the cargo ship Baltic Jasmine after she left Dover last night. Quality isn't great because of the range and the fading light but you can get the gist of the situation. Time of picture about 7.30pm in low yellowing light as the sun went down. You can see the pilot has just departed. The ship is just off South Foreland Lighthouse as a rough estimate at the time of picture.
The Baltic Jasmine was indeed heading for the Baltic and to the glorious St Petersburg in Russia in particular. Her slot here in the harbour has already been filled by yet another cargo ship. One in one out. Very busy. There is most definitely an urgent need for cargo facility development here in Dover... as per the Ports new plans...an avenue to potential growth and prosperity lies in wait, with regard to cargo development in particular.

Sunday, 13 April 2014 - 08:15

 

Post 650

  vic matcham, Dover

There you have it in photos, wait till we see the younger ones doing it .

Saturday, 12 April 2014 - 12:17