Displaying items by tag: Silting

13th April 2022

Silting at Sligo Harbour but Dredging Port Is Not Viable Says New Report

Silting has filled up Sligo Port but dredging not viable says report. The scene above AFLOAT adds is taken from the bridge of Ceg Cosmos, a general cargo when on the approaches to the north-west harbour which is the only port located between Galway and Derry. The digger on the hold deck hatch cover is used for handling cargoes such as round timber (logs).

There are fears for the future of Sligo harbour (a commercial port) after it was revealed on Monday that it is full of sludge which would cost millions of euro to clear, money that’s not available and dredging is not viable to do according to a report.

Councillor Declan Bree told the monthly council meeting that he was astonished and dismayed when he read the dredging report on Sligo Harbour which was recently presented to members of the Harbour Advisory Committee.

The report states that last year’s underwater surveys show silt volumes at the quays have nearly doubled since the last survey in 2011 – from 5,500cu m to 9,600cu m.

“It states that because of the increased volumes of silt a new ‘Dumping at Sea’ permit will be required. It points out that the Foreshore Licence for dredging which was granted to the Council in 2014 is now expired and it says that an application for a new license will take at least 18 months to prepare and will cost in the region of €100,000 in consultants fees, studies and site investigations.

“It states the full dredging of the harbour and navigation channel would cost close to €10 million, and a reduced dredging scheme for a turning circle and a short length of the channel would cost just under €2 million.

Much more reports The Sligo Champion on the north-west port.

Published in Dredging

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Silting Issues at Heysham Sees Dredging Resolve for the Time Being

Silting at Heysham has led to dredging to resolve the issue at the Lancashire port, England. Above AFLOAT adds on the right is the IOMSPCo's ropax Ben-my-Chree berthed at the linkspan that serves ferry traffic of the operator's main route linking Douglas.

The issues surrounding silting in the Irish Sea ferry port of Heysham appear to have been resolved.

Last week, the Minister for Infrastructure, Tim Crookall MHK , spoke with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company regarding the problems that plagued the port over the last few weeks.

Silt build-up in the harbour affected several sailings between Christmas and New Year.

Journey departure times were moved around as the Packet made changes after reading the depth chart report at Heysham.

IOM Today has more on the north-west English port.

Published in Dredging

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.