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Former Shannon Estuary Tug 'Rebel' Departs Cork Harbour for New Owners On Delivery Voyage to West Africa

5th September 2024
Former Foynes based tug, Celtic Rebel (I) which handled vessels of up to 180,000 dwt on the Shannon estuary, has been sold to Greek owners, but will operate in west Africa. The tug is seen in Cork quays with the background of the historic 200-year-old plus Bonded Warehouses, which are protected structures in the city’s ‘Docklands’ which have seen increased redevelopment in recent years.
Former Foynes based tug, Celtic Rebel (I) which handled vessels of up to 180,000 dwt on the Shannon estuary, has been sold to Greek owners, but will operate in west Africa. The tug is seen in Cork quays with the background of the historic 200-year-old plus Bonded Warehouses, which are protected structures in the city’s ‘Docklands’ which have seen increased redevelopment in recent years. Credit: Rebel Shipping Photography

A 48 bollard ton pull (btp) tug, the Celtic Rebel, which had been sale-listed while berthed in Cork City Quays, has departed Ireland for the final time and is bound for Africa, writes Jehan Ashmore.

For many years, Celtic Rebel had been part of Mainport Group’s subsidiary, Celtic Tugs, when based in the Port of Foynes along with other fleetmates, handling ships on the Shannon Esturary of up to 180,000 deadweight tons (dwt). According to Mainport, the tug has been sold to Greek owners and will be based in west Africa.

Celtic Rebel leaving Cork Harbour Photo: Bob BatemanCeltic Rebel leaving Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

At 40 years old, the 1984 built tug came from the Hikari Kogyo shipyard in, Yokosuka, Japan, and when sold to the Mainport Group was transported by a heavy-lift ship as deck cargo to Ireland. The 309 gross registered tonnage tug with a crew of 6 served its career with Celtic Tugs which involved working with fleetmates Celtic Banner and Celtic Isle, both since sold.

Afloat has been aware of its sale-listed status for months, and having tracked its port relocation from Foynes to Cork last year with it berthing at the North Customs House Quay. At the weekend the 37m tug under new owners and renamed Celtic Rebel I cast off moorings from this quay close to the city centre.

The 3,500-bhp tug has Zanzibar (City) as its new port of registry located on Unguja (informally referred to as Zanzibar), the main island on the archipelago that is part of the Republic of Tanzania on the mainland of the African continent. Also in the above photo is the flag of the nation on the tug's mast along with the Irish tricolor, which was taken during its departure from Cork last Saturday.

 Afloat yesterday tracked Celtic Rebel I offshore of Aviero, Portugal, from where it is to continue along the Iberian nation’s west coast to the capital, Lisbon from where it is to take on bunkers (fuel). 

Currently, Celtic Tugs operates two tugs, the secondhand 44.5 btp Celtic Fergus, built in 2014 and based in Foynes, while its fleetmate, last year’s custom built 55.8 btp Celtic Treaty, is also stationed on the Shannon estuary. 

Published in Cork Harbour
Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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Cork Harbour Information

It’s one of the largest natural harbours in the world – and those living near Cork Harbour insist that it’s also one of the most interesting.

This was the last port of call for the most famous liner in history, the Titanic, but it has been transformed into a centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries, and it has been one of Ireland's major employment hubs since the early 1900s. Traditional heavy industries have waned since the late 20th century, with the likes of the closure of Irish Steel in Haulbowline and shipbuilding at Verolme. It still has major and strategic significance in energy generation, shipping and refining.

Giraffe wander along its shores, from which tens of thousands of men and women left Ireland, most of them never to return. The harbour is home to the oldest yacht club in the world, and to the Irish Navy. 

This deep waterway has also become a vital cog in the Irish economy.

‘Afloat.ie's Cork Harbour page’ is not a history page, nor is it a news focus. It’s simply an exploration of this famous waterway, its colour and its characters.

Cork Harbour Festival

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór and Cork Harbour Open Day formerly existed as two popular one-day events located at different points on Cork’s annual maritime calendar. Both event committees recognised the synergy between the two events and began to work together and share resources. In 2015, Cork Harbour Festival was launched. The festival was shaped on the open day principle, with Ocean to City – An Ras Mór as the flagship event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown from strength to strength. Although the physical 2020 festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, the event normally features nine festival days starting on the first week of June. It is packed full of events; all made possible through collaboration with over 50 different event partners in Cork City, as well as 15 towns and villages along Cork Harbour. The programme grows year by year and highlights Ireland’s rich maritime heritage and culture as well as water and shore-based activities, with Ocean to City – An Rás Mór at the heart of the festival.

Taking place at the centre of Ireland’s maritime paradise, and at the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork is perfectly positioned to deliver the largest and most engaging harbour festival in Ireland.

The Cork Harbour Festival Committee includes representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, UCC MaREI, RCYC, Cobh & Harbour Chamber and Meitheal Mara.

Marinas in Cork Harbour

There are six marinas in Cork Harbour. Three in Crosshaven, one in East Ferry, one in Monkstown Bay and a new facility is opening in 2020 at Cobh. Details below

Port of Cork City Marina

Location – Cork City
Contact – Harbour Masters Dept., Port of Cork Tel: +353 (0)21 4273125 or +353 (0)21 4530466 (out of office hours)

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831023

Crosshaven Boatyard Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4831161

Salve Marina Ltd

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831145

Cork Harbour Marina

Location: Monkstown, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)87 3669009

East Ferry Marina

Location: East Ferry, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4813390

New Cove Sailing Club Marina

(to be opened in 2020)

Location: Cobh, Co. Cork
Contact: 087 1178363

Cork Harbour pontoons, slipways and ramps

Cork City Boardwalk Existing pontoon

Port of Cork 100m. pontoon

Cork city – End of Cornmarket St. steps and slip;

Cork city - Proby’s Qy. Existing limited access slip

Quays Bar & Restaurant, Private pontoon and ramp for patrons, suitable for yachts, small craft town and amenities

Cobh harbour [camber] Slip and steps inside quay wall pontoon

Fota (zoo, house, gardens) Derelict pontoon and steps

Haulbowline naval basin; restricted space Naval base; restricted access;

Spike Island pier, steps; slip, pontoon and ramp

Monkstown wooden pier and steps;

Crosshaven town pier, with pontoon & steps

East Ferry Marlogue marina, Slip (Great Island side) visitors’ berths

East Ferry Existing pier and slip; restricted space East Ferry Inn (pub)
(Mainland side)

Blackrock pier and slips

Ballinacurra Quay walls (private)

Aghada pier and slip, pontoon & steps public transport links

Whitegate Slip

Passage West Pontoon

Glenbrook Cross-river ferry

Ringaskiddy Parking with slip and pontoon Ferry terminal; village 1km.

Carrigaloe pier and slip; restricted space; Cross-river ferry;

Fountainstown Slip

White’s Bay beach

Ringabella beach

Glanmire Bridge and tide restrictions

Old Glanmire - Quay