Displaying items by tag: consortium

14th June 2023

New Consortium Led by Harland & Wolff to Develop Zero-Emission Coastal Tugs

Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff Group is to lead a consortium of companies from overseas to develop and build new zero emission tugs suitable for coastal towage duties.

The group based in Queen’s Island, Belfast has entered into heads of terms with Scottish designer Macduff Ship Design, Norway’s Kongsberg for propulsion and vessel control systems and in Sweden where Echandia is a battery and electrical control systems specialist.

The creation of the UK consortium involving the four parties is to achieve the common goal of building a zero emissions harbour and coastal tug. They will measure 25.5m in length, have a breath of 12m and draw a draught of 4.85m.

A bollard pull of 50 tonnes capability has been set as for propulsion the proposed tug is expected to have Azimuth stern drives.

More from the Irish News on the proposed tug project.

Published in Shipyards

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Loop Head Lighthouse Will Open To Public in 2012

#LIGHTHOUSES - Loop Head Lighthouse in Co Clare, is set to re-open to the public later this year following a successful trial scheme last summer.

As The Irish Times reports, Clare County Council opened the lighthouse for an 11-week trial period last July with the support of the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Shannon Development and Loop Head Tourism.

Some 17,000 people took up the invitation to visit the 23-metre beacon, which is still in use as a navigational aid, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The consortium is now looking for consultants to help expand tourism the facility with an exhibition and interpretation plan.

Published in Lighthouses

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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.