RNLI ‘fund our kit’ Mayday appeal
Veteran marathon and long-distance runner Mary Nolan Hickey is supporting the RNLI's national Mayday appeal 'Do your bit - fund our kit' to raise funds for the charity's volunteer lifeboat crews in Ireland.
Mary Nolan Hickey (65) who recently completed a 1,509 mile 'lap of the map' of Ireland for the RNLI, said she appreciates the value of having and wearing the right clothing for performance:
"For RNLI volunteers, their specialist kit protects them against extreme conditions, giving them a firm footing on unsteady surfaces, allowing them to carry out their lifesaving work."
Arklow lifeboat crew Sinead Myler, Jimmy Myler and Ned Dillon with Mary Nolan Hickey in Glendalough, Co Wicklow
Arklow RNLI mechanic Michael Fitgerald is one of many crew members who will be receiving a new all-weather lifeboat kit.
Irish Lights launches next generation maritime services
Irish Lights chief executive has described the agency’s five-year strategy to 2023 as a “major process of change” that puts the organisation in a strong position operationally, financially and from a government perspective.
“The clue is in the title,” remarked Yvonne Shields at the launch of Safe Seas – Connected Coasts 2018-2023 which maps out a vision to deliver next generation maritime services to protect lives, property, trade and the environment.
The strategy commits Irish Lights to implementing a combination of new and existing navigation technology, engineering and data management solutions to enable safe navigation at sea for commercial shipping, fishing, leisure craft and passenger vessels. Its mission is to be a ‘leading and innovative provider of reliable, efficient and cost-effective navigation and maritime services for the safety of all’, and will be benchmarked against delivery in a ‘tangible, timely and effective way to the benefit of all stakeholders’.
Future governance of historic harbour returns to public control
Control of the 200 year-old harbour of Dún Laoghaire is to return to the democratic control of the local authority. At a special meeting (March 6), Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council voted 24:9 in favour of a motion passed by Cllr Melisa Halpin to support the chief executive’s recommendation.
The vote took place in the context of a risk assessment report that estimates a cost of €31.5m will be needed to bring the harbour up to ‘Taking in Charge’ standard.
New arrivals at Dún Laoghaire Ferry Terminal
Plans are underway to transform the old ferry terminal into a Harbour Innovation Campus — state-of-the-art centre for technology, marine and design businesses that could support up to 1,000 jobs.
The former Ferry Terminal on St. Michael’s Pier was built in 1996 to replace an earlier 1960’s building. It was specifically designed to handle up to 750 foot-passengers at any one time and included everything one would expect of a busy passenger terminal: a duty-free shop, arrivals hall, departures lounge and baggage hall.
Roadmap to develop Ireland’s first marine spatial plan
A three-year process to create a ‘coherent framework’ for Ireland’s marine space in an ‘efficient and sustainable’ manner, aims to balance differing stakeholder demands while protecting the marine environment, according to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Geological Survey Ireland INFOMAR vessels. Seabed mapping is integral to developing Ireland's MSP
Towards a Marine Spatial Plan for Ireland is intended to become a ‘decision-making tool’ for regulatory authorities and policy-makers on issues relating to individual consent applications and informing future sectoral policies and objectives.
Future governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour required before redevelopment decision
Proposed development plans for the old ferry terminal at St Michael’s Pier, Dún Laoghaire Co Dublin, require “detailed scrutiny” according to a former director of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.
The Harbour Innovation Campus vision, brainchild of Dublin-based businessman Philip Gannon, comprises a shared innovation space for technology, marine and design business, and could support up to 1,000 jobs, according the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.
The main hall of the old ferry terminal on St Michael's Pier, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin
Senator Victor Boyhan however highlights acceptability, viability and sustainability, as concerns he will outline in a submission to the planning authority.
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Guest Writer2017-10-30 12:16:482019-05-30 12:57:43Safety will not stand still for Ireland
‘Floating homes’ proposal for Dún Laoghaire Harbour
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is proposing to develop a cluster of floating homes, it describes as ‘an exciting, innovative and affordable-living initiative’, at a cost of €250,000-€300,000 per unit.
The development on a gated pontoon is planned on the weather side of Traders’ Wharf, ‘with views of the west pier, Dublin Bay and the marina in the harbour’.
Cross-border ferry service links Ireland north and south
A one mile ferry journey across Carlingford Lough is being heralded as a major tourism boost for the north-east region of Ireland.
The 20-minute transit, saving passengers almost 35 miles and up to 90 minutes by road, connects the Mourne Coastal Route in the Ancient Kingdom of Mourne to the Carlingrford & Cooley Peninsula through a gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East.