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Well it's official, Dover Harbour Board have refused to accommodate TSS Dover anywhere in the Port of Dover. DHB Chief Executive Bob Goldfield last week invited us in for a meeting which had been requested by DSC secretary Andy Mclean.
The most important objective before we secure the ship is to find a berth without which we would have 3600 tons of liability on our hands. Obviously Dover is where 'Dover' should be. We were able to state our case but alas it was fait accompli. Mr Goldfield opened the meeting by informing us that he felt that telling us NO face to face was more polite than writing us a letter of refusal. The reasoning of Mr Goldfield and his attending senior oficers was articulate, predictable and littered with platitudes. In short,no space,no resources, no will- and of course the imminent start to the construction of the fabled T2.
We outlined our plans for seasonal operations,education, maritime training and a major tourist attraction in the heart of the Port-also the projected exciting employment oportunities and the boosting of local regeneration. Mr Goldfield and his team payed tribute to our principles but stated categorically that they could not help us-a sad fact,but it was just impossible to facilitate our vessel.
Well at least when someone asks me "Have you approached Dover Harbour Board?", I can answer "Yes". We would like to thank Bob Goldfield and his colleagues for taking the time to meet us.
On a brighter note, yesterday we had a meeting with DPPT chairman Neil Wiggins and if I may quote Mr Wiggins from the minutes of that meeting..."Our aim is to develop the port's infrastructure with due sensitivity to it's unique heritage aspects,not destroy it...we see the heritage vessel 'Dover', as having the potential for being the centrepiece for the regeneration of Dover..."
We are continuing talks.
