Work Vessels of Varying Size and Shape Arrive in Dublin Bay Including Floating Crane-Ship

25th October 2023

Among a trio of work vessels that arrived into Dublin Bay today and bound for the capital port was the floating crane-ship, Lara 1 as seen in the familiar waters of the Mersey with the backdrop of Liverpool. The vessel’s crane with a reach of 250 tonnes, has been to Irish ports before, including Arklow where the Spirit of Rathlin, a rare example of a car-ferry built in Ireland was hoisted from the quayside into the River Avoca. Credit: Hapo Barges-facebook

Three vessels approaching Dublin Bay were observed off Howth Peninsula today as a tug, barge and a self-propelled heavy-lift crane-ship had sailed from Irish and English ports, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The tug Chloe May (formerly Afon LLigwy) had astern a barge, B305 which having departed from Greencastle, Co. Donegal yesterday lunch-hour, was bound for Dublin Port with an arrival at berth 53. This berth at Terminal 2 is used by Stena Line’s two ferries on their service to Holyhead, Afloat will have more to report as for the reason of the call by the tug and barge.

While nearby of Chloe May’s arrival in Dublin Bay at noon was Lara 1, a self-propelled crane ship from Liverpool which had also departed yesterday albeit in the morning from its Merseyside berth. The 1,793 gross tonnes crane-ship was bound for berth 18, part of Terminal 3, is where CLdN Ro Ro S.A. operate freight ferries linking Liverpool, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam and Santander. Again Afloat will have more to update on this activity with the crane-ship arriving at berth 18 along the North Wall Quay Extension next to the Tom Clarke (East-Link) Toll-Bridge.

The crane-ship built in 1986 would be more familiar to some as the former Mersey Mammoth which was previously operated by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company (MDHC) which in turn beforehand was the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (MDHB). The Port of Liverpool, is now part of the Peel Ports Group, and is a principal charterer of the Lara 1 from Hapo International Barges B.V. of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

As Afloat reported in 2016, the Lara 1 headed across the Irish Sea to Arklow to lift the 140 passenger / 6 vehicle ferry newbuild, Spirit of Rathlin completed by Arklow Marine Services. The crane ship raised the newbuild (a rare example of an Irish built car-ferry) from the quayside and lowered it into the River Avoca and after sea trials including at Greystones departed to serve its island namesake off Co. Antrim.

Following Chloe May's brief call to Dublin today, the tug set off from the capital and having passed the inbound Lara 1 as alluded above took place near the North Burford Buoy just before 1500hrs. The crane-ship having been offshore of Dublin Bay, was awaiting its allocated arrival time to the port.

Chloe May was the former Afon LLigwy of Holyhead Towing which in 2002 was built originally as the Herman by the Dutch shipyard group, Damen to its Shoalbuster 2208 design. This tug is similar in appearance to Wicklow based Alpha Marine's AMS Retriever which belongs to the shipyard's Shoalbuster 2409 series.

Last year Afon Lligwy was sold to Foyle & Marine Dredging Ltd where the renamed tug has since been assisting operations with the north-west based company which has a head office in Moville near Greencastle. In addition the dredging contractor has offices located in Letterkenny and across the Foyle in Claudy.

Noting the Afon LLigwy’s former fleetmate in Holyhead Towing saw their 23 tonnes bollard pull Afon Wen also call to Dublin Port during the summer but based on longer term duties to carry out port related work including those observed in Dublin Bay.

In the last couple of years the 12 crew capacity Afon Wen worked on long term charters in the Arctic, Poland and in the south of France but further research reveals more overseas duties for example in Africa took place at the mouth of the River Congo in The Gambon.

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay on the east coast of Ireland stretches over seven kilometres, from Howth Head on its northern tip to Dalkey Island in the south. It's a place most Dubliners simply take for granted, and one of the capital's least visited places. But there's more going on out there than you'd imagine.

The biggest boating centre is at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the Bay's south shore that is home to over 1,500 pleasure craft, four waterfront yacht clubs and Ireland's largest marina.

The bay is rather shallow with many sandbanks and rocky outcrops, and was notorious in the past for shipwrecks, especially when the wind was from the east. Until modern times, many ships and their passengers were lost along the treacherous coastline from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, less than a kilometre from shore.

The Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea and is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and 7 km in length to its apex at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south. North Bull Island is situated in the northwest part of the bay, where one of two major inshore sandbanks lie, and features a 5 km long sandy beach, Dollymount Strand, fronting an internationally recognised wildfowl reserve. Many of the rivers of Dublin reach the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay: the River Liffey, with the River Dodder flow received less than 1 km inland, River Tolka, and various smaller rivers and streams.

Dublin Bay FAQs

What beaches are there on Dublin Bay?

There are approximately ten beaches and bathing spots around Dublin Bay: Dollymount Strand; Forty Foot Bathing Place; Half Moon bathing spot; Merrion Strand; Bull Wall; Sandycove Beach; Sandymount Strand; Seapoint; Shelley Banks; Sutton, Burrow Beach

Where are the public slipways to launch a boat on Dublin Bay?

There are slipways on the north side of Dublin Bay at Clontarf, Sutton and on the southside at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in Dalkey at Coliemore and Bulloch Harbours.

Who is in charge of Dublin Bay?

Dublin Bay is administered by a number of Government Departments, three local authorities and several statutory agencies. Dublin Port Company is in charge of navigation on the Bay.

How big is Dublin Bay?

Dublin Bay is approximately 70 sq kilometres or 7,000 hectares. The Bay is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and seven km in length east-west to its peak at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south.

What piers or harbours are there on Dublin Bay?

Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the southside of the Bay has an East and West Pier, each one kilometre long; this is one of the largest human-made harbours in the world. There also piers or walls at the entrance to the River Liffey at Dublin city known as the Great North and South Walls. Other harbours on the Bay include Bulloch Harbour and Coliemore Harbours both at Dalkey.

Are there marinas on Dublin Bay?

There are two marinas on Dublin Bay. Ireland's largest marina with over 800 berths is on the southern shore at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The other is at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on the River Liffey close to Dublin City.

What ferries operate on Dublin Bay?

Car and passenger Ferries operate from Dublin Port to the UK, Isle of Man and France. A passenger ferry operates from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth as well as providing tourist voyages around the bay.

Are there Islands on Dublin Bay?

Dublin Bay has two Islands. Bull Island at Clontarf and Dalkey Island on the southern shore of the Bay.

What is the river that flows into Dublin Bay?

The River Liffey flows through Dublin city and into the Bay. Its tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac.

What are the popular kitesurfing spots on Dublin Bay?

Dollymount, Burrow and Seapoint beaches

How many pleasure craft are there on Dublin Bay?

Approximately 1,500 boats from small dinghies to motorboats to ocean-going yachts. The vast majority, over 1,000, are moored at Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is Ireland's boating capital.

Is Dublin Bay a UNESCO Biosphere?

In 1981, UNESCO recognised the importance of Dublin Bay by designating North Bull Island as a Biosphere because of its rare and internationally important habitats and species of wildlife. To support sustainable development, UNESCO’s concept of a Biosphere has evolved to include not just areas of ecological value but also the areas around them and the communities that live and work within these areas. There have since been additional international and national designations, covering much of Dublin Bay, to ensure the protection of its water quality and biodiversity. To fulfil these broader management aims for the ecosystem, the Biosphere was expanded in 2015. The Biosphere now covers Dublin Bay, reflecting its significant environmental, economic, cultural and tourism importance, and extends to over 300km² to include the bay, the shore and nearby residential areas.

What yacht clubs are on Dublin Bay?

On the Southside at Dun Laoghaire, there is the National Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club as well as Dublin Bay Sailing Club. In the city centre, there is Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. On the Northside of Dublin, there is Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and Sutton Dinghy Club. While not on Dublin Bay, Howth Yacht Club is the major north Dublin Sailing centre.

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