Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 2084

  Ed Connell, Dover

Atlantic Reefer at the DCT today, mobile phone photo in fine drizzle, no sign of Nessie!



Sunday, 14 June 2015 - 17:38

 

Post 2083

  Sea News, Dover

lol!! I think I'm needing to get out more as well because it is beginning to look like the Loch Ness Monster to me tooo. (1630 pic 4)
Yes I can confirm that it is indeed Nessy !! PB

Sunday, 14 June 2015 - 15:42

 

Post 2082

  vic matcham, Dover

I am back up that way in a week or two if she is still there I will take her back.

Sunday, 14 June 2015 - 14:15

 

Post 2081

  Mike J., Dover

Didn't notice Vic's post re Nessy before I posted !

Perhaps we should both get out more ?

Sunday, 14 June 2015 - 09:11

 

Post 2080

  Mike J., Dover

The Danish UMOE VENTUS is a high-speed windfarm vessel called a ‘Surface Effect Ship’ - when she is at speed, & she is FAST, the air trapped between rubber skirts between her twin hulls causes her to rise in the water & she travels partly on a cushion of air - a sort of semi-hovercraft.

Pix of her at speed if you Google ‘umoe ventus photo’

She came in from Ramsgate & is bound for Southampton, probably to take part in a big trade exhibition called ‘Seawork International’ next week.

On her way down from Germany she reached 37kts [42mph] averaging 30kts [35mph].

Great cloud photos !
Doesn’t the second one make you think that the Loch Ness Monster has relocated to Dover ?











Sunday, 14 June 2015 - 09:07

 

Post 2079

  vic matcham, Dover

Four photos down He is a long way from home and how did he get out of Lock Ness.?

Sunday, 14 June 2015 - 09:01

 

Post 2078

  Sea News, Dover

Seeing the fast craft above at the very last minute one had to reach for the camera and fire in double quick time...yours truly was almost faster on the draw then the legendary Wyatt Earp. I say almost as a chap wouldn't want to find out for real.

But it was out of the immediate view in seconds so had a bit of luck there even though it was all too brief. Its an unusual craft and being beside the harbour patrol vessel gives us scale. It is some kind of emergency safety craft I would guess, probably working in the offshore windfarms. Name : Umoe Ventus.

The pictures below probably wont look too cheerful to too many. Downright gloomy in fact. But the good news is they were taken just after the storm had passed on Friday late. Better to see it going than to see it coming eh?



Below we have a nice clean shot of the Calais Seaways in the calm before the aforementioned storm. Has the ship had a new paintjob?...it certainly looks the business.
PaulB.


Sunday, 14 June 2015 - 06:30

 

Post 2077

  Sea News, Dover

THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST
________________________


The largest cruise ship ever to call at Dover arrived for its inaugural visit wednesday morning, with the world-renowned White Cliffs of Dover being silhouetted by the majestic cruiser as it came into Dover Cruise Port.

As part of a 12-day round-trip to the British Isles and coastal European cities, Celebrity Silhouette arrived from Amsterdam with one of the Port’s dedicated pilots taking the helm to carefully guide the 319m long ship into port alongside Cruise Terminal 2.

The Port of Dover’s growing reputation as the port of choice for luxury cruise liners has today been matched by a growing size of ship. With around 200,000 cruise enthusiasts enjoying the award-winning facilities at Dover each year and with a commitment to be the best port in the world for its valued cruise customers, Dover is perfectly placed for cruises around Britain, the Baltic Capitals, the beautiful Norwegian fjords, transatlantic trips, Mediterranean cruises and the Atlantic coast.

Part of the impressive Solstice Class, Celebrity Silhouette boasts a considerable amount of new features, making the experience at Dover even more memorable.

Barbara Buczek, General Manager - Business Development, Port of Dover, says:

"It’s fantastic to welcome a ship as big as Celebrity Silhouette and demonstrate how the Port of Dover can accommodate this size of vessel. With bigger ships come more customers too and we are delighted to showcase our port facilities. With easy access to both the unique historic and natural delights of Kent - the Garden of England - and one of the global cities – London, they will get the best of British through the gateway to England."

The Celebrity Silhouette, owned and operated by Celebrity Cruises, was launched in 2011 and is 122,400 gross tons and can accommodate 2,885 passengers.

Silhouette will continue on to Saint Peter Port, Cobh, Waterford, Dublin, Liverpool, Glasgow, Holyhead and Le Havre before returning to Amsterdam on the 21st June.


ENDS


Pic above shows Port of Dover General Manager Business Development Barbara Buczek with Master, Cpt. Dimitrios Kafetzis, and Staff Capt Vittorio Cantu.

A couple more pix of the departing giant...







Cracking pics below Ed not poor at all - some blinders there, love the different angles.

Friday, 12 June 2015 - 06:25

 

Post 2076

  Ed Connell, Dover

My rather poor efforts at the Celebrity Silhouette, the light was all wrong at the time and I have had to enhance these.





Friday, 12 June 2015 - 04:15

 

Post 2075

  Sea News, Dover

This is the Crown Emma arriving today in blinding sunlight from Vlissengen in Holland we believe. She was manoeuvred about by both tugs one of which you can see in the shots here. We went from the exotic one day to the 'everyday' the next but all very welcome in the busy Port of Dover.

Nice pictures below Mike. Excellent. Yes you did mention that site previously ...yes did have a look. All good.
Although showing cargo pix above we haven't quite finished with the Celebrity Silhouette yet. Exciting times.

Thursday, 11 June 2015 - 14:56

 

Post 2074

  Mike J., Dover

Departure for the Channel Islands & the DAUNTLESS hurrying home.

Nigel Scutt was on the Prince of Wales at the same time & his pix, which include ‘interiors’ aboard the SILHOUETTE are on his ‘Dover Marina’ Facebook page [which covers a lot more than just the Marina & is strongly recommended].











Thursday, 11 June 2015 - 13:54

 

Post 2073

  Sea News, Dover

Another few pictures of the fabulous Celebrity Silhouette...our biggest ship ever. The picture above was taken on arrival early morning when it was all a bit slate grey weatherwise. Fortunately the camera batteries were all charged up thanks to the prior warnings so plenty of snapping went on through the day. Later on in proceedings the all too rare sun broke through and it threw some welcome colour on the scene as you can see below. The next pic was taken prior to departure and the third one as she ever-so-gently moved off and squeezed herself out of the western exit in fine style.



* *

And now some nice pictures here below from SARAH HEWES once again. Very welcome Sarah keep them coming. They show the Walmer Lifeboat returning from a very recent call out, or returning from a 'shout' if you prefer. Excellent pictures right in close to the action there. Well done those Lifeboat guys and many thanks once again Sarah.




Jan and Mike

Thursday, 11 June 2015 - 07:01

 

Post 2072

  JanT, Dover

Having had a closer look at this magnificent cruise ship, it is very impressive and one could sure get lost wondering around all of the decks.
Ten out of ten for the people who work to get all these magnificent ships into Dover over the summer months.

Some great pictures there chaps.

Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - 15:50

 

Post 2071

  Mike J., Dover

& now for the daring low-level view . . . . .

Pressed the button a second or so too early for the stern-on shot !





Biggest block of flats to come into Dover.



Came across this interesting load parked-up by Sue's Seafood.
Two Talbots & a Ferrari.


Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - 12:31

 

Post 2070

  Sea News, Dover

The Celebrity Silhouette.

Excellent to see those pictures guys - what a fantastic ship. As Kevin says below there...our biggest one ever. Well done the Port of Dover. Awesome !


Vic - I'm just back from town central - lots of cruise visitors about enjoying it all. PB.

Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - 11:13

 

Post 2069

  Howard, Dover

Taken by Paul Sampson of WCCP from St Martin's Battery.




Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - 09:53

 

Post 2068

  VIC MATCHAM, DOVER

wHAT A GREAT SHIP LETS HOPE SOME GET OFF AND SPEND TIME AND MONEY In Dover. Thank you for showing it to us .I have a meeting this morning at the Town council but after I will go and have a look myself ,and have a dish of seafood at the same time.

Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - 08:45

 

Post 2067

  Kevin Charles, Dover

The magnificent Celebrity Silhouette sailed into the record books this morning as the largest cruise ship to visit Dover in terms of tonnage (122,400 gt). Certainly one to come and see in the harbour today.


Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - 07:54

 

Post 2066

  Sea News, Dover

THE FAST PACED INTERLOPER....
This guy came blistering in through the main entrance yesterday, passing in between ferries at breakneck speed. He was flying...even a rocket propelled grenade wouldn't keep up. It looked odd, even suspicious..he raced across the harbour scattering the seagulls and marginally disturbing the tranquillity...
He clearly came from across the water thought I..dressed to kill in nice anorak and trousers with all mod cons packed into the rucksack with the intention of having a new carefree life in the UK...like wot we all have here. Well it is Shangri-La isn't it??!
Within moments the Harbour Patrol guys were on the case and gave scintillating chase. They powered through the surf in fearless hot pursuit like the galloping cavalry to the rescue.
The chap hit dryland, hardly even getting damp...he had arrived on the famed Dover Beach. At that point he was sure to wave a soggy EU passport at the pursuing officials ( I have one of those) or even an even soggier Non-EU passport .which wont do at all.

But it all looked like a false alarm. The chap obviously satisfied the officials and within minutes they withdrew leaving the flying windsurfer to gather his thoughts and his belongings. Is that an engine on that surfboard...??

PaulB

* *

Holy Schmoly...the fabulously giant Celebrity Silhouette is approaching... wow!! what a ship !!

Thanks for the great tip-off Kevin
Well done with that list Colette - terrific - we all know where we are now with upcoming visits.

Nice pic of the SAGA Pearl Phil - thanks to Howard for uploading..



Wednesday, 10 June 2015 - 07:08

 

Post 2065

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________

And now for the rest of our June Cruises

Tomorrow we have a real treat in store so be alert & get those cameras dusted down.

Celebrity Cruises arrive in style at CT2 with the maiden POC of one of their most elegant & classy cruise ships the 'Celebrity Silhouette' which is part of the impressive 'Solstice Class.' The ship boasts a considerable amount of new features truly stepping into a new era. It has revolutionised the way you dine on board with fully interactive restaurants including the iconic Lawn Club Grill & Qsine using Ipad menus. The Lawn Club, a country club-like activity centre on the uppermost deck has a half-acre of grass, the first real grass lawn at sea! Passenger capacity is 2886/3179, 1443 cabins.

Then on Friday 12th June the familiar Braemar is back with us at CT2,TR.
No cruises then until Tuesday 16th June when the Braemar returns back to CT2,TR.

On Saturday June 20th the Ocean Princess returns to CT2,TR.

Tuesday 24th the Saga Pearl II cruises back to us, CT1, TR followed by its sister ship the Saga Sapphire on Thursday 26th, CT1,TR.

On Sunday 28th we have two cruise ships with us, the beautiful Crystal Symphony arrives for the first time this year, CT2,TR, she was last here in August 2014 & the Braemar will return to CT1,TR.

We end Flaming June on Monday 29th with the arrival of the MV Gann at CT1. She is a Norwegian educational cruise ship, owned by a private school in Stavanger which educates young students to be sailors. In the Summer holidays they arrange cruises for passengers, sailing along the Norwegian coast up to the North Cape to help with funding.

That's it for now folks, see you in July





Tuesday, 9 June 2015 - 15:11