Following Afloat.ie photos showing the damage to the West Pier at Dun Laoghaire after Storm Emma, this weekend's low tide and calm seas revealed further evidence of the pressing need for repair works to the Pier's roundhead. 

Damage to the surface of Dun Laoghaire's East Pier is here. 

Weathering and erosion of the apron just before the West Pier roundhead

Above and below: Cracks and subsidence in the roundhead wall

#DLHarbour - Concerns have been raised over apparent damage to the East and West Piers in Dun Laoghaire Harbour that may be worse than previously estimated.

Visibly damaged stonework lies at the waterline of the West Pier roundhead some four weeks after Storm Emma resulted in “substantial damage” to the East Pier, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

One large part of the concrete and stone ‘apron’ just before the roundhead, estimated at 50 tons, appears to have been upended and moved as much as 40 metres.

There are growing fears that this surface damage may indicate further damage undermining the structure of the pier roundhead

Evidence of subsidence is also visible above the low water line on the outside pace of the roundhead, which may also be a result of last month’s storm.

There are growing fears that this surface damage may indicate further damage undermining the structure of the pier roundhead — a problem that could be exacerbated by thrusters of cruise liners should proposals for a new berth come to fruition, it has been suggested.

It is not known what repair works would be required, though the issue of potential effects on the roundheads was raised during the oral hearing on the cruise berth plans more than two years ago.

Afloat.ie understands that the last time a significant breach of the harbour’s piers occurred was during the ‘great storm’ of November 1915.

Cracks and subsidence in the roundhead wall

Weathering and erosion of the apron just before the West Pier roundhead

In a further twist in the long running proposed cruise Line berth at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, An Bord Pleanála has written to Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company this week requesting them to furnish further information in relation to the effects on the environment of the proposed development. The board is also seeking further technical and scientific information on the project.

In effect, it means the board is still not in a position to make its determination on the Cruise Ship Project for the Dublin Bay Harbour that this week also saw its transfer into Council ownership move a step closer.

As regular Afloat.ie readers will know, a year ago Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) issued a statement on its cruise berth facility following a  court case decision in which environmental lobby group Save our Seafront, chaired by local TD Richard Boyd Barrett, 'won its legal action against the decision to grant planning permission for the Dún Laoghaire Cruise Terminal'.

This week's An Bord Pleanála request has drawn a swift response from Independent Senator, Victor Boyhan, who has expressed his concerns about the capacity of An Bord Pleanála to 'deliver planning decisions in a timely manner'. 

“In particular, I am concerned by its handling of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour cruise ship terminal project. A controversial development, by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, which has proven to be a very divisive project.”

“An Bord Pleanála received more than 150 objections to the project and it was expected that it would announce its decision to grant, amend or refuse planning permission for the development in Dún Laoghaire Harbour by 8 January 2016.”

“It further extended the decision date to April and thereafter extended it again this time to 17 June 2016.”

“Local residents and harbour users who paid fees to engaged in the planning appeals process are frustrated by the inordinate delays, in what is supposed to be a ‘fast-track’ planning process.”

“In recent days, an Bord Pleanála ( Ref: 06D.PA0051 ( PA0042) 7th March 2018, has confirmed that it is still not in a position to make its determination on the Cruise Ship Project and has written to Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company requesting them to furnish further information in relation to the effects on the environment of the proposed development the board is also seeking further technical and scientific information on the project.”

“I am calling on An Bord Pleanála to explain why it has failed to reach a decision on the controversial proposal within the initial 18-week timeframe objective set by the board and to give reasons for the ongoing delays in this particular planning saga.”

“The government expanded the remit of an Bord Pleanála to fast-track certain planning projects, this planning application case highlights the need for a new and more professional approach to deal with planning appeals.” 

Boyhan says the case highlighted the need for a total review of the boards capacity to achieved its own planning timelines and targets.

With the recent damage to Dun Laoghaire Harbour by Storm Emma adding to the seriousness of the problem, last night’s decision regarding harbour management by the Council - and the comments issued this afternoon by the Save Our Seafront organisation – focus attention on a public matter of increasing urgency. The Save Our Seafront statement (given here in full detail) addresses many issues:

After a long council meeting last night, attended by many members and supporters of Save Our Seafront, the council voted 24 - 9 in favour of a motion proposed by Cllr Melisa Halpin and seconded by Cllr Dave O’Keeffe to support the Chief Executive's recommendation to bring Dun Laoghaire Harbour under democratic control of the council.

Save Our Seafront has long been campaigning for this, in order to ensure the development of the harbour in the interests of the people, the town, the county and indeed the whole country.

The vote took place in the context of a recent risk assessment received by the council which shows the figure of €31.5 million to bring the harbour up to “Taking in Charge” standard. This is a notional figure which may be needed to be spent over the coming years to maintain the harbour in first class condition. Cllr Halpin's motion went on to call for the Minister for Transport to secure the funds necessary for the ‘taking in charge’ expenditure that may be necessary to secure the structural future of the harbour.

Cllr Melisa Halpin said: “This is a historic opportunity for the DLR council and for the people of the county, and further afield. Dun Laoghaire Harbour is a Victorian harbour of enormous historic and cultural significance. It is the only intact such harbour in Britain or Ireland. It was the departure point for millions of emigrants and tourists for the best part of 200 years and has a special place in the heart of millions of people across both Islands.

“Today, the harbour is the setting for many international water sports competitions, the East Pier is walked by 1 million people every year. Sensitively developed as a public amenity the harbour provides a first rate opportunity to regenerate the centre of Dun Laoghaire and enhance the prospects of the town and the county as a whole.”

“Over the last number of years this opportunity has been squandered by the Harbour Company. They have wasted funds on expensive and frankly mad-cap projects such as the floating swimming pool, the new berth for mega cruise ships, a ten story apartment block on the historic Carlisle pier, a floating hotel, floating houses and high rise private apartments and hotels; In addition they have sold off a tract of land for private development. These plans never materialised because of opposition from the public, but millions of euros have been wasted in the process. It is high time this dysfunctional quango was wound up,”

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett raised the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dail yesterday, calling on the government to act swiftly and ensure the quick transfer of ownership, the dissolution of harbour company and to find the necessary funds to ensure this transfer is not a burden on the council or the people of Dun Laoghaire.

He said : “Because of the lack of cooperation of the Harbour Company we still do not have a clear picture of the cost of bringing this under the Council but we are calling on the Minister in charge to make all necessary funds available so that there is no detrimental impact on the council services.”

“The government have sat on their hands over the last 7 years while reports of mismanagement of funds by the harbour company came to light. The current Minister has ignored regular requests by me to act on the Harbours Act 2015 and dissolve the Harbour Company”.

“The Minister and his colleagues in government should recognise the historical and cultural significance of this harbour and see any investment as an investment in our infrastructure and our cultural heritage. Now is the time to act swiftly and allow for the future development of our harbour in the interests of the people. I will be contacting Minister Ross for an urgent meeting to discuss the situation.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is considering how best to proceed with the regeneration of the Carlisle Pier, a major leisure and cultural site that is located between the National Yacht Club and Royal St. George Yacht Club.

The pier is regularly used by both yacht clubs during major internatonal sailing events staged at the port for the the storage of competition boats for the course of a regatta, such as the recent Laser Radial World Championships.

It is currently in use as a car park and short–term berth for shipping for the unloading of some unusual cargoes and also a berth for cruise ships.

The Company now wants to gauge market interest in what it deems a 'significant opportunity'. According to planning guidelines, any development of the site should regenerate and enliven the waterfront, be sensitive to the setting and should include a significant portion of cultural and amenity uses, with public accessibility and permeability to the waterfront paramount.

The National Ports Policy suggests that Dun Laoghaire Harbour will position itself as an exciting marine leisure tourism destination of international calibre; one which elegantly integrates the local town with an historic 200-year old harbour, and which offers a striking blend of modern amenities mixed with a traditional marine ambience in a Dublin Bay setting, making it one of the most beautiful man-made harbours in the world.

The harbour is located in the busy town of Dún Laoghaire, which has two shopping centres along with a great range of restaurants, boutique shops, theatres, a magnificent new library and parks. Key to the town’s attraction is its transport links, DART station and key bus routes.

The N11, M50 and QBC’s provide convenient access to the city (5 miles) and surrounding suburbs. Many well-regarded primary, secondary schools and third level institutions are just a short distance away.

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan proposes the regeneration of this major leisure and cultural site on the historic Carlisle Pier. This regeneration initiative could involve approximately 8,000m2 of space in a high amenity / high activity, publicly accessible environment.

The pier and associated lands are in temporary uses and circa 1.1 hectare historic waterfront site is available for imaginative proposals subject to planning.

Planning

Carlisle Pier is zoned Objective W in the County Development Plan 2016 – 2022. Objective W permits a broad range of regeneration combinations. Special Local Objective 16 relates specifically to Carlisle Pier and emphasises the cultural and amenity aspect of any future regeneration of this historic site.

For more details download the Market Consultation Regeneration notice below

#DublinBay - An unusual visitor to Dun Laoghaire Harbour is a Dutch patrol vessel not to be confused with their navy but belongs to the coastguard service, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 61m patrol vessel Barend Biesheuvel operated by the Netherlands Coastguard or 'Kustwacht' arrived yesterday from the homeport of Scheveningen.

Barend Biesheuvel berthed at St. Michaels Pier for the weekend and according to the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company will remain in the port until Monday (but will not be open to the public).

The patrol craft however can be easily observed from the public plaza beside the disused ferry terminal. If your taking a stroll on the East Pier, the craft can be seen from beyond the bandstand. 

The word 'Kustwacht' painted amidships on the hull in addition has the customary angled red and white painted strips. This livery scheme is internationally recognised for coastguard and emergency towing vessels (ETV) world-wide.

The Netherlands Coastguard is an independent civil organization with own tasks, competences and responsibilities.

The main three goals of the service are :

- A responsible use of the North Sea;
- To provide services that contribute to safety and security at sea;
- Upholding (inter)national laws and duties.

The work of the Coastguard is to coordinate and carry out (15 operational tasks) for six ministries involved in the Dutch sector of the North Sea. Among the broad remit of the service involves customs monitoring of imports and exports, search and rescue, fishery monitoring and clearing of explosives. 

Barend Biesheuvel cuts a sleek profile from the bow where a stepped superstructure leads to the bridge on the third deck. Immediately aft of the wheelhouse is the work deck where among the machinary is a single forward 6 ton crane and an aft-mounted 15 ton crane to enable a variety of tasks.

Completed in 2001 the vessel is a larger version of a pair of sisters, though they do not feature an aft work deck and associated crane-handling capability.

Asides the patrol craft, the service has at its disposal an ETV, sea-going bouyage tenders and multipurpose vessels.

#Beatyard - The Jacksons will play their first ever Irish show as a part of this summer’s Beatyard festival in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, with tickets going on sale next week.

Tito, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon will headline on Friday 3 August — the first date of what’s now a three-day festival expected to attract some 30,000 people to Dun Laoghaire’s waterfront over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Other performers over Friday 3, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August include US jazz sensation Kamasi Washington, Irish electronic duo I Am The Cosmos and hip hop legends the Sugarhill Gang.

That’s not to mention the feasts available at the Eatyard, including the Irish Street Food Awards; fun for families in the Kidsyard and Gamesyard; and a party atmosphere on the waves in the Boatyard.

Tickets for Beatyard 2018 go on sale next Wednesday 7 February at 9am. For more details visit the Beatyard website.

Beatyard features among a host of events at Dun Laoghaire Harbour this summer that also includes the return of the Red Bull Flugtag on Sunday 20 May.

Details are forthcoming on the Flugtag, which drew 100,000 spectators on its last appearance in 2011.

#Seabin - Coastal litter crusader Flossie Donnelly has raised hundreds of euro in a crowdfunding campaign to procure a Seabin water cleaning device for Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The Seabin is simple but remarkably effective, essentially a floating rubbish bin with a pump that traps floating debris — and which has the potential to collect as many as 83,000 plastic bags or 20,000 plastic bottles a year.

Floating rubbish in Dun Laoghaire’s waters and surrounds has been an issue for years, and prompted ambitious Flossie to start a regular beach and harbour clean-ups in South Dublin Bay last summer.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the youngster soon attracted a dedicated group of volunteers inspired by the 10-year-old’s drive.

But more could be done with the help of an automated device like the Seabin, for which Flossie also held a fundraising table quiz in Sandycove last November.

As of this morning (Wednesday 31 January), Flossie has raised €650 towards her €3,000 goal. Find out more about the campaign on its GoFundMe page HERE.

#DLHarbour - Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has issued its first notices to mariners for 2018, superseding all previous marine notices.

Regarding fairway priorities, the harbour fairways and approaches are generally to be kept clear and free. It is prohibited to anchor or lay moorings in these areas as marked on navigational publications and charts.

No race marks, buoys, floats, etc are to be laid in the fairways or the near approaches to Dun Laoghaire Harbour – and no racing shall take place other than by specific written permission from the Harbour Master.

Any lobster/crab pots that are laid shall remain clear of all harbour navigational waters, and slipways.

Large power-driven vessels (cruise liners, ferries, lighthouse and Naval Service vessels) and smaller power-driven vessels with restricted manoeuvrability (such as cruise ship tenders and small passenger ferries) have priority over all other craft, including the area of the harbour limits that extend 600 metres seaward of the harbour mouth.

Large power-driven vessels are to sound a prolonged blast when approaching the harbour mouth from either direction, or the appropriate signal when manoeuvring off, departing or preparing to depart from their berths.

A vessel may also sound a preliminary, prolonged blast, just prior to departure, so as to alert other harbour users of its imminent departure.

Irrespective as to whether or not any such signal is sounded, the obligation remains for small craft togive priority to the large power-driven vessels.

Regarding VHF reporting, all vessels, excluding pleasure craft, are required to call ‘Harbour Office Dun Laoghaire’ on VHF Channel 14 as follows:

1. ETA at harbour entrance at least two hours in advance, and for any scheduled ferries call at least half an hour in advance.
2. ETD at least one hour in advance, followed by confirmation five minutes prior to departure.

Unscheduled arrivals should call ‘Harbour Office Dun Laoghaire’ on mobile +353 83 144 3412 (24hr) at least two hours before arrival.

A decision on the future governance of Dún Laoghaire harbour needs to be made by government without delay, according to Senator Victor Boyhan a former director of Dún Laoghaire harbour company.

The Independent Senator has called on Minister for Transport Shane Ross, who has overall government responsibly for national ports policy to make a decision on the future governance of Dun Laoghaire harbour.

The national ports policy advanced the idea that Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company would transfer to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, despite protracted talks over the last two years no transfer has taken place. 

The lack of agreement is impacting on the financial and long term strategic planning for the harbour and its real estate according to Senator Victor Boyhan.

Boyhan said officials from Minister Ross’s department had met both sides on a number of occasions to facilitate talks for a transfer, despite these intense talks no agreement has been reached.

“Dun Laoghaire Harbour is facing challenging financial and operating difficulties, and has no ferry service currently operating out of the port. Stena Line’s decision to end its ferry service from the harbour has added to the financial challenges facing harbour revenue.”

“The financial impact on the port is significant and it is very clear that the company faces a very difficult operating environment,’’ he said.

According to Senator Boyhan; “the proposed giant cruise terminal plan is ‘dead in the water’, after local planning and legal objections, the Badeschiff Open Sea Baths for the harbour failed to get sufficient commercial backing to materialise.”

Boyhan said; “there is huge uncertainty about the harbour’s future, its direction, long-term plans and governance. New sources of income need to be identified to maintain the heritage elements of the harbour which are designated Protected Structures.”

“I am calling on the Minister Ross to meet with the executive and councillors of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council early in the new year, to advance a final decision about the future governance and management of the harbour – a decision needs to be made in the interest of protecting the future of the harbours assets, its employees, real estate, marine leisure and marine-related tourism,” said Boyhan