#FrigateVisit-The Royal Navy Type 23 Duke Class frigate HMS Richmond (F239) is to make a weekend courtesy call to Dublin Port, with an arrival to the capital this afternoon, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 4,900 displacement frigate commissioned in 1995 has a top speed 28 knots and a crew complement of 185. She and her 12 sisters are among the most tried and tested in the fleet, having pounded Saddam Husseins defences on the Al Faw peninsula in the opening hours of the Iraq campaign a decade ago in 2003.

HMS Richmond has undergone an upgrade to sensors and weapons systems, where Seawolf Mid-Life Update (SWMLU) are now fitted that will improve the ship's ability to meet the evolving capability of anti-ship missiles. In addition the frigate has 30 mm Automated Small Calibre Gun (ASCG) system making her a formidable and modern weapons platform.

#IrishSeaSurvey – The Marine Institute's Galway based RV Celtic Explorer made a brief call yesterday to Dublin Port, while in between carrying out separate scientific surveys, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 65m vessel, which is not a regular visitor to the port, had berthed at Ocean Pier. According to the Marine Institute's vessel survey schedule, she was conducting a Methane-derived Authigenic Carbonate (MDAC) survey headed by chief scientist Dr. Yvonne Leahy of the institute.

The survey was to complete a drop camera survey of a MDAC site in the Irish Sea, some 25 nautical miles offshore of Dublin Bay.

Celtic Explorer which is 2,425 tonnes and has a total of 35 personnel, and equally the same number of days in endurance range. Accommodation is for 22-30 scientists, 13-15 crew (dependent to operational requirements). Scientific quarters are for 4 single cabins and 9 double en-suite cabins.

Her inshore fleetmate, the 31m RV Celtic Voyager of 340 tonnes has an endurance capability of 14 days. A total of 15 personel made up of 8 scientists and 7 crew are accommodated in 4-berth quarters.

#OnTheRadio – A talk about Dublin Port and the life and work of dockers will be broadcast from the decks of the Jeanie Johnston today between 3-5pm on Near 90.3FM

Those involved in the broadcast are from the Dublin Dockworkers Preservation Society. At last year's Tallships Festival, the society held a photographic display depicting port scenes down through the decades.

#LighthouseLecture- An illustrated lecture: 'Round Ireland Lighthouses Tour' by John Donnelly and Brian Maguire will be held next Wednesday (16th Jan.) at Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, Ringsend, in the heart of Dublin Port.

Donnelly and Maguire worked as Engineers for the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL). Between them they have seventy year's experience covering the period when the lighthouses were manned and their subsequent automation.

Their presentation will feature the history of the various lighthouses along with numerous photographs and personal anecdotal memories.

The lecture starting at 20.00hrs is part of Public Les Glenans Irish Winter Lecture Series and an entry fee of €5 will be in aid of the RNLI.

#TOWAGE – The tug Ocean Bank that righted the capsized US entrant Rambler 100 following the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011, arrived in Dublin Bay recently with a barge under tow, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Rambler 100 had overturned in force-five winds off Fastnet Rock arising from "dramatic and catastrophic" failure of the keel triggered events that ultimately delayed the rescue of the majority of her 21-strong crew, according to the official report by the MCIB into the capsize.

After the rescue of Rambler 100's crew, the yacht remained adrift but eventually was recovered by the Bere Island based tug Ocean Bank to the shelter of Barley Cove, west Cork. From there the 30 tonne bollard pull tractor tug operated by Atlantic Towage & Marine successfully up-righted the yacht.

This week's operation by the Ocean Bank involved towing a completely different type of vessel, the construction barge Skerchi from the south-west coast to a berth alongside Ocean Pier in Dublin Port.

#CAREERS AT SEA - The two multi-purpose heavy cargoships that last month discharged windmill components in Dublin Port, are owned by Dutch based Abis Shipping who are currently offering traineeship opportunities, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The pair had met together in the port the same morning, where the newer and larger D-class Abis Dover arrived first followed by the smaller B-class Abis Belfast. As previously reported, they belong to a 14-strong fleet managed in Harlingen, where a local shipyard is to complete newbuild Abis Dublin with a delivery scheduled for this month.

With an expanding fleet of newbuilds, the progressive company which only formed in 2007 is seeking to grow with professionals in training or to those just finished studying. They, regularly have traineeship vacancies run through a nautical support department so to meet demands of charterers. Vacancies currently available are for Captain (D.P.O.), Chief Engineer and Chief Officers (D.P.O.). For further details visit this LINK.

#PORTS & SHIPPING REVIEW - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where the Royal Navy's fishery patrol vessel HMS Mersey docked in Dublin Port, having been purchased from her shipbuilder-owners as part of a £39m deal.

One of the largest vessels of the Arklow Shipping Ltd fleet, Arklow Manor of 9,682grt/14,008dwt arrived in Dublin Port to enter the dry-dock facility, one of her sisters had also used the dry-dock in Alexandra Basin earlier this year.

P&O Cruises Adonia, became the final cruise caller to Dublin Port this year, having spent a day at sea after departing Cobh Cruise Terminal the previous day. She led the fleet during the 175th anniversary 'Grand Event' which formed one of the lectures during last month's London Ship Show.

A Masterplan setting out the future for the next 20-30 years for Belfast Harbour was launched, those interested in making comments on the plans are asked to respond by 7 December.

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) released a report of the nine semi-state port's financial statements for the year end 2011. A key finding is that after a combined growth of 3% in turnover in 2010, the ports recorded a fall in turnover of 3% in 2011 with turnover falling to €120m.

Naval Service OPV L.E. Emer (P21) detained an Irish fishing vessel off the south-east coast over alleged breaches of fishing regulations and was escorted to Cork and handed over to the Gardai.

In 2013 Cruise & Maritime Voyages are to charter Discovery (1971/20,216grt) for the UK cruising season. She is scheduled to make her debut 'Irish' port of call to Dublin Port in April, which will also mark the start of the cruise season to the capital.

#CRUISE LINERS – In 2013 Cruise & Maritime Voyages are to charter Discovery (1971/20,216grt) for the UK cruising season to directly replace Ocean Countess, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The charter of the 700 passenger Discovery from Voyages of Discovery will see her operate cruises from Bristol Avonmouth, Liverpool, Hull and Harwich. As part of the charter arrangement her owners will also market the vessel during the season as Discovery Sailaway.

Discovery will undergo an extensive winter dry-docking and refurbishment programme prior to joining the CMV fleet in February 2013.

Her inaugural 'Irish' call will also mark the first cruise caller next year to Dublin Port scheduled on 8 April during a 5-night Springtime Gardens and Charms Cruise. Sharing the season will be CMV's slightly larger 800 passenger Marco Polo (1965/22,080grt).

#CRUISE LINERS – The final cruise caller this year to visit Dublin Port tomorrow is P&O Cruises Adonia, which today is at sea, having departed Cobh Cruise Terminal yesterday, as previously reported. Albeit the smallest in the seven-strong P&O Cruise fleet, she was given pride of place as she led the company's 175th anniversary Grand Event held during the summer, writes Jehan Ashmore.

On that momentous day (3rd July) in Southampton, the 30,000 gross registered tonnes Adonia gathered with her considerably larger fleet mates (69,000 – 115,000 grt) and carrying between them 1,800-3,100 passengers each. Unlike her fleet mates however she exclusively caters for adults only and at only 710 passengers, provides for a more intimate cruising experience.

As each cruise ship took it turns to depart after one after the other, they formed a line down Solent waters where the maritime spectacle was an impressive display in seafaring skills and logistics as thousands of passengers had embarked to include Arcadia whose next port of call was Dublin.

The historic day to mark the origins of the famous company formed in 1837 was the theme of a packed out lecture presented by P&O Cruises Managing Director, Carol Marlow during last months' London Ship Show. Marlow, who was a former CEO of Cunard Line, gave an insightful and entertaining talk of the intensive preparations surrounding P&O Cruises day of celebration.

Despite all the planning, one major event that the P&O team could not arrange was for the sun to shine!..instead a rather misty dull overcast day lingered over the Hampshire port. Having said, many hundreds lined the Solent to watch the sail past as each vessel departed on seven cruises. To view a video of the splendid liners and heritage of the famous company click the series of videos HERE.

As for the London Ship Show which was organised by the Ocean Liner Society, this was to be the last time held under its current format where maritime memorabilia stands and lecture programme where provided to all those interested in the world of liners and ferries operating from the UK.

#DRY-DOCKING –One of the largest vessels of the 40-plus Arklow Shipping Ltd fleet, Arklow Manor of 9,682grt/14,008dwt entered the dry dock in Dublin Port yesterday, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 139m dry-cargo vessel docked in Graving Dock No.2, though the facility located within Alexandra Basin actually consists of a single facility since the older and smaller adjacent Graving Dock No. 1 was in-filled several years ago to create more hard-standing space for freight vehicles.

Arklow Manor has four holds that can handle various cargoes, among them grain (total capacity of 18,110 m3). She is the lead ship of a five 'M' class vessels that was completed in 2009 from the Mokpo Shipbuilding Ind. Co in South Korea. Earlier this year one of her sisters, Arklow Marsh also underwent dry-docking at the same facility.

Both these vessels belong to a majority of ships (ranging from 3,000 tonnes) that are registered in Arklow, where the company headquarters manage the Irish flagged fleet. The remaining Dutch flagged vessels are managed by Arklow Shipping Nederland based in Rotterdam, which is also the port of registry for these ships.