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#Ports&Shipping - At 184m in length, CPO Germany which became the biggest ship ever to dock in the Port of Larne, departed the Co. Antrim port recently following routine maintenance, writes Jehan Ashmore

The London registered tanker at almost 20m longer than the port's regular ferry customers became the longest to berth. The ferries European Causeway and European Highlander which are near-sisters operate P&O Ferries route to Cairnryan on the North Channel. 

Port of Larne is building a reputation in accommodating ships of all sizes and in managing an increasing amount of cargo, project cargo (i.e. wind turbines) and the aforementioned maintenance service to its portfolio in addition to other non-ferry related work.

Handing the operations of CPO Germany required the Port of Larne along with the Doyle Shipping Group (DSG). Among the duties required involved the deployment of tugs for the departure of the tanker. This saw a tug/workboat from the John McLoughlin & Son fleet located in the port joined by two tugs based in neighbouring Belfast Harbour.

As seen in the above photo at the tanker's bow is the red-hulled Merchantman. The 24.4m ASD bollard pull tug of 72 tons is based in Belfast Harbour and operated by SMS Towage that began business in the port during 2013.  SMS Towage is an East Yorkshire company located in Hessle. The town is close to the Humber Bridge which is upriver of Kingstown-upon-Hull.

As previously reported on Afloat, ABP's Port of Hull invested in of a pair of Irish built ship-to-shore container cranes installed at the fourth busiest trading estuary in Europe. Afloat will have more to report on SMS operations at the UK North Sea port.

Published in Ports & Shipping

Beneteau 31.7 sailing in Ireland

In Ireland, the Beneteau First 31.7 Ireland One Design Class Association encourages and develop the use of the Beneteau First 31.7 yacht as a one-design keelboat, mainly for racing. 

Each year the association stages national championships with boats coming from different sailing across Ireland. The main centre is Dun Laoghaire Harbour where the bulk of the fleet (15 boats) are based at the National Yacht club but are moored at Dun Laoghaire Marina.

The Beneteau 31.7 boat is not new to Dublin Bay, as boats of this size and type have competed in DBSC in the Cruiser 2 class for some years.

However during the 2006 season, due to their increased numbers, DBSC granted the class its own racing start, thereby facilitating one-design racing for this cruiser/racer. 

Since then it has become one of the biggest one-design keelboat classes on the Bay.

One-design rules were drawn up to discourage modifications, maintain a level playing field and set a generally ‘Corinthian’ ethos.

To preserve the cruising dimension, the boat races with cushions aboard.

Numbers entered in DBSC have settled down to approx 15-18 boats, and regular Thursday and Saturday attendances over the season are usually of the order of 14 to 16 boats, reflecting good participation by members. Racing is close and competitive. 

In addition to scratch results, ECHO results are also posted. This combines the best of both worlds, providing one-design racing which the members like, while also providing an incentive and interest in turning out for those boats who may not always approach podium position on scratch.

At A Glance – Beneteau First 31.7 Specifications

L.O.A 9.61 m
Hull length 9.50 m
L.W.L. 8.80 m
Beam 3.23 m
Draught min (Deep draught keel) Cast iron 1.90 m
Ballast weight (Deep draught keel) 1 025 kg
Air draught (max) 13.90 m
Light displacement (EC) 3 750 kg
Fuel capacity 30 l
Freshwater capacity 160 l
Engine power 21 HP

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