Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: RCYC

Royal Cork Yacht Club is planning a very special weekend for the club and its members at the Tricentenary At Home Regatta next month, from 28-30 August.

The weekend’s scheduled kicks off on Friday 28 August with keelboat racing and the 1720 Southern Championships.

Saturday 29 August will see all fleets racing in the morning, followed by the Tricentenary Parade and Admiral’s Salute in Cobh in the afternoon.

After the parade, members are invited to berth in Cobh and attend the opening of an exhibition on the history of the club at the Sirius Arts Centre, and/or attend the Quays Restaurant for an informal gathering and food. For more details see the expression of interest form.

Fleet racing resumes on Sunday morning 30 August, with the afternoon’s family fun activities featuring crab fishing, boules and a bring-your-own picnic ashore, and a parents’ Optimist race on the water.

Published in Royal Cork YC
Tagged under

The National 18 crew of Colin Chapman, Owen O'Keefe and Eddie Rice were yesterday's winners of the AIB sponsored PY 1000 cash Prize at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Cork Harbour.

With only the lightest harbour breeze available Race Officer John Crotty set the mixed dinghy fleet off on a course that involved all points of sailing from a beat,a run and reaches before heading home for refreshments on the RCYC lawn at Crosshaven.

Royal Cork Race Officer John Crotty had to contend with some fickle winds for the 2020 PY RaceRoyal Cork Race Officer John Crotty had to contend with some fickle winds for the 2020 PY Race Photo: Bob Bateman

The PY1000 2020 dinghy course set in Cork Harbour covered all the angles Photo: Bob BatemanThe PY1000 2020 dinghy course set in Cork Harbour covered all the angles Photo: Bob Bateman

Other cash prizes went to second overall to Tom, Cloe and Patrick Crosbie. Third place went to Andrew Crosbie, all sailing National 18s.

AIB PY 1000 Winners AIB PY 1000 Winners - Colin Chapman, Owen O'Keefe and Eddie Rice Photo: Bob Bateman

Chris Bateman won the Lasers and Shane Collins, the Topper division.

Knox Kohl was the youngest sailor and first female home was Sophie Crosbie.

The youngest crewed boat was sailed by Ethel and Olin Bateman and the oldest combined Crew was Tommy Dwyer and Willy Healy

RCYC AIB PY1000 Photos

See the full slideshow of images from the event below by Bob Bateman

Published in Royal Cork YC

The Royal Cork Yacht Club has confirmed that its hosting of this year’s Optimist Nationals will proceed as planned next month, and the Notice of Race is now available.

The AIB Optimist Irish National Championships 2020 run from 13-16 August as part of the Cork300 celebrations.

And with many top youth sailors unable to travel internationally, their competitive spirit is expected to make this year’s event one of the hottest ever.

Pre-registration is open until next Wednesday 22 July via the IODAI, and sailing instructions will follow shortly.

Published in Optimist
Tagged under

The first big event of the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s Tricentenary saw members of all ages take part in the Admiral’s Chace on Saturday 4 July.

The Chace began in the vicinity of Cork Beg when, shortly after 3pm, the Admiral fired a signal shot from each quarter of Adrielle, the Cork300 House Flag was broken out and more than 25 craft weighed anchor in pursuit of the Admiral towards Cage.

Whether sailing, motoring or a combination of both, it didn’t matter as this was very much a relaxed affair with the intention of getting everyone out on the water while referencing some of the club’s 300-year-old rules, history and tradition.

The Royal Cork website has more on the story HERE.

Published in Royal Cork YC
Tagged under

The Admiral’s Chace this Saturday 4 July marks the return to organised activities at the Royal Cork Yacht Club as coronavirus restrictions are relaxed this week.

And in celebration of Cork300, will take a more traditional approach to racing, with Royal Cork Admiral Colin Morehead leading the fleet in Adrielle on a harbour course, flying and sounding a number of signals along the way.

The event is open to all keelboats and motor boats. First gun will be at 15:00 in the vicinity of Cage and full instructions will be provided on the day.

After the chase, if time allows, boats will muster in a safe anchorage in the harbour and then return to the club for The Admiral’s Chace Supper, where a burger and a beverage will be served for €5.

Booking for the chase and for the supper are required via the form available HERE.

Published in Royal Cork YC

Royal Cork Yacht Club Admiral Colin Morehead has recorded a special video message for club members upon the wider return to sailing in phase two of Ireland’s roadmap to recovery from coronavirus.

Giving thanks to members or their patience and support in adhering to both club and Government guidelines, the admiral welcomed the return of staff to the club this week to get things back up and running.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, among their roles this week was to celebrate the retention of the club's Blue Flag – one of 10 marinas nationwide to hold the distinction this year.

-->

Junior sailing is under way once again, and keelboat fun events will resume from tomorrow, Sunday 14 June.

Youth sailing will also be to the fore in August with the Optimist Nationals, while the Laser Nationals are also still scheduled to take place that month.

The Tricentenary At Home will now be a three-day regatta, Morehead says, from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August, including a big flotilla commencing in the Cobh Roads on the afternoon of Saturday 29 August.

It’s also hoped the weekend will see the opening of a special exhibition on the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s history at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh — which occupies the Royal Cork’s previous clubhouse.

Subsequent Cork300 events include the All Ireland Sailing Championships, the Sutton Book and the Irish Team Racing Nationals.

And the Autumn League is set to take on a greater significance as the largest keelboat event on the South Coast this year.

The latest updates from the Royal Cork are included in its regular email newsletter. If you do not currently receive this, send your details to [email protected]

Published in Royal Cork YC
Tagged under

The 2021 International Topper World Championships come to Cork Harbour next year when they’re hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club from 24-30 July 2021.

With over 200 sailors from around the world expected, organisers say it will be a great opportunity for Ireland’s younger sailors to compete on the world stage — as well as a showcase of the Royal Cork and its facilities.

Ireland’s Topper prospects will also have a chance to prove their mettle the following weekend at the other end of the island, as Ballyholme Yacht Club hosts the UK Topper Nationals from 2-6 August 2021.

The news will also come as a boost to Topper sailors disappointed by last month’s cancellation of the National Series due to coronavirus restrictions, though it’s hoped a number of regional friendlies can be arranged for August.

Details on the official launch of next year’s Topper Worlds are coming soon.

Published in Topper
Tagged under

The National 18ft Class Association has very reluctantly concluded that they must cancel the 2020 UK & Irish Championships sponsored by AIB.

The event was due to be held in the Royal Cork Yacht Club this August as part of the Cork300 celebrations.

However, the remaining Government restrictions against coronavirus, in particular those on foreign travel and social distancing, will make it impossible to run a successful event, the organisers said.

Many options were considered, including a deferred 2020 date. But to protect the health of all and the sailing and social integrity of the regatta, the decision has been made to cancel.

Despite the disappointment, plans for a domestic season both in Ireland and the UK are under way with a revised calendar will be issued in the coming weeks, and an announcement on the rescheduling of the Class Championships will follow.

The cancellation does not impact the AIB-sponsored Optimist Nationals or the Laser Nationals, which are also planned for August but later in the month.

Published in National 18
Tagged under

Supervised sailing resumes for single-handed dinghies, as well as multi-handed dinghies crewed by single households, from Monday 8 June at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, with the beginning of Phase 2 of relaxing coronavirus restrictions.

Events being planned for the next three weeks in this new phase include a pop-up cruise in company within the Cork Harbour area, and possible overnight stays at anchor in places such as Oysterhaven and Kinsale.

Phase 3, which is scheduled for Monday 29 June, is expected to see the return of racing for single-handers and same household multi-handers, as well as keelboats, while national and regional events should be allowed to resume in Phase 4 in the second half of July.

Meanwhile, the Royal Cork has put two more trophies on display in the clubhouse for returning sailors to see. One was recently presented, that being the ICC Fastnet Award in recognition of the club’s tricentenary.

But the other comes from the club’s past — in the form of the restored Crosshaven Regatta Roche Perpetual Trophy, recently rediscovered in an attic clearcut. The Royal Cork has more on the story HERE.

Published in Royal Cork YC
Tagged under

After a successful introductory webinar on tactics and strategy with Gonzalo ‘Bocha’ Pollitzer and Fernando Gwozdz last month, the Royal Cork Yacht Club is now offering members the opportunity to take part in a further four weekly sessions with the duo from this evening, Monday 1 June.

For €50 per household, members will have access to all four of the webinars which the club says leave you primed for when you get back on the water.

As the topics cross a number of classes, these webinars are aimed at all boats rather than being class-specific:

  • Monday 1 June at 7.30pm — Starts: Important concepts and priorities during each minute of the starting sequence
  • Sunday 7 June at 7.30pm — Key Moments & Communication: Decision making around the race course and “Calls” onboard
  • Sunday 14 June at 7.30pm — Upwind Tactics: a set of different scenarios to think about
  • Sunday 21 June at 7.30pm — Reaching/Downwind Tactics: Understanding the key factors for good decision making

For registration and more details, visit the RCYC website HERE.

Published in Royal Cork YC
Tagged under
Page 5 of 21

Port of Cork Information

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of only two Irish ports which service the requirements of all six shipping modes i.e., Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise. Due to its favourable location on the south coast of Ireland and its modern deep-water facilities, the Port of Cork is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services.

The Port of Cork is investing €80 million in a container terminal development in Ringaskiddy. The Cork Container Terminal will initially offer a 360-metre quay with 13-metre depth alongside and will enable larger ships to berth in the port. The development also includes the construction of a 13.5-hectare terminal and associated buildings as well as two ship to shore gantry cranes and container handling equipment.

The development of new container handling facilities at Ringaskiddy was identified in the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan in 2010. It will accommodate current and future container shipping which can be serviced by modern and efficient cargo handling equipment with innovative terminal operating and vehicle booking systems. The Port of Cork anticipates that Cork Container Terminal will be operational in 2020.

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of just two Irish ports which service the requirements of all shipping modes.

The Port of Cork also controls Bantry Bay Port Company and employs 150 people across all locations.

A European Designated Core Port and a Tier 1 Port of National Significance, Port of Cork’s reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround as well as the company’s investment in future growth, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain.

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades, most recently with the construction of the new €80m Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy which will facilitate the natural progression of the move from a river port to a deepwater port in order to future proof the Port
of Cork. This state-of-the-art terminal which will open in 2020 will be capable of berthing the largest container ships currently calling to Ireland.

The Port of Cork Company is a commercial semi-state company responsible for the commercial running of the harbour as well as responsibility for navigation and berthage in the port.  The Port is the main port serving the South of Ireland, County Cork and Cork City. 

Types of Shipping Using Port of Cork

The Port offers all six shipping modes from Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise liner traffic.

Port of Cork Growth

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades. Since 2000, the Port of Cork has invested €72 million in improving Port infrastructure and facilities. Due to its favourable location and its modern deepwater facilities, the Port is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services. A well-developed road infrastructure eases the flow of traffic from and to the port. The Port of Cork’s growing reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain. The Port of Cork Company turnover in 2018 amounted to €35.4 million, an increase of €3.9 million from €31.5 million in 2017. The combined traffic of both the Ports of Cork and Bantry increased to 10.66 million tonnes in 2018 up from 10.3 million tonnes in 2017.

History of Port of Cork

Famous at the last port of call of the Titanic, these medieval navigation and port facilities of the city and harbour were historically managed by the Cork Harbour Commissioners. Founded in 1814, the Cork Harbour Commissioners moved to the Custom House in 1904.  Following the implementation of the 1996 Harbours Act, by March 1997 all assets of the Commissioners were transferred to the Port of Cork Company.

Commercial Traffic at Port of Cork

Vessels up to 90,000 tonnes deadweight (DWT) are capable of coming through entrance to Cork Harbour. As the shipping channels get shallower the farther inland one travels, access becomes constricted, and only vessels up to 60,000 DWT can sail above Cobh. The Port of Cork provides pilotage and towage facilities for vessels entering Cork Harbour. All vessels accessing the quays in Cork City must be piloted and all vessels exceeding 130 metres in length must be piloted once they pass within 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) of the harbour entrance.

Berthing Facilities in Cork Harbour

The Port of Cork has berthing facilities at Cork City, Tivoli, Cobh and Ringaskiddy. The facilities in Cork City are primarily used for grain and oil transport. Tivoli provides container handling, facilities for oil, livestock and ore and a roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ramp. Prior to the opening of Ringaskiddy Ferry Port, car ferries sailed from here; now, the Ro-Ro ramp is used by companies importing cars into Ireland. In addition to the ferry terminal, Ringaskiddy has a deep water port.

Port of Cork Development Plans

2020 will be a significant year for the Port of Cork as it prepares to complete and open the €86 million Cork Container Terminal development in Ringaskiddy.

Once operational the new terminal will enable the port to handle up to 450,000 TEU per annum. Port of Cork already possess significant natural depth in Cork harbour, and the work in Ringaskiddy Port will enable the Port of Cork to accommodate vessels of 5500 to 6000 TEU, which will provide a great deal of additional potential for increasing container traffic.

It follows a previous plan hatched in 2006 as the port operated at full capacity the Port drew up plans for a new container facility at Ringaskiddy. This was the subject of major objections and after an Oral Planning Hearing was held in 2008 the Irish planning board Bord Pleanala rejected the plan due to inadequate rail and road links at the location.  

Further notable sustainability projects also include:

  • The Port of Cork have invested in 2 x STS cranes – Type single lift, Model P (148) L, (WS) Super. These cranes contain the most modern and energy-efficient control and monitoring systems currently available on the market and include an LED floodlight system equipped with software to facilitate remote diagnostics, a Crane Management System (CMS) and an energy chain supply on both cranes replacing the previous preferred festoon cabling installation.
  • The Port of Cork has installed High Mast Lighting Voltage Control Units at its two main cargo handling locations – Tivoli Industrial & Dock Estate and Ringaskiddy Deep-water & Ferry Terminals. This investment has led to more efficient energy use and reduced risk of light pollution. The lights can also be controlled remotely.
  • The Port of Cork’s largest electrical consumer at Tivoli Container Terminal is the handling and storage of refrigerated containers. Local data loggers were used to assess energy consumption. This provided timely intervention regarding Power Factor Correction Bank efficiency on our STS (Ship to Shore) Cranes and Substations, allowing for reduced mains demand and reducing wattless energy losses along with excess charges. The information gathered has helped us to design and build a reefer storage facility with energy management and remote monitoring included.

Bantry Port

In 2017 Bantry Bay Port Company completed a significant investment of €8.5 million in the Bantry Inner Harbour development. The development consisted of a leisure marina, widening of the town pier, dredging of the inner harbour and creation of a foreshore amenity space.

Port of Cork Cruise Liner Traffic

2019 was a record cruise season for the Port of Cork with 100 cruise liners visiting. In total over 243,000 passengers and crew visited the region with many passengers visiting Cork for the first time.

Also in 2019, the Port of Cork's Cruise line berth in Cobh was recognised as one of the best cruise destinations in the world, winning in the Top-Rated British Isles & Western Europe Cruise Destination category. 

There has been an increase in cruise ship visits to Cork Harbour in the early 21st century, with 53 such ships visiting the port in 2011, increasing to approximately 100 cruise ship visits by 2019.

These cruise ships berth at the Port of Cork's deepwater quay in Cobh, which is Ireland's only dedicated berth for cruise ships.

Passenger Ferries

Operating since the late 1970s, Brittany Ferries runs a ferry service to Roscoff in France. This operates between April and November from the Ro-Ro facilities at Ringaskiddy. Previous ferry services ran to Swansea in Wales and Santander in Spain. The former, the Swansea Cork ferry, ran initially between 1987 and 2006 and also briefly between 2010 and 2012.

The latter, a Brittany Ferries Cork–Santander service, started in 2018 but was cancelled in early 2020.

Marine Leisure

The Port of Cork has a strategy that aims to promote the harbour also as a leisure amenity. Cork’s superb natural harbour is a great place to enjoy all types of marine leisure pursuits. With lots of sailing and rowing clubs dotted throughout the harbour, excellent fishing and picturesque harbour-side paths for walking, running or cycling, there is something for everyone to enjoy in and around Cork harbour. The Port is actively involved with the promotion of Cork Harbour's annual Festival. The oldest sailing club in the world, founded in 1720, is the Royal Cork Yacht Club is located at Crosshaven in the harbour, proof positive, says the Port, that the people of Cork, and its visitors, have been enjoying this vast natural leisure resource for centuries. 

Port of Cork Executives

  • Chairman: John Mullins
  • Chief Executive: Brendan Keating
  • Secretary/Chief Finance Officer: Donal Crowley
  • Harbour Master and Chief Operations Officer: Capt. Paul O'Regan
  • Port Engineering Manager: Henry Kingston
  • Chief Commercial Officer: Conor Mowlds
  • Head of Human Resources: Peter O'Shaughnessy