Friday, 29 March 2024

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Sea Pictures from Dover.

Sailing Ships just off Dover: Europa above and De Gallant below...


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Editor: Paul Boland - dover7@msn.com
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Post 1414
  brian., trapped dovorian.
so that's what a police man looks like. please send him up my way paul.SmileySmiley

Friday, 23 January 2015 - 14:41
 
Post 1413
  Sea News, Dover

DDC CALLS FOR GOVERNMENT STRATEGY ON
CROSS-CHANNEL FREIGHT TRANSPORT RESILIENCE
__________________________________________



Dover District Council is welcoming news that Government has ordered an urgent review of the resilience of the road network in East Kent to cope with periods of severe congestion at Eurotunnel and the Channel Ports.

The news follows a meeting today between East Kent MPs and the Roads Minister, John Hayes MP amidst on-going traffic problems caused as a result of reduced capacity at the Channel Tunnel following a fire on Saturday (17 January). Whilst praising the efforts of the Port of Dover and the ferry operators in handling a dramatic increase in traffic, the Leader of Dover District Council has lamented the lack of resilience to cope with such demand.

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said:
"It is unacceptable that communities in East Kent are expected to bear the burden of what is a national issue. The UK economy relies on Dover and the Channel Tunnel to keep the nation’s trade moving. Yet time after time we are left isolated and cut off by the lack of resilience in the road network and a lack of investment to support the nation’s premier roll-on/roll-off port.

"We’re calling on the Government to take action to develop a strategy on cross-Channel freight transport resilience so that the police and highway authorities have the resources to manage the situation more proactively.

"Dover is as important to the national economy as Heathrow Airport. If Dover’s not working, the nation isn’t."

Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Portfolio Holder for Access, said:
"It’s frustrating that local communities in Dover, Shepway and Ashford are being left to cope with this situation. It is impacting businesses, tourists and local residents alike. We share their frustration and support the widespread calls for a more proactive response from the Government. We’re doing as much as we can to alert the police and highways authorities to bottlenecks in the town, but it’s evident that a long-term solution to deal with the issue is needed."


- ends -


Below a lone Policeman checks each truck one by one as they come down Jubilee Way...




Friday, 23 January 2015 - 07:28
 
Post 1412
  Sea News, Dover

Port of Dover Community Fund NOW OPEN! Smiley
_________________________________________



The Port of Dover is delighted to announce that the Port of Dover Community Fund is now open for applications.

Focused on skills, jobs and the community, the Port recently gifted the Fund £250,000 to launch it and ....
will contribute 1% of pre-tax profits each year to support it.

The Port of Dover Community Fund will be managed by Kent Community Foundation, a leading Kent charity with over 13 years’ experience of delivering effective grant-making programmes on behalf of companies, individuals and foundations. Kent Community Foundation has distributed over £20 million in grants and specialises in community grant-making reaching very local causes working at the grassroots. The management cost associated with the administration of the Port of Dover Community Fund is being covered by the Port in addition to its existing financial contribution to the Fund.

Carol Lynch, Chief Executive of Kent Community Foundation, says:

"Kent Community Foundation is delighted to be setting up this important new Fund for Dover, thanks to the Port of Dover’s significant commitment to the local community. We look forward to working with the advisory panel to encourage local groups to make the most of this great source of local support and bring lasting benefit to the Dover community."

The current funding round is open until 31st March 2015, following which the Port of Dover Community Fund Panel, a local advisory panel, will assess the applications. The majority of successful applications are likely to receive grants of between £2,000 and £10,000.

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

"What a fantastic way to start 2015! I am extremely grateful to the Kent Community Foundation for taking on the independent management of the Fund and also to the advisory panel, led by the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover, for its commitment to ensuring that the Fund is used to deliver the greatest benefit for our community. I therefore encourage local groups and organisations to start applying in order to make the positive difference the Fund has been set up to create."

Under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Dover, the advisory panel consists of a number of local people including Ronnie Philpott, Roger Knight, Emma Liddiard and Jack Williams.

The Right Reverend Trevor Willmott says:

"The Port of Dover Community Fund can bring hope to young people and to the community of Dover. I and the rest of the Panel trust that the community will make full use of this fund. It is our job to ensure that it supports those projects that can make a real, positive and lasting difference to people’s lives."

To apply for funding from the Port of Dover Community Fund, please visit:

www.kentcf.org.uk/apply/funding-round/#Port of Dover

ENDS

Smiley


* *


Thanks for the info re the Rodin Brian...trapped Dovorian ! Smiley



Thursday, 22 January 2015 - 15:20
 
Post 1411
  brian, trapped dovorian.
some bad news the rodin has gone for refit. one less big ferry to cart off these infernal lorries.

Thursday, 22 January 2015 - 10:22
 
Post 1410
  Sea News, Dover


Look at this beast. This great ship moved down the channel on Tuesday heading for foreign climes. At the time of launch in 2013 she was the biggest ship in the world...

"MV Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller is the lead ship of Maersk's Triple E class of container vessels. At the time of its entry into service in 2013 it was the largest ship in the world, it had the largest cargo capacity of any vessel, and was the longest ship in service worldwide. Constructed for Danish company Maersk by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) of South Korea, it was launched in February 2013 and entered operational service in July 2013. It was named after Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, the CEO of Maersk between 1965 and 1993.The ship is the first of a class of 20 identical vessels. "

See also Ed Connells post number 1265 for another of the Triple E's...
See also 1305.

I noticed late yesterday as it was getting dark, too late for a picture, that the Nord Pas de Calais, the familiar ol' warhorse, was back in action. The picture above is from a recent time but as the traffic situation is still very bad with trucks still queuing all through the night, spare a thought for the poor trucker, the extra capacity will help for sure.

Thursday, 22 January 2015 - 08:53
 
Post 1409
  Sea News, Dover


Vic I think you make a fair point there. Reduce capacity in any sector and this is what we get...and of course the citizenry of Dover feel the brunt of the disruption. The Tunnel is still in turmoil and with a couple of ships down here at Dover the result is what you see. Without MyFerryLink surely this chaotic situation would go on.

* *


Operation Stack Phase Two in place.
______________________________

Phase Two of Operation Stack was put in place on the M20 southbound in the early hours of Wednesday 21 January due to reduced capacity at the Channel Tunnel.

Non-freight traffic is being diverted onto the A20 from Junction 8 (Hollingbourne) and rejoining the motorway at Junction 9 (Ashford West). This allows backed-up freight traffic to park on the coastbound carriageway.

Kent Police is reminding lorry drivers that those at the front of the queue will get a ticket to continue their journey to the continent. Those who use the diversions for non-freight traffic in an attempt to get closer to the front, and who do not have a ticket, will be sent to the back of the Op Stack queue.

What is Operation Stack?

Operation Stack is where parts of the M20 are used to queue lorries travelling towards the continent, to avoid causing gridlock across Kent's road network. It is only introduced as an emergency measure after consultation with other agencies and implemented following a thorough assessment of issues, including safety concerns and disruption on the road network.

Check with your operator
Contact your travel operator before setting off on your journey. Here are a few useful numbers:
Eurotunnel - call 08444 630000.
Eurostar - visit www.eurostar.com
The Port of Dover - call 01304 240 400 or visit www.doverport.co.uk


...the message above is from Kent Police.

* *


Good selection of pictures below there Mike. Yes indeed I bet it was rather cold down there on the Prince of Wales Pier...brrrr ! PB




Wednesday, 21 January 2015 - 14:40
 
Post 1408
  vic matcham, dover
With all what is going on tells me we still need all the ferry companys working just think if My Ferry Link had already gone there would have been 3 less ships that means the hold ups would have been longer .Smiley It is crazy to get rid of one company they are all making money and giving locals a job .JusSmileyt crazySmiley

Wednesday, 21 January 2015 - 11:36
 
Post 1407
  Mike J., Dover
The elderly self-discharging bulker HENRIETTE [built 1971] came into Dover for bunkers late Monday night & docked on Cruise-2.

She rather unsportingly sailed on Tuesday morning while I was trudging up an icy Prince of Wales & I had to make do with the tug AFON CEFNI who was berthed on the Ad.Pier.

The HENRIETTE has been involved with rock-dumping operations down at Dungeness & the AFON CEFNI has been popping down there to help out from time to time.

In Wellington Dock the Environment Agency’s survey vessel SOLENT GUARDIAN was tied up ahead of our old friend TOPLIFT who has been laid up there since she was involved in the Southern Breakwater reairs a few months back.

Looking at her AIS track on Marine Traffic the SOLENT GUARDIAN was heading upchannel from the Eastbourne area & passed Dover during Monday night, but changed her mind off Deal & came to Dover instead.

Oddly her AIS information has her as a ‘Law Enforcement Vessel’

















Wednesday, 21 January 2015 - 00:56
 
Post 1406
  Sea News, Dover


Port of Dover Remains Resilient
__________________________


Passengers stranded by the problems with Eurotunnel over the weekend were offered a safe alternative to reaching their destinations by the Port of Dover and its world renowned and reliable ferry services.

Over the weekend, the Port of Dover and its three major ferry operators provided emergency assistance in getting stranded Tunnel passengers across the Channel. The Port continued to maximise available capacity for the additional traffic whilst maintaining a first class service for customers already heading to Europe’s busiest ferry port. Nearly 35% extra traffic resulted in increased ferry services over the weekend to cope with the stranded travellers.

Tim Waggott, the Port of Dover’s Chief Executive, believes the Port reacted in very quick time to assist the hundreds of passengers and freight vehicles caught in the Eurotunnel problems:

"Despite the increased number of customers heading through the Port, we succeeded, along with our ferry partners, in providing a safe and reliable service to help those passengers frustrated with their travel issues. Our staff embraced the challenge and passengers have expressed their appreciation of the extra effort made to keep them informed. We were happy to help those who passed through the Port and hope we managed to rescue travel and commercial plans."

As Europe’s busiest ferry port, Dover is used to handling large volumes of traffic heading across the shortest route between the UK and mainland Europe.

ENDS




The ferries above working hard as ever but despite that we still have a freight backlog this morning tuesday with trucks extended back as far as this eye can see. We are several ships down at the moment too so it doesn't take much to cause the build up of commercial freight and with the tunnel also in backlog....well...

Tuesday, 20 January 2015 - 09:06
 
Post 1405
  Sea News, Dover

Yesterday sunday was slate grey and dismal all day, so the two images above are from the much more dramatically coloured satuirday morning when the sun rose in spectacular blinding fashion....as you can see here. Hopefully the ferry captain had his Ray-Bans on as he powered towards the all conquering sun hovering over the sleeping Calais.

Sunday morning below and the Lifeboat was back in action in further training. Conditions were cold and grey but we got this shot below while they paused in the procedure. While this was all a-happening.. further out in the cold grey channel the glorious Queen Victoria passed by. One could hardly get an image through the gloom but with much camera dial manipulation we just managed to capture the 90,000 tonner as it headed to Southampton. Sea News also had the Queen Elizabeth a while back too...very impressive.




Don't miss the FREE WINE offer with P&O below....Smiley



Monday, 19 January 2015 - 07:54
 
Post 1404
  Sea News, Dover

SIX FREE BOTTLES of WINE with P&O FERRIES DAY TRIPS Smiley
_______________________________________________



FREE WINE !

Book a Dover to Calais daytrip with P&O Ferries and receive six free bottles of Vive La Vie red, white or rosé.

Fares are from £24 return for Sunday to Friday departures or £29 return for Saturdays when travelling with a car and up to 9 passengers.

The offer is available from now up until the 27 February at www.POferries.com by using discount code DIRECTDT.

ENDS

* *

This is the Channel yesterday morning Friday. Get a clear day like that and you can enjoy the spectacular visuals and still pick up SIX BOTTLES of WINE absolutely free to savour later at leisure. Best deal of the moment for sure. Well done to P&O for that one.

Below another shot of the Pride of Burgundy moving across the harbour towards the cruise terminals yesterday. She has since departed. Also in the shot is the Coral Water.




Saturday, 17 January 2015 - 06:30
 
Post 1403
  Sea News, Dover

A rather weatherbeaten looking Pride of Burgundy was taken out of service earlier today about 10am. She moved across to the cruise terminal presumably for refit purposes...so that's another ship down at the moment, leaving us with even less carrier-ability taking up the backlog of freight and so on.

Some time later I took the following shot when I noticed the Lifeboat in attendance...clearly a safety drill was also being carried out. Since these pictures were taken...the ship is still in place but has turned around 180 degrees. The bow now faces France. PB.


Friday, 16 January 2015 - 15:01
 
Post 1402
  Sea News, Dover


When visibility and conditions improved a tad yesterday afternoon we were able to get the pictures above of the Calais Seaways approaching. There was a short period where the light improved and the horrendous wind dropped...but it didn't last, we still seem to be in the grip of miserable weather.

Now the picture below is not good quality and too long range... but thought it worth including nonetheless. It shows the Lifeboat powering through those same rough seas yesterday about midday.. out on a 'shout' as they say. I only spotted it at the last second and managed to grab the camera and fire across the top of one of the P&O ships. Very tough and dangerous conditions for the Lifeboat crew but if you are in distress miles out there on a very rough sea can there be a more welcoming uplifting sight? PB.



Friday, 16 January 2015 - 06:56
 
Post 1401
  brian, trapped dovorian.
operation stack was supposed to on,who are they trying to kid.

Thursday, 15 January 2015 - 19:14
 
Post 1400
  Sea News, Dover


Just a couple of pictures from earlier today to add to the mix. As we know the weather has been 'orrible beyond words. The shipping forecast early this morning said the Channel was going to veer between severe gale 9 and violent storm 11 earlier today...so not a recommended day on the briny for the casual rubber-legged landlubber Nosirreee ! not a day at all for those of nautical faintheart. Its a miracle how guys are able to keep anything running in these conditions, as I write now around 1500 hours ( 3pm) its a wee bit calmer...lets hope it stays that way. Huge freight backlog as we can see .. but...what can ye do.

The top picture shows the entrance to the Port at around... 09.20 this morning.,,after a very wet and rough night.
The second picture shows the trucks inching their way down the hill near Megger around midday.

Nice picture below there Ed of our old friend Esmeralda. I wont do that old one again 'The bells The bells' as its been done so often previously by yours truly..Smiley

PaulB

Thursday, 15 January 2015 - 14:51
 
Post 1399
  Ed Connell, Dover
Regular visitor Esmeralda at the DCT during a brief lull in the weather yesterday.



Thursday, 15 January 2015 - 08:04
 
Post 1398
  brian, traper dovorian.
that tweet is a right larf init.

Wednesday, 14 January 2015 - 18:57
 
Post 1397
  Sea News, Dover
From TWITTER...3.30pm approx

Port of Dover
#PortofDover apologises to #customers & #community experiencing delays on #Dover #A20 -We are working with ferry operators to reduce impact.




Wednesday, 14 January 2015 - 15:37
 
Post 1396
  Sea News, Dover
THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING ... or ermm in this case...going..


Yes indeed this Russian Cargo ship the Mekhanik Semakov took shelter with us here for the past day or so. The weather in the channel was abysmal so she turned up here in Dover, presumably to get away from the terribly rough seas which approached Storm force 10 at times. She paused here with us while on her way to St Malo and she recommenced her journey yesterday afternoon...heading northwards initially before turning south for St Malo.

The picture above shows how the ferries struggled. This is the Spirit of France tackling those same rough seas. There were the inevitable delays of course and as a result we had the usual backlog of freight vehicles stretching back miles and miles.
A winters day - a calm interlude.



Wednesday, 14 January 2015 - 08:25
 
Post 1395
  ColetteB, Dover
Brian Smiley

Hear! Hear! Howard, incredible valour indeed Smiley

Tuesday, 13 January 2015 - 16:26
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