Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award
Galway-Iceland Subsea Cable Part of a "New Industrial Revolution"- Ryan
12th November 2022 Galway Harbour
Ireland is pursuing a “gateway to Europe” strategy for subsea telecoms cables, Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan pledged as he marked installation of one such link on the west coast. Speaking at the landing ceremony for “IRIS”, a subsea telecoms…
EU funds to compensate for the impact of Brexit on the fishing industry and other sectors must be spent by the end of December 2023. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) has said there is no flexibility with…
Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan has described Government approval of terms and conditions for the first offshore wind auction as “another massive step forward” towards Ireland’s future as an “international green energy hub”. ORESS 1, the first auction for offshore…
New Research Project on Impact of Climate Change on Pathogens in Coastal Waters
9th November 2022 Marine Science
The impact of climate change on pathogens in coastal waters, which may pose health risks is the focus of a new EU-funded research project involving University of Galway scientists. The €10m Horizon Europe project involves scientists in 12 institutes across…
EU Ombudsman Seeks Views On Transparency of EU Decision-Making on the Environment
9th November 2022 Marine Wildlife
European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly is seeking the public’s view on how transparent EU decision-making is in relation to the environment. The public consultation, which closes in just over a month’s time, relates to decisions involving both the marine and terrestrial…
The rich history of the river Corrib is explored in a new guide by Galway author and historian William Henry. The Corrib is among Europe’s shortest rivers, at only six kilometres from the lake to the Atlantic, but has Ireland’s…
Significant “negative impacts” of Brexit on the British fishing industry have been highlighted in a video released by the British All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fisheries. Seven of its group’s members outline what a post-Brexit future for the British fishing…
Almost 60 applications have been made by fishing vessel owners to the Government’s scrappage scheme. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which is administering the decommissioning scheme for the EU and Irish government, said it had received 36 applications by November 1st,…
West coast windsurfers, sailors and other water users have expressed alarm over a proposal to ban all leisure activities other than swimming on Galway county beaches. Under the draft legislation, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddling and horse-riding would be banned…
The quick action of a crew member on a Donegal fishing vessel probably saved the life of his skipper when his arm was trapped by a trawl door, an investigation has found. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into…
Call for Two Garda Divers To Be Given Scott Medals for Belderrig Cave Rescue
1st November 2022 Diving
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been asked to recognise the bravery of two gardai who played a key role in a harrowing cave rescue in north Mayo 25 years ago. Retired chief superintendent Tony McNamara made the appeal at an…
Offshore Wind Could Support 5,000 Direct Jobs by 2037, Report Forecasts
30th October 2022 Power From the Sea
Offshore wind could support upwards of 5,000 jobs by 2037, a new report published on the Western Development Commission (WDC) website says. The report says that offshore wind could generate up to €400 million in gross value add (GVA) annually…
European Commission Proposes Tougher Measures to Combat Water and Air Pollution
27th October 2022 Marine Wildlife
Mandatory downstream river warnings after pollution incidents and stricter controls on treatment of urban wastewater, which affects the marine environment, are among measures proposed by the European Commission to ensure cleaner air and water. The proposals, which will now be…
Fishing and seafood organisations said last night that they were “hopeful”’ that a national fuel aid scheme is about to be sanctioned by Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue. In a joint statement, the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO) and…
Renewable Energy Grants for Coastal Businesses under Brexit Adjustment Reserve Funding
20th October 2022 Fishing
Businesses within 10 kilometres of Ireland’s coastline can apply for renewable energy grants worth up to 200,000 euro under the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme. Funding of €25 million has been provided from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), a…
Biofuels and Ammonia Offer Greener Alternatives for Europe's Ships, Reports State
20th October 2022 Ports & Shipping
Biofuels and ammonia offer alternatives to fossil fuels for Europe’s shipping fleet, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) says. Reports published by EMSA say biofuels could replace conventional fossil fuels without substantial engine modification. Maritime transport produces 13.5% of all…
A spinning vortex filmed moving over Galway Bay last weekend was caused by “globular “ cumulonimbus clouds, Met Éireann’s head of forecasting Evelyn Cusack has said. As Afloat reported earlier, the vortex or water spout was filmed by Mark Purcell…
Changes to the permit system for non-EEA fishing crew proposed by a Government review have been given a qualified welcome by the Irish branch of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). ITF campaign lead for Ireland Michael O’Brien said a…
Ringsend Sailing Trawlers: Cormac Lowth's New Book is Launched at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club
15th October 2022 Wavelength Podcast
“Broken hoops on the shore; at the land a maze of dark cunning nets; farther away chalk scrawled backdoors and on the higher beach a drying line with two crucified shirts. Ringsend: wigwams of brown steersman and master mariners. Human…
Non-EEA Fishing Crew To Be Eligible for New Employment Permits, Government Review Says
13th October 2022 Fishing
Fishing crew from non- European Economic Area (EEA) states will be eligible for a new employment permit system, the Government has said. The new permit system, equivalent to a “Stamp 4” immigration permission with its wider entitlements, will replace the…
