Sea News...
- 26 July 2013 07:14238701Yes awful about the Astrid..still trying to digest the news.
Now please note...
the following pictures are not for the squeamish and may be upsetting to some
and not to be viewed either while having breakfast or before having breakfast.
This is the scene that confronted me this morning first thing. Time about 6.15 to 6.30 am.
also
also
I have lots more pictures but I think we better leave it at that. The seagull population hereabouts has gone down a notch this morning. I assume the attackers here to be Falcons..I'm no expert but clearly hawks of some kind. If anyone knows more please let us know. Very powerful shoulders and legs. It looks like one male and one female and judging by the colour of the dead seagulls feathers he was a mature one rather than a young one.email: dover7@msn.com - Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,802
26 July 2013 07:30238705I think they are Peregrine falcons and what stunning pictures, sorry i have no sympathy for the seagull.-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
------------------------------------------------------------------- - 26 July 2013 08:25238710Peregrine Falcons true enough.
http://raptortrust.org.uk/what-is-a-raptor/british-raptors/
I did read recently of a big gull problem at new built coastal sports ground in the US, Falcons seemed to be the only thing that kept the gulls at bay, for about $30,000 a week.
Keeping things local...
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2011-1/october/6/peregrine_falcons.aspxIgnorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - 26 July 2013 12:56238725What a crying shame regarding the loss of the Astrid.
Oh well, life goes on. Three Japanese warships transited the Northeast Lane at dusk yesterday, They were a training squadron comprising Kashima, Isoyuki and Shirayuki in line astern.
Captured this photo of Shirayuki on maximum zoom. She is an elderly destroyer redesignated as a training ship.
- 26 July 2013 14:18238728The Astrid does seem to be a total loss. This from RTE...
"The Irish Coast Guard has said there is no pollution risk from the sail training vessel Astrid, which sank off Kinsale.
The Dutch-registered vessel was blown onto rocks by strong winds and 30 people had to be rescued as it took on water.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Hugh Barry, pollution and salvage officer with the Irish Coast Guard, said there was no indication that the ship's hull was broken up and it seemed to be "holding fast" in its current position.
Mr Barry said there was no sign of any diesel pollution.
He said the diesel would break up and disperse in the current harsh weather conditions off Kinsale.
Mr Barry said that a report from the Irish Naval Service indicated that only the mast of the Astrid was visible above water.
Specialist salvage divers who have examined the Astrid believe it is a wreck and will not sail again.
The Irish Coast Guard will contact the vessel's owners and ask them to outline any plans to salvage the ship.
Mr Barry said the Irish Coast Guard will have to approve any salvage plan, which he said would be "challenging" given the close proximity of the stricken vessel to the shore."
http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0725/464524-astrid/Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing. - 26 July 2013 14:59238730Thanks for the info Tom and Jan re the Peregrine Falcons.
Didnt really know what they were but now that you mention it I can see. Serious birds of prey these and despite having plenty of opportunities for nourishment around here, this is the first time Ive seen them in action in these parts.
Also useful info there about the Astrid. I doubt if its salvageable myself ...having seen some further news coverage the economics will be against it but one lives in hope. Nice one of the Japanese destroyer Ed. The channel is a rich vein.
email: dover7@msn.com - 26 July 2013 15:04238731not a good idea for sea gulls to live near you paul what with the jackdaw incident on the premier inn roof.
- 26 July 2013 15:57238737It's a long way from Japan just for a training exercise, is it really worth the expense?
Does our navy travel that far for the same reason? - 26 July 2013 18:41238746Gawd! Terrible News about the Astrid, I can't believe it, she was a splendid sailing vessel, I sat on the bench on Dover seafront watching her for quite a while that evening
Thank God everyone on board was safe. - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,860
26 July 2013 23:41238764keep them pictures coming,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 27 July 2013 08:06238774No it doesnt seem to have been too safe for seagulls around here lately Howard..
what with one thing and another.
Today is the day of the Regatta and sadly the weather has deteriorated.. and yes there are two ships in as backdrop,
the huge Carnival Legend and the Saga Sapphire...but at the moment visibility too poor for a pic. Both ships have been photographed in previous pages though.(example Post 734 re Carnival Legend )email: dover7@msn.com - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,860
27 July 2013 09:07238779yes the weather has changed
still warm air thoughALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 27 July 2013 12:52238818Saga Sapphire off the Eastern Entrance with the harbour launch departing after having put onboard the pilot.
DHB Doughty waiting by the Knuckle for Saga Sapphire to enter.
Carnival Legend on CT2.
Progress as of today with berth ED6. The big construction cranes have disappeared since yesterday.
- 27 July 2013 14:36238831Interesting to see the difference in design of the new berths. Why don't they have the "box" on top? I'm sure there's a forumite out there who knows the correct terminology!
- Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,860
27 July 2013 23:12238851some nice photosALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 28 July 2013 08:51238866Yes indeed well done Ed..you saved the day again.
Ive put a couple of pictures of the REGATTA on the old frontpage
http://www.doverforum.com
A terrific crowd came to enjoy it all in the blazing sunshine. It was a very pleasant event.
More on the old frontpage blog. And the other thread running has some very interesting pictures.
Here is an extra pic of the Lifeboat display. Unfortunately I was a bit gutted to have missed almost all of it over a lingering lunch...but just caught the tail end..enough to get just the one picture ..
In the background you can see our star visitor of recent days.. the Carnival Legend.
Later the sun vanished and all hell broke loose weatherwise. The event was lucky to have such a glorious window.email: dover7@msn.com - Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,860
28 July 2013 10:27238881still loving the pictures
keep them coming
still waiting for that beer paul bALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS - 29 July 2013 07:42238954
I took the 'royal walk' along the seafront on saturday Keef me oul china..didnt see yerself but saw many of the ould familiar faces enjoying the event. The pictures on the Regatta thread are a reminder of the day and enjoyable for sure.
And now back to the daily shipping news, here are a couple of pictures from early this morning.
The arrival of the Ocean Princess. A fairly familiar visitor now, seen here being helped by both tugs. Conditions this morning are ermm...fresh.
and one more
email: dover7@msn.com - 31 July 2013 07:11239103The busy harbour this morning about 6am...the little Braemar arriving through the autumnal style mist.
and some more
Finally into harbour.
ahhh just when i thought I was finished i see something else approaching.....more shortly...
Yes here we are. This is as LIVE as it gets. The ship is just arriving now, a large one this time, the AIDA Stella.
This one hasn't been in for some time. Good to see her colourful self again.email: dover7@msn.com - 2 August 2013 06:39239423Summer at the Port of Dover...see below for latest Port News
But first another gorgeous sailing ship and doesnt it look hugely romantic...feast your eyes on this one pictured yesterday. I am not sure if this vessel actually came into the harbour or just sailed by. but I managed to see it by chance and here she is...name of it in a minute and its a mouthful.
Its the Grossherzogin Elisa. There you are. A German ship. The name doesnt exactly trip off the tongue but its another beauty for the repertoire. Hope this one fares better than the last one we photographed...bon yoyage my friends.
* *
Summer holidays begin at Dover - it's ferry clear!
Buried underground and stuck in your car, or sailing off with a glass of something in hand to toast the start of a relaxing holiday as the backdrop of the beautiful White Cliffs of Dover gradually fade from view and you glide across the glistening English Channel on one of Dover's luxury ferries. It is easy to see why most people think summer begins at Dover.
With a winning partnership between the Port of Dover and the three ferry operators that combines operational efficiency and state of the art facilities with excellent customer service, the Port handled considerably more holiday traffic over the first summer getaway weekend than Eurotunnel.
From Thursday 25th July to Sunday 28th July, the Port of Dover welcomed 41,162 cars, almost a quarter more than Eurotunnel. On Eurotunnel's busiest day, the Port still handled 12% more passenger vehicles.
Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: "Eurotunnel may quote speed but wouldn't you want to get out of a dark tunnel as quickly as possible when you are wanting to enjoy the sun on your well earned summer break? The Port bases its reputation on excellent customer service and a commitment to providing, alongside Dover's ferry operators, the best possible start to our customers' actual holiday experience."
Passenger numbers are 3% up year to date at Europe's busiest ferry port.
also see http://www.doverforum.comemail: dover7@msn.com
