Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 217

  JohnL, Dover

For anyone interesred, the Pride of Calais will be making one last pass thru the Dover straights tomorrow on her way to Aliaga, Turkey for scrapping! According to the play website she will be departing Tilbury at 11am.

Tuesday, 29 October 2013 - 21:06

 

Post 216

  PaulB, Dover

Official Latest: The Port of Dover is now re-opened and ferry services have fully resumed from the Eastern Docks. Whilst there has only been some relatively minor superficial damage to the Eastern Docks, the Western Docks bore the brunt of the storm with around 50 Fred Olsen cruise customer cars, parked at the terminal, being damaged by the severe seas overtopping breakwaters in the high winds which at times were gusting above 70 miles per hour.

The Port of Dover confirms it will be providing every assistance to its cruise customers in dealing with insurance claims, onward travel arrangements or any other requirement to support them following this very unfortunate turn of events.

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "Together with the Port of Dover, we will do everything we possibly can to ensure that none of our customers is inconvenienced due to this storm and will be liaising closely with them to prepare for their arrival in Dover next week."

Further work to assess the full extent of the impact of the storm on the Western Docks will be undertaken urgently just as soon as it is safe to do so. The Port is also clearing the shingle washed up onto the seafront in order to ensure that this important community asset is restored as quickly as possible.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover (pictured), said: "The Port will be working tirelessly to ensure that its customers are not disadvantaged by the effects of this natural event. For their benefit and for our community, we are determined to get back to normal as quickly as possible."

Tuesday, 29 October 2013 - 06:51

 

Post 215

  howard mcsweeney, dover

some breathtaking photos there(love the whale) from yesterday and today, the port was only closed for less than 3 hours in all that time unless i am mistaken.

quite a staggering achievement from all concerned working at the port and of course on the ferries

Monday, 28 October 2013 - 15:03

 

Post 214

  PaulB, Dover

Yikes 82 knots Mike. I can believe it too. Twas very rocky right here and the sea is still immensely rough even right now at 2.30 in the afternoon.
It is early this morning in the picture above and this great wall of water heads towards the new toilet facility..whoosh it went as it leapt 50/60 feet into the air and then it bashed down onto the roof...it was very rough at that time as you can see, even holding the camera was a challenge.

A little later and here we have below what looks like the Leviathan of the Deep. Yes its the great swishing tail of Moby Dick himself...or nearly !
Ferocious power.


At this moment in time teams of Port employees are trying to scrape the beach back onto the beach.
A big job as beaches here were stripped bare of pebbles.

Monday, 28 October 2013 - 14:36

 

Post 213

  Mike J., DOVER

Western Entrance at about 0800 when Langdon Coastguard reported an 82kt gust coming thru.





Monday, 28 October 2013 - 10:29

 

Post 211

  PaulB, Dover

OFFICIAL LATEST : Port re-opens. First ship into Port pictured below...the Spirit of France.


We are pleased to confirm that the Port of Dover is now open (at 09:10 Hours) and the ferry services have resumed. The Port was closed due to adverse weather conditions and concerns over customer and staff safety. The Port and ferry operators will now continue to work together to ensure that the terminal remains open and services are running with minimum disruption. Passengers are advised to check with their ferry operator before travelling and consult our website (www.doverport.co.uk) or twitter account (@Port_of_Dover) for the latest information. Please note that there may be initial delays to services as the Port re-opens.

We apologise for any delays or inconvenience as a result of the closure but you will appreciate that the safety and security of everyone is of the utmost importance. Ends.

Monday, 28 October 2013 - 09:37

 

Post 210

  PaulB, Dover

OFFICIAL NOTICE : PORT CLOSURE

Due to adverse weather conditions (strong winds gusting at 65 knots) the Port of Dover is currently closed (as of 6.30hrs). The primary concern of the Port and ferry operators is the safety of our customers and staff. Passengers are advised to check with their ferry operator before travelling and consult our website (www.doverport.co.uk) or twitter account (@Port_of_Dover) for the latest information.
We are monitoring the weather situation closely and liaising with the ferry operators with an aim to re-open the Port once it is safe to do so. Please note that there may be delays to services when the Port re-opens.

We apologise for any delays or inconvenience as a result of this closure but you will appreciate that the safety and security of everyone is of the utmost importance. All customers are asked for their full co-operation and support.

Ends

See also below...

Monday, 28 October 2013 - 08:25

 

Post 209

  PaulB, Dover

Well you dont need me to tell you what a rough night it has been...and the storm goes on.
Wide disruption. Here is a picture from yesterday taken in the brief afternoon sun. The sea was and is extremely rough.
The harbour wall looms for The Rodin. The entrance to harbour becomes very narrow and difficult on days like this.

My lights are flickering as I write, so better try and upload this soonest in case the power goes.
If anyone gets some decent pictures pop them up using the ADD YOUR COMMENT button. Very welcome.

There are no ships at all in Port.

Monday, 28 October 2013 - 06:27

 

Post 208

  PaulB, Dover

The sky has indeed been behaving strangely lately with bizarre cloud patterns. Perhaps it is just the calm before the storm..which as we all know is very impending. It was rough overnight but by all accounts worse is due.
Most definitely a case now of battening down the hatches while maintaining the stoically stiff upper lip!
Following on from the picture by Alex below, here are some I took on the same evening...
Look at the strange bubble and sweep ( no not bubble and squeek ) Bizarre looking isnt it, if there are any meteorology experts out there then please let us know what it all means..

the wider view with the Port below.

also looking in the opposite direction towards the west

Some of the ferries further west are already disrupted. Brittany Ferries were on the News 24 channels already talking of cancellations...might well happen here too. Yes just heard..cancellations happening here too, weather "extremely poor" in Dover say MFL. Passengers who do not urgently need to travel are advised to rebook for another time.

Sunday, 27 October 2013 - 06:26

 

Post 207

  PaulB, Dover

PORT of DOVER WEATHER INFO...

Here in Dover today friday, sea conditions in the Channel are moderate, with a South Westerly fresh breeze, force 5, and the visibility is good. The ferry terminal is operating normally with space available.

Due to adverse weather, which is anticipated over the weekend, passengers are advised to contact their shipping operator for any further information.


Friday, 25 October 2013 - 14:54

 

Post 206

  PaulB, Dover

A very dramatic picture there Alex - well done getting that. The sky was amazing the other day..not seen anything quite like it..most unusual. Your picture reminded me that I have some too of those cloud patterns. I take so many pictures I sometimes forget what i have where.
Glad you are liking the Sea News page.



Friday, 25 October 2013 - 11:48

 

Post 205

  howard mcsweeney, dover

alex of dover food bank is a keen follower of this thread and has sent in this photo taken last sunday afternoon.




Friday, 25 October 2013 - 10:21

 

Post 204

  PaulB, Dover

After a briefly benign situation yesterday the weather is back in rough mode today friday. Blustery wet and windy etc. On wednesday it was much the same for much of the day but with added occasional sunshine. During these outbreaks of sunshine the Dover Seaways came into spectacular view battling the elements as she approached the harbour. I snatched these pictures at that time. Our nautical man-on-the-spot Ed Connell himself would have been onboard ( see the rainbow pictures below). Several ships were queuing, stacked up off the White Cliffs at various points in the day, as it was too rough to get into harbour easily. There was a backlog on the traffic front as a consequence, everything delayed.

Gale force winds for sure in the pictures above, marginally below that level today but still not great.. It might improve later for the half term getaway. The local hotels are already looking pretty full as I write ( see the half term ideas below from DFDS and MFL).

Friday, 25 October 2013 - 07:38

 

Post 203

  PaulB, Dover

Thanks for that info Jan.
Should be worth a look. Its a very sad story about that lovely ship. For anyone who doesnt know the vessel mentioned, there is a picture of it on page 3 while she was here in Dover. She visited us here just a week or so before destruction and eventual sinking off Cork. Now the rescue...

Thursday, 24 October 2013 - 17:43

 

Post 202

  Jan Higgins, Dover

Real Rescues BBC1 this morning showed the tall ship Astrid rescue off Ireland plus an interview with the owner and Captain. It is such a shame that this accident happened to a beautiful looking ship.

If you want to see it on catch-up it is about 30 minutes in with another bit at the end.

Thursday, 24 October 2013 - 11:55

 

Post 201

  PaulB, Dover

Gosh great set of pictures all round below there. Enjoying those greatly and enjoying your story Ed..hope you didnt have to do tooo much suffering for your art with the Chief. And...if you found any gold out there under that rainbow can you slip a bar or two through my letterbox !!
Also a thumbsup for Mary Josephine with that pic.

You made me laugh there Howard...this pasty faced landlubber kept his feet firmly encased in concrete yesterday as heavens it was rough out there on the water. Have a couple of pix of the Dover Seaways myself in the rough conditions ..will delay those so everyone can enjoy the current photos first. Great stuff !

ps KIDS : if you have kids champing at the bit see the half term ideas from DFDS and MFL by scrolling down the page.

Thursday, 24 October 2013 - 07:24

 

Post 200

  Ed Connell, Dover

A photo of the rainbow over the Dover Seaways taken at the same time from ashore by Mary Josephine and posted on the Facebook group Dover for Dovorians.




Wednesday, 23 October 2013 - 21:08

 

Post 199

  Ed Connell, Dover

This is a vivid rainbow off Dover on the 20th. It appeared to form an arch over the ship as though we had just sailed through it.






I saw this rainbow and rushed inside to get my camera and take a few quick snaps as I was working. The last photo was a bit unfortunate as I nipped up to the upper deck to take it and was standing half way between the Bridge and the funnel. The Chief Engineer had just called me on the walkie talkie and asked me to go down to the Engine Control Room to assist with moving a very large replacement generator breaker into position ready for installation. I said that I was on my way then decided to take that last quick snap before going down. Unfortunately, I installed a CCTV camera on the Bridge a couple of years ago looking back at the funnel and displaying the picture on a large TV in the control room so that the engineers could see if we were making any smoke. They were all waiting for me in the control room and suddenly I appeared on the big screen taking photos! Another call from the Chief Engineer "We can see you-hoo" so I was caught red-handed and scuttled off down below post haste!

Wednesday, 23 October 2013 - 20:06

 

Post 198

  howard mcsweeney, dover

lovely autumn day up at st martin's battery, not so nice below.

a good day to be a pasty faced landlubber.





Wednesday, 23 October 2013 - 19:09

 

Post 197

  PaulB, Dover

HALF TERM ideas below from DFDS. Picture shows The DFDS ferry CALAIS SEAWAYS departing Dover early yesterday morning just after sunrise.

TOP THREE EUROPEAN HALF TERM PICKS FOR ALL THE FAMILY... FROM DFDS
_______________________________________________________________

Treat your kids to a last minute short break with DFDS Seaways. The award-winning ferry operator has put together its top three destinations in France and Holland to help keep the kids occupied this half-term:

Nausicaa Aquarium
For those looking to treat the kids to an altogether aquatic trip, hop across the Channel for a day trip to the Nausicaa Aquarium in Boulougne-sur-Mer, a short 30-minute drive from the ferry terminal at Calais. The aquarium is home to over 4.5 million litres of water as well as marine animals such as rays, turtles, African penguins, sea lions, tropical fish and sharks. The centre provides information about the wildlife in French and English and visiting children will be able to impress the teachers with newly learnt French animal names.

With child tickets to the aquarium starting from €10,45 and ferry crossings from Dover and Calais starting from £14.50 each way for a car and up to four passengers, half term is a great time to hop across the Channel for a day trip.

Futuroscope
For a futuristic half-term break in France, travel to Futuroscope, a fun-packed theme park located just outside Poitiers. Sail to Normandy from as little as £54 each way for a car and up to four passengers with DFDS Seaways. With two routes to the region - Portsmouth to Le Havre and Newhaven to Dieppe – you have plenty of choice for departure times and ports. Both French ports are approximately a four-hour drive from the futuristic amusement park, which is home to high-adrenaline rides such as The Little Prince, an interplanetary journey, and the Dances with Robots experience, a supercharged robot party.

Dining at the park is also a 21st century experience, which should please parents as well as children; forget the usual fast food, Futuroscope boasts Le Cristal, molecular style cuisine. The chefs have used the region’s finest ingredients and combined them with the theatre of molecular gastronomy to create some show-stopping dishes.

Amsterdam Zoo
For a short half-term getaway, take the children to the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam, which is home to over 900 species of animals. DFDS Seaways runs two-night mini cruises sailing from Newcastle, from only £62 per person based on four people sharing a cabin. A two-night mini cruise with DFDS Seaways includes two nights’ accommodation onboard in an en suite cabin; return coach transfers from the port near Amsterdam to the Artis Zoo and entrance tickets.

During the crossing, passengers can dine in one of the delicious onboard restaurants such as the all-you-can-eat buffet in the 7 Seas Restaurant, the Blue Riband a la carte restaurant or the Explorer’s Steakhouse. While the children enjoy the play area, adults can try their luck in the onboard casino, take in a movie at the cinema or relax in one of the bars and soak up the live entertainment, before retiring to their comfortable en suite cabin for the night, arriving refreshed and ready for sightseeing in the morning.

Max Foster, passenger director at DFDS Seaways says, "There is a lot going on in France and Holland this half term for parents looking for new places to see and explore. And the beauty of taking a ferry is that your holiday starts as soon as you board, with dedicated children’s facilities, as well as a range of restaurants and bars serving delicious food, there is something for everyone onboard."

DFDS Seaways sails up to 44 times a day between Dover and France with routes to both Calais and Dunkirk, twice a day between Newhaven and Dieppe and once a day between Newcastle and Amsterdam and Portsmouth and Le Havre.

To take advantage of these offers, book now or to find out more information, visit www.dfds.co.uk or telephone 0871 574 7235.

* *

My little girl, now all grown up, still loves all those suggestions above. Loves Nausicaa and you cant keep her away from zoos and animals...so there you are. Nice ideas there and definitely on the pace.

Wednesday, 23 October 2013 - 05:49