Afloat tracked a trio of UK based workboats from the same company that carried out tasks on the Irish Sea and beyond and which involved an overhaul of harbour moorings to the towage of a brand new ro-ro freight ferry, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Willendeavour a 22m multicat craft was monitored on Friday having departed Arklow on a short coastal passage that led to an arrival in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The multicat is of the Eurocarrier 2209 design built by Neptune Marine BV in the Netherlands. The craft has a Code Cat 2 certification issued from the MCA, the UK's Maritime Coastguard Agency which designated the craft to operate in waters up to 60 miles offshore.

The craft operated by Williams Shipping which has bases located in Milford Haven, south Wales and Southampton in southern England, had conducted an annual overhaul of moorings at the Irish east coast harbour's RNLI lifeboat station.

Among the mooring works which took place in the relatively confined waters close to the RNLI stationhouse sited between the National Yacht Club and the Carlisle Pier was an examination of moorings for the tender launch that transfer the crew to the lifeboat. At this station is based a Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) the RNLB Anna Livia.

As pictured above is the flat-bottomed multicat with its deck mounted crane which was able to work at the tender's mooring while alongshide the jetty adjoining the NYC.

In addition to the ALB, the station has an inshore D-class lifeboat RNLB Realt na Mara, however this craft is housed ashore within a boathouse hewn out of granite and is located at the start of the East Pier.

To facilitate work on the moorings of the ALB, this led to the lifeboat having to vacate the waters off the East Pier and take a berth in the harbour's marina which leads off the West Pier and also from the former ferry terminal for Holyhead. Already berthed nearby was another UK based vessel, the trainee ship T.S. Jack Petchey which is no stranger to the harbour during the summer and today was underway in Dublin Bay before returning this afternoon to the port.

Williams Shipping was founded in 1894 and more than a century later the company provides a broad range of marine and logistics services and equipment. In addition to owning, operating and chartering an extensive fleet of marine vessels. Among them the tug Willpower which along with Willendeavour towed earlier this year a company-owned jack-up barge into place for a project at East Cowes, Isle of Wight.

As the Isle of Wight is an increasingly popular destination for tourists, ferry operator Red Funnel decided to free up ferry space by the commissioned new ro-ro freight ferry Red Kestrel. The newbuild can carry up to 12 articulated lorries, and for the immediate term will be using the same berths as the other 'Raptor' class passenger and vehicle ferries. To prevent congestion a lay-over berth was planned adjacent to the existing East Cowes ferry terminal.

Another Williams fleetmate, Wiljive remained on hand for the project. This involved providing as a general purpose support vessel throughout the project which also saw marine civil engineers Red7Marine carry out the first stage of the project to install mooring dolphins and mooring piles.

The project was completed in mid April and in the same month Willpower was also chartered to tow the 74m newbuild Red Kestrel from the Irish Sea shipyard of Cammell Laird in Birkenhead. The tow from Merseyside included a call to Milford Haven in advance of the delivery voyage ending at the newbuild's homeport of Southampton.

The 1,701 gross tonnage freight ferry made its maiden crossing last month.

This Saturday a memorial service will be held in Bray Co. Wicklow to honour all those, who for whatever reason, have lost their lives at sea, especially those whose last resting place is the sea which claimed their lives.

Those participating are asked to assemble at the Hibernia Inn (near Bray Dart Station) from 13.00 hours. At 14.00 hours, an anchor shaped wreath will lead the procession of wreaths to the north Bray pier-head where a memorial service will be held, at which representatives of those in attendance will be invited to speak.

This will be followed by one minute's silence after which, those accompanying the wreaths will embark on the flotilla to a position approximately five-cables due east of Bray Harbour.

Anyone who would like to assist in the preparations and to remember those who have been lost are invited to attend. For further information, contact Tony O'Grady, Captain, (retired) on behalf of "Mariners with Memories" on Tel: (01) 276 0575 Mob: 087 245 4071 Email: [email protected] in addition to this LINK.