Once a fortnight I sit in the studios of the Community Radio Station in Youghal, to present and produce This Island Nation, which I describe as "the maritime programme reporting on marine culture, history and tradition, bringing together the community of the sea..."

The sea is just across the road from the studios in this East Cork coastal town. From there the programme is distributed to radio stations around the country and on this edition I admit to being an advocate for the importance of the maritime sphere. However, in the programme, one of the leading maritime lawyers in the world challenges whether the Irish Government understands the potential in the seas around this island nation. He certainly doesn't think that they are doing enough to achieve what this potential offers.

Michael Kingston (centre) being awarded the Maritime Lawyer of the Year Award in London

Listen on this link below to hear Michael Kingston, a native of Goleen in West Cork, whose father was killed in the Betelgeuse oil tanker disaster in Bantry Bay in January of 1979. He also discusses what he considers to be unresolved issues in the investigation of this tragedy and outlines why he feels that failures to sign international maritime treaties could have had effects on the loss of the R116 Coast Guard helicopter.

Polar waters are the new maritime frontier so it should be a matter of pride for the Irish maritime sector to know that an Irishman is to the fore in drawing up operational regulations in these waters.
He is Michael Kingston, a West Corkman from Goleen, close to the Southern coastal waters on the edge of the Atlantic. He has achieved a big reputation in maritime circles, honoured by Lloyds List newspaper, the ‘Bible of Shipping’ as it is known, who gave him the accolade of ‘Maritime Lawyer of the Year’ and described him as one of the Top 100 influencers in the world in the global insurance, maritime and energy sectors.
Below, I have the pleasure of talking to Michael about his work with DWF, based in London, where he is a Partner in the internationally-recognised firm, dealing with Marine, Trade and Energy issues. We discuss how he has been involved in shaping the new Polar Code that will regulate maritime risks in Arctic and Antarctic waters.

Listen to his interview below where he discusses, in particular, the cruise ship voyage due to enter Polar waters next month.

THIS ISLAND NATION podcast is built on the concept I have always tried to advance – The Family of the Sea. Even with the differences inherent in a 'family.’ the overall family aim is trying to focus on the unity of the common good – in this case, maritime matters. Not easy to do, but worth the effort and I am encouraged by the response from listeners and readers of THIS ISLAND NATION on afloat.ie

I am, at times, puzzled by the contradictory attitude of Government agencies. Which drives their approach - bureaucracy or commitment? I wonder in regard to the development of aquaculture. As wild fish stocks have become depleted, the importance of fish-farming has increased, making Aquaculture a vital, developing part of the food industry. Its total value in the European Union is €500 billion a year and it provides over 5 million jobs. Seven million Euros is being spent on a four-year study by the EU, in which Ireland is represented by the Marine Institute, to support the development of Aquaculture, but there are still problems with the State attitude towards the industry. I turned to a well-known voice for the industry, Richie Flynn who is Executive of the national representative body for fish farmers, IFA Aquaculture, to try to find out why problems continue for the industry. He says that the industry needs a champion.

And did you ever hear what happened on the inland waterways when a former IRA Commander and a British General met up – and the security forces raided the wrong boat. Listen to the programme and you’ll know all about it!