Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 5572

  Andrew, Broadstairs

Just catching up with Sea News and noted two items with which I hope I can help, both originating from Norway!
The clue to the cargo of the self discharge vessel at the DWDR is her Port of Loading - JELSA which is the location of Norway's largest quarry for ancient stone which is used all over the world in port construction work, roads, railways and 'Rock Armour' in sea defences. This was recently used when repairing the railway lines at Shakespeare Cliff. It is reckoned to have on another 40/50 years supply, despite quarrying at an incredible rate.

The second item is your clear picture of the oil rig which I believe to be the SONGA TRYM under tow by ALP IPPON and ALP WINGER from Skipavik (Gulen) Norway to Aliaga for recycling, a sign of the times!

Tuesday, 10 July 2018 - 08:55

 

Post 5571

  Sea News, Dover

A couple of pictures above there of the departing Saga Sapphire...she was off on a delightful trip down along the coast of France..sounds good to me. Among many treats, passengers will be sampling that wine in Bordeaux no doubt, as mentioned by ColetteB.

The ship aided in departure as ever by the pilot boat, and in the foreground you can see a DWDR platform being guided back to the inner harbour by the Holyhead Towing teamsters.

And speaking of platforms...this giant one below was being towed down the Channel yesterday afternoon by two tugs.. but.. yours truly wasn't able to find out anything about it...if anyone knows the name of the platform featured we would be pleased to hear. Time of picture: 3.25PM yesterday afternoon monday.

EXTRA: we believe that is the oil platform SONGA TRYM. Thanks to Andrew for the info.

PaulB

Tuesday, 10 July 2018 - 07:13

 

Post 5570

  Sea News, Dover

P&O FERRIES' JENNY EVANS NAMED YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR
.......AT PRESTIGIOUS MARITIME AWARDS CEREMONY IN LONDON
_______________________________________________________

P&O FERRIES' Jenny Evans - who in January became only the second woman to captain one of the company's ships - has won the Young Person of the Year award at a ceremony in London organised by the prestigious maritime publication Seatrade.


The 31-year-old Kent local, who lives in Rochester with her husband David, received her award in front of 300 guests at the Landmark Hotel in London's Marylebone on Friday the 29th June.

The awards, the best known and longest running in the maritime industry, were celebrating their 30th anniversary. They are designed to recognise individuals and companies which make outstanding contributions to shipping.

Jenny first joined P&O Ferries straight after taking her GCSE's and her father also works for the company.

She said: "I was honoured to receive this award, which came as a complete shock. I hope it encourages others within the industry and those thinking of joining the merchant navy to move onwards and upwards. I have always been lucky with those I have worked with throughout my own career both at work and at home."

The Young Person of the Year Award is presented to an individual under 45 who has made an outstanding contribution to the maritime industry. Jenny was this year promoted to the rank of Master on the Spirit of France and has responsibility for up to 200 crew members and 2,000 passengers who sail on the 47,000 ton ship between Dover and Calais.

P&O Ferries is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics company, sailing 27,000 times a year on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. It operates more than 20 vessels which carry 8.4 million passengers and 2.3 million freight units annually.

Together with its logistics division, P&O Ferrymasters, the company also operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain and Romania. P&O Ferrymasters also owns a rail terminal in the Romanian city of Oradea, which facilitates the onward movement of goods to Britain from Asian countries via the Silk Road.

ENDS

Many thanks once again to the team at P&O Ferries for the info above.
Congratulations to Jenny...we did feature her previously too
see.. SECOND FEMALE CAPTAIN 4608.


The Spirits of P&O …

PaulB.



Monday, 9 July 2018 - 06:14

 

Post 5569

  Sea News, Dover

Mike was asking about the type of material being discharged...well hopefully this picture above will throw some light on the question. Its a graphite coloured sand-like substance and you can just see it above there as it was being discharged from the ship Sandnes on saturday…..
Sandnes has now left the building..or ermm harbour..

Following along from Patrick's shots of the Pacific Princess, we have an extra one below there as she moves away, heading off for a long stint in Scandinavia and Russia...the far point being the inviting St Petersburg.



Thanks for the cruise listing Colette once again...some very useful info below there.

Sunday, 8 July 2018 - 04:36

 

Post 5568

  Colette B, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
____________

The array of photos taken by the Sea News team almost takes your breath away, the awesome motor yacht ‘Ghazal’ powering by the Pacific Princess. Mike’s detailed shots of the DWDR construction work and it is great to see that Dover has finally got a ‘Sandy Beach’ all of its own. Keep up the Good work Guys!

Now for next batch of cruise calls.

On Monday 9th July, Saga Sapphire arrives at CT1, 08.00 hours to start her 10 night cruise to the Harbours of Western France. Her ports of call are L’Orient (infamously remembered for the abandoned WWII submarine base), the Medieval port of Montour, Bordeaux (Oh, lovely wine ), La Pallice and Le Havre before returning to Dover Wednesday 18th July.

She departs at 16.00 hours, T/R.

Then on Thursday 12th July Saga Pearl ll drops anchor at CT1, 08.00 hours to begin her 16 night ‘Icelandic Discovery’ cruise. Her ports of call are Kirkwall in the Orkneys, Lerwick (Shetland Islands), Akureyri and Reykjavik ( Iceland),then Dublin before returning to Dover on Saturday 28th July.

She sets sail at 16.00 hours, T/R.

The last call in this collection is on Friday 13th July when Boudicca graces us with her presence at CT2, 06.30 hours. She starts her 7 night ‘Scenic Fjords of Norway’ cruise, calling at the iconic Norwegian ports of Rosendal, Flam and Bergen returning to Dover to recharge her batteries on Friday 20th July. She leaves us at 17.00 hours, T/R.

Back with more cruise calls very soon


Saturday, 7 July 2018 - 16:02

 

Post 5567

  vic m, Dovor

no fear about it that is good news ,Anyway back to the great photos coming out of the working port must be very hot down there for that kind of work better to work at nights when it has cooled down,

Saturday, 7 July 2018 - 12:30

 

Post 5566

  Mike j., DOVER

Well done Sarah !
Sorry to have missed this nice looking tug, but I'm away 'oop north' at the moment.

Also sorry to have missed the interesting SANDNES but I believe that at least one more visit is expected.
It'll be interesting to know the material that was being unloaded. probably stone or gravel, & what will be done with it - expect that it was stockpiled & bulldozers/haulers will be involved distributing it.
Time for another visit to St Martin's Battery !

The information is probably somewhere on the many 'official' DWDR websites but life is too short to wade thru them all . . . . . .

Vic - fear that you are mistaken re the 'Goodwins sand' - the BARENT ZANEN's sand was obtained from 'licensed' dredging areas up towards Harwich.


Saturday, 7 July 2018 - 11:03

 

Post 5565

  vic m, Dover

Is this true,?I have been told by some one in the know that they are taking sand from the Goodwins by dragging it off first then piping it up onto a ship and then bring it back to use at the Western end of the port.If this true it must be stopped and that who is doing it taken to court.

Saturday, 7 July 2018 - 06:42

 

Post 5564

  Sea News, Dover

More of the Sandnes ..

Yes these pictures were taken last night (Friday) as the Sandness slowly edged her way across Port and into position. Time of shots: 21.38 ...."twas a dark and misty night"... as you can see.

A shot below of our old friend the Lombok Strait as she readies for departure...she was off to Vlissingen in The Netherlands. Note both regular tugs of long standing are back in operation together again...you pull this way, I pull that...
Yes its Doughty and Dauntless in harmony together.
Pictured a few days ago.


Brilliant pictures below Sarah - cracking stuff once again. You are right in close, I can feel the salty spray in the air..
Great work all round Patrick...love the fake one of the Hercules and the Pacific Princess.
..and the night shots of Sandness. Great stuff!
Thanks Jeremy once again for the excellent info.
Indeed Del a welcome collection from Mike of the daily DWDR grindings
Thanks Vic once again for the positive comments.

PB
DONT miss those pictures below

Saturday, 7 July 2018 - 06:16

 

Post 5563

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Mustang arriving at Ramsgate. Hope these are ok for you Mike .





Estuary Elan returning to Ramsgate.



Ramsgate Inshore Lifeboat launched on a duty call with Mustang & Hunter also in the photo.



Border Force "Hunter" leaving Ramsgate on duty.



Saturday, 7 July 2018 - 02:08

 

Post 5562

  Patrick, Marine Parade

#5044 Thank you Jeremy for the aircraft identification.

Friday, 6 July 2018 - 22:43

 

Post 5561

  Patrick, Marine Parade

Self discharging bulk carrier 'SANDNES' berths at the new DWDR infill area where Cargo berth C will be when completed. Not very clear shots with the evening light fading rapidly. The extending arm seen in the first shot is deployed and lit in the third photo. Plenty of activity around the top of the infill area tonight. Flashing lights everywhere.





Friday, 6 July 2018 - 22:25

 

Post 5560

  Jeremy Ward, Whitfield, Dover

That RAF plane is a C130J Hercules

Friday, 6 July 2018 - 22:16

 

Post 5559

  Patrick, Marine Parade

Just seen the 'SANDNES' a self discharging bulk carrier coming across the harbour heading towards the new Cargo Berth C at the infill area. Came from JELSA in Norway. Hopefully more later but the light is fading fast.

Friday, 6 July 2018 - 21:44

 

Post 5558

  Patrick, Marine Parade

The 'Pacific Princess' leaving Dover for her 14 night Scandinavian & Russian Collection Cruise on 4th July.

As she departed a low flying RAF transport aircraft passed low overhead. I could not get both into one shot unfortunately as it happened rather too quickly for my less than agile reaction these days - so here is a superimposition (a fake, if you like) to show both in one shot. The second and third shots are the real deal.





Can some RAF buff identify the aircraft. Is it a Lockheed C130 Hercules C5?



Friday, 6 July 2018 - 21:20

 

Post 5557

  Del Styan, Norwich

Good pics from Mike J. A birds eye view of the when-will-they-finish works.

Thursday, 5 July 2018 - 23:06

 

Post 5556

  vic m, Dovor

good photos and nice to see the work is getting done ,it is the right kind of weather for this kind of work not being held up that is making a big saving both in time and money.

Thursday, 5 July 2018 - 06:05

 

Post 5555

  Sea News, Dover

As promised .. some of our recent visiting cruise ships seen across the working sand of the DWDR..
First one above there is Boudicca, while the golden sand work goes on all around.. although the diggers are resting in this pic..
see also post 5035.
Then Seabourn Quest behind the cranes and metal paraphernalia of progress.
Then more recently...just in the past day or so...Pacific Princess before she headed off to St Petersburg in Russia ( no I wont mention the World Cup .. noooo )
While I was photographing the Pacific Princess what should pass by... well none other than the motor yacht Mike captured with his camera a day or so earlier..Ghazal. Total fluke that one. And there she is once more below.


Great collection Mike once again below. Interesting pictures and info for sure.

Well done Ted with your 'famous five' further below. Nice clear pictures as ever below there...man on the spot.

Thanks Vic for the comments.

PaulB

Thursday, 5 July 2018 - 05:17

 

Post 5554

  Mike J., Dover

Nice sequence of the Ramsgate lock job from Ted - in the right place at the right time.
The wee tug SWS ESSEX was there to move the crane barge around but something much bigger will be needed to tow the barge & lockgate to Rotterdam, perhaps Holyhead Towing’s AFON LAS & AFON CEFNI who were on the Eastern Arm.

Tend to agree with Vic’s comments about the work being done in Holland.
At least DHB had the Wellington gates overhauled in Dover seven or eight years ago when the Wellington Dock was drained, with the work being carried out on the nearby quayside.

Some DWDR views on Tuesday - with the BARENT ZANEN reclamation completed east of the former Prince of Wales pier most activity seem to be in the area of the former hoverport where the cold store seems to be coming on well.



Works continues on the cut between Wellington Dock & the new marina.


The capping for the ‘promenade pier’ approaches completion, with the pierhead yet to be started.


Drawings show the pierhead to have few facilities other than a shelter with benches & someone playing a barrel organ [or possibly selling ice cream, a little hard to tell].



Excellent views of the town & the Castle & Eastern Docks from the pierhead, but it looks as though views of the cruise ships will be obscured by containers & cranes etc & views of the Eastern Entrance may be obscured by the tugs & lifeboat etc moored at the outer end of the ‘Marina Curve’

Interesting times !



Thursday, 5 July 2018 - 01:28

 

Post 5553

  vic matcham, Dover

Sorry but why do they send jobs like this overseas,when they can be done here in fact we done a pr like that years ago for Chatham docks and we done them on site nothing hard about a job like that. It does make me mad seeing this kind of job and work overseas.to do that job all you would need is a area put to one side in the port and yes there is room,shot bast them clean and repair them and put back,easy.

Wednesday, 4 July 2018 - 21:17