#SHANNON SILVERSEAS - The mid-west port of Foynes is playing host to the ultra-luxurious Silver Whisper (2001/28,000grt) which docked along the Shannon Estuary this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The vessel operated by Silverseas Cruises had sailed from Southampton and at least another call by another vessel is also scheduled this season. On average the Shannon Foynes Port Company handles four cruise calls each season.

One of the main visitor attractions along the Shannon is the local Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which retraces an altogether different era in transportation, yet also carried out travel in style when the B314 flying boats used the Co. Limerick terminal between1937-1945. Then the trans-Atlantic travellers spent time at the Foynes hub-terminal which also became home to the 'Irish Coffee'.

On board the 382 passenger capacity vessel she has a near equal number of crew at 302. This passenger to crew ratio is exceptionally high and reflects her status in the very top end of the cruise travel market. Silverseas have over the years won a whole string of globally recognised travel industry awards.

All accommodation on board the 186m / 610ft long vessel is based in suites cabins (available in seven grades) with each featuring a balcony of ocean views and countless destinations.

Facilities include boutique shopping; a wellness spa with beauty salon, fitness centre and sauna; full-scale productions in a multi-tiered show lounge; a casino, an internet café and Wi-Fi service. To read the full range of facilities and virtual tours click HERE.

In 2012 the Silver Whisper cruising schedules are to Brazil then to South Africa and the Indian Ocean landscapes. Beyond that she heads for the South China Sea, west to the Arabian Sea and Egypt.

During the summer she explores Europe before arriving in Canada for autumn's vibrant 'fall'. Silver Whisper's globetrotting culminates in the Caribbean with cruises through the year's end.

#FOYNES – Foynes Yacht Club on the Shannon Estuary celebrates Commodore's Day this Sunday writes Gerry Ryan.

Traditionally, it is the biggest annual social occasion when member's entertain their family and friend's with a 'fun day' at the Club and this the event is set to be extra special because Foynes is celebrating its Golden Jubilee.

Commodore Tom Murray has a host of events planned for the day to entertain the large number's of spectator's expected at Cooleen Point for an afternoon of 'fun and frolics'.

A number of fringe events will be taking place on the water, with all classes racing to compete for their respective trophies. Class 1, 2 and White Sails will be competeing for the Paddy Reidy Memorial Trophy; the Michael Synnott Memorial Trophy will be the prize for the Mermaid fleet.

To start off proceedings a briefing is organised for all craft at 2pm. Racing will then commence at 2.15pm, the courses will be decided on the day. The junior member's of the club will be racing the Topaz dinghies, which should provide an added spectacle to the afternoon.

After the racing the annual blessing of the boat's will take place on the marina by Cannon O'Keeffe and Fr. Noonan, approximately at 4pm. When this is complete a Bar-B-Que will take place in the clubhouse lawn, and live music will be provided for all to enjoy.

A presentation of specially commissioned medals will be presented by Commodore Tom Murray to former Commodore's of the Club to mark the golden jubilee of Foynes Yacht Club. Let's hope the weather will be favourable on Sunday for all to enjoy.

On Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 the first leg of the Estuary Bell will take place between the Royal Western, Kilrush and Foynes YC.

Three races are penciled in on the agenda for the weekend, and the first race on the Saturday will be at 12 noon, it is envisaged to run two races on Saturday and one on Sunday.

#FOYNES – On Saturday last the annual cruise to Limerick city took place with a flotilla of yachts leaving Foynes Yacht Club at 2pm as part of the Riverfest celebrations writes Gerry Ryan.

This is the fourth year that this particular cruise was organised, and of course as member's know, it is a very special year in the annals of Foynes Yacht Club-our golden jubilee.

On the day the weather was superb, but unfortunately, the wind was north-easterly so we had to use engine power on the journey.

At rafting up at Steamboat Quay for an hour, where they boat's were viewed by the general public, we then went into Limerick Docks for berthing for the evening.

Shannon Development hosted a reception in the Clarion Hotel at 5.30pm to distinguised guests including the Deputy Mayor of Limerick, Cllr. Diarmid Scully; Kieran Lehane, city manager; Chief Executive of Shannon Development, Dr. Vincent Cunnane; and CEO of Shannon Foynes Port Company, Pat Keating.

During the speeches, it was stressed by all of the speakers, that the River Shannon should be utilised more for public leisure. A plan is at present being put together to enable this to come to fruition in the near future.

Commodore Tom Murray, thanked the organisers of Riverfest, which he said was a fantastic success for Limerick city, and he hoped it will continue to bring in tourists and much needed revenue to the city.

After the reception member's of the yacht club went to Dolan's Restaurant for dinner, and after fireworks celebrations took place on the river Shannon, where large crowds of spectators took up vantage points to see the display.

On Sunday the flotilla left Limerick Docks for the return journey to Cooleen Point, where a Bar-B-Que was held to round of the proceedings of the weekend.

The next major event in Foynes Yacht Club will be Commodore's Day, on Sunday, May 20 with racing for all classes, starting at 2pm. The annual blessing of all craft will take place after racing on the marina. All member's are asked to come to support this very special day of the year.

#SHANNON ESTUARY – The Maritime Journal reports that a simulated fire and rescue drill simulating a fire on board a ship took place in Foynes Port this week.

Limerick County Fire & Rescue Service with the assistance of Shannon Foynes Port Company and Celtic Tugs which operates a fleet of  tugs in the port hosted the Ship and Ports Course.

A number of exercises were carried out during the course, to read more on the exercise click HERE.

#FOYNES – Next Sunday the Dublin Bay Mermaid fleet of Foynes Yacht Club will be in action on the waters of the Shannon Estuary for the 'Inaugural' golden jubillee race writes Gerry Ryan

Mermaid class captain, Darragh McCormack is hoping to have a full fleet of Mermaid's (10 in all) for the race. . A special trophy as been commissioned for the winner.

Last weekend the first cruise of the season took place down the estuary to Loughill, with a north-west wind force 3-4, it was certainly a cruise to get all skipper's and sailor's in the groove for the coming season. A total 10 craft sailed on this venture.

The cruise started at 2pm and finished at Cooleen Point at 4pm, where a Bar-B-Que in the clubhouse was organised for the hungry 'Pirates'.

Culluan Sailing Club will host its annual Spring Regatta on Sunday, April 29. This is a mixed fleet open event, and entry from travelling boat's are always welcome.

Three races are pencilled in to take place with a briefing at 12.30pm. The first race will be at 1pm with an approximate finish for all races at 5pm. A special junior race is organised on this event. The entry fee per boat is €15.

The P750 Class Association of Ireland will be holding a Powerboat Race in conjunction with Riverfest on Sunday, May 6. The race will be starting at 3pm and finishing at 6.30pm.

The P750 craft will be racing between Shannon and Sarsfield Bridge. These craft will be be travelling at approximately 40kt's, and it is requested that during this time no craft will encroach on the course and other river users are aware of this event.

46 craft have put pen to paper for WIORA, and it is envisaged that 50 craft will be taking to the water's of the Shannon Estuary for Foyne Yacht Club's golden jubilee and it hosting of the West of Ireland Offshore Racing (WIORA) Championship's from Wednesday, July 11 to Saturday, July 14 writes Gerry Ryan.

Three classes will be organised for the event IRC, Echo and White Sails. Liam Dineen has been appointed Officer-of-the-Day for the championships.

This coming Saturday, April 14 'lift-in' is scheduled to take place for all craft at Foynes Yacht Club Officially, this will be the start of the much anticipated sailing season in Cooleen Point. While the standard around the 'can's' windward-leeward course's will be laid for the IRC and Echo fleets, more varied courses for the White Sails division will be set, taking the fleet to all parts of the Estuary.

Peader McGrath, who is rib manager for WIORA week has asked for rib drivers and assistants for this week. Any member's who would have time to assist are asked to contact Peader on 087 2600817.

To kick-off the season a cruise for all craft on the estuary is organised for Saturday, April 21, this will take place in the afternoon where a Bar-B-Que will take at the clubhouse after the cruise.

Brendan Buckley and Ciara McCormack on qualifying as dinghy instructions, one of their first briefs is to develop a plan for the junior racing during the season. These two individuals have a wealth of experience in the rudiments of sailing. It augurs for the junior member's of the club, where the sailing school is going from strength to strength.

The sailing school will officially start proceedings on Monday, June 11 until the end of July (it will not operate WIORA week).

The new club polo shirts, hoodies and jackets with the new 50th anniversary logo are available in the club. These are available in an assortment of colours and sizes.

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Limerick branch of Birdwatch Ireland is seeking volunteers to assist in rescuing birds from oil spillages in the Shannon Estuary.

A report in the Limerick Post recounts a recent meeting at Shannon Rowing Club, where Birdwatch Ireand highlighted the impact on the environment and marine wildlife from both major and minor oil spills.

The meeting also discussed the role that local birdwatchers can play in determining crucial spillage incident response times.

A training exercise at Poulnasherry Bay is being organised for next month using equipment donated to the Irish Seal Sanctuary, preceeded by a similated planning exercise and "on-the-ground response".

The Irish Seal Sanctuary will also provide opportunities for training in the rehabilitation and cleaning of spillage-affected birds.

The Limerick Post has much more on this story HERE.

#FOYNES – Preparations are getting under way at Foynes Yacht Club for the golden jubilee of the club this year.

On Sunday, January 22 a traditional Irish music session will take with the group, Creeves Wrenboy's taking to the stage at 5pm for what promises to be a spectacular event of music and song.

In Feburary and March a series of lectures will take place on nautical activities, and these will take place on Wednesday evenings; the adult and junior sailing  courses are beginning in March, and the annual boat flotilla to Limerick for the Riverfest celebrations on the May Bank Holiday weekend will take place.

The lift-in day for all craft is scheduled for Saturday, April 14 at 10am.

In April a gala going Afloat will take place. Further details on this event will be posted on the club website shortly.

A mass for deceased members of the club, and members will be said in February, the date is not confirmed yet, but members are asked to keep an eye to the club website.

The main focus is on the West of Ireland Offshore Racing Championship's, which will take place in July, and a target on 50 boats for the event is planned. already an entry of 42 craft have put pen to paper, and it is hoped that 50 vessels will take part. Other events planned are Glin Castle race, the Estuary Bell race, Carrigaholt race, the Cappa race, the the Club regatta, which coincides with the Foynes Irish Coffee festival, and other fringe events.

Port expansion options are to be examined so to prepare ports for larger trade volumes when the opportunities arise. Also under consideration are the non-core assets at the Port of Foynes and Limerick Docks. To read more about the masterplan and the challenges and issues that has been identified in both ports click HERE.

The statutory jurisdiction of the estuary is under the control of SFPC, which is responsible for the estuary that runs from the mouth entrance marked by Kerry and Loop Heads and stretching far inland to Limerick City. The natural waterway can handle vessels of up to 200,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt) which are the largest ships that can dock in Irish waters.

The second vessel, the 93-metre Danish-registered Tina Theresa, was leaving the anchorage to meet up with the Shannon estuary pilot when the collision took place. The tanker was destined for Foynes Port in Limerick and was damaged along her starboard side but there was no hull damage.