Displaying items by tag: Ecuador

19th October 2021

Brazilian Tall Ship Strikes Bridge in Ecuador

A tall ship from Brazil left onlookers breathless when it collided with a pedestrian bridge over a river in Ecuador on Monday (18 October).

As reported by Marine Industry News, the Brazilian naval training vessel Cisne Branco (White Swan) had been visiting the city of Guayaquil for a number of days before it drifted into the bridge in what appears to be a strong current and listed heavily on its port side.

The Amsterdam-built ship was righted to even keel with the help of tugs — but in the process one of the tugs was capsized. No injuries were reported among the crews of either vessels.

CNN Brazil carried a video report of the incident which can be viewed below:

Published in Tall Ships

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28th January 2018

Friends Of Tragic Kayakers Raising Funds To Bring Their Remains Home

#Ecuador - Friends of two Irish kayakers who died in Ecuador last weekend have raised more than €27,000 to bring their bodies back home.

According to Joe.ie, the crowdfunding campaign was set up by friends of David Higgins and Alex McGourty to help their families cover the cost of repatriating the young men’s remains.

“They were vibrant, kind souls who lived life to its full potential, and words cannot describe what they meant to their family and friends,” says the GoFundMe page where donations can be made towards its €30,000 goal.

Published in News Update

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24th January 2018

Body Of Second Irishman Found After Ecuador Kayaking Incident

#Ecuador - The body of a Tralee man has been recovered after a kayaking incident in central Ecuador that claimed the life of a Sligoman at the weekend, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

According to The Irish Times, 26-year-old David Higgins went missing on Saturday afternoon (20 January) on a kayaking trip with four other men when his vessel was caught in a strong current on the Abanico river.

The body of Alex McGourty from Sligo was found soon after the incident, while American Jeremiah Stewart was rescued that same day.

Ecuadorian Joaqin Meneses was found alive on Monday (22 January). A fifth man, Adam Vaughen from England, is still missing.

The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.

Published in News Update

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21st January 2018

Sligo Man Reportedly Dies In Ecuador Canoeing Accident UPDATED

#Ecuador - Afloat.ie has learned of unconfirmed reports that an Irishman has died in a canoeing accident in Ecuador today (Sunday 21 January).

The deceased is believed to be a member of Sligo Kayak Club. There is as yet no other details as to the location or circumstances of the incident.

Canoeing Ireland chief executive Paddy Boyd told Afloat.ie they are still waiting for more information, but extend their sympathies to the families of those involved.

Update on Sunday 21 January at 1700hrs: Sligo Kayak Club has offered its condolences to the family of club member and trainee-instructor Alex McGourty, 'who tragically died while fulfilling his dreams, kayaking in Ecuador'.

The club statement says: 'It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of club member and trainee-instructor Alex McGourty. The club would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Alex's parents Frankie and Eilish, his family and his friends. Alex will be greatly missed by all in Sligo Kayak Club. He was one of the finest young men we had the honour of knowing and paddling with. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam'.

Published in Canoeing

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Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.