Sea News...
- 8 December 2012 07:56205023And now for some special news just in from DFDS. A new launch of a traditional idea....
DFDS Seaways Launches First Apprenticeship Scheme on Channel
First ferry operator to sign up to scheme
DFDS Seaways is launching its apprenticeship scheme on its cross-Channel service today (Friday 7th December). The award-winning ferry operator is the first ferry company to sign up to the scheme, underlining its commitment to both the British shipping industry as well as local people from the South East of England looking to enter this important sector.
The first six apprentices to join DFDS Seaways on the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) apprenticeship scheme are Brandon Payne, Ryan Denham, Kyle Pepe, Billy Chambers, Ellis Vine and Damien Beechey. They will all be deck ratings, working towards their Able Seafarer Certificate, which will enable them to work in the navigation (deck) department of any ship. The scheme is a two year initiative which comprises a mixture of on the job training with DFDS, as well as classroom based learning, which the apprentices will undertake at North West Kent College in Gravesend, Kent.
Steve Watkins (North West Kent College), Kerri Moss (DFDS Seaways), Brandon Payne, Billy Chambers, Ryan Denham, Ellis Vine, Damien Beechey, Kyle Pepe, Gemma Griffin (DFDS Seaways) and Graham Moody (North West Kent College).
Ryan Denham signing his contract watched by Kerri Moss, crewing and training officer at DFDS Seaways.
Gemma Griffin, HR Director Continent & UK Flag Vessels for DFDS Seaways is excited about the new scheme.
"This is unchartered territory for the ferry sector, but we believe it is really important for both us as a business, as well as the sector as a whole to safeguard the future of our industry by ensuring that we have young people entering the sector. We are also committed to ensuring that our crew and workforce have the skills and training they need to help us provide the best service possible.
"Another key objective of our apprenticeship scheme is to help support our local economy by offering local people the opportunity to train and work in our sector," added Griffin.
Glenys Jackson, Head of Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB), which developed the training programme said, "The DFDS Seaways rating apprenticeship initiative is a great one and it is hugely encouraging to see the commitment of the company to 'grow their own' trained UK rating workforce.
"The programme was designed by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) to meet industry needs for skilled support staff to ensure effective and efficient shipboard operations. It provides initial training at watch rating level through to able seafarer - the highest level of international rating certification that can be achieved. DFDS is to be congratulated on this initiative, which will provide local employment opportunities and an excellent start to a career in the industry."
In addition to the first six apprentices, DFDS Seaways plans to take on a further three apprentices in 2013, who will be engine room ratings. They will work on the day to day monitoring and maintenance of the engines and equipment in the engine room, as well as maintenance activities elsewhere on the ship.
The scheme is also welcomed by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT ). Steve Todd, national secretary RMT and MNTB member, said: "DFDS is to be congratulated on this initiative and also, be encouraged to do even more. And that can only be done when there is more funding available. There is a huge problem with an ageing workforce in the whole of the shipping industry, but more prominently in the ferry sector. It will be a huge boost to the industry which has seen a constant decline in ratings training now for many years and I am sure it will be a welcome boost for the local area which has seen the same decline in the number of seafarers. Other companies should be encouraged to follow the same avenue as DFDS and the government is urged to continue assisting these apprenticeships. We are quick to criticise companies when we believe they are wrong but all credit to DFDS here."
For more information about DFDS Seaways, which operates up to 44 crossings a day on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais services, please visit www.dfdsseaways.co.uk.
- ENDS -
A huge good luck wish to all the apprentices.
We are beginning to see the revival of the noble apprentice across the jobmarket
and this is a great local step forward..
email: dover7@msn.com - 8 December 2012 09:37205033It is indeed a great step forward and good luck to all the apprentices.
I'm sure Dieter Janicke at Viking will be looking to take young people on when his scheme starts.
Roger - 8 December 2012 10:55205053Yes Roger I agree its good to see that the young people have been given this opportunity, I hope they do well and certainly hope in these hard times more companies will follow suit.
- 8 December 2012 11:10205056"Children (and young people in general) are our future..." As Stevie Wonder sang.Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
- 8 December 2012 12:18205065i rather like the idea of the old style apprenticeship schemes coming back with suitable modifications to meet today's requirements.
- 8 December 2012 12:21205066Yes Howard, you can't send them up chimneys any more.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson - Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
8 December 2012 14:09205073because there arnt any chimmneys any more.
- 11 December 2012 07:58205370A very busy Port yesterday...not only with the usual Ferry to France tooings and frooings, but with considerable cargo container trade as well, which is sometimes or indeed often overlooked. One ship out yesterday followed by one ship in almost immediately...keeping the port busy busy.
I grabbed a couple of pictures in the wishy washy light while the grabbing was good.
First of all we had the Elsebeth shown above, here she is being assisted by both tugs prior to departure for Flushing. I thought initially Flushing was in Holland but no it is in the USA ( think of Flushing Meadow) which I believe is in New York State. So a long trip ahead for this ship, right across the North Atlantic. Brrrr...!!
Here we see the two cargo ships crossing each other about a mile offshore. One ship leaving one coming in. The two ships here are a fair way out and caught in the heat shimmer rising from engines in the docks..I shot over their heads as it were.
The second ship just arriving is the Star First and here she is in close up below
This one arriving from Dakkar..so this whole Dover trading business is truly global.email: dover7@msn.com - 11 December 2012 16:38205421All the Christmas fruit arriving
Audere est facere. - 11 December 2012 16:56205423You were right first time, Paul. Elsebeth is now in Vlissingen in Holland. Have not heard Vlissingen called Flushing in donkeys years but Elsebeth has entered Flushing on her AIS. Flushing is an anglicized version of Vlissingen. I was there for a drydock on the Stena Invicta back in the nineties.
There is a reefer arriving on average every couple of days to discharge on the Dover Cargo Terminal. Mostly from West Africa, as per the Star First above which will have called at Abidjan and Doula then popped into Dakar in Senegal on the way back. The other frequent trade is bananas from Costa Rica in Central America. - 12 December 2012 14:44205501Thanks for the correction there Ed..ah Holland it was to be sure. We saved the vessel from a long oul haul across the wide atlantic..
Yes the turnaround seems quite frantic at the moment. Good business for Dover..getting all that christmas fruit in as Martin says there. here's the Star First back on her travels again..seen here being manouevred out of dock by the tugboat. picture was taken yesterday.. had a bit of a delay getting it up. A fast turnaround for sure.
It was a gloomy oul day yesterday and no mistake, had to brighten that picture up considerably...and the one below.
Not sure which P&O this is for the moment but isn't she blowing out a lot of thick smoke...lol
More ferries are using the western entrance than ever before, presumably because there are so many now.email: dover7@msn.com - 13 December 2012 08:24205583If you cant go to the art treasures of the world..well they can certainly come to you...see the P&O press release below
I myself have been lucky enough to see some of the greats...pushed into tackling the hordes at The Louvre by daughter BB last year but it was worth it in the end.
I couldnt get near enough to get a decent picture of the legend above, that was the best i could do..you can see some of the milling crowds reflected in the glass, all prostrate in adoration of the great master called..ermmm called ermmm leo or leon or something. I can see where he went wrong. If i could have given him some tips, well today he would be better known...lol!!
What can ye dooo
Anyway I'm rambling.
But yes indeed the Treasures are getting ever closer. back to the P&O press release. This really is one for the notebook.
* *
Day-trippers looking for an incentive to take the ferry to France can visit a new €150m attraction at the heart of the Nord Pas de Calais region.
The Louvre-Lens museum and art gallery opened in Lens, just an hour from the French port of Calais, on 12 December. Renaissance art features in the first major exhibition hosted during the grand opening of the museum, which provides a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions of artworks loaned from the Louvre at Paris.
A stunning glass and aluminium structure houses some of the world's most prestigious collections and offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how the artworks are restored. The museum also features an auditorium to present screenings and live shows. Access to the permanent exhibitions is free with entry from €9 per adult for the temporary collections.
Prices start from £25 for a day return crossing on the P&O Ferries Dover-Calais service with a car and up to nine passengers. For a longer stay on the Continent short break fares for up to three days away start from £38 return.
For more information or to book call 08716 64 64 64 or visit www.POferries.comemail: dover7@msn.com - 13 December 2012 19:14205661Excellent news re the new Louvre-Lens museum and just a hop, skip and a jump from Calais. I will certainly be putting this one on my to do list for sure and only 9 euro to see the temporary collections on loan from the Louvre in Gaye Paris, now that's what I call a real bargain
These are the hordes of people queuing in the background of the Louvre that BB was pushing her Dad towards, Result!!!
My pic of The Mona Lisa on the day, not so good as I sneaked it on my mobile phone.
Good marketing tool from P&O
- 13 December 2012 19:27205665Yes certianly one to put on the visit list, The Louvre-Lens is just that bit closer than Paris so all that fine art is within reach of everyone who enjoys looking at the great masters.
- 14 December 2012 07:50205708Yes indeed all quite exciting..next job now is to look up where Lens is on the map, but it cant be far judging by whats been said.
One thing you can be certain of though...the Mona Lisa herself wont be leaving Gay Pareee !
But now the next story....
Although Chris has put this one on the frontpage, thought I would also add it here as its very Sea News-ish.
I used to have emails from the chap who played a big part in it all, the design and build etc..it was all quite exciting at the time..a new Seasports Centre with a new Seafront following along close behind. Great to see it being acclaimed far and wide. As you can see from the pictures here it looks great!
Dover's Esplanade has added two further triumphs to its growing list of accolades. In addition, to the much-coveted RIBA Award won in 2011, the £2million development, 'Lifting Wave, Resting Wave, Lighting Wave', has won the Civil and Infrastructure category at the Kent Design and Development Awards 2012 as well as being awarded merit at the regional level for the Civic Trust Awards.
The seafront development is now going forward for review by a national panel with the results due to be announced at a ceremony in March. The Civic Trust Awards recognize outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment.
Dover Harbour Board, which part-funded the development, was a key member of a partnership comprising, Kent County Council, Dover District Council, SEEDA and English Heritage which oversaw architects Tonkin Liu's vision to create a major attraction on Dover seafront. The esplanade now provides a key setting for creative activities and a place to relax and watch the world go by.
Anna Liu of Tonkin Liu added her thanks to those who had continued to work on the scheme;
"Everyone on the project, from three years ago to six months ago has worked hard to create a beautiful and vibrant place and the work goes on. Just this summer a team of community volunteers, Paul Holt from Samphire Hoe, Dover Arts Development and ourselves planted 1400 marine loving-plants bringing a splash of colour and creating an environment that is both engaging and educational."
Commenting on the award, Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover said:
"Another raft of awards proves that Dover Seafront is garnering approval nationally for not only the quality of design but the way it has improved the public space for the benefit of the community and for visitors to Dover. We're proud to have supported this project with our local partners and look forward to good news at the National Civic Trust Awards in March."email: dover7@msn.com - 14 December 2012 12:46205737Dover Seafront is an absolute credit to all who were involved with this project and thoroughly deserves a 'National Civic Award'. Also, great to see that a team of community volunteers took part in planting 1400 marine loving plants as mentioned above.
Our Seafront has never looked better. Well done to everyone - 14 December 2012 12:50205742Having completed the Pier A extension and the refurbishment of berth ED3, the next big job is the refurbishment of berth ED6.
Part of the old hoverport is going to be used for fabrication and a floating crane will be shuttling back and forth between ED6 and the Prince of Wales pier.
DOVER HARBOUR BOARD
MARINE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Notice to Mariners 35/2012
BERTH 6 FLOATING CRANE HEAVY LIFT 17 - 21 DECEMBER 2012
As part of major berth replacement works, notice is hereby given that a floating crane will be conducting heavy lifts in the vicinity of Berth 6 and transiting large sections of steel across the harbour to the Prince of Wales Pier during the period 17 - 21 December 2012
Mariners are advised to exercise caution when manoeuvring in the vicinity of Berth 6 whilst lifting and transit is in progress and should contact Dover Port Control if in any doubt.
Paul Brown 13 December 2012
Harbour Master - 14 December 2012 13:37205752
Been nice knowing you :) - 14 December 2012 20:08205824I can't see it mentioned, but I think the Pride Of Calais is joining the ferries running out of Ramsgate.
- 15 December 2012 02:54205833Yes, it would appear that the Pride of Calais which has been laid up in Tilbury, has now been sold to TEF to operate on their Ramsgate-Ostend service. Rumoured that she may be conducting berthing trials in Ramsgate today, we shall see.
Meanwhile her sistership Pride of Dover has now entered the Mediterranean on her way to Turkey under tow by the tug Eide Fighter. There was a delay of two or three days in the English Channel waiting for a weather window to cross the Bay of Biscay and the tug and tow circled in Lyme Bay until the time was right.
