Displaying items by tag: Cork Harbour
Collins Ends SB3 Champs in 11th Place
Top Irish perfomer Mel Collins and his Royal Cork crew have ended up 11th overall at the SB3 Worlds in Torquay today.
The winners were Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills and Emma Clarke (GBR) Video with the winners below.. Carveth and crew have sailed an excellent series of qualifying and finals races and win the 2011 Championship with a 4 point lead.
One place behind Collins was Howth's Ben Duncan in 12th. Overall results below. To view all our coverage of this week's SB3 Worlds click here.
Going afloat this morning, Robert Greenhalgh and crew (GBR) lead the Gold Fleet by 5 points. At the first windward mark of Race 1, Rob Gullan (GBR) lead the course, tailed by John Pollard (GBR) and Geoff Carveth (GBR). Greenhalgh rounded deep in the pack. At the leeward mark, Greenhalgh had recovered some ground, but not enough.
It looked like Rob Gullan was on to take the first of the "2 bullets," he'd joked about in our interview the night before. On the second lap, Gullan lead Pollard and Carveth. Rodion Luka and 'Team Russia' were hot on the heels of the leaders. Choosing the right of the course for his final downwind leg, it paid off and Team Russia went on to win the first race of the day and the first race of their Championship. Carveth finished fourth. Greenhalgh finished seventeenth.
Carveth lead Greenhalgh by 2 points going into the final race of the Zhik SB3 World Championship 2011. The pressure was on Carveth to defend and Greenhalgh to attack.
By the first windward mark of Race 2, Race Ahead, helmed by 2010 South African Sailor of the Year, Asenathi Jim lead the fleet, Carveth rounded 2nd. Greenhalgh rounded 5th. At the leeward gate, Asenathi Jim had extended his lead. Carveth followed the South Africans around the left leeward mark; Greenhalgh went right. By the windward mark on the second lap, positions hadn't changed. Carveth had extended his lead and Greenhalgh's hopes of victory were fading fast.
Asenathi Jim won the final race of the Championships. Carveth crossed the finish line second, securing his victory of the Zhik SB3 World Championships 2011.
"Awesome," "Fantastic," and "Amazing" cheered the crew of Race Team Gill as they hit the dock in Torquay after racing. Carveth explained their day, "In Race 1 today Robert and I sailed our own races, we gained the upper hand and then covered Rob on the start of the second race and took control." The rest they say is history. "We'll be celebrating with a few beers this evening! We've had a great week and we're sailed really well as a crew."
Geoff Carveth is a second time World Champion in the Laser SB3 class, having won the 2008 Worlds in Dun Laoghaire. "It means a lot to win it twice, it shows the first time wasn't just a fluke!"
The Silver fleet of the Zhik Laser SB3 World Championships was won by French team 'Tad Minus', helmed by Vinvent Biarnes and crewed by Nicholas Heintz and Sam Bell.
In 2012, the Laser SB3 European Championships will be held in Medemblik, Netherlands from 1st – 7th September and the World Championships will be held at Hamilton Island, Australia from 13th – 20th December. The Laser SB3 Class has had a fantastic Championships hosted by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK. Thanks go to all of our generous sponsors, supporters and volunteers. Title sponsors, Zhik, have been fantastic to work with and our extreme thanks go to them for helping us put this event on the map.
Series Place | Sail No | Bow No | Boat | Helm | Series Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GBR3053 | 111 | Race Team Gill | Geoff Carveth | 46 |
2 | GBR3489 | 19 | Red | Robert Greenhalgh | 50 |
3 | GBR3042 | 54 | Gill Racing Team | Craig Burlton | 76 |
4 | AUS3108 | 70 | Club Marine | Glenn Bourke | 83 |
5 | GBR3058 | 15 | Xcellent | John Pollard | 90 |
6 | GBR3047 | 95 | Parkway Pirates | Rob Gullan | 97 |
7 | RSA3469 | 49 | Musto Race Ahead | Asenathi Jim | 100 |
8 | GBR3082 | 68 | Henri Lloyd/Forelle Estates | Joe Llewellyn | 101 |
9 | RUS3554 | 109 | Team Russia | Rodion Luka | 110 |
10 | ITA3073 | 39 | Stenghele | Roberto Caresani | 114 |
11 | IRL3324 | 22 | Sibelus | Mel Collins | 122 |
12 | AUS3063 | 32 | One Design Sailing | Nathan Outteridge | 134 |
13 | NZL3287 | 36 | Sailing West - Sharkbait | Ben Duncan | 140 |
14 | GBR3475 | 57 | Perky III | Jez Entwistle | 159 |
15 | GBR3065 | 65 | Rola-Trac | Peter Saxton | 180 |
16 | ITA3543 | 101 | Bravi Thytronic | Giovanni Meloni | 193 |
17 | GBR3462 | 58 | Underground Toys | Andrew Oddie | 196 |
18 | GBR3032 | 92 | Rumbleflurg | David Cummins | 197 |
19 | GBR3149 | 16 | Poor Buoy | Mark Gillett | 205 |
20 | GBR3336 | 8 | Uber 3 | Adrian Peach | 210 |
21 | GBR3465 | 26 | 3 Sad Old Blokes | Jerry Hill | 213 |
22 | GBR3575 | 56 | Sailboat Deliveries | Sarah Allan | 218 |
23 | GBR3305 | 55 | Rigging Gurus | Mark Richards | 226 |
24 | GBR3134 | 84 | Marilyn | Dom Ford | 228 |
25 | GER3561 | 86 | Razzmatazz | Sebastian Dohrendorf | 240 |
26 | GBR3292 | 93 | Chill Pill | Tich Summers | 242 |
27 | GBR3106 | 37 | Tom Clay | 243 | |
28 | GBR3546 | 98 | Orthteam | Richard Catchpole | 243 |
29 | GBR3517 | 75 | Doolalli | Colin Simonds | 258 |
30 | GBR3079 | 116 | Excuse Me Gents | Ann Jackson | 264 |
31 | IRL3298 | 64 | Toucan 3 | Ross Vaughan | 269 |
32 | GBR3556 | 69 | Herbie | Phil Tilley | 283 |
33 | GBR3027 | 63 | Darling Associates | Chris Darling | 284 |
34 | NED3441 | 17 | Rivium | Paul Gast | 290 |
35 | GBR3029 | 44 | 3-Some | Niall Peelo | 293 |
36 | GBR3084 | 1 | Eau No! | Mark Sotkes | 293 |
37 | GBR3510 | 52 | Hutton's | Richard Wharram | 300 |
38 | GBR3021 | 51 | Here Comes Bod | Charlie Whelan | 301 |
39 | ITA3596 | 99 | Briefing | Luca Bacci | 316 |
40 | ITA3606 | 114 | Lunatico XS | Aurelio Bini | 325 |
41 | GBR3276 | 89 | Trouble & Strife | Ian Armstrong | 335 |
42 | GBR3183 | 30 | Respect | John Danby | 340 |
43 | GER3402 | 21 | Norah | Daniel Spaenle | 346.2 |
44 | GBR3464 | 5 | Eric | Martin Wedge | 347 |
45 | AUS3607 | 104 | Wysiwyg VI | Stephen Fries | 349 |
46 | GBR3041 | 67 | Robina | Dan Goodman | 349 |
47 | UKR3443 | 78 | Transbunker | Polovy Valeriy | 353 |
48 | BEL3472 | 35 | Los Zapateros | Alex Schoenmakers | 355 |
49 | GBR3468 | 60 | Fully Badgered | Paul Lovejoy | 365 |
50 | IRL3338 | 59 | Milvus Milvus | Robert Howe | 400 |
51 | IRL3312 | 91 | Bomchickawahwah | John O'Driscoll | 424 |
52 | IRL3226 | 112 | Quantitative Easing | Paul McMahon | 429 |
Tux takes Second Win in Royal Cork League
Once again there was a superb evening of Royal Cork Yacht Club racing in Cork Harbour last night. There was a strong cool breeze at the start with some debate about a No. 1 or No.2 . No. 1 was the call and just as well because the wind dropped as the race went on, going from about 18 knots down to 10 knots coming from the south west.
It was a good night for "Thistle" Peter Webster in White Sail, "Junebug" Sarah Hyde in Class 3, "Magnet" Kieran & Liz O'Brien in Class 2 (their third bullet of the league) and "Tux" Mary O'Keefe getting her second first of the league.
The Race Officer set an excellent course (Course No.97). A nice beat from Corbeg to the Cage Buoy off the Grassy Walk Line. The tide was still flooding quite strong even though there was only an hour left in the tide.
There was a long Spinnaker run up the harbour to No.11 a gybe and on towards Aghada to East Ferry 1 Buoy. "I couldn't believe that it was my first time being at this side of the harbour this year" remarked one crew. Once around the mark the fleet were beating again back leaving No.9 to port and on to the Cage.
After that there was a short run to Corkbeg and a short beat back to the finish at the Cage.
A floating crane-barge with a 1,000 ton lifting capacity hoisted the structure sky-high away from the ship which was berthed at the Grand Bahama Shipyard drydock facility. The ships owners, Princess Cruises cited the main reason for the removal was in order to 'significantly improve the operational performance of the ship, including greater fuel efficiency.'
Grand Princess may have lost her signature Skywalker Nightckub but three-decks below a new nightclub, One5, inspired by its Deck 15 location was created. In addition to this work which took place during April and May the 2,600 passenger cruisehip also underwent a major refit. The ship which had its last major refurbishment in 2004 has amenities to include an outdoor movie screen, fitness centre, spa, casino and four swimming pools.
For 'interactive' deckplans click here and interior slideshow click this link.
The distinctive 'Skywalker' feature became one of the most iconic in cruiseship naval architecture when the Grand Princess was launched as leadship
of the 'Grand' class in 1998. Located at the extreme aft of the vessel, the nightclub could only be reached by clubbers using an angled walkway (photo). Externally the feature was referred by some as the 'shopping trolley' and others percieved the design infleunce from towering poops found on ancient war-faring galleons.
Irrespective of the design origins, another 10 'Grand' class vessels were built by the Italian Fincantieni (at Malfalcone) Shipbuilding Group. The 'handle' (photo) feature on the Grand Princess was made with a heavier material compared to Golden Princess (2001) and Star Princess completed a year later. So there are no plans to remove these nightclubs. Of the more recent additions to the class modifications have appeared, notably without the inclusion of the Skywalker Nightclub's but there are changes to funnel designs.
Outside the Princess Cruises brand, the Ventura and Azura (also of the Grand-class) operate for P&O Cruises, serving the UK market from Southampton. The Hamsphire port welcomed the pioneering leadship Grand Princess on 5 May after she made a 16-day trans-Atlantic repositioning voyage from Port Everglades.
The cruiseship which has a crew of 1,200 alone will make the UK port its seasonal homeport this year from where she sails on cruises in Europe. On one of these cruises itineraries the Grand Princess (290m long x 36 beam X 8.5m draft) included a visit to the Port of Cork today. You can monitor the ship from Cobh Cruise Terminal via the 'live' bridge web-cam, noting the vessel is due to depart at 18.00 this evening bound for Dublin Port.
Grand Princess became the first cruiseship to measure over 100,000 gross registered tonnes when the 108,806 (grt) vessel docked in Dublin on 31 August 2004.
Last year the port handled 88 cruisecalls and this number of vessels is to be closely repeated this season. Over 200 cruise calls with around half a million passengers and crew are scheduled to visit the island of Ireland. The cruise sector business is estimated to generate €60m to the economies
north and south.
Regatta Entry Deadlines Looming
Deadlines for entry in to a number of this season's key sailing regattas are looming. Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta's significantly reduced early bird entry rate for the July 7th event will end on Monday and offshore racers intending to race in June 11th's 320-mile Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race must enter by next Friday 20th. The ICRA Cruiser Championships in Crosshaven takes place from the 17th to 19th June, a fixture that suits those boats intending to compete in the Dingle race. Race details can be downloaded below.
O'Keefe's Tux Wins Royal Cork Race
Short legs and plenty of mark roundings and a WNW breeze of 15 to 18 knots with flat water and sunshine made for a great night's sailing at Royal Cork Yacht Club.
There were over 20 boats racing in the McWilliam Sailmakers May league. Class 1 started at 19.00hrs, then Class 2 & 3 at 19.05 and then the White Sail at 19.10.
Race Officer was Edmund Cogan (National 18 sailor) with the help of his team. The combnined fleet started at Corkbeg and the firt leg was a beat to No.8, staying on the Eastern side of the course seemed to pay off.
The tide was ebbing with low water at 20.00hrs but for neap tides, there was still a good flow out of the harbour.
Adding an extra complication to race tactics was a cable laying tug in the middle of the course with yellow marker buoys around it, marking an exclusion zone. 'Do we go North or South?' was the decision skippers had to make.
Far easier was remembering the course; all the marks were to starboard.
After No.8 there was a short reach to No.10. After No.10 the fleet headed for No.7 before a gybe back to Corkbeg.
Spinnakers came down at Corkbeg and a close-hauled reach across the harbour to the Cage Buoy off the Grassy Walk line.
After that there was another reach back the way we came to Corkbeg, with big debates whether to carry a kite or not. .
The fleet rounded Corbeg and then reached close-hauled once again back to the finish line at the Grassy Walk.
Main results below
Series Place | Sail No | Boat | Type of Boat | Owner | Handicap | Series Points | Race 1 | Race 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | IRL3209 | Endgame | A35 | Frank Doyle | 1.031 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
2 | IRL6021 | Ellida | X332 | Ria Lyden | 0.986 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
3 | IRL8991 | Exhale | X362 Sport | Diarmuid & Hilda Good | 1.024 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
4 | IRL892 | Tux | X332 | Mary O'Keeffe | 0.981 | 8 | 7 | 1 |
5 | IRL2003 | Gloves Off | Corby 38 | Kieran Twomey | 1.115 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
6 | IRL7290 | Felix | X332 | Michael Wallace | 0.981 | 11 | 4 | 7 |
7 | IRL2805 | Indulgence | Dufour 36 | Aidan Heffernan | 1.023 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
8 | IRL1367 | Endeavour | First 36.7 | Conor & Denise Phelan | 1.009 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
8 | IRL2007 | Jump Juice | Ker 37 | C & D Phelan | 1.105 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
8 | IRL3939 | Antix | Ker 39 | Anthony O'Leary | 1.129 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
8 | IRL4430 | Samba | Sunfast 40.3 | John Downing | 1.030 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
8 | IRL9609 | Jelly Baby | J109 | Ian Nagle & Paul O'Malley | 1.029 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
8 | IRL9834 | True Penance | Projection 35 Mod | Colman Garvey & Martin Darrer | 16 | 7 | 9 | |
8 | IRL13500 | D-Tox | X35 | Donal O'Leary | 16 | 7 | 9 | |
8 | IRL17200 | Antix Beag | 1720 Mod | Robert O'Leary | 1.005 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
Series Place | Sail No | Boat | Type of Boat | Owner | Handicap | Series Points | Race 1 | Race 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GBR9896 | Magnet | MG335 | Kieran & Liz O'Brien | 0.945 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
2 | IRL9732 | Wicked | Sunfast 32 | Mark Mendell | 0.940 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
3 | IRL16859 | Bad Company | Sunfast 32 | Desmond, Ivers & Deasy | 0.939 | 8 | 6 | 2 |
4 | IRL1022 | Aramis | Contessa 33 | Pat Vaughan | 0.929 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
5 | IRL78 | No Gnomes | Nicholson 33 mod | Leonard Donnery | 0.910 | 11 | 3 | 8 |
6 | IRL1972 | No Excuse | X 302 MK2 | Ted Crosbie | 0.931 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
7 | IRL1193 | Catalpa | First 31.7 | Derry Nash | 0.955 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
8 | IRL6676 | Y-Knot | First 32S5 | Pat Barrett & Cathal Conlon | 0.933 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
9 | GBR7525 | Thunderbird | Corby 25 | Denis Coleman | 0.940 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
9 | IRL2005 | Gosling | First 31.7 | Gerard O'Sullivan | 0.955 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
9 | IRL2525 | Yanks $ Ffrancs | Corby 25 | Vincent O'Shea | 0.938 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
9 | IRL3492 | Big Deal | Dehler 34 | Derek Dillon | 0.925 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
9 | IRL3651 | Aisling | Dufour 36 | Bryan Heffernan | 0.933 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
9 | IRL3861 | Cavatina | Granada 38 | Ian Hickey | 0.928 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
9 | IRL9187 | Aurora | Corby 25 | Ronan Lydon | 0.935 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
9 | IRL9992 | Split Point | Dufour 34 Performance | Seamus Gilroy | 0.966 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
Series Place | Sail No | Boat | Type of Boat | Owner | Handicap | Series Points | Race 1 | Race 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | IRL3691W | Silk Breeze | Dehler 36 | Ernie Dillon | 0.927 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
2 | IRL3612W | Sweet Dreams | Sun Odyssey 36i | Batt O'Leary | 0.982 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
3 | IRL2510W | Lady T | Jeanneau 32i | Michael Lynch | 0.940 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
4 | GBR1786YW | Thistle | Hustler 25.5 | Peter Webster | 0.805 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
5 | IRL3610W | Elegance | Sun Odyssey 36i | Paul O'Shea | 0.963 | 11 | 4 | 7 |
6 | IRL1022W | Aramis | Contessa 33 | Pat Vaughan | 0.920 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
6 | IRL1950W | X-Tension | X-372MH | Conor O'Donovan | 0.952 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
6 | IRL2005W | Gosling | Beneteau 31.7 | Ger O'Sulllivan | 0.945 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
6 | IRL2406W | Expression | Jeaneau 30 | Billy Duane | 0.868 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
6 | IRL3492W | Big Deal | Dehler 34 | Derek Dillon | 0.915 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
6 | IRL3651W | Aisling | Dufour 365 | Brian Heffernan | 0.930 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
6 | IRL3861W | Cavatina | Granada 38 | Ian Hickey | 0.913 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
6 | IRL9992W | Split Point | Dufour 34 | Seamus Gilroy | 0.955 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
Finnish Minelayer to Visit Cork
The Finnish Navy minelayer FNS Hämeenmaa is to dock in the Port of Cork at the city's central North Custom House Quay tomorrow morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.
FNS Hämeenmaa entered service in 1992 and measures 1,450 tonnes, she is the namesake class of two minelayers, the second FNS Uusimaa was also built by Finnyards in the same year.
At nearly 78m long the steel hulled vessels which have an alloy superstructure are designed to operate throughout the year in the demanding Baltic Sea conditions and the in the archipelago's.
They have an ice operating classification of ICE-1A and for military purposes they became one of first Finnish Navy vessels to incorporate stealth technology features. The pair are primarily tasked for minelaying duties but they also provide roles acting as an escort, transport and depot ships.
Armament comprises of 1 × Bofors 57 mm dual-purpose gun, 1 × eight-cell ItO 04 surface-to-air missile launcher, 2 × anti-submarine rocket launchers, 2 × depth charge rails and 100-150 sea mines (four mine laying rails).
Based in Pansio, the 20 knot vessels each have a crew complement of 60 personal. In total the Finnish Navy has around 2,100 officers, officer specialists and warrant officers, military personnel and civilian's workers.
On an annual basis close to 3,900 conscripts, of which approximately 30 are women volunteers do their military service in the navy. In addition about 3,400 reservists are trained yearly in naval refresher courses.
Varadkar Supports Deepwater Port at Bremore
Drogheda Port Company successfully managed to navigate the global economic downturn with an improved and solid performance for 2010, delegates where informed during its annual report released yesterday, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Speaking about the performance of Drogheda Port Company, Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said; "I congratulate the company on its solid trading performance in 2010 following a difficult year in 2009. Both imports and exports through the port returned to growth in 2010. The company has managed its costs well and remains profitable. I support the company's plans to develop the existing port and indeed to continue to progress its proposal for a new deepwater port at Bremore.
The Minister added "this country's return to economic prosperity will be export-led and Irish ports will play an important role in facilitating that trade. The overall structure of the State's ports will be reviewed later this year as part of the current Ports Policy Review and will take account of the recent recommendations of the McCarthy Group. Irrespective of the outcome, well managed and profitable ports such as Drogheda will continue to play an important role in serving the market and facilitating industry and jobs.
As part of the ongoing the Ports Policy Review a Consultation Document was issued in October 2010, which highlighted the important role of ports to facilitate the return to economic growth when it occurs. In addition new capacity will be required in the medium to long term and this needs to be planned for now.
The consultation also acknowledges the continuing trend towards larger ships requiring deep-water ports, the reduced availability of ships to serve smaller ports and the emergence of the concept of port-centric logistics as a key driver for future port development.
As for this year "a number of new port records were established in 2010" said Mr. Paul Fleming, Drogheda Port chief executive. "In March, the longest ever vessel to be accommodated in the port, the Rusich 1 at over 128m in length berthed at Tom Roes Point Terminal". The 4,970 tonnes vessel arrived from Vyborg, Russia with a cargo of fertiliser.
Mr Fleming also referred to the largest gas tanker ever to visit its facility at the Flogas LPG terminal when the 1,720 dwt tonnes Thresher docked last October. The Dutch flagged Thresher had arrived loaded with a cargo from the Whitegate Refinery, Cork Harbour and is operated by Chemgas which operate one of the most modern gas carrier fleets in the world.
In addition to last year's performance, first quarter figures for 2011 were revealed with trading volumes reporting an increase of 18% based from the same quarter for last year. The rise was primarily driven by export volumes of existing and new commodities.
Cobh Cruiseships Come and Go (Footage)
On Friday the Port of Cork welcomes another large cruiseship in the form of the Emerald Princess which carries 3,592 passengers, nearly 500 more than the Celebrity Eclipse. The 113,000 tonnes vessel is nearly 950-feet long, is 118 wide and draws 28 feet under the waterline. With 19 decks the vessel towers above the oceans and will also do so when alongside Cobh's 350m deepwater berth.
One of the numerous amenities onboard is the CyberGolf link and jogging track which are located high up near the stern. Directly situated below is the Skywalkers Nightclub and for movie-goers, films are shown at an oudoor theatre. The top of the range cabins are the 900 balcony staterooms which offer first class hotel style 24-hour room service.
A First for Cobh as Two Cruise Giants Come and Go
In an unprecedented scheduling of cruiseships to the Port of Cork (Cobh), the inbound Independence of the Seas (154,407 tonnes) the largest cruiseship to call to any Irish port, passed the 122,000 tonnes Celebrity Eclipse which was preparing to depart from the town's cruise terminal.
Some 15 minutes later Celebrity Eclipse pulled away from the berth. During that timeframe the Independence of the Seas had completely turned around in the opposite direction to face Cobh after maneuvering in the swinging basin between Cobh and the Naval Base on Haulbowline Island.
The 4,175-passenger Independence of the Seas is the third of the 'Freedom' class vessels. She has a length of 339m and is a mere 11m shorter in distance to that of the 350m berth at Cobh. The 38m wide cruiseship has a draft of 8.7m and the depth of water at the town's quayside is 9.1m.
The 15-deck vessel was built by Aker Finnyards in Turku, Finland in 2008 for Royal Caribbean International (RCI). Amenities on the Freedom class consist of the an innovative surf park, canitilevered whirlpools, ice-skating rink, full-size boxing ring and a H2O Zone waterpark.
As for the 3,179-passenger Celebrity Eclipse, she is the second of five 'Solstice' class sisters and measures 317m (length) 48m (beam) and draws 8.6m. On the top deck there is the fresh green grass located at Lawn Club. She was built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and entered service last year for her owners Celebrity Cruises.
Independence of the Seas departed yesterday afternoon on an overnight passage from Southampton where the vessel is based in the summer and for the winter she is based out of Florida. The Celebrity Eclipse departed the UK south coast port from Cobh where the larger cruiseship is also to make overnight port of call.
In total 10,000 passengers and crew will of visited the Cork Harbour region alone over the May Bank holiday. To meet the surge in demand for the shore-based excusions a fleet of buses awaited and additional trains were also laid-on by Irish Rail. The railway station is located next-door to the Cobh Heritage Centre which retraces the town's strong trans-Atlantic liner era.
- Cobh
- Cork Harbour
- port of Cork
- Independence of the Seas
- Ports and Shipping
- Cobh Cruise Terminal
- Ports and Shipping News
- Cork Harbour News
- Irish Rail
- Celebrity Eclipse
- Port of Cork News
- Aker Finnyards
- Celebrity Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
- Freedomclass
- Solsticeclass
- MeyerWerft
- Cobh Heritage Centre
Cruise Giants to Meet off Cobh
For the first time two cruiseship giants are scheduled to depart and arrive off Cobh at the same time this May Bank Holiday weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore.
The largest cruiseship to call to an Irish port the Independence of the Sea which weighs 154,407 gross tonnes (some 6,000 tonnes larger than the liner Queen Mary 2) will pass the Cobh-berthed Celebrity Eclipse of 122,000 tonnes around 14.00hrs on Sunday.
Weather permitting the Independence of the Seas will then be maneuvering in the swinging basin between Haulbowline and Cobh, just upriver of the Celebrity Eclipse which will then begin to pull away from the deepwater berth at the Cobh Cruise Terminal.
The 350m long berth has a quayside depth of 9m and is capable of handling some of the largest cruiseships on this island.
Prior to Sunday's sailing spectacle the Celebrity Eclipse is due to dock tomorrow afternoon for the overnight call. Likewise the 4,375 passenger Independence of the Seas will stay at Cobh for an overnight call and then depart's on Monday evening.
“Two such large cruise liners, have never before been in Cork Harbour at the same time, let alone pass each other creating a magnificent sight. An excellent viewing point for anyone planning on visiting Cobh on Sunday 1st May would be the High Road or Whitepoint in Cobh” said Port of Cork Commercial Manager, Captain Micheal McCarthy.
Together the cruiseships will have a combined gross tonnage of nearly 300,000 tonnes and they will bring 10,000 passengers and crew into the Cork region this weekend alone. Celebrity Eclipse is operated by Celebrity Cruises and the Independence of the Seas is run by Royal Caribbean International.
The 3,129 passenger Celebrity Eclipse made her 'maiden' cruise and port of call to Cobh last year following her high profile repatriation voyage from Spain with stranded UK tourists arising from the fallout of the Icelandic volcanic ash-cloud.
On that inaugural ocasion the Celebrity Eclipse which cost €500m became the 500th cruise caller to the Port of Cork where the vessel made an overnight call at Cobh. To see a time-lapse video marking the 500th cruiseship's arrival click here.