Displaying items by tag: Have Your Say

14th January 2016

Can Ireland Do Better With Visitor Moorings?

#HaveYourSay - With Ireland making a big push for this country's marinas at the London Boat Show this week, Afloat.ie reader Conan Breslin came to us with the following question about mooring for visiting boats in Ireland:

There seems to be no way of getting a mooring certified in Ireland. I own a 40ft Colin Archer yacht in Co Donegal and have often considered the possibility of leaving her on a swinging mooring. However every time I approach the subject with my UK insurer, the question of certification comes up.

Is there an authority which is available in this country that would be in a position to do this? The requirement is for shackles/rope or chain and the anchor to be inspected and signed off on for the season. Could this be addressed so that the visitor mooring system could be more widely used? The use of visitor mooring is not only beneficial to the visiting yachtsman but also less damaging to the seabed.

Secondly, living in the North West of Ireland it is plainly seen that the lack of infrastructure in our many harbours and almost zero marina facilities for the length of our coastline is not a great selling point. Visitors want to be able to leave a yacht and not have to deal with very often begrudging and uncaring commercial users.

Gweedore has the potential for a large marina although the development of such would require some major investment. However it would provide a 50nm stop between Lough Swilly and Killybegs (due to have a marina some time in the near future, I believe). So how does one go about making a proposal to see if it's a feasible option for investment?

What do you think of Conan's queries and suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!

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23rd September 2015

Winter Berth Options: We Want Your Details

#WinterBerths - With the winter mooring period for 2015-2016 fast approaching, what are the berthing options for Ireland's sailing and boating communities?

Howth Yacht Club, for one, has got a head start on the competition with their comprehensive winter package, which includes access to the club's full range of facilities and marine services.

But what else is out there for keeping you and your vessel shun-shape over the colder months?

Afloat.ie will soon have a round-up of winter berth offerings and rates available from marinas around the country - and we want your details.

If your marina or harbour has berths available for the winter months, please let us know with details of your rates and availability in the comments below.

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14th August 2013

New Sailing App Calls For Note of Caution

In our latest Have Your Say contribution, Gary Delaney of Global Position Intelligence (GPI) expresses his concerns about the new ISA sailing app and how it might encourage boat users to be less prepared on the water

With regard to the recent marketing for the new ISA SafeTrx smartphone app, I wish to add a note of caution to those who might consider using it.

Whilst it may well be very useful as a passage plan filing tool, the element of the app which concerns itself with tracking a vessel should NOT be relied upon as it depends solely on mobile phone coverage.

It is widely known that the mobile phone coverage in Irish coastal and nearshore waters is less than reliable (and can deteriorate with the weather) and international maritime safety organisations routinely warn against reliance on mobile phones for communications in those areas.

I am sure that the Irish Coast Guard had originally intended that warnings would be associated with the marketing of the app for this purpose, but the nature of apps and social media is such that they are normally not used for promoting safety critical solutions, and therefore warnings may be getting lost in the promulgation.

In short, neither smartphones nor the GSM/GPRS network that supports them are reliable for any aspect of maritime safety, and there are more suitable technologies already available for the purpose.

As international maritime safety organisations do not normally recommend the use of mobile phone technology for any aspect of marine safety, the Irish Coast Guard must have significant justifications for deviating from this long established policy, and it would be useful if these were stated.

Similarly, it would also be useful to know if this initiative is being supported by the Irish Marine Safety Working Group in the Department of Transport, which has responsibility in this area.

It is well recognised that in the event of a maritime emergency, lifesaving agencies need to know the current position of the casualty as quickly as possible. An assessment of available technologies reveals that only normally approved safety communications devices, such as marine VHF, AIS, EPIRBs, PLBs, ELT, etc can come near guaranteeing that requirement.

These devices have gone through years of global development, advancement, testing and approvals for the purpose in a marine environment and, therefore, only these can be relied upon to minimise the 'search' element of the 'search and rescue' effort – and thereby give casualties the best chance of survival.

Whilst the ISA SafeTrx app may be aimed at those who under current legislation are not required to carry any of the approved devices, I feel that life saving agencies are better served by raising awareness about what is approved and encouraging water users to use them voluntarily anyhow, rather than confusing the message by emphasising the 'tracking' element of the app.

The fact that the app is free (airtime costs excluded), and the approved technologies are not (though very affordable, especially when personal safety is the prize), further confuses the message.

And the RNLI, who have been rescuing people on our coastline for hundreds of years, are very clear that marine VHF is to be preferred over mobile phones in all cases (their website confirms this).

There has been much poorly informed comment in popular media about the SafeTrx app. One comment alleges that the app is particularly suited to "weekend and leisure crews who may prefer more accessible and less sophisticated communication equipment".

But it is not about what is 'preferred', and this and other similar comments are misleading and potentially dangerous, The Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Sailing Association should consider taking action to correct them and ensure suitable warnings are publicly communicated wherever the app is being promoted.

To the best of my knowledge, the Irish Coast Guard has no role in the development, testing or approval of marine safety equipment. Therefore, whatever investment or effort has gone into supporting this app may well have been better spent serving the coastguard's role of raising public awareness around the availability and use of approved marine safety equipment, including the radio and communications devices that are available for use in Irish waters – most likely in co-operation with its other partner agencies in the Irish Marine Safety Working Group.

For my own part, I strongly suggest that water users in coastal areas would use common sense when it comes to their personal safety by investing in approved technologies whether they have to or not and get themselves properly trained to use them.

If using the SafeTrx App, then do so with considerable caution – only as an addition to the approved devices, and then primarily just for filing passage plans.

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11th February 2012

Thanks for Your Comments on Afloat.ie, Keep 'em Comin!

Thanks for your feedback. Each Afloat.ie posting has the opportunity to comment at the end of the story and we're delighted so many readers are getting involved. Join us on facebook, debate on the forum or simply leave a comment on a story. Here's a recent selection:

Loop Head Lighthouse Will Open To Public in 2012

Loop Head Lightkeepers House is available to rent as self catering holiday accommodation through the Irish Landmark Trust. This unique holiday cottage was rescued and restored by the Trust and is a wonderful seaside holiday. To view this holiday home http://tinyurl.com/3lvno34 To make a reservation call Karen on 01 6704733 or book online at www.irishlandmark.com

Julie

LE Ciara Returns to Sea after Hull Repairs
As a nation we should preserve at least one - preferably two - examples of our ships when they retire soon. As far as I know, NOT A SINGLE IRISH NAVAL SERVICE SHIP HAS EVER BEEN PRESERVED IN OVER 80 YEARS. All have been scrapped or sold. Incredible! Other countries keep some of their historic vessels. We need to save 2 vessels as museum ships open to the public, say in Cork (home port) and Dublin (large visitor population inc. tourists).

Peter Lynch

Tralee's Sophie Browne is January Sailor of the Month

A well-deserved distinction for all her effort... Good job Sophie!

Lola Resano

'2k' Format Will be New Lease of Life for Team Racing

This is exactly what I plan to organise for the Dragon Class this October, in the South of France or Italy. I already run a Match Race event in Cascais, Portugal in March. But aim to invite up to 10 European Countries to participate in this 2k format. I have enough International Dragon's at my disposal... Any help would be much appreciated...

Martin Payne

Irish Sea Far From 'Dirty, Lifeless' Says New Website

It is another attack on Ireland and the Irish reputation.We all know many a mammal and fish is traveling away from their usual waters to our waters as ours is safest and one of the cleanest.Now all we have to do is protect it from those who would wish to fish and take advantage of it.Like the EU.If they get a hand anymore on our country god help our seas also.I fear for Ireland and its seas and future.They all but fished and decimated their own seas and oceans now trying to attack ours. Ireland need's to protect and block any who would seek to try and take our borders in our sea and land.

Grainne

First Sail for Galway Hooker in Arab Waters

Great to see a galway hooker sailing in Abu Dhabi. The Dhow sailing in galway bay will be a wonderful Site too. Good luck to all involved.

Thomas Taaffe

Dalkey Meeting to Discuss Proposed Oil Drilling

Don't do it - completely against the destruction of a beautiful area. Seán Dublin Bay may no longer be there but we must preserve what's left of Dublin Bay. The SPA must be maintained in this area.

Trish Corbett

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Changing Ocean Climate

Our ocean and climate are inextricably linked - the ocean plays a crucial role in the global climate system in a number of ways. These include absorbing excess heat from the atmosphere and absorbing 30 per cent of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activity. But our marine ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure due to climate change.

The Marine Institute, with its national and international partners, works to observe and understand how our ocean is changing and analyses, models and projects the impacts of our changing oceans. Advice and forecasting projections of our changing oceans and climate are essential to create effective policies and management decisions to safeguard our ocean.

Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute, said, “Our ocean is fundamental to life on earth and affects so many facets of our everyday activities. One of the greatest challenges we face as a society is that of our changing climate. The strong international collaborations that the Marine Institute has built up over decades facilitates a shared focusing on our changing ocean climate and developing new and enhanced ways of monitoring it and tracking changes over time.

“Our knowledge and services help us to observe these patterns of change and identify the steps to safeguard our marine ecosystems for future generations.”

The Marine Institute’s annual ocean climate research survey, which has been running since 2004, facilitates long term monitoring of the deep water environment to the west of Ireland. This repeat survey, which takes place on board RV Celtic Explorer, enables scientists to establish baseline oceanic conditions in Irish waters that can be used as a benchmark for future changes.

Scientists collect data on temperature, salinity, water currents, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Atlantic Ocean. This high quality oceanographic data contributes to the Atlantic Ocean Observing System. Physical oceanographic data from the survey is submitted to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and, in addition, the survey contributes to national research such as the VOCAB ocean acidification and biogeochemistry project, the ‘Clean Atlantic’ project on marine litter and the A4 marine climate change project.

Dr Caroline Cusack, who co-ordinates scientific activities on board the RV Celtic Explorer for the annual survey, said, “The generation of long-term series to monitor ocean climate is vital to allow us understand the likely impact of future changes in ocean climate on ecosystems and other marine resources.”

Other activities during the survey in 2019 included the deployment of oceanographic gliders, two Argo floats (Ireland’s contribution to EuroArgo) and four surface drifters (Interreg Atlantic Area Clean Atlantic project). The new Argo floats have the capacity to measure dissolved ocean and biogeochemical parameters from the ocean surface down to a depth of 2,000 metres continuously for up to four years, providing important information as to the health of our oceans.

During the 2019 survey, the RV Celtic Explorer retrieved a string of oceanographic sensors from the deep ocean at an adjacent subsurface moored station and deployed a replacement M6 weather buoy, as part of the Irish Marine Data Buoy Observation Network (IMDBON).

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the IMDBON is managed by the Marine Institute in collaboration with Met Éireann and is designed to improve weather forecasts and safety at sea around Ireland. The data buoys have instruments which collect weather and ocean data including wind speed and direction, pressure, air and sea surface temperature and wave statistics. This data provides vital information for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings as well as data for general public information and research.

“It is only in the last 20 years, meteorologists and climatologists have really began to understood the pivotal role the ocean plays in determining our climate and weather,” said Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann. “The real-time information provided by the Irish data buoy network is particularly important for our mariners and rescue services. The M6 data buoy in the Atlantic provides vital information on swell waves generated by Atlantic storms. Even though the weather and winds may be calm around our shores, there could be some very high swells coming in from Atlantic storms.”