Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 5750

  Sea News, Dover

You will have seen our picture shown yesterday of HMS Archer arriving in the blustery conditions of tuesday...well we just caught her departure by happy accident yesterday wednesday and there she goes above. Just saw her at the last minute so the picture is quite long range. She turned west eventually...hopefully the medical emergency is all sorted and all are well and okay onboard.

Hark back now to a few days earlier and we see the arrival of the self discharging sand carrier Bulknes. The vessel is remarkably similar to the previous ones of the same ilk... Sandnes and Splittnes. You can find them using our Search Engine above and you will see the similarities. An assorted collection below...finishing with the late night discharging...hopefully all can see that one clearly.





PaulB

Thursday, 13 September 2018 - 07:17

 

Post 5749

  Sea News, Dover

The shot above there shows HMS Archer just after her arrival in the Port yesterday..time of picture 12:18. This was an unscheduled visit we understand, as apparently a crew member was in need of medical assistance. We don't have any further information but hopefully all was okay in the end. The conditions were quite rough out there...ferries were delayed etc...and HMS Archer was spotted approaching the Port powering and bobbing through the rough conditions. The picture above there shows her inside the harbour but it even looks rough inside the harbour as you can see.

And speaking of rough tough conditions... here we are as promised with pictures of the returning pilot boat. The pilot was returning after assisting the Disney Magic as she moved away and as you can see it was an errrmm 'interesting' return to Port...
You can see the wider view of the returning pilot in 5748.




"Fasten your seatbelts, its going to be a bumpy ride"

PaulB

Wednesday, 12 September 2018 - 05:54

 

Post 5748

  Sea News, Dover

The Disney Magic moves off.....





A fond farewell to the ultra glamourous Disney Magic for this year. We will see more of her next year... the pictures show her on sunday evening as she heads off for main destination Cork in Ireland and then across the Atlantic. A long haul... The sea was quite rough-ish for departure, the pilot boat got a wee bit of a bashing on the way back and we will have some pictures of that in due course...also in port since then was Costa Mediterranea, the Pacific Princess, and the sand hauler Bulkness ...lots to catch up on...


Come back soon Disney!

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 - 07:18

 

Post 5747

  Sea News, Dover

These pictures of the delightful old sailing boats were taken a couple of weeks back, because there is so much action happening in and around the Port yours truly forgot to use them...they went onto the backburner and stayed there alas, but now halleluhah here they are...rediscovered..


Date of pictures: August 22nd.

The picture below of the Disney Magic is from her previous visit. Will have the latest pictures following along soon...we got some reasonably nice shots of her departure yesterday Sunday evening.. and we have general pictures of the other happenings as well.
So much to do, so little time..


Great cruise post below there Colette. Lots of info there for sure. Yes another double whammy of cruises in today. Exciting ships again.. see below (also .. thanks for that delivery Colette).


PaulB

Monday, 10 September 2018 - 08:02

 

Post 5746

  Colette B, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________


The photos and news items on Sea News over the past week have been very informative not to mention very useful for filling in the gaps of my knowledge within the port and of course further afield. Mike’s latest photo of the piling for pontoons re the new marina shows how it’s all taking shape

The cruise ships look amazing in the changing light, Brilliant shot of the Disney Magic and also the departing photos of the Serenissima, Well Done MrB!

Good to see the shots of more cyclists supporting their charity, in this case Myeloma cancer, a very worthy cause

I believe the Premier Inn Hotel itself is being extended so maybe that’s the reason for the tree felling, although if that’s the case they will need more parking spaces …. won’t they?

Could ‘Brexit’ have met it’s ‘Portaloo’?

Here I am again Guys with the second instalment for the month of September and what a way to start with a ‘Double Whammy’.

Firstly tomorrow Monday 10th September Pacific Princess cruises into CT1 at 06.00 hours to start her 14 night ‘Scandinavia & Russia Collection’ Round Trip. Her ports of call are Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Kiel and Amsterdam.

She returns to Dover on Monday 24th September.

She departs our shores at 17.00 hours, T/R.

Two hours later Costa Mediterranea glides into CT2 at 08.00 hours whilst on her 11 night one way ‘Amsterdam to Marseille’ cruise. She left Amsterdam yesterday and will call at the following ports Le Havre, La Coruna, Porto, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Valencia before dropping anchor in Marseille on the French Riviera. This will be her home port until December when she will set sail for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the UAE where she will be based until March 2019. She leaves us at 20.00 hours, PoC.

Then on Wednesday 12th September Pullmantur Cruises’‘Zenith’ arrives at CT2, 08.00 hours while on her 7 night one way ‘Warnemunde-Rostock to Bilbao’ cruise. She has already called at Malmo and Ijmuiden and will be sailing on to Cherbourg before her arrival in Bilbao on Saturday 15th September. She will be based in Bilbao and Barcelona whilst cruising around the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands until April 2019 (someone’s got to do it, wishing it was me!)

She will be leaving us at 20.00 hours, PoC.

The following day Thursday 13th September Saga Sapphire arrives at CT1, 08.00 hours to begin her 7 night ‘Scandinavian Seascapes’ Round Trip. She calls at the Norwegian ports of Stavanger and Kristiansand before visiting the Danish port of Skagen and Gothenburg (Sweden) she returns to us on Friday 21st September.

She departs at 16.00 hours, T/R.

Then on Saturday 15th September we have another ‘Double Whammy’.

Firstly we have an inaugural visit from ‘Seabourn Ovation’ Welcome!

She cruises into CT2 at 07.00 hours to begin her 15 night ‘Jewels of the National Trust’ cruise. This Brand New fresh out of the wrapper, latest addition to the Seabourn Cruise fleet was only built this year and was christened by our very own Elaine Paige. So get your cameras ready Guys!

Her ports of call are, Portland, Falmouth, Fishguard and Liverpool, then across the Irish Sea to Dublin then back to Campbeltown over again to Killibegs and on to Belfast. Over to the Scottish ports of Kirkwall, Dundee and Edinburgh, down to Newcastle and Great Yarmouth before her return to Dover on Monday 1st October.

She leaves our shores at 17.00 hours, T/R & PoC.

Due at the same time 07.00 hours ‘Prinsendam’ arrives at CT1 07.00 hours whilst coming to the end of her 14 night ‘Irish & Scottish Explorer’ Round Trip from Amsterdam. She has called at the following ports Newcastle, Edinburgh, Ullapool, Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin, Portland, St Peter Port, Guernsey before returning to her home port of Amsterdam the following day, 16th September.

She will be leaving us at 18.00 hours, PoC.

On Sunday 16th September Saga Pearl II cruises into CT1 at midday, a later time due to an Embark Only. She begins her 16 night ‘Norway & Iceland Exploration’ Round Trip. Her ports of call are Bremerhaven, Bergen, Alesund, Seydisfjordur, Akureyri, Isafjordur then over to Tobermory (Isle of Mull), Holy Loch and Belfast before returning to Dover on Tuesday 2nd October.

She departs at 21.30 hours.

That’s it for now folks!




Sunday, 9 September 2018 - 16:56

 

Post 5745

  Sea News, Dover

The Sikinos is a regular visitor now, she supplies bunkering services to some/most of the ships here at the Port of Dover...we have had some fantastic ships in here in the past week or so, very exciting times. The picture shows Sikinos departing the port later in the day on Wednesday. We have featured her before so type the name in the Search Engine above to see more.

Yet another big cycling event this week...let me see... yes these pictures also from Wednesday. This event was big but perhaps it wasn't quite on the same scale as the Pedal to Paris one last week ( no physiotherapists supplying weary-muscle resuscitating message for example ) but again it was held in support of a hugely worthy cause...this time Myeloma...as you can possibly see on the back of the cycling shirts in the pictures below.



A great effort made...

From Google:
Myeloma is a type of cancer that develops from cells in the bone marrow called plasma cells. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside the inner part of some of our large bones. The bone marrow produces different types of blood cells. Myeloma can develop wherever there are plasma cells.

PaulB

Sunday, 9 September 2018 - 07:34

 

Post 5744

  Sea News, Dover

SERENISSIMA - as promised here we are with the departure pictures. The sharp-eyed will notice that I have used yesterdays single picture again, this is just so the sequence of departure is complete. She was off to Valencia... here we go ..






Here is a gentler image below from a previous time...2016. The top pictures were shot into the hard midday dazzle..


Del...yes putting a positive spin on it - there may be a grand plan. Lots of work going on around here.

PaulB

Saturday, 8 September 2018 - 07:25

 

Post 5743

  Del Styan, Norwich

Well, that's a shame to see the few trees around the Premier Inn being cut down, but as you say, perhaps its part of a master plan. I hope it's not just to get a couple of more car spaces. There are plenty round the back. Maybe it's all part of Project Brock??

Friday, 7 September 2018 - 23:17

 

Post 5742

  Sea News, Dover

Another giant now...this time we feature Costa Pacifica. Top shot shows her arriving on the grey early morning of wednesday. To be honest yours truly was away from the 'observation tower' temporarily and missed most of the arrival. Just caught the tail end..
...I was aghast

Was hoping for some nice pictures at departure but no, alas it was too dark and too misty. You can see her briefly again below as the pilot boat returns... a magnificent ship.



Bog Roll Blues....



Plans to line the M20 with portable toilets will come as no relief to HGV drivers
______________________________________________________________________

The Road Haulage Association is bemused at the news that hundreds of portable toilets are to be distributed along the M20 to offer relief to lorry drivers facing gridlock in tailbacks of traffic heading towards Dover as a result of border checks following a no-deal Brexit.

Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: "Of course we welcome the news that the needs of the thousands of HGV drivers heading towards Dover each day have been taken into consideration but how on earth will the system work?

"If the hard shoulder is to be used for traffic heading towards the Tunnel and the outside lane used by traffic heading towards the Port - where will the toilets be located? We cannot expect drivers to run across 2 active motorway lanes.

"A more effective, hygienic and safe solution is needed. Thought should to be given to mobile truck mounted facilities that can utilise the central area, be easily emptied and cleaned."

But toilet facilities are only part of the issue surrounding Operation Brock. In 2015, queues of 4,600 lorries stretched for 30 miles – and the RHA gained the co-operation of the big supermarket chains to donate food and water as the Government had failed to consider the basic welfare of drivers.

13-miles of the coast-bound M20, between junction eight near Maidstone and junction nine near Ashford, have been earmarked to hold 2000 HGVs, but in the event of a no-deal Brexit, each truck will have to complete customs formalities – adding at least 45 minutes to its transit time through the Port. Who will provide food and water for drivers when Brock becomes ‘the norm’"?

Concluding, Richard Burnett said: "On peak days over 10,000 freight vehicles pass through Dover. To plan for 2000 trucks over 13 miles is at best wildly optimistic. Drivers don’t just need somewhere to stop, they need to be given the same consideration as all other road users. Toilet facilities, food and water are a human right – not a privilege."

Ends



The Premier Inn carpark is denuding itself of trees. Always a shame to see trees being cut down as these ones appeared perfectly healthy. We need a greener environment in the overbuilt south-east. Sad to see. But maybe they have a 'grand plan'.




EXTRA:
Mike tipped me off about the departure of Serenissima. She left as we said previously at 12pm (or should that be am) midday....off to Valencia. An unusual time to leave so yours truly wouldn't have spotted her go without Mike's tipoff. But her she is...will feature her more in the next post along...bear with. (see also 5740 for details)
Serenissima


Nice shots and info below Mike once more.
My beauty sleep has been ravaged Del !! ...to tell you the truth its been much milder than before.
PaulB

Friday, 7 September 2018 - 07:27

 

Post 5741

  Del Styan, Norwich

I hope the piling doesn't affect your beauty sleep. Or perhaps we will get more early morning shots?

Thursday, 6 September 2018 - 23:09

 

Post 5740

  Mike J., Dover

The former Norwegian coastal passenger ship HARALD JARL, carrying her 48 years well & now operating for Noble Caledonia as the SERENISSIMA, arrived from Ostend about 0600 Thursday & sailed midday for Valencia.


Those two big satellite TV domes do nothing for her appearance - the SATCOM [communications] domes that you see on most sea-going craft these days are much smaller.
Exclusive luxury cruising with Noble Caledonia starts at about £350 a day.


Piling has started for the pontoons in the new marina.





Thursday, 6 September 2018 - 15:36

 

Post 5739

  Sea News, Dover

A late late evening shot above there of the MSC Orchestra as she readies for departure, A real beauty for sure and quite a beast. Hopefully we will see more MSC cruise ships in the port in future times. Night has fallen as she departs below with all lights a-blazin'.
In the distance you can see the lights on the coast of France. That's Boulogne we are seeing there.


Just adding this pic from earlier in the day which shows the Holyhead Towing guys working on the new 'wing'...the working vessels are Llanddwyn Island and Afon Lligwy. In the background you can see the huge presence of the MSC Orchestra. Pictures taken Monday Sept 3.


PaulB

Thursday, 6 September 2018 - 06:10

 

Post 5738

  Sea News, Dover

The DISNEY MAGIC leaves us on a colourful Sunday evening...we watch as she heads off for Cork in Ireland.
Not, of course, before playing...'when you wish upon a star" ...




There she goes...What a fabulous ship. We have had real world class 'players' in the cruise game in the port during the past few days...the Disney Magic, the super MSC Orchestra, and today the stunning Costa Pacifica , the Costa now over at Cruise Terminal 2 as I write ( with Boudicca at Cruise Terminal 1 )... a fantastic period for the Port of Dover.

Will have more pictures of the 'players' in due course. Still catching up.

Well done Mike - a nice collection below there from our 'inshore correspondent' Great stuff!
Thanks to Colette and Del for the comments below. Yes indeed Del...its a tough one. Best to avoid Texas Colette.

PaulB

Wednesday, 5 September 2018 - 15:15

 

Post 5737

  Mike J., Dover

Small fry !

A new safety boat has appeared in the last few days.
Northern Rib Hire’s PLUTO was in the Tidal Basin on Tuesday & has joined the DWDR fleet & is capable of 40 kts when pressed.



Monday found the angling boat SNOWSTAR OF RAMSGATE who is usually based [unsurprisingly] at Ramsgate, but has been blocked-up in the boatyard for a few days.


There’s a nice little film about her taking an angling party out for mackerel - go to YouTube & search for ‘SNOWSTAR OF RAMSGATE VESSEL’

On the same day the PAMPERO was on the boatlift for a spot of TLC.





Wednesday, 5 September 2018 - 01:19

 

Post 5736

  Del Styan, Norwich

Good luck, Doug. Reckon you'll need it!

Tuesday, 4 September 2018 - 23:06

 

Post 5735

  Colette B, Dover

Well Done Mike spotting my Red Herring but in this case it's a Kipper lol!

Can't have my Kippers in Texas MrB as the song goes ……..

All my ex's live in Texas
And Texas is the place I'd dearly love to be
But all my ex's live in Texas
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee

Love that song, happy days of yesteryear playing on the Playstation with daughter Briony

Great to see the buses Mike, how things have changed, no buses for footies now!

Tuesday, 4 September 2018 - 17:58

 

Post 5734

  Sea News, Dover

PORT OF DOVER: APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Dover Harbour Board, owner and operator of the Port of Dover, is pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Bannister as Chief Executive.

Doug has an extensive record of successful leadership in the maritime, aviation and ports sectors. As the Port of Dover manages the challenges of Brexit, the Western Docks Revival and developing and implementing a Masterplan for the future, the Board has secured a very high calibre candidate to lead the Executive team and the organisation at this time. Doug will join the Board and take up his position at the latest on 1st March 2019.

Richard Everitt, Chairman, said: "After an extensive search I am very happy to welcome Doug and his family to East Kent. He joins at a challenging time for the Port and its key customers. His skills, experience and personality will strengthen the Executive team and I am confident his appointment will be welcomed by all the Port’s stakeholders."

Doug Bannister said: "I am very pleased to be given this opportunity to advance the success of the Port of Dover in what will be a challenging chapter in its rich history. I am looking forward to working with the team, our customers and stakeholders to deliver this ambition."


ENDS

EXTRA bit about Doug …

Doug is an American with dual British and American citizenship. He is currently Group Chief Executive Officer of Jersey Airport and Jersey Harbours, having previously been Managing Director of Maersk Line UK, the largest container shipping company in the world. His international business experience includes transportation organisations in North America, Europe, Asia, India and New Zealand.

Evening over the Port of Dover...

* *

Some images now of The Merchant Navy Day memorial tribute on Dover Seafront yesterday Monday Sept 3.
In the background above with head bowed, the Chairman of Dover District Council Cllr Sue Chandler waits to place her wreath ...
Mr Donald Hunter local Chairman Merchant Navy Assoc and Cllr Sue Chandler
Donald Hunter and Sue Chandler move forward to place their wreaths at the memorial statue.

PaulB





Tuesday, 4 September 2018 - 06:03

 

Post 5733

  Sea News, Dover

DFDS releases unbeatable savings on sailings for motorhome and caravan owners
_________________________________________________________________________

Award-winning ferry operator DFDS is offering caravan and motorhome owners cut price crossings on its Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk routes.

This special deal means crossings on these routes have been reduced by £10 each way, starting from just £39* each way for a small motorhome with up to nine people and from £60* each way for a car and caravan with up to nine people.

DFDS is the only ferry operator with two routes to France from Dover and with 54 sailings a day, it’s a fast and convenient way to travel to the continent.

A 90-minute sailing into Calais is ideal for passengers wanting to travel to northern and central France, whilst a relaxing two-hour sailing to Dunkirk puts you a stone’s throw from Belgium, with easy links to Germany​ and beyond.

Customers can choose to relax in the on-board Premium Lounge, which offers a quiet space with free newspapers, fresh pastries, soft drinks and unlimited tea and coffee, from just £12 per person each way. The ships also feature a wide choice of lounge and bar areas, the 7Seas restaurant offering a range of hot and cold meals, a shop offering savings off high-street prices, plus a Kidz Club play area to keep the children entertained.

For more information, or to book a crossing visit: www.dfds.co.uk.

-Ends-

*Customers must book before 9th October 2018 to take advantage of the offer, which is valid for travel until 31st December 2018. To book, visit www.dfds.co.uk and enter product code ECHV10 to secure the deal, or phone 0871 521 5522.

Caravan and Motorhomes along Dover Seafront...and even as we go into September it remains very busy.

DFDS ferry Cote des Flandres in top shot and below.


Many thanks once again to the team at DFDS for the regular news and info.

* *

A couple of extra pix below...first one up is a wide view of the Saga Pearl arrival in Port a couple of days ago. It was a gorgeous morning as you can see. Summer rolls on...


Below we have a shot from yesterday morning Sunday which shows the Luzon Strait loading up at the Cargo Terminal while a red hot sun rises for another gorgeous day. Time of picture: 06.20 Sunday.

No visuals today so far - very misty right now.. thick mist. There is a lot of it about.

UPDATE: the mist is clearing slowly. I see the hugely magnificent MSC Orchestra in Port...this following along from the fab Disney Magic yesterday. its all happening with magnificent ships. Pictures will follow in due course.

PaulB




Monday, 3 September 2018 - 06:31

 

Post 5732

  Sea News, Dover

The Cruise Ships keep right on coming....
Yes indeed as per cruise listing, the fabulous Disney Magic is in with us again today, she came in very early , too early for pictures. But here we are catching up on a couple of shots of the magnificent Viking Sun from a few days ago ( 27Aug ). The pictures don't show her coming and going, but show her after her 180 degree turn before reversing and slotting into Cruise Terminal 2.

Very interesting and enjoyable post below re the Sealink Buses Mike..Great stuff!

Also ... Great comprehensive cruise list again Colette. Keeping us up to speed on all the goings on.

lol! yes good spot Mike re the 'Kipper' great fun!

"
do you like kippers for breakfast
mummie dear! mummie dear!
You gotta have them in Texas
cos everyone's a millionaire"

"
Famed song there..well it is a sunday

PB

Sunday, 2 September 2018 - 06:34

 

Post 5730

  Mike J., Dover

A bus ride down Memory Lane. . . . . .

Saturday morning I was on the last mile or so of the A20 before arriving Dover when I noticed two preserved buses, one red one & one unexpectedly in SEALINK FERRIES livery.
This was of interest as I had worked for Sealink until they were taken over by Stena in 1990.

I followed them to see where they were going & they turned into into the filling station at the western end of the port.

Chatting to the friendly crews as they took fuel I was told that Sealink had chartered three buses from East Kent for the shuttle bus service from Priory Station to the docks & for transferring 'footies' [as we called them] between the passenger terminal & the ferries.



GJG739D wasn't one of the three that had been chartered but was the same type of bus, an ‘AEC Regent’ & had been in service with East Kent & had been immaculately restored to it’s Sealink livery in memory of this unusual charter.

Both buses were en route Walmer & on Sunday GJG739D will be offering free rides between New Romney station of the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway & Dungeness.

The second bus was an ex-London Transport ‘RM’ - a type of bus much loved by bus-fanciers.

p.s.
Colette - loved your fishy ‘typo’ - ATLANTIC KIPPER indeed !



Saturday, 1 September 2018 - 23:22