Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 6512

  JanT , Dover

The good old Nikon did do well yes that's Goofy,as said you would never have known he was there had the camera not been able to capture the picture brilliant

Friday, 6 September 2019 - 08:32

 

Post 6511

  Sea News, Dover

The Spirit Of Discovery


Some pictures above there of the Spirit of Discovery arriving with us again yesterday morning early...catching the now autumnal light here in Dover. The pictures have a sepia tone to them, but not anything supplied by yours truly...all natural....
She is on a 7 Day round trip...Dover - Norwegian Fjords - Dover.

Below we have some departure shots of the recent Disney Magic visit on September 1...yes we are still catching up...


You can see the pilot boat to the left of top shot there, normal procedure, but over on the right of picture you can just spot another launch...the police escort we understand.

The second picture surprised me as it came out better than expected as its quite long range...wasn't expecting such clarity. The old Nikon did well there...

That's Goofy isn't it??

PaulB
ps: Boudicca in Port.

Friday, 6 September 2019 - 07:05

 

Post 6510

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now from Merchant Navy Day on Tuesday...showing the ceremony on the seafront..



You can see the assembled dignitaries waiting to lay wreaths at the statue. Always a very moving ceremony beautifully done, it follows along from the event at the Town Hall. Just marking the occasion above there with those few pictures.

Well done TED. Great to see your "Famous Five" below there. Excellent standard on the brilliant pictures there in 6508.

Brilliant shots from our 'inshore correspondent' Mike below too in 6509...great stuff all round!

DONT MISS THOSE posts below

PaulB
ps: Spirit of Discovery in Port today.

Thursday, 5 September 2019 - 07:16

 

Post 6509

  Mike J., Dover

A drizzly day in Dover Docks [sounds like a song title !],

Fortunately it cleared up later in the day but I was severely drizzled-on at 0845 as the ‘Tamar’ class Cromer lifeboat 16-07 sailed from Dover after overnighting en route for refit at Poole.







The LESTER has been temporarily replaced up at Cromer by another ‘Tamar’ PETER & LESLEY–JANE NICHOLSON, 16-01, the prototype of the class.


An excellent selection from Ramsgate - Ted seems to have a knack of finding plenty of action & interesting vessels on his Wednesday visits . . . .




Thursday, 5 September 2019 - 00:47

 

Post 6508

  Ted, Canterbury

"Five from Ramsgate"
Ramsgate Lifeboat had a busy day with an early morning rescue.
The narrative is taken from the Ramsgate Lifeboat Facebook page.
Service Call 48
4th September at 05:19 All Weather Boat tasked by UK Coastguard to an 18m Ketch at anchor with engine failure at the end of the Ramsgate approach channel. On scene the AWB passed a line and after the skipper of the ketch ditched his anchor, towed it into Ramsgate.


Service Call 49
4th September, immediately after completing Service Call 48, the AWB was re-tasked by UK Coastguard to a yacht with engine failure 26 nautical miles NE of Ramsgate. On scene the AWB passed a line and towed the casualty vessel into Ramsgate harbour. Wind on scene Force 9.

Ramsgate Lifeboat returns to the Boathouse to get refuelled and ready for service.

A weather front passes over Ramsgate but luckily the rain stayed away.

Now fine weather and a fine looking motor vessel on the slipway at Ramsgate.
Flying the French flag..but the name on the awning on the stern was Zeeland which is a coastal region of the Netherlands.A Marine surveyor was taking readings of the hull plating.I cannot find any information about her on the web.

Wednesday, 4 September 2019 - 18:35

 

Post 6507

  Sea News, Dover

Two pictures above there taken on Saturday...the pix obviously show the yachts sailing by but look at the swimmers in the water right next to them. Yours truly didn't notice at first but upon examining the pictures later was surprised and concerned to see the swimmers right alongside the yachts as the yachts powered by. There was a number of yachts out there as you saw in Patrick's earlier shot ( 6499 ).

I will draw the Ports attention to this as none of us want to see an accident.

PaulB



More.....
Thanks to Howard James for the information on the US Warship see the UPDATE in 6502.
Thanks to Mike as ever for the information on those early ferries below. in 6503..
And thanks too to John Hendy for the cracking shot below looking across the channel

Wednesday, 4 September 2019 - 06:59

 

Post 6506

  Sea News, Dover

The Spirit of Britain making for Dover passes the liner Berlin in the Dover Strait. The latter was making for Le Havre. A hazy view but at least a record!

Picture/words by John Hendy

Many thanks for the striking picture John - happy to help. PaulB

Tuesday, 3 September 2019 - 14:51

 

Post 6505

  John Hendy, St Mary's Bay (johnhendy479@btinternet.com)

Image above....

Tuesday, 3 September 2019 - 12:08

 

Post 6504

  John Hendy, St Mary's Bay (johnhendy479@btinternet.com)

The Spirit of Britain making for Dover passes the liner Berlin in the Dover Strait. The latter was making for Le Havre. A hazy view but at least a record! (see 6506)

Tuesday, 3 September 2019 - 12:06

 

Post 6503

  Mike J., Dover

Steve -

Post 6501 - You're quite right of course, I was thinking of passenger ferries rather than freight ships, altho' I'm sure that the SEAWAY has carried 'tourist' traffic on occasions, altho' with a much limited passenger capacity.

She's flitted around a bit, having worked in the Irish Sea & even as a windfarm 'mother ship' several times.

Her two sister ships the EUROPEAN HIGHWAY & EUROPEAN PATHWAY were extensively converted in 2002 becoming the PRIDE OF KENT & PRIDE OF CANTERBURY & can now carry 2000 passengers.

Tuesday, 3 September 2019 - 07:38

 

Post 6502

  Sea News, Dover

Pictures above of the Spirit of Discovery approaching and entering the Port last Sunday morning early...shooting into the light to a degree and then below across the other side of the Port with the light behind us somewhat.

As you can see the Disney Magic was already in....on Cruise Terminal Two. The Disney Magic always arrives in the wee small hours. You can see the Spirit of Discovery manoeuvring towards Cruise Terminal One in the shot below.


Just an extra one now...showing a warship going down the channel yesterday afternoon Monday...time of picture 13:26. Alas its just for visual purposes only... as I write as don't know the name of the ship...so if anyone knows let us know, info always welcome.


UPDATE:The warship is USS RAMAGE –DDG 61 – Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile destroyer – have no movement details.

Hope this helps,

regards

Howard James

……..Huge thanks for the update Howard - PaulB


Thanks for that info/clarification below Steve. Yes both of those you mention are indeed our older ferries....

PaulB
ps Still have quite a few pictures to catch up with including Pacific Reefer which came and went yesterday...saw her leaving surprisingly last night just after 10PM..also more Disney etc etc

Tuesday, 3 September 2019 - 06:09

 

Post 6501

  Steve P, Dover

Reference 6492 and the Calais Seaways. I'm sure the European Seaway (presently broken in Dunkirk) is the oldest ship of the combined DFDS/P&O cross channel fleets. October 1991 for the Seaway v 1992 for the Prins Filip/Calais Seaways.

Monday, 2 September 2019 - 16:24

 

Post 6500

  Sea News, Dover

From Charlie Elphicke MP



Missing Banksy
___________________



The Dover Banksy was an iconic piece of art. Wherever you stand on Brexit, it attracted visitors to our area and got people talking.

That’s why so many of us were so deeply disappointed to see it disappear from the side of the former Shakespeare Hotel. We don’t yet know what’s happened – but many suspect the building’s owners have simply painted over it.

Our campaign to save the Banksy at least kept it in Dover for more than two years. The huge piece – thought to be the artist’s largest ever – became something of a landmark. Children and adults stopped and stared. Tourists came from far and wide. News reporters and film-makers pointed their cameras. All of us looked up, appreciating the special tribute to a unique moment in time.

And we fought hard to preserve it. An application was sent to Historic England to have the building listed. It argued the Banksy had strong cultural significance, that given its size and political relevance it could be worth millions of pounds. Historic England previously listed the Abbey Road crossing and even a 1960s Bournemouth bus depot described as hideous. If they are going to list things like that, they should have listed an iconic and culturally important piece of art like our Banksy. Yet they refused. This is the result – and they should hang their heads in shame.

We also tried to engage with the building’s owners – the Godden family, famous in this area as the former owners of the Rotunda in Folkestone and Dreamland in Margate. Sadly, they wrote to me at the time labelling it graffiti. I tried to approach them to arrange a meeting, but they failed to respond. Only a few weeks ago I spoke to the council – who told me they were also finding it difficult to get them to engage.

What a massive shame. Because in Dover and Deal we have not always done well enough at protecting our heritage – at looking after things loved through the ages. Our iconic Prince of Wales Pier was shut down. Near to the Banksy, the Crypt site badly needs sorting out too.



Yet we should not forget the progress we have made. Burlington House was a far less loved part of the local landscape. The huge empty town block blighted the area for years. Now, a shopping and cinema complex has risen in its place. Similarly, the seafront is being transformed. A new marina curve is due to be constructed next year.

Yet we must also fight to protect the great things we already have. Regeneration is about more than just new buildings. This was about protecting a piece of social history for the people it was intended for, their children and grandchildren.

I hope that as we continue to build a brighter future for Dover and Deal, we always remember the past. Our town has long been the gateway and guardian of the nation. We must embrace and celebrate its special role.


Charlie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal



The Disney Magic provided all round hectic excitement yesterday once again, packed hotels...taxis too-ing and fro-ing doing great business ...frenetic kids with Mickey Mouse ears everywhere ( I will have to get a pair of dem ears... ) Great fun all round to a gentle background tinkle of "when you wish upon a star".

Also in Port was the Spirit of Discovery...we will have more pictures later. So an impressive day for Cruise Liners at the Port of Dover..

A couple of shots now to finish off...showing bunker ship Duzgit Harmony a-comin' and a-goin'
The sea looks positively Caribbean in the hot shots...



Cracking picture below Patrick - well done with that one.

PaulB
ps: Viking Sun in Port today...




Monday, 2 September 2019 - 07:11

 

Post 6499

  Patrick, Marine Parade

Five in a row silently a'sailing. Makes a welcome change from the diesel powered ferries going back and forth on a pleasant afternoons recreation in the outer harbour.





Sunday, 1 September 2019 - 16:11

 

Post 6498

  Sea News, Dover

The Lombok Strait





A series above there of the Lombok Strait coming towards the Port of Dover on Friday morning early, arriving from Vlissingen just as the sun rose dramatically behind her...glancing across the Port now I see she has since left us, must have left in the wee small hours of the morning... yes I see now, currently on her way to Bridgetown.

Most interesting all round collection below from Mike our 'inshore correspondent' so don't miss those. Great info too...
That sounds like one heck of a cruise Brian...bet you have booked to go...

And speaking of all things 'cruise' ... two heavy hitters in Port today, the Disney Magic and the Spirit of Discovery.

PaulB

Sunday, 1 September 2019 - 07:12

 

Post 6497

  brian dixon, dover

the Viking sun cruise ship, intrestly will be starting a 33 week cruise from dertford creek London,at the princly sum of 66990 gb pounds.will not be back until late april next year.yes its a world cruise. yikes.

Sunday, 1 September 2019 - 06:27

 

Post 6496

  Mike J., Dover

Nice light on the water as the SEEKER approaches really 'makes' the 'cover page' photo.


HUNTER & DALBY TEES in the Tidal Basin on Saturday morning during a very low tide.


The workboat DALBY TEES came in on from the Solent Friday afternoon & sailed for Lowestoft midday on Saturday.


THV ALERT is in for the weekend alongside the DAVID CHURCH & Hammonds colourful launch was on her usual berth by the fuel pontoon.


I’m sure that Sarah will agree that you can’t have too many lifeboat pix.




Not much water in the harbour Saturday morning, with one of the lowest tides that I’ve seen.

The sill of the Wellington Dock gate channel is well exposed & normally unseen banks are showing as the PORTIA heads down the Wick with an angling party.





Re Paul’s post of the DAVID CHURCH - she’s lifting the East Buoy & maybe the ‘smoke’ is sunlight catching the spray from a high-pressure water jet cleaning the highly-visible seaweed & general crud from the base of the buoy.


Sunday, 1 September 2019 - 03:32

 

Post 6495

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures above there of dredger David Church taken on thursday ...yours truly saw what looked like smoke rising from her deck...well you can see above there, but nothing of an alarming nature.... probably drilling something. You can see one of the marker buoys suspended in the pictures.

Following along from Mike's pic of Alert approaching, here she is again below a short time later, just heading into the inner harbour. Just saw her at the last minute.



I know Del...our seagull is determined to get in to all the shots, mad for fame and glory....what can ye dooo

PB

Saturday, 31 August 2019 - 06:44

 

Post 6494

  Del Styan, Norwich

See that pesky seagull has blown into your pic again. How does he/ she manage it!

Friday, 30 August 2019 - 23:05

 

Post 6493

  Sea News, Dover

The Premier Inn on Dover Seafront is busy busy these days. The picture above there shows the hotel at dawn two days ago and looking good. Obviously now this is the season for dramatic early skies...and sure who can resist all that glorious colour...as you can see in the picture below. Sunglasses at the ready...


When the camera gets turned vertical as per top picture above, the width of the image appears to shrink. Its quite odd yet the dimensions are still the same as when horizontal...in the words of the song "its witchcraft"

I speak of course of standard dimensions.

Below we have a picture of the Viking Sun arriving yesterday morning...twas a soft morning for sure as she ambled slowly across the harbour to settle at Cruise Terminal Two...


Mike yes I noticed the Calais Seaways myself yesterday and how good she was looking...the ferry is due to be replaced next year if i'm remembering correctly...but still cutting a dash!
Agent paddling furiously...lol


PaulB

Friday, 30 August 2019 - 06:04