Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 5471

  Jeremy Ward, Whitfield, Dover

Lot's of great photo's on here from around our coast, so many talented photographers. Thanks.

Saturday, 2 June 2018 - 12:14

 

Post 5470

  vic matcham, dover

We have just got back from Hayling Island it is one of our new places we go to ,also had a great time with not going to bed till about 2430 in the morning the showtimes at the hotel was great with singers like Kieran Sutcliffe Tenor and the great West end singer PHILIPPAH HEALEY. Anyway back home now and looking at the very good photos of the Royal Port of Dover and seeing what ships have called in last week when we was not here.and the work going on at the Westend of the port. Thank you.

Saturday, 2 June 2018 - 11:41

 

Post 5469

  Sarah, Ramsgate

I hope Mike has deleted it Paul

Saturday, 2 June 2018 - 07:44

 

Post 5468

  Sea News, Dover

A couple of pictures above there of the Silver Cloud reversing out of the Port a couple of evenings ago ( Thursday evening ). They are a tad out of sequence but the second picture was too dull to put at the top. The computer was needed to bring these ones up..as although the fog was thin-ish at that point, it was thicker than it looks in the pictures...if that makes sense


The fog has had three stages...sort of. There was thick blanket stuff, thin gruel stuff, and swirling menacing spooky stuff.
Some shots of the swirling fog below...the first one from Wednesday evening this week as the late sun came through, the final one of similar vein from our archives here. The foggy weather goes on...



More info on Silver Cloud's journey in ColetteB's cruise list. Type 'cruise visits' in our Search Engine above.

Thanks for all that info below Mike - I'm a lot clearer now. Great info there for sure.

A further nice collection below Sarah...great stuff! I think Mike got a picture of you while taking your number 4.

PB

Saturday, 2 June 2018 - 07:31

 

Post 5467

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Dover Admiralty Pier Lighthouse



Isa



Dover Prince of Wales Pier Lighthouse



Saga Sapphire



George Hammond



Saturday, 2 June 2018 - 03:57

 

Post 5466

  Mike J., Dover

Paul - the person standing on the platform extending out from the bow of the COSTA MEDITERRANEA is a crew member, probably the Officer or senior rating in charge of the mooring operations at the bow.

The fold-out platform is a common feature of modern large cruise ships where the winches & mooring equipment etc are often below deck & visibility is restricted.
There is one platform on each side of the bow & whoever is on the platform can talk to the ship's mooring crew or the bridge by radio.

The platforms are 'deployed' as the ship enters port & are closed when the mooring operations are completed.
MOST unlikely that passengers would be allowed access to them.

I think the fellow on the BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS is merely a solitary passenger going down the steps from the 'viewing platform' in the bows - a feature not often seen on cruise ships, a great spot for sightseeing but little shelter & likely to be VERY blustery - access probably not permitted out at sea unless in the finest of weather.

The slots & openings below the passenger are where the mooring ropes will be going ashore on the starboard side to tie the ship up to the Admiralty Pier.

Friday, 1 June 2018 - 17:15

 

Post 5465

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Another photo of Laura Moncur



Harwich Lifeboat seen from Laura Moncur



Harwich Lifeboat & Lightvessel No. 18



Dover Breakwater Knuckle Lighthouse seen from the Laura Moncur



Dover Breakwater West Lighthouse



Friday, 1 June 2018 - 07:35

 

Post 5464

  Sea News, Dover

Yes the Sospan Dau is back with us and in full swing...as we said previously, working day and night. Here she is in the gathering darkness a couple of nights ago. Also in shot is Wadden 1 and indeed the flashing lighthouse which is dazzling all before it. Images are hard to get at the moment with the fog. Its very thick this morning..cant see a thing. Managed to get some weak shots of the Silver Cloud last night...will have to work on those.

Below we have a couple of extra shots from last week of the superlarge Costa Mediterranea.

Look at the enlarged section image below and you can see...well it appears to be a woman...out on that ledge walkway at the bow for a great view. I guess its a passenger ...quite dizzying but ultra stimulating out there.


And speaking of people in odd places. What's going on in the picture below. We show the recent visit of Brilliance of the Seas here with pilot boat below the ship ..several official figures on the dock...but look at that person on or near the bow with what appears to be a cane in one hand. He seems to be on the wrong side of the rail...was there some troubled incident??


* *

Making A Splash In Our Communities -
DDC Chairman Visits Community Grant Recipients


As part of our work to celebrate success in the community, the Chairman of Dover District Council has been visiting community groups funded in last year’s Community Grants Scheme – and the latest visit was to 2nd Deal Sea Scouts.

Last year, funding was allocated to 28 different community groups across the district. One of the successful projects was 2nd Deal Sea Scouts.
The Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr Sue Chandler, visited the Sea Scouts earlier in May. The club received a grant for two boat engines and buoyancy aids.

Steve Noddings, Assistant Group Scout Leader at 2nd Deal Sea Scouts said: "We are very grateful for this grant which has enabled us to invest in safety equipment that will be utilised when engaged in water activities. The funding has allowed 2nd Deal Sea Scouts to grow and will enable us to take on more members and better serve young people within the district."

Cllr Sue Chandler, Chairman of Dover District Council, said: "It was great to meet the Sea Scouts, to hear about some of the activities and work they get involved in, and to see some of our dedicated young people practising their skills on the sea. We’re delighted to be able to support groups like this with the Dover District Council Community Grants Scheme."

For more details, please call 01304 872277 or email neighbourhoodforums@dover.gov.uk

ENDS

A fascinating collection of pictures below from our 'roving correspondent'. Well done Sarah great stuff!

PaulB




Friday, 1 June 2018 - 06:48

 

Post 5463

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Trinity House Harwich



Lightvessel No. 20



Trinity House Buoys



Harwich Severn Class Lifeboat



RNLB Laura Moncur arriving at Harwich from Lowestoft



Thursday, 31 May 2018 - 22:20

 

Post 5462

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Some photos from Harwich.

Haven Hobby



Sunk Inner Lightvessel



Trinity House Lightvessel



Lightvessel No. 18



THV Alert



Thursday, 31 May 2018 - 22:09

 

Post 5461

  Sea News, Dover

Just catching up now with all the activity at the Dover Cargo Terminal this week so far. Top shot there shows the Lombok Strait. She was in Port here earlier in the week and the pic above shows her leaving for Vlissingen in the Netherlands on Monday around 4.45PM. Conditions were misty and getting worse...

Within minutes of Lombok's departure the Atlantic Reefer came into Port..picture below. She had been waiting offshore all day...waiting for the Lombok Strait to depart. Soon as Lombok left, in came the Atlantic Reefer within minutes. We're needing that extra Cargo Terminal.
The final shot below there shows Atlantic Reefer departing a day later for Hamburg...Tuesday 29th. By now the fog was quite thick, swirling this way and that ..and all the while the wailing bell rang out its haunting tune. Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee. The computer was needed in this case to bring up the image ...the fog was thick.



A fine flurry of action pictures below there Sarah.
Nice shots for sure of all the activity at Ramsgate. Great stuff! Keep snappin'

Nice post below there Patrick, interesting reminiscences. Glad Dave was able to help you with that.
Quite a vehicle that was...

PaulB



Thursday, 31 May 2018 - 04:12

 

Post 5460

  Patrick, Marine Parade

Thank you Dave for the explanation re post 4939. Knew I could count on someone coming up with the answer. Bit pricey for me and a lack of sand dunes of appropriate size around here might mean I’ll give it miss buying one. At my age it could be a bit risky in any case.

Your description reminded me of the British Airways Trident aircraft I used to visit often in the 1960’s. It was nicknamed the "Flying Duck" owing to the angle at which it took off and landed. Rather similar to the angled rear portion of the vehicle you described.


Wednesday, 30 May 2018 - 12:05

 

Post 5459

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Estuary Leader



Ramsgate Lifeboat towing in Guard ship Ardent



Guard ship Kristenborg



Estuary Warden



Another tow job for Ramsgate Lifeboat



More to follow

Wednesday, 30 May 2018 - 07:35

 

Post 5458

  Sarah, Ramsgate

Some great photos from all the contributors sorry I have got behind putting up some photos of the loads of recent action. Now Mike what is this posting a photo of me , how to ruin a good photo, BTW I was dressed in RNLI navy not black

Border Force "Eagle" coming in to Ramsgate to fuel up.



Regular visitor Mannin from Padstow



Admiral P



Spectrum 1



Ramsgate Lifeboat



Wednesday, 30 May 2018 - 07:21

 

Post 5457

  Sea News, Dover

Yes indeed, as Mike mentioned earlier, the Sospan Dau is back with us again and working hard. These pictures of her were taken two days ago, they are a bit misty, but as we know the mist/fog/visibilty got worse since. Lots of action happening yesterday but couldn't get a single worthwhile picture of the cruise ships or anything else for that matter. Not a blasted thing...

But yes its good to see our favourite Sospan back in action. Also in the top shot is the DWDR workboat Smit Young. Below we have an extra two to add to the mix. Sometimes a touch of mist can add to the seagoing mood...that is until it gets too thick. Alas today we seem to be having 'thick' trouble again.


Nice collection and info below once again Mike of all the inshore happenings..well done with those. Ace.

Yes that's a quirky one below alright Patrick. Lots of camper vans along the seafront these days but that one is very different for sure.
We are always interested in anything unusual along the seafront Patrick no matter what it is.


Dave thanks for that info - glad you were able to answer Patrick's query there and let us all know at the same time.

PaulB.

Wednesday, 30 May 2018 - 06:44

 

Post 5456

  Dave, Sandwich

Re post 4939: Patrick, that particular type of vehicle are normally purpose built adventure/expedition touring. They are 4 wheel drive and are often used in deserts and the like. The steep angle at the rear of the 'accommodation' is the departure angle, so that they do not foul the ground as the climb/descend sand dunes. You can purchase them from companies like UniCat and Action Mobil. They cost several hundreds of thousand Euros if you fancy one!



Tuesday, 29 May 2018 - 22:24

 

Post 5455

  Mike J., Dover

Quite a change in the weather – from Monday’s heatwave to Tuesday’s monsoons.

Late Monday afternoon 17-38, the DANIEL L GIBSON ARRIVED FROM Poole to relieve 17-09 CITY OF LONDON 2 which went to lay-up in the Wellington Dock.



Sealift Diving’s SEALIFT 2 came out of Wellington Dock during the morning while a large unidentified motor yacht, presumably another ‘Sunseeker’ on a delivery trip, was moored in the Tidal Basin where SHAMROCK was on the waiting pontoon waiting for another job.





I expect that most folk have been pestered recently with Emails about the new data rules.
I hear a rumour that somebody beachcombing on Dover seafront yesterday found a message in a bottle that read 'IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE ANY MORE OF THESE MESSAGES AFTER GPDR YOU NEED TO OPT IN'


Tuesday, 29 May 2018 - 21:06

 

Post 5454

  Patrick, Marine Parade

Waltzing into view 'Matilda' - one of the more unusual transiting vehicles that adorn our seafront from time to time. Perhaps a former Army vehicle or fire tender. Someone is bound to have the answer.


Tuesday, 29 May 2018 - 11:43

 

Post 5453

  Sea News, Dover

What fabulous weather...give us the normal UK bank holiday weekend and we usually have to endure wet weather and worse..biting winds whisking in from the Urals, and if not the Urals then the troubling Trossachs...its normally enough the shiver yer creaking timbers so it is. But not this time, this time we sizzled... you could fry an egg on the pavement, not that you'd want to of course.

Mid weekend above there..Sunday to be precise, and the great cruise liner Brilliance of the Seas basks at Cruise Terminal 2 under a big streaky summer sky. Later the same day below and we have some shots there of the general public out in force enjoying the beach in Deal.. Deal was pretty packed as the excellent weather brought everyone out....the town of course has a great collection of pubs and restaurants which always attract.



Mike was right...the Sospan Dau is indeed back with us and already working hard both day and night. Will have pictures in due course. Lots of cargo ship activity as well, more to follow there too. As scheduled, double whammy of Costa Mediterranea and Saga Sapphire in today...they have been mostly lost in the mist up until now.

PaulB

Tuesday, 29 May 2018 - 04:56

 

Post 5452

  Sea News, Dover

Not yours trulys finest hour re the Brilliance of the Seas...missed nine-tenths of the ships arrival and all of her departure. New rule; must not bury head in computer while ship approaching, as the captivating screen makes one oblivious to anything and everything else..... However, have mustered up the following duo and here we go..

There she is..Brilliance of the Seas...all 90,000 tons of her...another magnificent whopper of a ship and we are delighted to have her here at the Port of Dover. Below...well just catching up on the departure of the AIDAaura from a few evenings ago as she leaves us for her next port... Amsterdam.



Nice post below Mike...good info and picture there, keeping us up to speed with the goings on... great stuff!


PB.

Monday, 28 May 2018 - 05:12