Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 278

  PaulB, Dover

Our old friend the Black Watch is in today, so if anyone wants to pop down for a sunday stroll and catch one of the last of the cruise ships this year.. well now is the time. Weather is calm for a change (as I write !! ) which is good as the dear oul Black Watch has been through some troubles in recent times and we dont want to see her in any difficulties. We want "a calm sea and a prosperous voyage" for all. Hopefully the recent voyage was all a-okay.

As I mentioned previously.. because its late in the year and the days are short it is inevitably dark when the ships arrive and dark when they leave. So here we are with a picture from a previous early morn arrival...
The Black Watch.

AS we see from some of the posts further down the page Fred.Olsen are enthusiastic supporters of Dover, long may it continue..
We will have a bit more on this shortly.



Sunday, 24 November 2013 - 07:54

 

Post 277

  PaulB, Dover

LATEST : THE PORT OF DOVER JOINS ROYAL CINQUE PORTS YACHT CLUB IN FUNDING BID
The Port of Dover is proud to announce its support for the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club (RCPYC) in promoting a funding bid to Sport England to improve their historic seafront facilities. RCPYC is one of the oldest yacht clubs in England and is situated on the seafront in a prime position, overlooking the busy port.

Together with the Property & Estates team at the Port, RCPYC will work up a bid to continue a successful programme of refurbishment of the premises which provide accommodation for club members and allied sailing/nautical groups funded from their own resources and largely undertaken by club members.

Despite the success of the RCPYC to date, there is a large part of their basement area which requires attention and funding in order to provide additional and improved facilities for the membership and the many visitors to Dover who use the venue each year.

In order to approach Sport England with an effective bid, RCPYC required security of tenure and a 15 year extension of their lease for their waterfront premises, which the Port of Dover has now confirmed it is happy to provide having reviewed the plans.


Tim Waggott, Port of Dover Chief Executive said: "We are delighted to support our many friends at the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club in this bid. I have seen first hand the improvements made by the Committee and members over recent years, and we are keen that future generations of leisure and community users benefit from this fantastic location."


Welcoming the announcement, Bernard Sealy, Commodore of Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club said: "We are very pleased that our excellent and continuing relationship with the Dover Harbour Board is taking a further step forward. It is clear that both our organisations recognise the opportunity for port, town and community to work together for mutual benefit."

Ends

Pictures show some of the fantastic yachting inside Dover Harbour.


Saturday, 23 November 2013 - 18:57

 

Post 276

  Jan Higgins, Dover

What a depressingly dull and dark picture that is on Sea News.

Friday, 22 November 2013 - 18:16

 

Post 275

  PaulB, Dover

PARTY TIME ON THE BRAEMAR
_________________________

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was delighted to host its first-ever ‘Gala Dinner’ on board 929-guest Braemar on 18th November 2013, as the ship stayed overnight in the Port of Dover.

Before departing on a 10-night cruise to Tenerife and Casablanca, Fred. Olsen invited a selection of over 500 of its most loyal and valued guests, potential new customers, travel agents and media partners from all over the country to view Braemar’s facilities and enjoy the fine dining and entertainment on board.

Whilst on this unique ‘cruise to nowhere’ in Dover, guests were treated to a ‘Welcome Cocktail Party’, sumptuous five-course Black Tie ‘Gala Dinner’ and entertainment from popular vocalists Irie J and Idreiss and comedy acts from Micky Zany and Bob Webb.

Nathan Philpot ( pictured above ) Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
"Our first ‘Gala Dinner’ evening was a great success, with some excellent feedback from previous guests who may not have cruised with us for some time. It was an opportunity to remind guests just what makes Fred. Olsen different – which can’t easily be articulated, but is so apparent when anyone experiences our unique boutique-style cruising.
"I’m delighted that so many guests have already rebooked and we hope that many more will do so over the coming weeks."

Barbara Buczek, Head of Business Development & Corporate Affairs at Dover Harbour Board, pictured said:
"The Port of Dover was delighted to yet again welcome Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and MV Braemar to its shores. The evening gave us the perfect opportunity to promote Dover as a destination and showcase the port facilities to Fred. Olsen’s loyal cruise passengers. The cruise business is of huge importance to the Port, Dover town as well as the Kent Region as a whole.

"The Port continues to raise awareness of Dover’s position as the UK’s second busiest cruise port, especially amongst Kent residents who Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines are keen to see on-board their vessels that depart from Dover."

Fred. Olsen will be departing on a total of 12 voyages from Dover for the 2014/15 cruise season, on a variety of exciting itineraries, from an eight-night ‘Paris, Antwerp & Amsterdam’ cruise on board Braemar to an 11-night ‘Highlands, Islands & Ireland’ sailing.
The Braemar herself.


Friday, 22 November 2013 - 07:28

 

Post 274

  PaulB, Dover

Well done with those Phil..you are one of the team now for sure.
The size of those..wow! Monsters of the ocean blue. Cracking pictures from long range.

Thursday, 21 November 2013 - 10:53

 

Post 273

  howard mcsweeney, dover

a couple here courtesy of phil smith taken this morning at samphire hoe.

the cma cgm andromeda.



the cosco france.



Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - 20:03

 

Post 272

  PaulB, Dover

Yes you are right re the Sea King picture Howard. Never used before. Great excuse to use it this time as it shows the Braemar as backdrop. Couldnt get a pic of the Braemar at the time the other day.. so up pops the Sea King idea. The Braemar left last night about 4.45pm heading south to Lisbon. Twas a cold dark night when....

Great info there Ed. I think I saw the Galatea in the distance yesterday..so its great to get those pictures and the AIS chart is fascinating with Dover Seaways centred there. Yes the Joline is a frequent 'lurker' these days sadly.

* *
You will remember there was a Port Exercise a week or so ago when the emergency services kicked into action. More on that below now. This immediate picture is excellent and captures the atmosphere of such an exercise. Picture from DHB.
The Port of Dover, together with emergency services and key agencies from across Kent have been put through their paces in a major emergency exercise at Europe’s busiest ferry port.

Designed to test the response to a major fire on board a cross-Channel ferry, staff, volunteers and specialist equipment were all in action last Saturday, as the scenario played out during the night. The Port of Dover remained open to customers throughout the exercise.

P&O Ferries’ Spirit of Britain volunteered as the afflicted ferry with the fire breaking out mid Channel as the ship headed for the Port of Dover. Once at the Port, agencies came together to deal with the casualties, providing treatment and care including through the establishment of a Survivor Reception Centre.
Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: "I personally observed how important it is to work as a team with our partner agencies in dealing with potential incidents that would affect our customers."

The Services taking part were :
Kent Police
Kent Fire and Rescue Service
South East Coast Ambulance Service
Maritime Coastguard Agency
Kent County Council
Dover District Council
Environment Agency
Border Force
G4S
MOTO Services
Red Cross
P&O Ferries
The P & O ferry Spirit of Britain which took part in the exercise..
It all helps to keep us safe.


Wednesday, 20 November 2013 - 08:05

 

Post 271

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

one presumes it would be politically incorrect to torpedo the said vessel ed.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013 - 18:18

 

Post 269

  Ed Connell, Dover

The Joline was skulking around off St Margarets last night, this picture taken at 1719 when it was much darker than the camera shows. Presumably waiting to nip into Dover and pick up the latest cargo of unfortunate animals.



The AIS chart shows her at the same time, at the top of the chart. The photo was taken from the Dover Seaways, seen in the centre of the chart.



Tuesday, 19 November 2013 - 15:31

 

Post 268

  Ed Connell, Dover

The Trinity House vessel Galatea is working in the vicinity of Dover. Seen here yesterday attending to the SW Goodwin buoy.





Tuesday, 19 November 2013 - 15:19

 

Post 267

  howard mcsweeney, dover

great one of the sea king helicopter in front of the cruise ship, don't remember it being on here before.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013 - 12:09

 

Post 266

  PaulB, Dover

The Braemar stayed on and was a terrific blaze of colour all through the night.
Here she is a few minutes ago with the ever expanding 'pyramid' to the right.
She will leave later today tuesday for the last time this year. For more on the 'pyramid' (see how its getting ever bigger above) scroll further down the page..where we refer to the £10million pound restructure to Terminal One. And now to the Terminal Two position below for another pic of the Braemar.. taken a short while back on a previous visit under another one of our big big skies.


Tuesday, 19 November 2013 - 10:07

 

Post 265

  PaulB, Dover

Still the cruise liners battle on. Its a gloomy morning for sure and through the pitch darkness of 6.30am the Braemar arrived back from its fairly long cruise in a blaze of cheery electric light. No pictures of course at that time of day, but here is one from quite a few years back. The Braemar has indeed been coming here a very long time...it makes a splendid backdrop in the picture shown for the every bit as splendid Sea King helicopter from Air Sea Rescue.
Not sure of the date the picture was taken as the originals were lost but it must be 6/7 years ago at least.

Monday, 18 November 2013 - 08:22

 

Post 264

  PaulB, Dover

Thanks for that Kevin - you're a star. Ah yes..now I'm sure I had info through a while back on that but my oul grey cells have gone the way of Hercule's...

Will be fascinating to see how it all progresses with the roof. I managed to get a reasonable pic of the Black Watch next to it later yesterday with the improvement in light, they come in the dark and go out in the dark these days, and here she is...note also our 'pyramid' on the right of pic. Shows how much zooming we did to get that close up below...(see further down the page).


The dramatic skies continue...the situation yesterday morning shows the early ferry trying to negotiate its way around a massive container ship.

Sunday, 17 November 2013 - 07:27

 

Post 263

  Kevin Charles, Dover

DHB are investing heavily in Cruise Terminal 1 renovating the glass roof of the Victorian building in a £10 million project. One of the port's heritage assets, the restored building will have great appeal to the cruise lines.

Saturday, 16 November 2013 - 18:06

 

Post 262

  PaulB, Dover

Never a dull moment here in Dover harbour..something new manifests itself all the time..

Was gazing across the harbour yesterday when something sparkly caught my eye. To dimmish eyesight in the high bright sun it looked like the glass pyramid outside the Louvre in Paris. Wow ! sez I to myself. We have reached the crescendo of the avant garde..yes right here in Dover! Binoculars soon put me right though. It was nothing more than all new scaffolding across the roof of the main cruise terminal. But.. perhaps a work of art in its own right.

The zoom lens produced the picture above.
The picture below was in a former mailing from DHB and shows the same roof from the air. I may have had some info previously re the roof but my little grey cells cant remember for the moment. Looks like fairly major re-structuring is afoot.

Thanks for the port call tips below Colette. Yes indeed the Black Watch is in today..now situated right next to the terminal and gangway shown above. Came in while very dark..so no pictures from today but in the oft-spoke words of those many many TV chefs, here's one I made earlier...


Interesting picture from Phil there below. Dont see too many birds down here other than the obvious ones...but yesterday funnily enough I saw a flock of small birds, wouldnt know the type, and they were dashing hither and tither in spectacular style. I grabbed the camera but they wouldnt stay still for love nor money.....so got zero pictures.

Soon after a low flying Chinook rattled the foundations around here..I tried to get a picture of that one too but failed again. You only get seconds and I was all fingers and thumbs and whoosh it went right over. Great sight though again but no pictures..

PS: Just a reminder. If you want to grab the My Ferry Link bargain you have to book by tomorrow night.


Saturday, 16 November 2013 - 07:55

 

Post 261

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

wasn't sure whether to put this one from phil smith on the wildlife thread or here, but it is a flock of brent geese flying over the harbour earlier in the week.



Friday, 15 November 2013 - 16:26

 

Post 260

  ColetteB, Dover

Just to remind everyone, tomorrow Saturday 16th, the Black Watch returns to CT1, T/R.

Then on Monday 18th, the Braemar returns to CT1, debark only & embarks on Tuesday 19th for the last time this year.

A break then until Sunday 24th November when the Black Watch returns to CT2, T/R.

Love that interesting image of the Russian Sailing Ships at Dunkerque above


Yes, happy retirement to Robin Dodridge early next year, that photo of him & Watty at the inaugural sailing of LD Lines to Boulogne aboard the Cote d'Albatre ( see below ) is certainly a blast from the past, how long ago was that I wonder? True it didn't last too long to Boulogne but we sure made good use of it before it all ended. Interesting to hear that the Cote d'Albatre was later used out of Dieppe.

Friday, 15 November 2013 - 12:34

 

Post 259

  PaulB, Dover

GREAT OFFER - BUT YOU NEED TO BOOK FAST !!

Book now for Christmas travel and receive a free magnum of wine from MyFerryLink


With Christmas just around the corner, Dover-Calais ferry operator MyFerryLink is giving its customers an early present of a magnum of red wine with all long stay bookings made by 17 November.

With any duration fares starting from just £29 each way for a car and up to nine passengers over Christmas, travelling by ferry is a great option for those planning to spend the festive season with friends and family on the continent.

As well as low fares over the Christmas period, all MyFerryLink bookings for stays of five days or more will receive a free magnum of Petites Folies wine as a gift. This offer is available for all bookings made by 17 November 2013, for travel between 1 December 2013 and 15 January 2014.
To BOOK, visit www.myferrylink.com and quote ‘GVIN’ or call 0844 2482 100

Dont let the sun go down on this one..

* *

Yes indeed its sad to see the ould Pride of Calais ending up beached there, but I suppose it comes to us all...the knackers yard awaits !
But as John said below there, its good to remember her in full swing.

The following pictures are from her last ever working trip. After she unloaded she moved sadly over to the western pier to await her grim fate...never to work again.
Here she is arriving into Dover from Calais for the very last time on 20 Oct 2012.
and another one below, showing a close up of her load on the bow, pic taken at the same time. She clearly had a full quota onboard for her final trip. You dont see so much of this front loading any more....not with the newer ships anyway.
I think I did travel on her but only the once.
PS: it looks like the Rimini has left us after her visit of several days.


Friday, 15 November 2013 - 08:05

 

Post 258

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

Thanks john and jacqui, the "rimini" shows up on the "channel traffic" now.

very sad to see the photo of the "pride of calais" in it's turkish graveyard, the only consolation is that it will provide jobs for people there.

i must admit i enjoyed travelling on the "pride" vessels more than the new "spirits".

Thursday, 14 November 2013 - 19:51