Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 753

  PaulB, Dover

Its been a tough old day today Saturday for the crews. Took the following picture earlier today in strong gale force winds and driving rain and you can see two crew men in this difficult shot. One at the bow of the Pride of Burgundy and the other and the front of the tugboat Doughty in the very rough very tough conditions...look at that flag on the Burgundy..it gives you an idea.
Pictured mid harbour.

Saturday, 10 May 2014 - 16:51

 

Post 752

  PaulB, Dover

THE CALAIS SEAWAYs coming and going late afternoon yesterday...


No sunlight today alas...not so far anyway. Rain and gloom greeted the return of Ryndam this morning. If you want to come down and see it bring rain gear preferably windproof! But yesterday Friday was different, we had a combination of blinding sunlight and rough seas, which of course always helps to make the pictures more interesting. We have had more dramatic pictures in the past, mid winter pictures, but these pictures above are from a 'nice' spring day! No problem for the sea captains though who have seen it all before. One or two of the passengers though may have been a tad queasy...


Saturday, 10 May 2014 - 05:59

 

Post 751

  PaulB, Dover

Unusually rough weather for the month of May I'm thinking. Must be a force 7 out there or maybe even a force 8. Me timbers here are a rattlin' and a shiverin' .This DFDS Ferry, the Delft Seaways shown above, was battling its way against the very strong winds all the way down from Dunkerque. Tough trip.
Picture from a few moments ago as I write..(see the timing of post below of course).

Glad you are enjoying the page Vic as always, much more to come so keep coming back.
Thanks for that listing again Colette...excellent...keeps us up to speed.
Good one Mike...keep it up.



Friday, 9 May 2014 - 15:18

 

Post 750

  Vic matcham, Dover

Each morning first thing I do is turn to this page and see the great ships and the very good photos showing them.
I must get down there myself and take some shots of them.
If we had the funds we would be on them most of the year.
My Brother goes on them a lot it as been know for him and his wife and mates to go four times a year but he does it just for the great food they dish up.
What away to see the world.
Thank you again.


Friday, 9 May 2014 - 07:11

 

Post 749

  Mike J., Dover

The ALBATROS sailed for Ijmuiden via the Eastern Entrance at 1845, Thursday.

Not many punters on deck as she sailed off into the grot.




Thursday, 8 May 2014 - 22:55

 

Post 748

  ColetteB, Dover

Well so far the month of May has been awash with Fabulous Cruise ships & you guys on here have certainly delivered the goods. What a fantastic array of photos, information & stories, Sea News is Awesome

And the excitement continues, the rest of May is chock-a-block too so lets list next week's schedule.

On Monday 12th May the AidaMar cruises into Dover for the first time this season at CT2, PoC. She was here in October last year.

Tuesday we have two cruise ships, the Saga Sapphire returns to CT1, TR & the AIDAStella makes an appearance for the first time this season at CT2, PoC. She was here in August last year. (we had her scheduled a week ago but obviously things changed as they sometimes do)

Then on Thursday 15th May the AIDALuna returns to CT2, PoC, after her short cruise.

Friday brings the lovely Norwegian Star to CT2, PoC. She was here in May last year.

We end this week on Saturday 17th May (no ship on Sunday) with the return of the Ryndam at CT2, TR.

I will be back next week with the rest of the May schedule

Thursday, 8 May 2014 - 11:20

 

Post 747

  PaulB, Dover

Hugely busy this morning...another enormous ship from MSC..more than 92,000 tons of her arriving minutes ago.
Yes...The MSC Orchestra. Fab ships coming indeed now.

And the oft loved Albatross from a little earlier this morning..



Thursday, 8 May 2014 - 08:12

 

Post 746

  PaulB, Dover

The AIDA Luna once again. This time departing late last evening..sometime around 8.30pm (20.30). It was a bit late for sensible photographing as the light was fading very fast but who could resist when seeing her gliding comfortably across the evening harbour. Heading to The Elbe I see.. The Celebrity Constellation did not depart until 10pm. Very dark by then...but she went out in a blaze of dazzling light.
The seafront workings are still going on, all the groynes are completed but the wall work carries on. The whopper crane was back in action yesterday, its reach goes beyond nine floors I can tell you. in the background you can see the 'heavy artillery'..the cruise ships sublime.
This final one is from a few days ago, With one thing and another we didn't get it up on display. Its just after dawn at 5.30am and The Emerald heads out. Its only a few days ago and there have been two, maybe three, cargos ships in since then.


Nice pictures below there Ed ... that one of all the ships in the harbour is an absolute cracker so it is.

Thursday, 8 May 2014 - 06:26

 

Post 745

  Ed Connell, Dover

AIDAluna arriving off Dover this morning with pilot boat departing.


Busy harbour. A lot of expensive hardware on the move. Calais Seaways departing, AIDAluna going astern for CT1, Pride of Kent going astern for her berth, Celebrity Constellation on CT2, Spirit of France alongside. Taken from Dover Seaways going astern for ED3.


Wednesday, 7 May 2014 - 19:01

 

Post 744

  PaulB, Sea News, Dover.

Shared vision for Port and Town continues to Develop
_____________________________________________

Members of the Port and Community Forum are due to gather today (7th May) to consider feedback from the recent Dover Western Docks Revival public workshop at Cruise Terminal 2, to which over 100 members of the local community attended.

"The Port is here to actively listen, engage and consult," Dover Harbour Board (DHB) Chairman George Jenkins told the participants, before Chief Executive Tim Waggott gave a presentation on developing the shared vision for Dover Western Docks. Bob Lane, a DHB Board member with an OBE for services to regeneration around the UK, offered his first hand expertise on achieving real regeneration. It is not just about building things!

Workshop participants discussed a range of topics including regeneration, port and town working together, logistics, waterfront development, the environment and community directors.

The round table discussions were very engaging with comments made about the new approach of DHB and its positive and proactive engagement with the community. The event was seen as informative, useful, and a sign of positive intentions for community involvement and transparency.

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

"I and the Port of Dover team were delighted and humbled by the incredibly positive way in which so many members of the public took time out of their day to work with us in developing our shared vision. To experience such local engagement was a clear sign of the progress that has been made by many people here at the Port to transform our relationships with our customers and community. I thank everyone who attended and for their desire to work with us at every step of our exciting journey to deliver for Dover."

Key issues arising from the public workshop included:

· Restoring pride in Dover, cross-sector support and creating ‘Destination Dover’ are key to Dover’s regeneration.
· Linking key attractions and celebrating a shared maritime heritage supported by the Port will help deliver Dover’s regeneration aspirations.
· Creating new jobs and protecting existing ones is vital.
· Maritime training, traffic improvements and residential development should be considered for the waterfront.
· The Port’s support in developing the Bluebird Heritage Trail will support inward investment.
· Developing the new marina should be an early step of the project.
· The new Port and Community Forum and Port Users Group have been extremely effective in improving communication with the Port
· Continued public events would be welcome and supported.

Derek Leach, Chairman of the Port and Community Forum (PCF), said:
"I and the whole PCF look forward to considering the views of those who came to the public workshop and taking the development of a shared vision for Dover Western Docks Revival to the next stage. There was some great input and, importantly, great enthusiasm to work with DHB to deliver for Dover. Our job is to make sure we harness that and move forward on refining the vision ready for the next public opportunity to report on progress at the Port’s Annual Consultative Meeting on 20th May."


* *

Yes Jan exciting times, we will have lots of pictures and information coming. Nice one to enjoy from Kevin below there.



Wednesday, 7 May 2014 - 15:08

 

Post 743

  JanT, Dover

Yes certainly very busy for cruise ships always good to see them here in Dover, and as they add to our seafront and are very impressive to see, the fact that extra provision for them could be made does seems logical as they seem to be getting larger and larger.

Some great pictures there chaps always good to see them


Wednesday, 7 May 2014 - 12:46

 

Post 742

  Kevin Charles, Dover

An impressive sight as the Port of Dover hosts both the Celebrity CONSTELLATION and AIDAluna. Another busy day for port and town.



Wednesday, 7 May 2014 - 08:10

 

Post 741

  Kevin Charles, Dover

I think the proposals to move the marina into the outer harbour will add great appeal to Dover and, of course, free up the non-operational land for waterfront regeneration.

The original T2 proposals were for the Prince of Wales Pier to be shortened by around 80 metres to improve navigational access. Given the increasing size of the cruise ships calling at Dover, this strikes me as being a worthwhile investment.




Wednesday, 7 May 2014 - 07:21

 

Post 740

  PaulB, Dover

Well done with that shot of huge Celebrity Constellation Kevin. You were very fast with that one as she is just coming in as we write. Brilliant stuff!
Also now arriving as we speak... the AIDA Luna. Terrific hardware on display in Dover today. Very very busy two days, and all hugely welcome.

I was just in the process of uploading a couple of pictures from last evening of the departing Saga Sapphire. So here we go...


The sea was blustery for sure yesterday which was a bit of a surprise...but of course this sometimes helps with the pictures. But there we are above..old familiar friend and regular visitor the Saga Sapphire moves away. Not sure where she was off to alas..I am having some technical problems in my location which is preventing me from being fully functional..not to do with either website or computer but hopefully all will be over soon.

Yes good story Vic...I wouldn't like to see my Bentley ( if I had one ) going up in one of those nets either but I guess that's the way it was done. The travelling was fairly fundamental in those days, rough and ready in more ways than one...don't mention the Princess Maud eeek !


Wednesday, 7 May 2014 - 07:08

 

Post 739

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Always an impressive sight as Celebrity CONSTELLATION arrives this morning. An even bigger "Celebrity" is heading for Dover next year!



Wednesday, 7 May 2014 - 06:52

 

Post 738

  vIC mATCHAM, Dover

Paul in 1962 I was posted to the outer Hebrides on a RAF station and the only way out was to lift the 3ton lorry was by net,then chain it down to the deck.
But on the way over the weather was so bad the chain came off and the lorry was swing around on just one chain on the back and it took out two cars one on each side.
One of the cars was a Bently and the owner was not a happy person.

Tuesday, 6 May 2014 - 22:29

 

Post 737

  PaulB, Dover

The Empress arriving earlier this morning in some style. The Saga Sapphire also in as we mentioned. The busy week goes on...

Vic always interesting stories from yourself. I remember those nets you talk about. Not here in Dover of course but from way back in the Emerald isle...Dun Laoghaire. I had a pride and joy one time. A BSA Shooting Star motorcycle to die for...a café racer off the North Circular for sure. It was gold and chrome with dropped clip-on handlebars and gear change rearsets..ah it was the bees knees. I wanted to take it travelling to England. I asked my father with wide eyed innocence like ye do...how do they get the bike onto the ship? he says to me so he does...they will probably wheel it up the gangplank. So I thought they would wheel it on...but not a bit of it.

Along swept the crane with huge net. And before I knew it.. the workers wheeled my bike into the net and whoosh up she went with me shocked to my boots and all the while having a cardiac arrest.. But despite the shock the bike was fine when we got to the other end but yours truly was a little bit the worse for wear after a rough oul nautical Irish sea.


Yes a nice picture of Barbara Buczek as you say. Good luck with the outside gym ideas.
The P&O Choir thrilled us all during a long winter. They along with Gareth Malone himself were absolutely fab.

Tuesday, 6 May 2014 - 14:57

 

Post 736

  Vic Matchm, Dover

Again very good photos .
And great to see the PO Choir, as you know I did sing in a choir myself and what they have done in a year is outstanding '
To go from none singers to being one of the best choirs in the UK well done.
There is the prove that we all can sing just need training so choirs always need new members, so try it you will find you will get all the help you need. And you do not have to read music so get yourself along there you will love it.

Good photo of a very fine looking woman Miss Barbara Bucclek I hope she will stay with the D.H.B.
I had a talk to her about getting a outside gym down on the front she is very helpful and already working to get one.
Ah the ships yet again we see the fine ships going to our port to think when I was BOY all there was 1 ferry lifting about a doz cars one at a time by net on and off the ship and the ship was only about 4000tons to the ones we have today roll on and off coming in at over 30.0000 tons .
I have seen so much done in my life time at the port and steam trains running along the front.
I myself having taken part in what it is today means a lot to myself my last job there was overseeing and doing it myself all the welding done on the most of the new births.
And working on repairs on the front.
I loved it. Thank you.

Tuesday, 6 May 2014 - 08:03

 

Post 735

  PaulB, Sea News, Dover.

AMBASSADORS AWARDS FOR P&O FERRIES CHOIR


The Right Worshipful the Town Mayor of Dover, Councillor Veronica Philpott, surprised members of The P&O Ferries Choir during rehearsals to present the singers with special awards in recognition of their role as ambassadors for Dover.

The Mayor congratulated each member of the choir in turn and thanked them for their positive representation of the town, as she handed them an engraved glass medallion.

The choir won the BBC’s ‘Sing While You Work’ television series at the end of last year. Their performances since then have included appearances in Dover Town Hall with the White Cliffs Symphonic Winds orchestra, and at the Hammersmith Apollo with Susan Boyle. Their forthcoming engagements include the Leeds Castle open air concert on 12 July which is the largest open air classical concert in the UK.

Hilary Campbell, the choir’s musical director, said: "The Mayor’s visit was a complete surprise and very much appreciated by all. It was extremely kind of the town council to make this gesture and for the Mayor to make time to visit us in person to present the awards was very generous indeed."

Ends.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

When the AIDA Bella made its inaugural call last week, Barbara Buczek, General Manager and Head of Business Development and Corporate Affairs at the Port of Dover was on hand to present them with a very worthy plaque to mark the special occasion. You can see Barbara with the Senior Officers in the shot above. The super colourful AIDA ships are very welcome and regular visitors here to Dover and of course it is always great to see a new ship like the AIDA Bella joining in. Always very welcome.


Now unpinned from top slot !


UPDATE: Both Saga Sapphire and Empress now in Port. Will aim to have pictures later.



Tuesday, 6 May 2014 - 06:17

 

Post 734

  howard mcsweeney, dover

fair point from kevin about the attraction of capital cities, coastal towns don't have the same allure to cruise passengers.

mike and jan refer to the café on the pier, the problem is when is it open. a board in place at the entrance to the pier says whether it is open or closed but during school holidays it gets mysteriously turned around.

re; the marina - I rather like it where it is, get great photos from the swingbridge, If the plans come to fruition the walk along the pier will not have the same attraction.

Monday, 5 May 2014 - 18:16