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Post 5532

  Sea News, Dover

DFDS CELEBRATES 6TH YEAR OF APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME AS PART OF SEAFARERS AWARENESS WEEK
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With an estimated 95% of imports coming to our island nation by ship, the maritime industry plays a significant role in the economy, yet figures show there’s been a substantial drop in seafarers ratings in the UK since the 1980s and attracting young people to join the industry has been particularly challenging.


To help tackle the issue, maritime charity Seafarers UK is holding its 9th Seafarers Awareness Week (23-30 June), which will see a number of events promoting the maritime industry and the employment opportunities within. Each year the government chooses a new theme, with 2018 set to be the ‘Year of Engineering’.

DFDS launched its apprenticeship programme in 2012 to encourage young people in the South East of England to choose a career in the maritime industry. The programme is aimed at 17-24 year olds, with a Deck Scheme, Engine Scheme and Catering Scheme on offer to qualify as Able Seafarers, Marine Fitters and Maritime Caterers, respectively.

Bernie Zoe
Fleet Technical Assistant at DFDS, Bernie Beale, has been working in the maritime industry for 21 years; "I first went to sea as a junior engineer. Over the last 21 years I have worked in various engineering roles both at deep sea and across the English Channel.

"In recent years I have been working with the apprentice intakes at DFDS, providing training and support. It’s important that we encourage young people in the area to consider this as a career that they can look forward to and grow in," he continued. "I would advise any youngsters who are curious about the industry to try it. First-hand experience gives you a real sense of what it is like to be on board."

To help young people in the Dover area do this, DFDS has been working with East Kent College to offer students work experience on board. Student Zoe Lawton, recently did just this. "I’m studying engineering at college and met DFDS at a local jobs fair earlier this year. The team on the stand were so helpful and got me really involved, so with the help of my college I did some work experience with them. I loved it and this September I will be starting an engineering apprenticeship with them." When speaking of her future, the 16-year-old added "my aim is to become the first female Chief Engineer at DFDS".

In 2017, DFDS was the first UK maritime company to recruit apprentices for a brand new maritime catering apprenticeship programme. Three new apprentices joined the scheme, making the most recent intake 12-strong. Since the apprenticeship programme started in 2012, DFDS has seen two groups of deck apprentices and one group of engineering apprentices qualify and take up full-time jobs with the company this year and in 2019.

Gemma Griffin, Vice President of HR and Crewing at DFDS said "I am delighted to be involved in an initiative that not only provides career opportunities for local young people but also puts careers at sea on the map nationally. We are very proud of all our seafarer’s who work tirelessly to give great experiences to our customers whilst ensuring a safe and comfortable journey at all times. I am particularly proud that Bernie is passing the baton of 21 years’ experience over to Zoe as she starts what I hope will be a long and successful career at DFDS."

DFDS’ apprenticeships are offered in partnership with the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB), the shipping industry’s central body for promoting and developing sector-specific education and training skills.

The schemes last between 18 and 24 months and are aimed at 17 to 24 year olds with a minimum of Grade C Maths and English at GCSE level.


For more information on the apprenticeship schemes, visit www.careersatsea.org/opportunities-for-ratings/

ENDS


Many thanks once again to the team at DFDS for all the news updates.

* *

Captured this Cormorant at the weekend...the bird was here in Dover and clearly enjoying the nice seafront weather. Now, yours truly leaves a lot to be desired as a wildlife photographer, but thought the pix worth including anyway. My equipment isn't up to it - that's my story and Im sticking to it !



Here is an extra pic...unscheduled. Just came across it in the files from a previous time. It gives a slightly better view.



Wow Sarah.. truly great pictures below there once again...triple whammys and quadruple whammys...your camera is on fire.
Don't miss those ace shots below.

Glad you are enjoying the pictures Harald.
Yes good to see the Spirit of Britain back in action. Thanks for all your help.




PaulB.

Tuesday, 26 June 2018 - 07:16

 

Post 5531

  Harald Boot, Tholen, The Netherlands

Thank you for the lovely pictures.
It is good to see the Spirit of Britain back in Dover.

Monday, 25 June 2018 - 12:57

 

Post 5530

  Sarah, Ramsgate

More from Walmer Lifeboat Day











Monday, 25 June 2018 - 11:35

 

Post 5529

  Sea News, Dover

Not a hugely exciting picture above but it shows the moment our ol friend the Nordic Giant left the Port last Friday, she was bound for Rotterdam. Time of departure: 12.15. I made the picture as large as possible so hopefully we can all see something. The tug doing the necessary towing is MTS Vanquish. Thanks to Mike for the heads up on this one.. Below we have a closer shot with pilot boat and tug/workboat Kim in attendance.


Just catching up now with some images of the newly revamped Spirit of Britain. She has just come back into service with new paintwork/logo etc etc and is looking good. We had pictures recently from Harald of her at the Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam where the work was carried out.
Starting the small sequence with her arriving from Calais on Saturday evening..
winding down...
Little and Large above there...

And one extra pic from a different time...later...


PaulB

Del

Monday, 25 June 2018 - 06:35

 

Post 5528

  Del Styan, Norwich

That woman waiting with her luggage doesn't look too happy, does she? Maybe she didn't pack enough?

Sunday, 24 June 2018 - 23:13

 

Post 5527

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now as promised of the departing Boudicca.
She was off on her German Waterways tour... for more general cruise detail type Cruise Visits in the Search Engine above.



Turning on a sixpence...


Yours truly is certainly a bit behind schedule with the departing Saga Sapphire above there as she is arriving back here at the Port of Dover as we speak. It was just a short cruise to the Channel Islands for her this time.

Cracking Lifeboat pictures below there Sarah....close-in hi-octane action shots there for sure. Brilliant..

PB

Don't miss those pix below.

Sunday, 24 June 2018 - 05:56

 

Post 5526

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Relief Lifeboat "Daniel L Gibson" at Walmer Lifeboat Day - 23rd June 2018.











Saturday, 23 June 2018 - 22:40

 

Post 5525

  Sea News, Dover

Tug Dauntless Sprays...

On Thursday (around lunchtime) Dauntless was giving it some welly with the spraygun over or near Cruise Terminal One. She wasn't greeting a cruise liner or indeed saying goodbye to one, so at a guess there may have been some small scale pollution or something...but as ever it made for a spectacular sight.

A woman needs her luggage. Well what can a girl doo...it could be a long cruise and there are all those outfits to think of..
I bet the taxi driver had a mild cardiac moment when he saw that lot . How do you get those in yer boot.


They managed anyway ... meanwhile the Boudicca was waiting.
Hope the lady shown is having a great cruise.
Will have some more shots of Boudicca and Saga Sapphire following along soon..

PB

Saturday, 23 June 2018 - 06:34

 

Post 5524

  Sea News, Dover

P&O FERRIES LAUNCHES NEW MOBILE APP TO UPGRADE THE SUMMER HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FOR TOURISTS
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Release time: immediate

CUSTOMERS who travel with P&O Ferries this summer will have their experience upgraded thanks to the launch of a new mobile app which will give them control of every aspect of their trip.

The P&O Ferries mobile app - which will be rolled out across the company's fleet of passenger ships on the English Channel, North Sea and Irish Sea - will mean that customers no longer have to use any paper for their tickets.

Other benefits will include updates on travel conditions around the port, an interactive guide to the ship on which you are sailing and early notice of on-board offers in the bars, restaurants and shops. Customers will also be able to use the app to purchase holiday money at competitive rates with zero commission.

Sarah Rosier, P&O Ferries Head of Sales and Marketing, said: "At P&O Ferries we pride ourselves on the holiday beginning as soon as our customers set foot on the ship and our new mobile app will make their travel experience easier, better and more fun."

"We sail cruise ferries of up to 60,000 tons between Britain, Ireland and Europe and the mobile app will give our passengers the opportunity to make the most of what these extraordinary ships have to offer. That includes everything from fine dining to a quick bite to eat, entertainment for the whole family and on-board shops with discounts of up to 40 per cent on high street prices on perfume, alcohol and chocolate."

"The customer experience on board a P&O Ferries ship today recalls the unforgettable style of the famous P&O liners of the past. The big difference is that with our new app, you're the captain."

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


The Pride of Canterbury approaching the Port of Calais at the weekend just gone.
The picture above shows the Spirit of Britain having just returned to the Port of Dover after her repaint/refit in Rotterdam...
also in shot the Duzgit Harmony supplying bunkering services .. also there too.. the harbour patrol boat.
Will have a better wider shot of the Spirit of Britain soon.. bit foggy that one.
The Spirit of France by night.


Many thanks to the team at P&O Ferries for all that exciting new info...


PaulB

Friday, 22 June 2018 - 06:47

 

Post 5523

  Sea News, Dover

There we are above with a final shot of tug Isa as she is now back in Germany...a big busy 'muscular' tug, 'twas great to watch her in everyday action. The picture above shows Isa working into the late evening about 10 days ago and looking good. Don't miss todays earlier posts below and don't miss Ted's shots below from late yesterday. Thanks once again to Mike for the all round inshore and beyond info.
Some of the DWDR vessels left us and then returned, so who knows, Isa may be back.

PB.

Thursday, 21 June 2018 - 15:18

 

Post 5522

  Mike J., Dover

Nice pix of the VIKING PRINCESS - the 'white caps' really make the picture.
She's been up out of the water in the boatyard for a while & is now back in the Granville Dock.

It looks as though the NORDIC GIANT is about to be towed away - she has been on the Admiralty Pier for a few days & both the WADDENs have vanished.
She's got her grab swung 'inboard' & switched off her AIS & Wednesday evening the tug MTS VANQUISH came in from Tilbury & is now tied up alongside her.

Thursday, 21 June 2018 - 07:53

 

Post 5521

  Sea News, Dover

There we have the small trawler Viking Princess above, pictures taken on Monday evening in blazing sunlight as she approached the Port in fairly rough weather, as you can see. It was chop chop choppy! I think Mike got pictures of her previously nestling in the inner harbour...and I have a feeling we also had her previously being towed back to Port by the Dover Lifeboat. But there she was above on a bracing Monday evening and looking good...

On Tuesday morning Saga Pearl arrived in misty conditions...

Below...getting a good view of the prowling Wulf from the rear deck...
yes its Wulf7.


Great collection from Ramsgate below Ted. You are getting terrific clarity with the pictures Ted for sure. Great stuff!

Ah sorry to hear tug ISA has left us...I still have good pictures of her as yet unused, ah well. Thanks for all the info Mike.

PaulB
PS: since Saga Pearl II on Tuesday we have also had Saga Sapphire yesterday and Boudicca today...so lots more to come..

Thursday, 21 June 2018 - 06:38

 

Post 5520

  Ted, Canterbury

"Five from Ramsgate"
A new kid on the block is the Estuary Esprit.Just arrived from the boatyard.I think she is going to based at Sheerness after her trials.


The DSV (Diving Support Vessel)Curtis Marshall.

The Sea Cadets training ship Sir Jack Petchey.

The Forth Jouster.

One of the lowest tides I have ever seen at Ramsgate.

Wednesday, 20 June 2018 - 18:43

 

Post 5519

  Sea News, Dover

DFDS EXTENDS ORCA PARTNERSHIP TO ITS NEWHAVEN-DIEPPE ROUTE
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ORCA experts to offer passengers wildlife watching across the Channel

Passengers travelling between Newhaven and Dieppe with DFDS this summer, will now have the chance to take part in on board wildlife watching and interactive conservation talks, led by marine wildlife experts from ORCA.

Continuing DFDS’ partnership with the UK’s leading marine conservation
charity – which is now in its 12th year – this will be the first year that nature lovers sailing on the Newhaven-Dieppe route will be able to enjoy the facility across the English Channel.

On board ORCA marine wildlife experts will help passengers spot minke whales, bottlenose dolphins, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoise – all of which can be frequently spotted when crossing the Channel during the summer months. Conservation talks and wildlife-related games will also be on offer to passengers of all ages, at no extra cost.

Naomi Thornton from DFDS said, "We are thrilled to be able to extend our marine wildlife watching service to passengers on an additional route between the UK and Continental Europe. We’ve had a fantastic 11 years working with the ORCA team on our Newcastle-Amsterdam route and are excited to see their findings across the English Channel this summer."

Steve Jones, Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy at ORCA said, "The entire ORCA team are incredibly excited to be able to build on our partnership with DFDS and reach a whole new audience in the English Channel. We’re looking forward to engaging thousands more passengers this summer as we showcase the wonderful wildlife we can see right on our doorstep."

The new service is being introduced to Newhaven-Dieppe sailings from 13 June 2018. ORCA experts will be on board every Wednesday to Sunday until 3 August 2018, on select crossings*.

The partnership continues to operate on the North Sea route from Newcastle to Amsterdam, for those sailing on DFDS’ King Seaways ship.

Newhaven to Dieppe crossings start from just £49 for two people each way and £57 for four people each way.
For more information or to book a crossing, visit: dfds.co.uk.

-ENDS-

Yes its very pleasant in Dieppe and with the added prospect of wildlife on the crossing...well..

And on that other well known route ...the DFDS ferry Cote des Flandres in Calais at the weekend. Look at this golden sand in Calais.

* *

A couple of shots now of the departing Pacific Princess a couple of evenings ago..she left through the eastern exit in fine style on a fine fresh day.. the tugs in attendance are Dauntless and Wulf7.




Cracking collections below from Mike and Patrick of the Maersk Connector. Glad the chaps got those pix as yours truly got nothing at all to speak of.. and along with that top shot from Ben we had good coverage. Will leave Ben's pic above there for one more day so that all can continue to enjoy the fab ship.


Well done with that latest collection too Mike.

Thanks once again Harald, you got a bit of a scoop there with your screenshot. I saw her here in Port yesterday before the fog...she is looking immaculate now. Must try and get a shot of her looking this good for the files.


PaulB


Many thanks to the team at DFDS.



Wednesday, 20 June 2018 - 07:23

 

Post 5518

  Mike J., Dover

A bit of a mixed bag of pix.

Firstly some Monday views of the DWDR work. The cold store shed is coming on well with the cladding looking to be completed on the seaward side & I meant to get a photo of it from the Ad.Pier on Monday but I forgot [I forgets a lot these days].



Tuesday afternoon the fog came sweeping in & the high-pitched Eastern Docks foghorn started bleeping every ten seconds with occasional blasts from the ferries.
At one stage there was sunlight in the docks with the ferries in the fog.
Plenty of freight !


Finally the SMIT ROTHER having & pressure wash & brush-up in the boatyard on 4 June.


The Dutch tug ATLANTIS came in about 0800 Tuesday & sailed for Rotterdam about 1900.
Her AIS is showing ‘reduced manoeuverability’ & she’s only doing 5kts so I guess that she has something in tow, probably one of the flat-top barges as all the usual DWDR suspects are still showing as being in port.

I noticed on Tuesday that the unusual workboat PATRIOT [post 4918] has disappeared from her berth in the corner of Granville Dock where she had been laid up for many months.
Wherever she's gone, she's not showing on AIS !

Wednesday, 20 June 2018 - 01:23

 

Post 5517

  Mike J., Dover

Departure of MAERSK CONNECTOR from Cruise-1 Monday afternoon.

As the outer end of the Admiratly Pier was closed I wasn't able to see what she was doing with the DAUNTLESS but I later heard that stores were bring loaded from the tug.




Closure of the Admiralty Pier beyond the turret is quite common due to security when cruise ships are on Cruise-2 & when particularly paranoid cruise ships come in, such as the Disneys, the whole pier is closed completely, to the disgust of the anglers.

Just before the MAERSK CONNECTOR sailed the KIM brought the NORDIC GIANT round the head of the Prince of Wales from the eastern side.



The ISA, who used to look after the NORDIC GIANT, has left town, returning to the Fatherland & is currently in Wilhelmshavn.
..

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 - 00:25

 

Post 5516

  Patrick, Marine Parade

The 'Maersk Connector' cable laying vessel left port today having spent several days on CT1. She spent quite a while sitting inside the Western Entrance whilst a DHB tug appeared alongside for a reason apparently unconnected with assisting the outward passage. She eventually departed just before 14:00 hours on her way back to a position off Ramsgate.







Monday, 18 June 2018 - 23:06

 

Post 5515

  Harald Boot, Tholen, The Netherlands

I just saw the Spirit of Britain with the new logo on the webcam in Rotterdam leaving for Dover.


Monday, 18 June 2018 - 16:51

 

Post 5514

  Sea News, Dover

Some pictures now of the Atlantic Klipper approaching and then arriving at the Port of Dover on Saturday morning. First shot looking across the rooftops as it were. You can see some passengers there waiting for departure on a DFDS ferry. The other two pix show her turning about after arrival. She left for Vlissingen in the wee small hours of this morning. Approaching the Port now as I write...another reefer, Esmeralda...

But here we are with the Atlantic Klipper pictures...



Well done with that comprehensive cruise listing below Colette. Great stuff there...glad you are enjoying all the general pictures plus from all the team. Yes Pacific Princess is in Port as we speak...heavy mist today inhibiting pictures.


PaulB

Monday, 18 June 2018 - 07:06

 

Post 5513

  Colette B, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________

Wow! So much has happened over the past week or so …… Ben’s awesome photo of ‘Maersk Connector’ and Mr B’s dramatic photos of the new Dutch tug ‘Innovation’ powering through the waves, the Racing yacht Boudraggon passing by and the amazing backdrop of Boulogne with the Varne Lightship in the foreground. Also great to see Harald’s photos of the Spirit of Britain in Rotterdam

What a team Sea News has ….from Patrick’s Swimming Championship photos, Mike’s Fab Head on photo of the Maersk Connector, the Sea Cadet’s TS Jack Pechey in Ramsgate and of course the Innovation. There is never a dull moment Mr B, Canoe Regatta, terrific shots of Sea Cloud ll and ‘Oscar’ the seagull, everybody’s favourite

I feel as though it was only a short time ago that I posted the beginning of our June sailings and lo & behold here are the cruise visits for the last week of June.

Tomorrow Monday 18th June, it’s nice to welcome back Pacific Princess (last here September 2017) calling at CT2, 06.00 hours. She will be setting off on her 16 night Round Trip ‘Midnight Sun, Spitsbergen & Summer Solstice’ cruise . She left for Dover from Fort Lauderdale at the end of May calling at the ‘Big Apple’, Iceland and Scotland along the way. Dover will be her new home port until 6th October

She leaves us at 17.00 hours, T/R, her ports of call include the Norwegian ports of Stavenger, Flam, Alesund, Trondheim, Honningsvag, Longyearbyen and the Arctic Norwegian port of Spitsbergen. Then on to the ports of Tromso, Hellesylt, Geiranger and Bergen before returning to Dover on Wednesday, 4th July (USA Independence Day).

Then on Tuesday June 19th, Saga Pearl ll arrives at CT1, 08.00 hours. She will be setting sail on her 17 night, ‘Celebrations in the Mediterranean’ cruise. Her ports of call are Cadiz, Ibiza, Port Mahon, St Tropez, Marseille, Palamos and Tarragona on the Spanish Costa Daurada where we ourselves spent many a great family holiday She then calls at Gibraltar before returning to Dover. She departs at 16.00 hours, T/R.

The following day Wednesday 20th June, Saga Sapphire arrives at CT1, 08.00 hours on a 4 night ‘Maritime Heritage’ cruise. Her ports of call are the Channel island of St Peter Port, Guernsey and Portsmouth, returning here Sunday 24th June. She leaves at 16.00 hours, T/R.

On Thursday 21st June (the Longest Day) , the grand old lady Boudicca arrives at CT2, 06.30 hours to start her 9 night Round Trip ‘German Waterways and Kiel Week’ cruise. Her ports of call are Kiel Canal, Kiel, Travemunde back through Kiel Canal on to Hamburg and Bremmerhaven. She arrives back here on Saturday 30th June. She will be departing at 17.00 hours, T/R.

A few days later Sunday 24th June, once more Saga Sapphire arrives at CT1, 08.00 hours. She is off on a 15 night ‘Adventure to the North Cape’. Her ports of call are as follows, Lerwick in the Shetlands then Norwegian ports of Tromso, Hammerfest, Honningsvag and Bodo. She then visits the Icelandic port of Seydisfjordur returning here on Monday 9th July. She leaves us at 16.00 hours, T/R.

Then on Saturday 30th, we have the final visit for the month of June, the Grand Dame Boudicca arrives with us again in all her glory at CT2, 06.30. She starts her 13 night ‘Authentic Baltic, Tallinn Medieval Festival’ Round Trip. Her ports of call include Kiel Canal, Travemunde, Ronne and the Danish port of Bornholm Island. She then calls at St Petersburg (Russia), Tallinn (Estonia), Stockholm and Visby, Gotland Island (Sweden), returning back to Dover via Kiel on Friday 13thJuly She leaves at 17.00 hours, T/R.

Back with the first of our July cruise visits very soon


Sunday, 17 June 2018 - 15:46