Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 1982

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS
_____________

Thanks guys for the updates on the MV Hamburg

And now for some more 'Cruise Calls' beginning again on Thursday 7th May with the Artania at CT1, POC. She was last here in September 2014

A 'Double-Header' on Friday 8th when the AIDASol arrives at CT1, POC and the beautiful Norwegian Star cruises into CT2 with a POC on her way to Copenhagen via Amsterdam

Another 'Double-Header' on Saturday 9th May when two 'Fred Olsen's' arrive, the Braemar and the Boudicca both TR, at CT1 & CT2.

The following day, Sunday 9th, the MS Fran arrives back to CT1, TR.

No cruise on Monday, be back again soon



Tuesday, 5 May 2015 - 16:55

 

Post 1981

  Sea News, Dover

PUSHING THE BOAT OUT....


Push the boat out and join us for Dover Marina Open Day
______________________________________________

On Saturday 16th May, Dover Marina Open Day returns to provide a marine-focused family event, to provide both budding mariners and those already enjoying the fantastic community benefits of sailing at the Port’s award-winning marina.

There is no reason not to come along and explore what Dover’s waterfront has to offer. Taking place on the Crosswall Quay from 10.00am until 5:00pm, the day will included free entry and parking for all those wanting to explore Dover’s seafront.

In partnership with the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club (RCPYC) and international yacht brokers Clarke & Carter, the day will bring together the local sailing community and industry experts for a day of family filled-fun with water displays, exhibitions and local food stalls. Firefox fishing charters will be offering trips around the harbour, and there will be the opportunity for the public to paddle the Bronze Age Boat replica around the Wellington Dock. Also, for the boat-spotter in you, the RNLI will have their Lifeboat "Station Open day" with its shop and the lifeboat open to visitors. The RNLI will also be offering free lifejacket checks.


For the first time ever, working with Ramora UK, the Port of Dover has organised a Flare Amnesty offering a free-flare disposal service on the day (between 11am and 2pm). The disposal of out-of-date flares is a growing problem for boat owners who face severe penalties if they fail to follow the correct procedures.

Barbara Buczek, General Manager – Business Development says:

"This is a great day that gives the sailing and Dover community an opportunity to enjoy our fantastic marina, which is a very active and valued part of the Port. Such events are also a great way of attracting people from all over the UK and showcase Dover as a vibrant sailing location."

ENDS



That's one for the diary above for sure.
Huge thanks to our colleagues down at the Port for the cracking pictures..ace !




Tuesday, 5 May 2015 - 07:46

 

Post 1980

  Sea News, Dover

GIVE US A BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND THIS IS THE WEATHER WE GET....
Well it was a bit of a horrible sunday and no mistake. The town was awash with visitors and was disappointingly generally genuinely awash at the same time. Give us a bank holiday weekend and right on cue comes the wind and rain. It was bleak. The only people venturing out on sunday morning were the serious swimmers and lets face it, they are used to getting wet bigtime. But even they, hardy staunch souls to a man and/or woman...even they.. moved off the beach to take shelter in the nearest shelter as you can see..


Lets us hope for better weather today Monday.
Below we have a couple of shots of the ferries in action over the past 2 days....complete with a full moon hovering over the Spirit last night. The Spirit of Britain that is. Further below just a general shot of the hard working ferries in operation. Another busy weekend and with gusto aplenty the Port of Dover keeps the tourists moving and the economy boosting...'twas as we said previously, another record year.



Thanks for that info below Kevin re the MV Hamburg, we did have a look and there she was...moving towards Bremen. And as ever great to get that excellent picture of the ship below from Ed. Pity she didn't get here in the end. Definitely worth a pic or two for sure.

Monday, 4 May 2015 - 06:43

 

Post 1979

  Ed Connell, Dover

Hamburg in Dover in 2006 under her previous name c.Columbus. Apparently she is omitting Dover this time as she was delayed in Leixoes in Portugal. I went to Leixoes way back in 1968 on my home from the Amazon on the little Booth line cargoship Dominic. All that I can remember of it after all these years is that the place is pronounced nothing like it looks, something like Layshoyns, there was a lot of the local hooch involved as it is near Porto (Oporto) which is home of the port wine, and the women had hairy legs. Here endeth the travelogue.



Sunday, 3 May 2015 - 12:53

 

Post 1978

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Hamburg is in the north east shipping lane (French side of the Channel) bound for Bremen. She has been to Dover before as Hapag Lloyd's c.Columbus in 2004 and 2006.

Sunday, 3 May 2015 - 07:40

 

Post 1977

  Sea News, Dover

Thanks for those comments Steve - very welcome. Glad you are enjoying the site and yes indeed we will keep up the good work. Thanks too for the info re the MV Hamburg, as Brian said there she was most definitely a 'no show'...and now we know why.
Great stuff!

Apologies in advance for this poor quality picture of the Suffolk Spirit. It was taken a couple of days ago as she made her way past Dover, heading back to Felixstowe and as you can see here, getting a bit of a pasting from the rough sea and the 'orrible east wind that has been plaguing us for some time. Mike had a better picture previously and it will be easily found on our Search Engine. She did spend time in the harbour here previously but this time she was spotted coming along the coast from points west and went right on by.

The vessel has been in the news recently too following reports that a crew member has mysteriously gone missing. Hopefully that will resolve itself well.
Also good to note too that some of our yachting pictures have gone down well in some quarters. PaulB.


Sunday, 3 May 2015 - 06:10

 

Post 1976

  Steve, Midlands

Discovered this excellent website a few months ago and now read the posts every day.

With regards to the planned call of the Plantours MS Hamburg, I believe she developed engine trouble on her latest cruise and was being repaired in Portugal with the rest of her calls cancelled. I think she was to head straight to Bremen for her next cruise.

Keep up the great work on the website and i look forward to my next visit to Dover in the coming months.

Saturday, 2 May 2015 - 18:06

 

Post 1975

  brian, aycliffe

the mv hamburg has seemed not to botherd to turn up as of yet 1352 pm.

Saturday, 2 May 2015 - 13:52

 

Post 1974

  Sea News, Dover

As mentioned by John in post 1515 earlier, the MS Fram left us here at 6 o'clock (18.00) right on the button. For our delight and delectation she sailed smoothly across the harbour to exit by the eastern gate. This of course makes it easier for us to get a picture or two and enjoy the situation all the more...and there we are above....the ship in fine exciting specialist action.

"
The MS Fram is a 500-passenger capacity cruise ship that has been designed with a reinforced hull for cruising arctic/antartic waters. MS Fram is operated by the Hurtigruten ASA Group and is registered in Norway. The ship made its first maiden voyage to Greenland in May 2007.

"


Saturday, 2 May 2015 - 06:14

 

Post 1973

  Sea News, Dover

A couple here of the famed AIDA Bella arriving yesterday morning early. We had hoped to get some of her departure but the scene at 8pm (20.00) was too dark with heavy black clouds and fading light so we had to settle on the two above. We actually did get some pix of departure but it wasn't worth including them as just too dark. It was yet another exciting visit for Dover though with lots of visitors strolling about all day enjoying things here.
SEE ALSO 1524 and 1515 for news on upcoming cruise liner visitations...interesting one due today.

Friday, 1 May 2015 - 06:19

 

Post 1972

  Sea News, Dover

Thunder across the Bay
Yes indeed this guy thundered across the harbour in menace mode yesterday. The noise was tremendous but fabulously fab...twas enough to rattle the fillings in yer mollars for sure....heavens, my Renoir nearly fell off the wall ( I wish !! ) Yours truly grappled for the camera on the first pass but couldn't get it in time. But then the pilot did a 180 and came right back in front of the observation tower...and there we are. Exciting stuff!

Below shows just how rough it was yesterday Wednesday. The ship here is DFDS Dover Seaways or perhaps Delft Seaways, but embattled she was indeed...in the teeth of it as she approached but coping well.. long range shot.


Thanks for all the info below guys... great stuff! Good to see the Crown Emma and good to see you on again Vic.
Will have the AIDA Bella pix tomorrow. Catching up.
The helicopter above is of course a Chinook.
PaulB.

Thursday, 30 April 2015 - 16:49

 

Post 1971

  vic matcham, River

Some great photos there thank you

Thursday, 30 April 2015 - 15:04

 

Post 1970

  ColetteB, Dover

CRUISE VISITS

Our first May cruise, the MS Fran, arrives tomorrow Friday May 1st, TR.
It's nice to see her back here, she was last here in April 2011

Then on the following day, Saturday May 2nd the MV Hamburg arrives at CT1, POC. I don't recall this one being here before.

There were other cruise calls scheduled for this weekend but alas they are not calling as of yet.

Be back soon so watch this space for more!!!



Thursday, 30 April 2015 - 14:06

 

Post 1969

  Ed Connell, Dover

Crown Emma at the DCT yesterday.



Thursday, 30 April 2015 - 13:10

 

Post 1968

  Sea News, Dover

Land and Sea Exhibition brings Port and community together to celebrate a shared maritime heritage


The first ever Land and Sea Exhibition has been hailed a success after over 100 local people attended the weekend of events. The Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club (RCPYC), working together with the Port of Dover, showcased rarely seen artworks from the Port’s art collection whilst Dover Arts Development (DAD) ran free watercolour workshops.

The exhibition, which comprises paintings and etchings of Dover harbour throughout the ages will run through the summer and be a new addition to the popular Port of Dover Community Regatta on 25th July 2015, with a finale weekend in September.

Bernard Sealy, RCPYC Commodore, welcomed guests to the newly refurbished Lord Nelson Suite at the Club with the officially opening presided over by George Jenkins OBE, Chairman of Dover Harbour Board.

During the official opening, guests enjoyed poetry and music with readings from locally published author Jo Field and Trisha Peak, interspersed with songs sung by Chrissie Grimsdale accompanied by guitarist Steve Cleare. Clare Smith and Joanna Jones from DAD then introduced artist Helen Lindon who led an exploration of the Port’s paintings.

Bernard Sealy, Commodore of the Yacht Club, said: "We were delighted to welcome so many guests and visitors throughout the weekend to the club to see some of the wonderful historic paintings from the Port of Dover’s collection. The watercolour workshops run by DAD were a huge success resulting in some stunning art, a book of which can also be seen at the exhibition. We look forward to welcoming more visitors throughout the following months in order to show how by working in true partnership with the Port, as well as the support of others, we can all, through art, enjoy the rich history of this fascinating place. "

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: "It is a pleasure to partner with the RCPYC in making such unique works of art available for our community to view. Through the exhibition, we are creating a way in which we can celebrate and enjoy a shared maritime heritage together. I hope that access to these artworks will give great pleasure and inspiration to those yet to enjoy them."

Joanna Jones, DAD, said: "With so much diverse talent, abilities and approaches it was a really exciting workshop and I am once again delighted by the Port’s enthusiasm in working with us to develop Dover’s cultural offering. All of the watercolour workshop participants donated one or two works for inclusion in a Land & Sea project commemorative book left with the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club in the Lord Nelson Suite to be enjoyed by visitors during the exhibition."

The exhibition forms part of the RCPYC’s Landscape Heritage Art Exhibition "Land and Sea" project and is funded through an Up on the Downs Landscape Heritage Grant. It also forms part of Culture Kent 2015.


ENDS


Top picture shows George Jenkins (left), Chairman of the Port of Dover, officially opening the Land and Sea Exhibition at the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club.



This pic shows two guests admiring the painting Dover Harbour in 1856 by Henry Pether, an artist who painted landscapes, especially by moonlight. Henry exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1828 to 1862, the British Institution and Suffolk Street. Pether was known for his beautiful moonlight scenes along the Thames, however he also painted other English views and scenes of Venice too.


SEE ALSO PREVIOUS POSTS MOST NOTABLY 1485

NOTE: AIDA Bella, 70,000 tons of cruise ship arriving...fabulous, another first for Dover as I understand it. Terrific stuff!! PB.


This one pinned to top



Thursday, 30 April 2015 - 06:32

 

Post 1967

  Sea News, Dover

Mike mentioned the Afon Menai from Holyhead Towing in the post further below (1518) and here she is coming across the harbour yesterday in the late afternoon ( Tuesday). The vessel looks really good, in excellent shape as she moves across. Note the choppy conditions in the background. Also sometimes the scale of these tug type vessels can be deceptive, they sometimes appear from a distance to be smaller than they actually are. You can see some of the crew here on the rear deck and this gives some scale to the image. She wasn't towing anything at the time.

An hour or so later the Boudicca moved off as seen here. She left the harbour and turned south into the teeth of a strong wind.
Not sure where she was heading exactly though.


Wednesday, 29 April 2015 - 14:50

 

Post 1966

  Sea News, Dover

Departure



The pictures above were taken about 1300 hours yesterday tuesday as the interestingly designed Messina Strait, with the help of both tugs, turned about in the harbour in full view and in crystal bright conditions before heading off to Antwerp. Conditions were good at the time as you can see but they did deteriorate later and it became quite rough out there.


The Arrival on Sunday.



Would have preferred some water underneath the ship in that last one. She was just that bit too close by the time she slotted into view between the ferries.
See also Posts 1516 and 1518 below for more on this ship. Cracking pix below lads all round. Welcome to Andrew, good to see those pictures Mike. Fascinating items once again Ed...the military on the move.
The Boudicca departed in fine style about 17.30, she headed south into a rough sea.

Wednesday, 29 April 2015 - 06:58

 

Post 1965

  Ed Connell, Dover

Our QM, Wayne, alerted me to a small naval force heading up the Northeast lane this afternoon. Several small mine countermeasure vessels together with a replenishment ship, comprising Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1).





Tuesday, 28 April 2015 - 23:01

 

Post 1964

  Mike J., Dover

This interesting little sequence, courtesy of my pal Andrew Humphreys. shows the COASTAL EXPLORER coming out of the Jetfoil Terminal on Monday afternoon & planting herself for a spot of drilling in the ‘North & South’ the entrance to the channel down to the Tidal Basin.

Andrew says that there was quite a swell running & the rig looked most odd as she pitched & rolled with the spuds [legs] swinging back & forth - you can see her workboat, the ASHRAF, rolling in the last photo.












He was down on the POW for the arrival of the MESSINA STRAIT & to catch the rig on the move was a nice bonus.







.
Tuesday afternoon the tug AFON MENAI & our old friend the rock-dumping barge CHARLiE ROCK came into Dover.

AIS showed that they had been working in the Dungeness/Camber area & they are probably in Dover for shelter.

The DOUGHTY went out to assist them in thru the Eastern Entrance & the barge is now on the Eastern Arm & the AFON MENAI has joined the local tugs in the Tidal Basin.


Tuesday, 28 April 2015 - 21:31

 

Post 1963

  Sea News, Dover

Port gets real over delivering catalyst for Dover’s regeneration
___________________________________________________

The Port of Dover has just delivered a record year with over 2.4 million freight vehicles handling goods worth an estimated £100 billion on behalf of UK plc.

It is this success which is enabling Europe’s busiest ferry port, often described as a barometer of the UK economy, to achieve its flagship Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) project that will protect the long term capacity of the Port and act as a catalyst for regeneration in the famous port town of Dover.

The Port is also making rapid use of new powers recently acquired by the trust port to enter into joint ventures and other financial arrangements to deliver such major projects in a way that brings the future forward as rapidly as possible.

As further evidence of its’ delivery for Dover, the Port has created a new regeneration division, Dover Waterfront Limited which will ensure a strong and dedicated focus on waterfront development whilst the Port continues to deliver the commercial aims of the DWDR vision alongside the existing busy ferry, cruise, cargo and marina operations. The new company will work with partners to realise the regeneration opportunities arising from the expansion of the Western Docks.

The Port is delighted to announce that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with a leading real estate partner, Bride Hall, to take forward the key waterfront development opportunities. Bride Hall will bring their expertise and work closely with Dover Waterfront Limited and other partners in Dover to develop a viable scheme that is complimentary to other exciting projects in the area.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, says:

"Today’s announcement shows the continuing momentum behind DWDR and how the Port is utilising its ongoing success both for the benefit of the UK economy and for the wider regeneration of Dover. Working together with a major real estate partner such as Bride Hall, who have a great track record of delivering top quality developments throughout the UK, is another sign of how we are transforming a premier UK port for the benefit of the nation, the tourism economy and our community all at the same time. Our message is simple. This is really happening and we are moving forward on turning our shared vision into reality."

Nick Desmond, managing director of Bride Hall Real Estate Partners, says

"The Port of Dover regeneration project reflects one of the most exciting opportunities in the UK to make a significant difference to a strategically important location. With our experience in delivering high quality mixed use development we share our partners vision and enthusiasm for the wider region. We will be using the existing momentum to build demand for Dover amongst key brands and operators in order to deliver an integrated solution that benefits national and local businesses, residents and visitors alike."

Nadeem Aziz, Chief Executive, Dover District Council, says:

"This is an exciting announcement for Dover and we will be working together with the Port’s new waterfront regeneration arm and Bride Hall to ensure that all of our plans for the regeneration of Dover are coherent, joined up and offer the best opportunity to make a once in several generations difference to our community and Dover as a thriving destination."


ENDS





The record year for Port is brilliant news. Exciting times ahead on Dover Seafront for sure.
Nice pictures below lads. We will definitely be watching out for that one on Friday John. Great tip off there..
Good one Ed...looks very similar that one to the Magellen Strait which also comes occasionally. have a pic too...will sort..

Sleek cruise visit today from the Boudicca. Looks good basking over there in the early sunlight.
Waterfront pictures taken in the past two weeks morningtime. The colours went askew on the first one ...the camera did that all of its own accord - well the poor thing is old.... something upset the old Nikon anyway, perhaps it was the canoodling pigeons..
PB.



Tuesday, 28 April 2015 - 06:56