Weekly Maritime News and Affairs with Tom MacSweeney
As I write this week's blog there is still no definite word emanating from the closed cloisters inhabited at present by the leading negotiating lights of Fine Gael and the Labour Party on the future governing of this island nation.…
Marine Department Promised, First America's Cup Capsize, Whales and Sailing Oil Tankers
26th February 2011 Island Nation
I am reflecting this week on a varied list of maritime issues which have arisen in my writings on marine topics. Following recent pieces I wrote about the attitude of political parties in the General Election towards the marine sector,…
I remember the pride I felt when describing on television the Parade of the Tall Ships down the River Suir from Waterford in 2005. Three Irish tall ships led it. First was ASGARD II, Ireland's national tall ship; followed by…
Ireland needs jobs. From any source they would be welcome. This is the main topic of economic debate in the General Election. So why then have I not seen the publication by any political party of a plan for job…
Over the past few seasons the use of lifejackets by crews on racing yachts has increased. There was a time when jackets were bulky, awkward and difficult to use in racing situations. The arrival of lighter, collar-type jackets, with built-in,…
It was a sailor from Plymouth on the south-west coast of England, named Bob Salmon, who originally came up with the idea of a "mini" transAtlantic Yacht Race. In the late 1970s he wanted to develop a "relatively affordable" solo…
There are those who don't like sailing – and even some in the sport itself – who have described watching a sailing race as "about as interesting as watching paint dry. While exciting pictures have been available from the Volvo…
I had to read the figures twice to make sure that I was seeing them correctly. The second reading made me even more angry than the first. They were, at last, a definitive figure of how much the stupidity of…
Ireland has the largest maritime area-to-land mass in the European Union, but derives only 1% of GDP from the maritime sector. At a time when the economy needs every benefit it can get this figure is startling, particularly when compared…
"When Damian is on a project, it is often the winning one. As such, it is better to have him with us rather than against us." That tribute to Damian Foxall comes from Franck Cammas, renowned amongst the top sailors…
My first experience of racing was in a National 18 wooden dinghy and it was rough. Inexperienced as a crewman during a race in Monkstown Bay, I slit the top of a finger across a chain plate while pulling in…
I am glad to see that efforts are being made to restore the national sail training programme, but less sanguine about reposing any confidence in the present Government to give practical assistance. I talked a few weeks ago with the…
My time on the water has been spent 'on the surface,' but those who like to go underwater tell me the attractions of diving are magnificent and that Cork Harbour, my sailing base atop the water, is one of the…
City Quay in the centre of Dublin can be a cold place when the wind whips upriver from the open sea. There was a 'bite' in the wind as I stood there in late November last year, recording the sounds…
I wonder whether there might be interest in forming an Irish Maritime Foundation? I raise the question having discussed the possibility with those who run the UK Maritime Foundation and whose views about the sea about the sea impressed me…
I have long admired the commitment and dedication to sailing of David Harte in Schull. With his design of the TR 3.6 he has achieved what may well prove to be the ideal boat for team racing. This aspect of…
