Galway harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan has renewed an appeal for the port to be designated as a base for the Naval Service. At a recent Galway City Council meeting, Capt Sheridan said that he hoped “sense will prevail”. Data cables need to be protected, as will offshore windfarms when built, he said.
As Afloat reported in March, the Port of Galway made a pitch when two additional bases were suggested in the State’s first national maritime security strategy. Find the article here. Dun Laoghaire has been suggested as an east coast base, while the second could be in the west or north-west – as in Galway, Ros-a-Mhíl in south Connemara or Killybegs, Co Donegal.
The additional bases would supplement the Naval Service headquarters at Haulbowline, Cork harbour, and save on ship time for fisheries patrols.
Harbour Campaign: Galway Harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan has renewed calls for Galway Port to be designated as a future west coast Naval Service base.
The Port of Galway said that the proposed expansion of its harbour, recently approved by An Coimisiún Pleanála, would give it the capability and facilities to accommodate the new naval base.
It said that Naval Service personnel and their families “would benefit from a vibrant urban environment, offering high-quality schools, third-level education, healthcare, cultural amenities and a strong sense of community”.
Capt Sheridan told Galway city councillors that a submission on the need for a Naval Service presence on the west coast had been sent to the Defence Forces “some time ago”.
