Hundreds of port workers have been given dynamic demonstrations in how to cut trapped drivers from car wrecks, recover casualties from the water and tackle chemical spills.

Others have been scrutinised on their knowledge of first aid and safety, given control of heavy machinery, the chance to abseil from work platforms and to practise operating in confined spaces.

Some of the world’s leading distributors of rescue, safety and hi-tech security kit have also been on hand to showcase their cutting-edge wares at the Port of Dover’s annual Safety Day.

The event, held each year at Cruise Terminal One, not only attracts Port of Dover employees but also representatives from the companies and agencies working inside and alongside the Port and in the wider port industry.

Tim Waggott, the Port of Dover’s Chief Executive, said: “The Port is a 24 hour working environment with multiple construction and maintenance projects. 

“We have a good safety record and are keeping incident rates well below the industry average, but at Dover we strive to be the best and events like our Safety Day help us to up our game.

“We have a highly skilled workforce with a huge range of technical skills to develop, maintain and operate the Port – a nationally important piece of infrastructure.  We have a good track record of responding to difficult operational challenges and emergencies – but we don’t do this alone.

“The Port relies on many partners, agencies and contractors, and it’s our performance as a group that keeps the Port of Dover safe.  Safety Day is an event where we all come together to increase our knowledge of potential risks around the Port and improve our skills.

At the forefront of the demonstrations were the Port’s police, harbour service, environment and safety officers, Dover-based Kent Fire and Rescue crews, Kent County Council’s Highways teams, contractors and specialist equipment distributors.

The sun glinted off the turquoise sea in Dover harbour on Saturday 23 July as the Port of Dover Community Regatta got underway. It was ‘anchors aweigh’ at 9.30am with the start of the Port Dash, which saw teams race across the harbour in Thames cutters, pitting their wits against the waves and challenging their strength to raise funds for this year’s charity, the Dover Sea Cadets.

The contest was hard fought but congratulations go to The Wacky Racers for winning the challenging final. A total of £1260 was raised for the Dover Sea Cadets – well done to all involved.

Thanks go to the Hythe Bay Restaurant and P&O Ferries for providing the fantastic prizes and to the Dover Sea Cadets for providing the Coxswains, a Safety Boat and the Beach Masters, Riley’s Marine for providing the main Community Boat and a Safety Boat and the Royal Cinque Port Yacht Club for providing the buoys for this “oar-some” event.

Lunchtime was no time to ‘pipe down’ for the Dover Sea Cadets Band as they provided the music in the arena.

Then it was ‘all hands on deck’ for the Dover RNLI crew who wowed onlookers with their breath-taking recreation of a man-overboard scenario and rescue. Thanks to the brave crewmen of the Dover Lifeboat for showcasing their skills and entertaining the crowds again this year.

There was no ‘taking the wind from the sails’ of the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Race as they sprinted across the harbour to the finish line.

Along with all of this the day also included a classic car display, free sailing tasters, and other activities including a children’s fun fair and sporting activities with Dover Rugby Club. Stalls lined the seafront offering everything from food, drinks, crafts and community information to local produce, glitter tattoos and charities.

Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, Tim Waggott said: “The Port of Dover Community Regatta has always been a fantastic free summer family event along our beautiful seafront. Bringing the Port and the community together, it is always a triumph but this year has been exceptional. As well as a superb day of entertainment, by joining forces with the Dover Music Festival, the first ever ‘Dover Festival’ weekend event was launched at our magnificent Cruise Terminal 1 building to the delight of the music fans attending.”

“I would personally like to thank everyone who made this event possible for all of their exceptionally hard work and dedication to our commitment to be the best port in the world for our customers and our community. My thanks also go to all of those who supported and participated in the weekend’s events, helping make this years’ flagship summer event another resounding success.”

 All images courtesy of David Frazer Photography.

The Port of Dover secured a top sustainability award from CEEQUAL for the port’s flagship development of the Western Docks and the town’s waterfront, the Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) project.

The Port’s DWDR project team was presented with its ‘Excellent’ CEEQUAL Interim Client and Outline Design Award at this year’s annual Port of Dover Safety Day on the 13th July. The Port joins the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games as another high profile project to achieve a top CEEQUAL Award.

CEEQUAL is the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme that promotes the achievement of high environmental and social performance in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects.

The £250m DWDR project – the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover –achieved a score of 88.6% in the assessment of the master planning and design stages.

The project’s success has come from a strong commitment to embed sustainability in the management processes from the initial planning of the project. Sections in the CEEQUAL assessment where the project scored particularly highly, include:

•  Project Management: 97%
•  Ecology and Biodiversity: 97%
•  Physical resources use and management: 97%
•  Water Environment: 92%
•  People and Communities: 95%

The CEEQUAL assessment will now continue through construction to the Final Award Stage in two parts: Marine Civil Works and Land Based Infrastructure.

The details of the development were developed in close consultation with the local and business communities. This partnership continues throughout the design and delivery of the project as the port seeks to fulfil its sustainability objectives.

Matt Gale, Environmental Advisor and DWDR CEEQUAL sponsor at the Port of Dover, commented on the project: “Sustainability is at the core of the design, planning and delivery of the Dover Western Docks Revival and this award is a fantastic endorsement of that approach. To secure similar recognition as the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics Games – the greenest games ever – is hugely positive.”

The award certificates were presented by CEEQUAL Managing Director, Chris Broadbent, at the Port of Dover’s Cruise Terminal 1. Commenting on the project team’s exceptional performance, he said: “This is an excellent achievement by the whole team; it really demonstrates the commitment there is to sustainable development at the port in Dover. I fully expect the project to continue to demonstrate this same commitment throughout the construction works and look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have.”

Tim Waggott, Chief Executive at the Port of Dover, said: “DWDR is a game-changer for the port’s operations and it’s great that the project team’s efforts to embed sustainability throughout the scheme have been recognised in an independent CEEQUAL Award.

“For a project of this scale, it’s vital that we work closely with the town to help shape, deliver and eventually work and enjoy this asset. As we progress our plans, we will maintain that same level of diligence in seeking to minimise potential impacts of our work, and maximise the benefits for our town, our heritage and the environment.”

ENDS

Link to Case Study: Dover Western Docks Revival (CEEQUAL)

Note to editors:

1. About DWDR

Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) is a one-off opportunity for the regeneration of Dover, bringing new investment into the area.  With UK Government planning approval and supported by a mix of private finance and European Union grant funding, DWDR will deliver:

•  A transformed waterfront to ultimately attract a host of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants with Dover’s unique backdrop of the harbour, cliffs and castle;
•  Relocation and further development of the cargo business with a new cargo terminal and distribution centre;
•  Creation of greater space within the Eastern Docks for ferry traffic; and
•  Much needed quality employment opportunities for local people.

DWDR is the single biggest investment ever undertaken by the Port of Dover.  It is a c.£250m development with £180m already committed to deliver the first phase.

2. About CEEQUAL

CEEQUAL is the assessment and awards scheme for improving sustainability in civil engineering and public realm projects. It celebrates the achievement of high environmental and social performance and demonstrates the commitment of the civil engineering industry to sustainable development.

The scheme rigorously assesses performance across nine areas of environmental and social concern, rewarding projects on which clients, designers and constructors go beyond the legal minima to achieve distinctive sustainability standards in their work.

Since the Scheme’s launch in 2003, more than 260 Final Awards and 100 Interim Client and Design Awards have been achieved. There are over 250 further projects and contracts currently being assessed. The accumulative civil engineering value of work that has been or is currently being assessed exceeds £30 billion. With the longest track record of verified sustainability assessments of civil engineering worldwide in the industry, CEEQUAL has led the way in driving improvements in sustainability through the adoption of best practice. CEEQUAL takes a very broad view of ‘civil engineering’ in including all infrastructure, landscaping and works in the public realm.

CEEQUAL became part of the BRE Group in November 2015 and is now operated alongside BREEAM, bringing together the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for buildings, infrastructure, and master planning.

3. Pictures

Image 1: Chris Broadbent – CEEQUAL Managing Director (left), with the DWDR Team.

Image 2: Chris Broadbent – CEEQUAL Managing Director, with Matt Gale – Port of Dover Environmental Advisor (left to right)

The Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP has appointed Richard Everitt CBE as the new Chairman of Dover Harbour Board. Mr Everitt will take up the role from 1 July 2016. He replaces George Jenkins OBE who stands down after taking the helm in 2013. 

Commenting on his appointment Mr Everitt said: 

“It is a privilege to be asked to lead the Dover Harbour Board at this time. The Port is a vital part of the transport infrastructure of this country and I look forward to working with the Board and the whole team at the Port as we continue to build strong links with the Dover Community and our Customers and invest for future growth.” 

Reflecting on the news, Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: 

“Richard Everitt brings a wealth of expertise and industry knowledge; with his support in leading our excellent Board through the many challenges ahead I continue to look forward to a bright future for the Port of Dover, our customers and community.” 

“On behalf of the management team and our stakeholders I want to thank George Jenkins for his contribution as Chairman. I am proud of all we have achieved together”. 

Outgoing Chairman, George Jenkins, said: 

“I have really enjoyed my time with the Dover Harbour Board. We have made great strides in the last few years, and I wish Richard every success in the continuing journey of this great organisation.”

The Port of Dover’s biggest ever single investment, the Dover Western Docks Revival, has received funding support from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). 

RBS have agreed to help to provide a loan facility of £90m to add to cash resources and long term debt finance agreements already available for the development. 

Progress continues to be made with the regeneration vision in the Western Docks and the fact that the project has gained the confidence of a major bank proves the ports’ commitment to its ambitious regeneration aspirations. The project will create much needed high quality employment opportunities for local people and support the Port of Dover’s commitment to becoming the best port in the world for the benefit of its customers and community. 

Tim Waggott, Port of Dover Chief Executive commented: “This is the Port of Dover’s biggest ever venture and as such is a costly endeavour. We need investment from other sources to be able to meet our ambitions for the Dover Western Docks Revival project and are delighted that RBS have the confidence in the Port, and our vision for Dover, to provide us with this financial assistance to continue to move forward towards completion.” 

John Redfern, Head of Corporate South East, RBS added: “It’s fantastic to be able to support a development that will have such a positive impact for the local community and builds Britain’s maritime heritage and trade globally.” 

ENDS

The Port of Dover’s reputation as a port of choice for luxury cruise ships continued to go from strength to strength when the magnificent Solstice Class cruise ship Celebrity Silhouette returned on Monday 6 June. 

The celebrated White Cliffs of Dover once again provided an iconic backdrop as the largest ship in the Celebrity Cruises luxury fleet was steered into port alongside Cruise Terminal 2 with the assistance of the port’s skilled pilots. The 319m ship, accommodating up to 2,885 passengers, stayed in port overnight before sailing for Amsterdam on a 12-night Baltic Capital Cities Cruise. 

Dover is the second busiest cruise destination in the UK with around 200,000 cruise enthusiasts welcomed to the port each year. Here they can take advantage of a host of award-winning facilities such as spacious, comfortable departure lounges and stylish café bars. Other benefits include Dover’s outstanding pre and post cruise accommodation, historic attractions and easy proximity to London. 

Barbara Buczek, –Director of Corporate Development, Port of Dover, said: 

“It is a delight to once again welcome this impressive cruise ship to the Port of Dover. As the biggest in the Celebrity Cruises fleet of ten, it’s an ideal opportunity for us to demonstrate how well the Port of Dover can accommodate this type of vessel and showcase our fantastic facilities. With our ambitious Dover Western Docks Revival project underway we continue to work towards making Dover the best port in the world for our valued cruise customers and look forward to welcoming Celebrity Silhouette back in the future.”

After arriving in Amsterdam, Celebrity Silhouette will continue on to Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde, Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.

As Dover’s enterprising young talent gathered once again for the Dover Area Company Programme Final sponsored by the Port, Tim Waggott, Chief Executive at the Port of Dover, was delighted to present the tenth set of awards since the Port increased its involvement.

Reflecting on 10 years of support, Mr Waggott said:

“The Port of Dover’s commitment is to be the best port in the world for the benefit of its customers and community.  A major part of that is nurturing young local people so that it is Dover’s home-grown stars of the future who in turn will help us meet that commitment as well as providing a talent pool for Dover more widely.

“I am extremely proud of the achievements of Dover’s next generation and their enterprising ambition.  Celebrating a decade of driving forward local young enterprise, this goes to show the long-term commitment the Port has to its community and to fostering a fantastic future of opportunity.”

Acknowledging the Port’s significant contribution over the past decade, Trudie Hartridge, Manager – East Kent, Young Enterprise, said:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Port of Dover for supporting Dover Schools and enabling them to run Company and Team Programme, this is the tenth year that they have run this scheme.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The photo shows Tim Waggott with the Dover Young Enterprise Company of the Year, Hydro Hood, from Astor College for the Arts.