Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 713

  PaulB, Dover

Well done guys all round. The old gang/team of long standing, Jacqui and Brian, saved the day with the AIDA Bella..heavenly ones from on high Jacqui and that Brian Dixon feller gets about doesn't he..as does Howard. Also just to mention, the Saga Pearl is in today too so the cruise season now moving along at pace.
The AIDA Bella left in a blaze of glorious light last night at a quarter to 10pm(21.45).
Busy time for surveying for sure Mike.




Thursday, 1 May 2014 - 07:55

 

Post 712

  Mike J., Dover

Another survey vessel, the 52 year old former trawler ARIE DIRK, left the Tidal Basin at 0845 Wednesday followed by the YANTLET.







Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - 23:02

 

Post 711

  Jacqui, Dover

I took these this evening about 6.30pm and the sun really tried to come out for me

Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - 21:53

 

Post 710

  howard mcsweeney, dover

mr Dixon to the rescue paul, taken from the prince of wales pier.




Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - 20:29

 

Post 709

  PaulB, Dover

FOGBOUND:
Not really sure if it is worth putting this picture up...but this is the AIDA Bella arriving early today. As you can see at arrival time we were in a thick fog or a ghostly mist, whatever way you want to describe it. It looks like conditions are not getting much better so we may as well give this picture a go...a maiden call too for the ship. We aren't able to do this 70,000 ton ship justice, but as you can just see it has the familiar AIDA colour scheme...Very welcome to Dover.
This picture is boosted believe it or not...it was actually worse in reality.

Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - 15:22

 

Post 708

  Mike J., Dover

Paul -

Beat me to it by seconds - I was just about to post on the YANTLET as well !

Might as well stick it up as here's a bit more info & some snaps from the Prince of Wales.

. . . . the Port of London Authority’s catamaran survey vessel YANTLET was doing some tidal survey work in Dover yesterday, circling the bay in huge circles all day. & this work is expected to continue today, Wednesday.

There’s further details of the work on DHB’s website on their ‘Notices to Mariners’ page & details of the YANTLET on the PLA’s website . . . . .





Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - 08:13

 

Post 707

  PaulB, Dover

This boat shown called the Yantlet was moving back and forth piece by piece all day yesterday across the harbour. She is a survey or research vessel I believe and was clearly going about her duty in minute fashion. At one point she appeared to be getting in the way somewhat of a reversing P&O Spirit, hence the pictures, but all was well in the end. Just out of shot the Harbour Patrol boat looked on.
The Yantlet in easy action yesterday (Tuesday).

Visibility is bad again today unfortunately for the arrival of our next cruise liner...a maiden call for the AIDA Bella. Yours truly is experiencing a bit of a 'pea-super' right now though so pictures impossible for the moment...hmmm..

We lose our landmark Travel Centre today. She closes for the final time. See posts 629 and 645 for more.

Wednesday, 30 April 2014 - 06:05

 

Post 706

  PaulB, Dover

Many thanks Ed re the Lifeboat rescue pictures. Did pin to top of page..now released.
Further to Ed's post...
This item below is from our main news frontpage .. Dover.uk.com...many thanks to Chris Tutthill.
The Lifeboat was clearly helping with the recovery.



TWO BODIES FOUND ON SHORELINE BELOW CLIFFS
__________________________________________

Kent Police was called at 3.15pm on Monday (28 April 2014) after a man's body was discovered on the shoreline below Langdon Cliffs in Dover.

The body has not been formally identified but the family members of a man reported missing from the London area on Sunday night have been informed.

Officers attended after the body was recovered by the RNLI. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner.

Earlier on Monday (28 April) another man's body was found at approximately 7.15am on the shore line between Dover and St Margaret's, between Crab Bay and Fan Bay.

Officers attended the scene but the death is not being treated as suspicious. A report is being prepared for HM Coroner and work is underway to identify the man believed not to have come from the Kent area.





Tuesday, 29 April 2014 - 16:07

 

Post 705

  Ed Connell, Dover

Lifeboat out yesterday afternoon and launching the RIB to search for a missing person. See Dover Express.





Tuesday, 29 April 2014 - 15:30

 

Post 704

  JanT, Dover

A bit sad to see the Travel Centre and such a well known sign going, but I'm sure Dover Harbour Board know they need to keep up with their competitors in every way, and to cope with an ever growing increase in traffic both freight and passenger. They need to move with the times to be the best.

Some great pictures over the last few days keep it up chaps

Tuesday, 29 April 2014 - 13:01

 

Post 703

  Mike J., Dover

Readers may be interested in the ‘Dover Marina’ website which has recently been set up by one of the berth-holders in Wellington Dock.

Despite the ‘Marina‘ title the website, which is still under development, covers much more than the marina & features most aspects of the Dover shipping scene & is well worth a look - excellent photos & features, news & useful information & some very interesting archive photos.

We can’t post links here but Googling ‘dover marina nigel’ should get you to the website.
Its also on Facebook [whatever that is].

The site is ‘unofficial’ & DHB have their own Marina website but this deals only with the Marina.


Tuesday, 29 April 2014 - 10:32

 

Post 702

  PaulB, Dover

Here are a few final pictures by way of a fond farewell to the old Travel Centre which closes its doors tomorrow Wednesday April 30 for the last time. We have all been through it over the years haven't we...with kids and bags in tow, with wives, mothers in law etc etc. Buy your tickets at the counter and then wait...eventually the bus comes to take you to the ferry then up the gangplank you go to the top deck humping all the bags. Not too many people on shanks' pony nowadays, I dont have statistics for the humble foot passenger, but I guess most just zip through in the car now even on the simple day trip. Its even better value...with car + 9 type deals and so on.

The picture above shows the scene in there last sunday. Just the P&O Counter open now..all else was closed on the day, the cafes etc all closed.
Above the green light for demolition shines forth.
High above the old Travel Centre the trucks trundle on to all points north. That's Jubilee Way going right over head for those who aren't familiar. Bananas going to all corners of the UK and so on.

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive Port of Dover said...
"The Travel Centre has faithfully served our customers over a long period of time, but in order to be the best port in the world, we need to move with the times and that means keeping the £89 billion of goods that come through the Port moving. I offer my continued appreciation for the understanding of our customers whilst we improve the Port for their journeys of the future and to our community whilst we work to reduce possible congestion in the town."

So there you have it.
See also Post 629.



Tuesday, 29 April 2014 - 05:20

 

Post 701

  ColetteB, Dover

Brilliant set of photos since I was on here yesterday, Sea News certainly moves on swiftly, great stuff!!! Thanks for confirming 2010 re MSC Orchestra Kevin & the Maiden call of AIDABella, I will have to get down there on Wednesday to see it. Terrific photos of the Azores Mike

Good idea MrB re adding cruise calls to the top, with so many cruises in May it will be great not to have to search for it

Monday, 28 April 2014 - 12:06

 

Post 700

  Vic Matcham, Dover

Again thank you for the great photos of the great port of Dover working 24/7 365 days a year.
Keep them coming.

Monday, 28 April 2014 - 11:26

 

Post 699

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Thanks for the update, Collette. Things certainly ramping up for Dover's cruise trade as the ships head north for Summer. Although their ships are now a very familiar sight in Dover, I believe AIDAbella is a maiden call. MSC Orchestra was last in Dover on 31 August 2010.

Monday, 28 April 2014 - 06:51

 

Post 698

  PaulB, Dover

Cracking set of pictures in the post below Mike. Yes indeed it was very busy yesterday (sunday) in the harbour with lots of activity throughout..in a sunshine and showers kind of day. I have a few pictures here to add to the mix. First of all ...the striking Cefas Endeavour arriving about 11 am..
"The Cefas Endeavour is a purpose built research and survey vessel, which is operated by P&O Maritime Services UK for the 'Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences' (CEFAS). Operated out of Lowestoft, the Cefas Endeavour provides an effective and economic platform for scientific research and commercial surveys. This multi role vessel was built to exacting standards, optimising safety and minimising environmental impact. The Cefas Endeavour can provide a range of survey services to support the Offshore Renewables, Oil and Gas, and telecommunications sector..."


Below we have more hi-level cargo activity. The Lady Racisce came in very early. Here we have a couple of very long distance shots of her approach. She spent the working day here and when she left last night about 8pm, with a very full load, she passed another cargo ship coming in...the Costa Rican Star which slipped into her slot while it was still warm. Once again we are able to draw attention to just how much our cargo activity has increased.





Colette...well done with getting us that list. Will add that post number to the list at top of page for easy reference as we go along.
Yes indeed Howard a very busy day yesterday on lots of fronts...more on that in due course.
I didnt get a picture of the Azores so once again well done Mike, man on the spot for all the close up action....



Monday, 28 April 2014 - 06:26

 

Post 697

  Mike J., Dover

The AZORES made her second Dover visit of the year coming in at 1400 on Sunday & was gone by 2100, heading for Portsmouth.









The unusual stern of the AZORES - 'sponson' tanks have been added to meet new stability regulations.







The research ship CEFAS ENDEAVOUR went alongside Cruise-2 on Sunday morning for a few hours & by 2200 was stooging about in the middle of the Channel, presumably doing a spot of surveying.
She has been here several times this year.









Sunday, 27 April 2014 - 22:47

 

Post 696

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

surprisingly good photos there paul, looking forward to the one a day in may that colette has told us of - hope we get some clear days.

i heard that there was a "fisheries research" vessel in today as well as a cruise liner.

Sunday, 27 April 2014 - 19:53

 

Post 695

  ColetteB, Dover

The boy done good!! Well done with those shots of the MSC Magnifica MrB, the close up certainly shows the scale of her, yikes! I popped down in the day, yes, with my camera this time but couldn't see much with the mist. Hopefully, better days ahead for getting some smashing photos from you guys as we have an abundance of cruise ships in May to look forward to. There will be 29 of them in the month of May with some double & triple cruise ship days

Remember to look out for the Aida Bella on the last day of April, Wedsnesday 30th

The month of May kicks off on May Day, Thursday,1st May, with the first of the Saga's, the Saga Pearl 11 at CT1, TR. We last saw her here in August 2012.

Then on Saturday May3rd, the now familiar Ryndam returns for the first time this year to CT1, TR.

The following day, Sunday 4th May, the Awesome MSC Magnifica returns to CT2, PoC.

Now I'm hoping to get some decent photos this time round

Then three cruise ships on Tuesday 6th May, the Saga Sapphire, CT1, TR, last here in September '13, the AIDAStella, CT2, PoC, last here in August '13 & the MV Empress, last seen here in September '13

The following day, Wednesday 7th, we have two cruise ships, the beautiful Celebrity Constellation, CT2, PoC, last seen here May '13 & the AIDALuna, CT1,PoC, last here April '13.

Another three cruise ships the following day, Thursday 8th May, the Princess Daphne, PoC, AP3, last here May '13, the Albatros, PoC, CT1, last here September '13 & this time the MSC Orchestra, PoC CT2. I can't recall when she was last here, I think perhaps 2010 but I'm sure one of guys, John/Mike/Kevin will advise.

Then the Ryndam returns to Dover Cruise Port on Saturday 10th May, CT1, TR & to end the week the AIDALuna returns to CT2, PoC

That should keep everyone happy not to mention busy taking pictures & generally enjoying the views

Be back in a couple of weeks with the rest of May, all 16 more of them



Sunday, 27 April 2014 - 18:31

 

Post 694

  PaulB, Dover

MSC MAGNIFICA off DOVER

As most will know we battled with poor and gloomy foggy visibility all day on Friday. The ship could not be seen by the landlubber and the land could not be seen by the ships passenger. But as Howard mentions below there in the previous post, quite a few of these passengers eventually came into town and hopefully enjoyed their experience. Nice pictures of the ship were generally impossible. The weather did brighten up later in the day somewhat, ermm sort of, and so now we have a few more pictures to show you...

Tried to show the scale of the beast in the second shot here. Not sure if it works, but the scale of this ship is phenomenal. This second pic just above shows the pilot returning to shore having completed his job. It was a tight squeeze getting this whopper of a ship out into the open sea but all was done successfully. Once outside of harbour the ship turned immediately to its right and headed for Le Havre in elegant style.
Have never been to Le Havre...wonder what its like...pondering vaguely....

The time of the pictures shown was about 7pm...the fog had dispersed but it was still very grey.
Glad you are enjoying the page Barry W-S. Couple more there for you to enjoy.
Wasn't worth going up top on the day Howard - but better days ahead.


Saturday, 26 April 2014 - 06:11