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Displaying items by tag: Bangor Slipway

In the ongoing closures of marinas and harbours around the North Down Coast, Bangor Harbour’s Slipway on Belfast Lough has been closed to all activity except the launching of the lifeboat.

The recent Notice to Mariners issued by the Harbour Master Kevin Baird states that the launching and recovery of paddleboards, jet skis, canoes, and kayaks are forbidden. The slip is to be used only by the Bangor Lifeboat.

The recent paddleboard launchings triggered the Notice to Mariners.

Kevin Baird said that “ when this terrible pandemic virus has passed, we'll be walking past people in the street whose very lives have been saved by our own sacrifices and our actions collectively” and in the Marina’s Facebook page the message is clear: “Please, please stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. Keep those paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks dry until this terrible virus pandemic has passed.

No matter how calm the sea and no matter experienced you are, there is still the potential for disaster to strike or for an accident to happen. You will be putting our emergency services and our lifeboat crews into harm's way.

Don't be selfish, stay home, stay dry, by doing so you will protect the NHS and save lives”.

Published in Belfast Lough

Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.