Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 6030

  Mike J., Dover

Tug MTS VALOUR [post-5963] parking a jack-up barge on Pier B on Friday morning.
She had brought the barge, owned by the same company as TOPLOADER, down from Tilbury.
The MTS VALOUR sailed at 1800 heading for Southampton for her next job.





Freight ?
Dover can do freight ! The lifeblood of the Port.
This slow-moving traffic jam, from the SPIRIT OF BRITAIN on No.9 berth, was quickly cleared.
Plenty of freight waiting to go aboard as well.





Saturday, 19 January 2019 - 02:11

 

Post 6029

  Mike Waight, Wiltshire

Re #6015 photos of past ferries - Shepperton Ferry in particular - I well recall as a boy watching the train ferries loading and unloading at the Western Docks (circa 1950s) and being fascinated by the concept. I believe it still goes on in some parts of the world. Also remember the Belgian and other passenger ferries on Admiralty Pier. My father told me of one incident where a passenger ferry had backed into the last berth alongside Dover Marine Stn and failed to stop which caused her to run up onto the pyramid shaped tank traps. Anyone know if this happened? Tank traps used to be all over the place then - I recall some off the Deal road although I doubt they'll still be there.

Friday, 18 January 2019 - 15:58

 

Post 6028

  Patrick, Marine Parade

Just managed to catch this shot as I opened the blinds this morning to see heavy load carrier 'DOCKWISE WHITE MARLIN', rig on board, from Norway heading south bound for Aliaga (Turkey)








Friday, 18 January 2019 - 12:18

 

Post 6027

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Border Force activity in Ramsgate, HMC Searcher & her RIB.











Friday, 18 January 2019 - 06:32

 

Post 6026

  Mike J., Dover

The Maltese-flagged KAMELIA arrived from the Baltic via the Kiel Canal in the early hours of Thursday & was discharging biomass timber on the Admiralty Pier during the morning with an endless procession of lorries headng for the Sandwich Technology Park power station.
It was close to low water so not much of the ship to be seen.
Thought to be the last timber cargo for the moment.




In the brave new world of DWDR these cargoes will be discharged on the berth on the ‘outside’ of the Prince of Wales reclaimed land, used up to now by’self-unloaders’ bringing in stone [post 5843].

Very little DWDR shipping activity recently, only active vessels being the busy crewboat PAMPERO & workboats TOPLOADER & the elusive BEAVER [post 5951] who seems to spend most of her time in the new marina.
Another self-unloader is expected at the end of the month.


Friday, 18 January 2019 - 00:29

 

Post 6025

  Del Styan, Norwich

Well said on the present Brexit mess, and I love your new dawn! We must take our pleasures where we can, even if it's just the sun arising. What on earth will the next few weeks bring.

Thursday, 17 January 2019 - 23:23

 

Post 6024

  brian dixon, dover

thanks paul.

Thursday, 17 January 2019 - 19:18

 

Post 6023

  Sea News, Dover

She did go further down the coast alright Brian.
She is off Lydd as we speak and appears to be heading back here.

PB.

Thursday, 17 January 2019 - 18:45

 

Post 6022

  brian dixon, dover

a daft question , has hms mersey gone back to home port. the reason why is I haven't seen her lurking around for a few days.

Thursday, 17 January 2019 - 14:16

 

Post 6021

  Sea News, Dover

STATEMENT - PORT OF DOVER /DFDS /P&O FERRIES
Dover - ready to welcome customers into the future
_____________________________________________


The UK's planned departure from the EU has changed the way people think about the logistics industry and supply chains. Never has there been more public scrutiny on trade and the efficient movement of goods.

What has not changed is the ability of one port, two ferry operators and a fleet of 12 dedicated ferries to be capable of handling up to 10,000 lorries a day – a 180km trade expressway. Neither will geography change and Dover will remain the only place from which such a fleet can achieve up to 120 ferry movements a day, where each ferry is berthed, unloaded, re-loaded and heading back to France in as little as 45-50 minutes on the shortest sea crossing. With the French coast often in full view, this finely tuned engine simply cannot be matched in terms of capacity or speed.

Of course, external factors such as border controls may slow things down, but they will do that at every EU-facing gateway across the country. What makes Dover different is that it has the experience of how to deal with major disruption and find a way through – nowhere else has this experience.

That is why within a few days of the last significant incident of Operation Stack in the infamous summer of 2015, Dover was once again handling record volumes. During the course of any year, the Port of Dover manages smaller disruptions through our continuing professional approach. Dover has stood the test of time.

The entire operating system – the Port and its infrastructure, border controls and ferry operations - is designed around the fast paced, seamless movement of traffic. With the growth in our volumes, it is a strong indication that people want to continue to take advantage of the Port of Dover and its ferry partners. The Government understands this and the Port has been working closely with its Border Delivery Group for some time, a cross-Government group coordinating Brexit planning across Whitehall and with a firm remit to keep traffic flowing across the Channel.

Preparation is key. Beyond the existing close coordination with the Port and its ferry partners, it will be essential that the UK Government and its agencies as well as the European Union and its Member States expedite the provision of necessary information to the logistics community in order that it has what it needs to plan for and prepare the required documentation in advance of lorries arriving at ports.

Kasper Moos, Managing Director of DFDS in Dover, said: "We have been preparing for a wide range of scenarios for some time along with the port and our partners. We have adapted our IT systems and are building customs expertise so we can offer customs and other services to our customers to help mitigate any effect. We are now intensifying work to ensure those customers are preparing for any new border processes in order to protect their business and keep people and goods flowing through this vital trade route."

David Stretch, P&O Ferries’ Managing Director - Short Routes, said: "As long as there are goods and people travelling between the UK and Europe, P&O Ferries will continue to provide a comprehensive ferry and logistics service to and from the continent. We have been working with the authorities on detailed preparations to support our operation at Dover which, along with our ports on the east coast of England, will continue to give customers a range of options for connecting with Europe under every scenario."

Doug Bannister, the Port’s new Chief Executive, said: "Throughout the Brexit debate, what people have been desiring is certainty. Uncertainty is continuing, but we are prepared. We will continue to manage our infrastructure professionally and our team stands ready to handle whatever comes our way. We look forward to welcoming customers on 29th March, 30th March and far into the future."

ENDS


Port of Dover - New Dawn?


As promised the dazzling sky on Monday morning above there. Just natural photographs with nature doing all the colourful work. It was a very ordinary sky one minute and then suddenly it exploded into exciting dazzling colours. All different photographs above there.. wide, wider and wider still. Before too long alas it had drifted back into slate grey for the departure of Hellas Reefer...that's an extra shot of Hellas Reefer below with the pilot almost alongside



PaulB

Thursday, 17 January 2019 - 07:47

 

Post 6020

  Sea News, Dover

Hellas Reefer : an early morning departure for Hellas Reefer. Monday morning in fact. Yours truly just spotted her across the Port as she moved away. Off to Vlissingen in the Netherlands she was. The top shot shows her across the other side of the Port..the eastern side, as we gaze beyond Dover 9 and the Pride of Burgundy.

The second picture above shows Hellas moving away with the ever active pilot boat alongside. As you can see twas another grey day.

But early sunday morning below, a day earlier, it wasn't grey. There was some delightful colour in the sky as the Lifeboat went out on another run. Wider shots here to capture the general atmosphere. The colour didn't last. If you remember the previous picture from Sunday ( see 6019 below ) taken about 50 minutes later...the pic with the HMS Mersey in it just below...you can see how grey it had become...



Speaking of colour....Monday very early had some fantastic colourful skies ...
will have those pix tomorrow morning. Wear your sunglasses before tuning in...


Further news on the Ramsgate - Ostend ferry proposal. It seems Ostend are not interested. They are nowhere near ready to accept a ferry service from Ramsgate. So it appears. They dismissed the notion yesterday which leaves the hapless bungling grappling Grayling with yet more egg on his face. Not that Seaborne Freight in Ramsgate are ready either...with no ferries on their books. Yet Grayling presented them with a £14Million pound contract to relieve the potentially overstretched situation here. The Brexiteers tell us we have no worries about pulling out of the EU with a 'no deal'.. but can we believe these politicians if this is the level of future planning they present to us. As we saw in the House last night, the 'dream team' cabinet chaotically shuffle and struggle from one abysmal day to the next.

PB

ps: Just an extra reminder to see also 6017 about the Cypriot reflagging of the P & O ferries.



Wednesday, 16 January 2019 - 06:05

 

Post 6019

  Sea News, Dover

Believe it or not all these pictures are colour pictures, although in some cases you would hardly think so. Its not an artistic attempt at monochrome, its simply that the weather is so grey at the moment looking seaward....except sometimes first thing in the morning. All pictures sunday morning...

The first shot shows Dover Lifeboat returning. In the background there you can see HMS Mersey. Whether they had a liaison or not I don't know as didnt see what happened earlier...the Lifeboat may have just been returning from the same patch of water while on a sunday morning exercise.


A short while later HMS Mersey turned about and came over in this direction a bit more than usual, as you can see in the pictures below. The ship usually stays further west of the Port...but we are always glad to get a better view... so, good to see it. Better weather eventually will give us better images.



The final shot shows her veering over towards the Varne Lightship...the Lightship being hardly visible in the misty gloom.


That indeed is a great gathering of lifeboats over there Sarah... a true plethora..lol!!
Good to see that one of the Maersk Connector too... great shot.

A very interesting post below Mike. Excellent info. Quite a bit of a shock that one. These are indeed uncertain times for all and as we can now see the Ferries have not escaped change either. And of course... a big political day today ...some pundits are saying its one of the biggest ever, and we don't know what we will be left with.

In normal times for example Grayling would not have kept his job..he seems to bungle through every position he holds in wide-eyed hapless style, but times are so difficult there is no political talent coming through to the frontline..we are stuck with the dim and the dismal.

PaulB

Tuesday, 15 January 2019 - 05:15

 

Post 6018

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Spotted off Ramsgate today.



A plethora of lifeboats at Ramsgate today
Relief Lifeboats " Lady of Hilbre", "Dora Foster McDougall" & "John & Louisa Fisher", Ramsgate Lifeboat "Esme Anderson" & Gravesend Lifeboat "Oliver Laura Deare II"





Tuesday, 15 January 2019 - 00:53

 

Post 6017

  Mike J., Dover

SPIRIT OF BRITAIN departs Dover on Monday after resuming service on her return from her Hamburg refit.


Notice anything different ?

She has been reflagged from the British Shipping Register & now flies the ‘Flag of Convenience’ of Cyprus & no longer has 'Dover' on her stern.


Additionally she will no longer fly the Red Ensign, except possibly as a 'courtesy flag' above the bridge.

I’m not for a moment suggesting that there will be any reduction on the very high standards of operations by all of the British ferry operators, presumably the re-flagging is is a move to obtain some useful ‘flexibility’ in the uncertain world of post-Brexit Europe, although there must be some unease amongst the crews onboard.

I’m sure that there will be further reflaggings in the near future.

Many ‘British’ ferries operating on routes away from Dover have been flagged-out for some time & indeed during the brief presence of Stena Line in Dover their ferries were registered in the Bahamas, again for tax & financial advantages.

P&O ferries are owned by Dubai Ports [a comparatively small part of their operations] & DFDS is a Danish company & neither owner has any particular loyalties to the UK, quite understandably they are in business to make money & it is their right to operate their companies in the manner that they see fit, but it doesn’t build confidence in the British economy in the future.

Uncertain times indeed.

Turning away from politics the refit season is underway with the SPIRIT OF FRANCE leaving Dover on Monday morning & is due in Hamburg midday on Tuesday.

Monday, 14 January 2019 - 23:11

 

Post 6016

  Sea News, Dover

Deal Pier Kitchen Officially Opened by Council Chairman
_________________________________________________



The Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Sue Chandler officially opened Deal Pier Kitchen recently, the new cafe restaurant at the end of the council-owned Deal Pier.

Deal Pier Kitchen is open seven days week and brings a fresh, new offer to the pier. The cafe restaurant is housed in the Royal Institution of British Architects (RIBA) award-winning building designed by Niall McLaughlin, opened in 2009, and featured on the CHALKUP21 trail of contemporary coastal architecture. The café restaurant offers outstanding views out across the English Channel.

The team behind Deal Pier Kitchen, hospitality entrepreneurs, Rebecca Hodson and Tim Biggs, were awarded a 20 year lease of the cafe restaurant following a competitive tender by Dover District Council and supported by leisure property specialists, Fleurets.

Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Dover District Council’s cabinet member for corporate property, said: "We're delighted to welcome Deal Pier Kitchen as part of our £500,000 revamp of Deal Pier. We were impressed with Rebecca and Tim's vision for the cafe restaurant and the fresh new approach that they bring. The pier is very much at the heart of local life in Deal so we know they are going to be very busy!"

Tim Biggs, said: "We look forward to welcoming everyone to Deal Pier Kitchen. We've developed an exciting new menu based on local produce and creating a dining experience to make the most of this fantastic location."

ENDS

Picture L to R: Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Cllr Sue Chandler, Tim Biggs, Rebecca Hodson.
Sue presents a poster of historical Deal Pier to the couple.

Many thanks to DDC for the info above. A great treat for those who enjoy dining out.

The enjoyable Deal Pier above....
and below the always photogenic fishing boats along the strand there.



* *

Following along from Mike's excellent pictures of Viking and Vulcan in the inner sanctum see 6013...the same day I caught Vulcan in the distance heading towards Folkestone. Yours truly was merely testing the camera's changed program and Vulcan popped into view. This is fairly long range, looking across the roof of the Dover Cruise Terminal One. Time of picture 13:05 Friday.



Absolutely great 'famous five' pictures below there Ted from your brother David...excellent. All great - am particularly fond of the top one taken exiting Port of Calais.
Well done Ted and David.

PaulB



Monday, 14 January 2019 - 07:25

 

Post 6015

  Ted Ingham, Canterbury

"Five Dover ferries from the past"
A selection photographed by my brother David.
P&OSL DOVER.


P&OSL AQUITAINE

P&OSL PROVENCE

PRINSES PAOLA ..The Dover to Ostende passenger ferry known locally as "The Racing Greyhound"

The train ferry SHEPPERTON FERRY laid up in the Wellington Dock.



Saturday, 12 January 2019 - 11:39

 

Post 6014

  Sea News, Dover

HMS MERSEY : Yes there we are with HMS Mersey again. This picture taken yesterday Friday. Still fairly long range and taken in our current ultra grey conditions, so the pic not ideal...but a bit closer anyway. You can see some of the crew there near the bow, and maybe one towards the rear of shot. She slowly patrols daily but her path of choice seems to be more in the Folkestone direction...then back towards west of Dover...then back towards...

The Latest from Charlie Elphicke MP for Dover and Deal.

Fighting to make our borders stronger and safer

Dear Mr Boland,

The migrant crisis in the English Channel escalated yet again over Christmas and New Year, with dozens more arriving along the Kent coast.

Here at the Dover frontline, we have been fighting hard over the past few months for Ministers to take action. In November in the House of Commons, I called on the Prime Minister to tackle the traffickers and boost our border security by increasing patrols. I’m pleased to see that our campaign is now making a difference.

Firstly, the Home Secretary acknowledged this is a major incident and appointed a Gold Commander. He then listened to our calls to return the UK’s two cutters back from cruising in the Mediterranean to patrol the English Channel and take back control of our borders.

I was delighted Sajid Javid also accepted my invitation to visit Dover. He was able to see how our heroic lifeboat crews, Border Force and emergency services work tirelessly along our coast to protect the border and keep people safe.

Meanwhile, the National Crime Agency have recently made arrests in connection to the smuggling network allegedly behind the recent spike in crossings. And the deployment of HMS Mersey is a welcome first measure too – as we seek to increase the deterrent in the Channel.

Now we need to see more action from the French. It’s vital they immediately increase the number of craft and police patrolling their coastline – to stop these small boats from embarking. And there is a strong case for using aircraft with thermal imagery cameras to track any attempts to make these dangerous and illegal crossings.

We cannot be complacent. Because it was a lack of swift action that led to the rise of the Calais Jungle. At its height, some 10,000 people lived in the migrant camp in misery and squalor. People traffickers roamed free exploiting the vulnerable and terrorising tourists and truckers. Only after a hard-fought campaign was the Jungle dismantled and the number of migrants being trafficked plummeted. We cannot risk allowing the bad old days to return.

The Home Secretary is right to send a strong message and remind everyone that asylum should be claimed in the first country people come to, not the last. Indeed, why are they not claiming asylum in France, which is a very safe country? To return those attempting to cross to France would be the best deterrent and I hope the French will agree to that.

For too many years, the UK has gained a reputation as a soft touch on immigration. That needs to change or else people will continue to huddle on board these unseaworthy vessels, risking their lives and those of their young children.

We cannot allow this to carry on. The key is to stop the boats before they leave the French shore – and catch the ruthless people traffickers behind this crisis.

Investing more in our border security and taking firm action on illegal immigration must be a national priority.

Charlie Elphicke MP

Ends

From our newly restored Conservative Charlie there..saying much the same thing as Home Secretary Javid on his recent visit.
And we felt re-assured then didn't we...??
It is going to be an interestingly chaotic week in politics next week...Gawd knows what 'witches brew' will ensue.
There is nothing like having a stable government and ...(you know what I'm going to say next )
....this is nothing like having a stable government!!

Another picture now to finish off...showing once again the Maersk Connector leaving us on Thursday morning.. time of pic 11.30am.
See also post 6009.

Brilliant shots below there Sarah 6012. Cracking shots. Great to have those and in such close detail too. Excellent.
Well done there.

Nice collection below there too from Mike ..from our inshore waters...always good to see those. Interestingly I tried a long range shot of Vulcan yesterday while testing the camera as she made her way westward. It might be okay - will have a look.


PaulB.



Saturday, 12 January 2019 - 07:46

 

Post 6013

  Mike J., Dover

Nice ‘underway’ pix from Sarah who seems to have the knack of being in the right place at the right time.
Why am I not surprised ?

Friday morning & the long laid-up windcat EMS VULCAN has been joined in Wellington Dock by fleetmate EMS VIKING who spent Christmas at Whitstable [post 5985].







Saturday, 12 January 2019 - 00:28

 

Post 6012

  Sarah, Ramsgate

HMC Vigilant leaving Ramsgate to go on duty in the English Channel.







FPV Morven leaving Ramsgate.





Friday, 11 January 2019 - 09:07

 

Post 6011

  Sea News, Dover

Border Force Speedwell making its way out of the Port of Dover yesterday morning..heading out for another 'tour of duty' out there in the Channel. Extra picture for this morning there, but also see todays other post below featuring the departing reefer.

PaulB

Friday, 11 January 2019 - 07:42