#OLYMPICTORCH – Dublin Port are today making final preparations with some of the port's fleet of work boats in advance of the important role they will play in tomorrow's Olympic Torch Procession through Dublin. Dublin Port Company's state-of-the-art tug boats 'Shackleton' and 'Beaufort' will flank the Samuel Beckett Bridge and provide a traditional port salute of water cannon as the Olympic Torch crosses the River Liffey.
As the Olympic Torch bearers approach the bridge from Mayor Street the Port's Harbourmaster will instruct the captains of the Tug Boats to launch their water cannon shooting water 45 metres high into Dublin's skyline with a range of 120 metres. When fully deployed 7,000 litres of water are fired through the cannon every minute.
'Shackleton' and 'Beaufort' are named after the fearless explorer Ernest Shackleton who was born in Athy Co. Kildare and Sir Francis Beaufort who hailed from Navan and created the Beaufort scale, which measures wind force. The tugs are part of a fleet of working water vessels used by Dublin Port to help facilitate over 13,000 vessel movements through Dublin Port every year.
One of Dublin Port's four pilot boats will also form part of the fleet of vessels welcoming the torch. The Cork-built 'Camac' is named after the River Camac, one of the four tributaries to the River Liffey.
Dublin Port's Harbourmaster will also issue an instruction to all ships docked in the port to sound their horns as the Torch crosses the Samuel Beckett Bridge.