Sea News...
- 1 June 2013 12:13231752fascinating photos, especially those last two, i thought the effect was only visible in the harbour itself.
- 3 June 2013 09:23231943Yes indeed fascinating photos all round there..great stuff !
..saw some of that phenomenon myself as have just returned from Dunkerque.
You might remember a few weeks back we carried a press release from DFDS about the upcoming special events in Dunkerque, particularly the tall ships visit, so..grasping the metal in intrepid explorer tradition, we headed off with cameras poised at the ready on the Delft Seaways. Never been to Dunkerque before so twas a new experience but enjoyed it enormously..very much a seafaring town. And when surrounded by unbelievably striking tall ships it was a treat.
here are a few pictures..
Hotel de Ville above, seen from across the harbour..or one of the extensive harbours..
Some of the visiting tall ships lined up in fine style..ready for the thousands of snappers, myself included.
Ooops pressed the button too early more to come..and here we are..
Some absolutely exquisite Russian ships were on show. These three lads were Russian and were happy to pose for pictures and indeed took some pictures of Jan T and myself too. Very friendly and pleasant they were and as for their ships..wow!
Looking seawards here from the landlubbers side. The place was packed with sailing boats as well as the Tall Ships.The harbour was alive..I fell on wicked ways and went into one of the bars there and had a fair few, strictly in the seafarers tradition of course and purely for research!!
This black beast slipped in quietly. Not exactly a tall ship but as everyone was there the pirates wanted to come too..and sure why not?
Russian ships of immense proprtion..the lens wasnt wide enough to fit it all in..so big.The pic doesnt capture the scale.
Another Russian catching the brief evening sun..
and then it was all over..and the sun went down on proceedings to the sound of sea shanties from the improvised stage. A different set of ships below included the Morgenster which occasionally pays a visit to us here in Dover.
See also the pic on the old homepage http://www.doverforum.com/letters/email: dover7@msn.com - 3 June 2013 09:31231946Well here we go again, some more cruise ships to enjoy
Today, June 3rd, we see the Braemar return to CT1, T/R. No ship tomorrow.
On Wednesday, June 5th, the AIDAStella returns at CT2, PoC & the Saga Ruby returns to CT1, T/R.
On Thursday, June 6th, we have the FT1 Berlin at CT1, PoC, I'm sure some of our cruise ship buffs on here, will give us some information on this one
No ship on Friday but we have two here on Saturday, June 8th, the Ryndam returns to CT1, T/R & the Crystal Serenity arrives for the first time this season at CT2, T/R
Then to end the week on Sunday, June 9th, Saga's Quest For Adventure cruises in to CT1, T/R making its appearance for the first time this season.
No ships Monday/Tuesday but on Wednesday June 12th, the Saga Sapphire returns to CT1, T/R.
No ships Thursday/Friday, then on Saturday June 15th, the Ryndam returns at CT2, T/R & the Braemar returns at CT1, T/R.
No ship on Sunday June 16th. That's it for now folks - 3 June 2013 09:41231947Hey Ho!!!!! What a Spectacle
Loving those shots above of the Tall Ships in Dunkerque, Simply Spectacular indeed.
All the nice girls love a Sailor
- 3 June 2013 11:06231957great selection of photos paul, hadn't realised the event was on such a large scale - must have been a money spinner for local businesses there.
- 3 June 2013 11:57231975Great photos PaulB
- 3 June 2013 13:00231994Brilliant photos, Paul. All the tall ships are streaming out of Dunkerque today, passed some in the fairway but did not have my camera on me.
This United States Navy warship passed yesterday, photo taken at extreme range. She is the USS Mount Whitney which is an Amphibious Command Ship serving as flagship of the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. She has just spent four days in Lisbon commemorating a NATO 60th anniversary and is obviously off to show the flag somewhere else.
She is packed from end to end with electronics quote:
"The ship's afloat communications capability is second to none. MTW can receive, process and transmit large amounts of secure data from any point on earth through HF, UHF, VHF, SHF, and EHF communications paths. This technology enables the Joint Intelligence Center and Joint Operations Center to gather and fuse critical information while on the move. As the most sophisticated Command, Control, Communications, Computer, and Intelligence (C4I) ship ever commissioned, MTW incorporates various elements of the most advanced C4I equipment and gives the embarked Joint Task Force Commander the capability to effectively command widely dispersed air, ground and maritime units in an integrated fashion."
- 3 June 2013 15:35232013Passed two of the tall ships in the fairway after we departed Dunkerque. Artemis and Santa Maria Manuela.
Braemar with bunker barge Kithnos alongside, together with very large yacht Juliet which is anchored off the Prince of Wales today.
- 4 June 2013 06:58232073Thanks guys re the pictures. Ah yes sad to think of them all streaming away from Dunkerque and now those docks are empty. But there we are..all moving on. Such is life. Saw several going south down the channel yesterday afternoon. Good to see them under sail too in those shots Ed...good pix and info all round. I think there were an impressive 12 tall ships in all with many other vessels joining in with the festivities..the tall ships were allowing tons of visitors onboard and at least two of them..I think the Amsterdam and the Morgenstar were taking passengers out. great fun.
Yours truly embraced the nautical spirit of the occasion. But the population of Dunkerque will be relieved that i didnt give them a vocal burst of '20 men on a dead mans chest'
heaven forbid !!
Here are a couple of interiors of the Delft Seaways plus a small one of the ship herself. twas a very pleasant trip with no problems and no heaving..in any sense of the word. Not crowded on the way over friday but very busy coming back. So..doing good business which is always good to see.
email: dover7@msn.com - 4 June 2013 15:45232185Great photos of some great ships please keep them coming. Thank you.
- 4 June 2013 22:34232225I understand that another classic Dover Straits car ferry is heading for the Turkish breakers. Free Enterprise 1 originally built for the Townsend Bros in 1962, has I believe been laid up at Heraklion for some time. However now under the name of 'Kalisti' she is making her last voyage as I write.Her owners having given up on the prospect of selling her on for further service.
In the meantime the campaign goes on to save TSS Dover from oblivion.Never give up... - 4 June 2013 23:32232229I am very sad to hear about the FE1 being scrapped. I have happy memories of sailing on her when I was a TT courier in the late 70s. The only ferry at the time that wasn't roll on, roll off.
- 5 June 2013 08:08232234Interesting item above there Richard..Yes always sad to see one time highly useful ferries being consigned to the scrapyard..always a shame. I myself remember ferries prior to roll on roll off, but essentially on the Irish route ( dont mention the Princess Maud !! lol
) I remember in those days they used to hoike my precious motorbikes up by crane in a giant net to get them onboard, twas a nailbiter watching em do it...ah long ago now. But yes a shame to see her go. I am sure many locals will remember the vessel as Judith does there.
As per Colettes post above ( #563) AIDA Stella back in harbour today along with the Saga Ruby. Its a very grey day to greet them...Dover is under a dark cloud while the rest of the nation basks in glorious sunshine. We did carry pictures of these two earlier in the thread in better lighting conditions.
Glad you are liking all the pictures Vic. I am sure all the guys will continue to do them..so, lots to look forward to.
email: dover7@msn.com - 5 June 2013 15:39232276brightened up nicely this afternoon.
- 6 June 2013 07:03232351Good ones there Howard ..making full use of the sunshine.
Got a few of the Saga Ruby leaving last evening too, again making hay while the sun shone. Me making the hay that is..not the Saga Ruby
But here we go with both tugboats needed to pull the ship into position. Not a large ship but it clearly struggles with manoeverability
and then away she goes, off into the evening sun. A cheery scene thanks to the blazing sunlight.
Nothing in today so far...email: dover7@msn.com - 6 June 2013 08:20232360Competition Commission Report released 0700 this morning. Eurotunnel ordered to divest themselves (sell) of the former Sea France vessels.
http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/2013/Jun/cc-to-bar-eurotunnel-ferries-from-dover - 6 June 2013 08:29232363Is that with immediate effect, Neil?I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 6 June 2013 08:33232365The report gives them 6 months to divest.
Some of my shipping friends tell me that Eurotunnel and MyFerry are preparing to appeal. - 6 June 2013 08:39232368So they get the tourist season then.I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
- 6 June 2013 08:56232371Well..a fascinating bit of news there Neil. well done with getting the info to us.
I dont know what to make of it all. is there too much capacity?
The DHB press releases in recent weeks have flagged up the benefits of the extra service provided by My Ferry Link saying that the increase in capacity is good for all..good for the DHB good for Dover and good for the travelling public offering them more choice.
I wonder if MFL can survive without the Eurotunnel muscle.
There's bound to be an appeal..
..never a dull moment.email: dover7@msn.com
