#CruiseLiners – Sea Explorer the small cruiseship which spent a brief 'lay-up' period in Dun Laoghaire Harbour during the Spring, as previously reported on Afloat.ie, returned to Dublin Bay today again 'without' passengers, with the ship docking instead in Dublin Port, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Since the departure of the 4,200 tonnes cruiseship from Dun Laoghaire Harbour, she has spent a further period of under lay-up in Barrow-in-Furness.

Sea Explorer berthed this morning at Ocean Pier, having sailed the Irish Sea from the Cumbrian port so to prepare the Italian built vessel for a new charter season for Copenhagen based Albratros Travel.  The cruises will operate in Northern Europe and to Greenland.

Also in Dublin Port today is Le Boreal which berthed at North Wall Quay (close to the East-Link bridge), from where the detained cargoship Clipper Faith had to shift berths from this location and moor elsewhere in the port.

It will be a busy day for the port as third cruise caller is due this evening with Island Sky making a teatime arrival. She is one of eight sisters including Sea Explorer that were originally built for Renaissance Cruises.

#DetainedBulker- A High Court judge has expressed concern for the crew of a Belize registered 19,000 tonnes cargo ship detained in Dublin Port since last March and who have not been paid since late last year.

The 17 crew, represented by the International Transport Workers Federation, had brought proceedings against the owner of the MV Clipper Faith for unpaid wages of approximately $320,000.

The ship's owner, the Liberian-registered Afternoon Maritime, said it lacked funds to pay the crew, who are largely from Russia and Ukraine. For more on this story, The Irish Times has a report.

#CruiseLiners – For the first time during the 2013 Dublin Port cruise season, two such vessels are due to dock on the same day and only hours apart, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The French mega-yacht style cruiseship Le Boreal from Caen, Normandy is scheduled to arrive first in the early hours of next Sunday. She will be followed by the Norwegian polar region cruise expedition vessel Fram with an arrival from Cork.

Sleek lined Le Boreal is operated by Compagnie due Ponant yacht cruises and the stoutly proportioned Fram is run by Hurtigruten. This operator of course is famous for providing the important Norwegian coastal voyage between Bergen and Kirkenes, beyond the Arctic circle and bordering the Russian Federation.

Among the many regions, the Fram explores the other end of the world with cruises in the Antarctic Ocean.

Dublin Port can look forward to another record breaking year with around 105 cruise calls scheduled in 2013, this compares to last year where there were 89 arrivals. The rise in the 2013 season reflects approximately an increase of 20% compared to last year.

#AircraftCarrier – During the rare visit of the Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious (R06) to Dublin Port (PHOTO's) at the weekend, the last serving 'Invincible' class aircraft-carrier was given a Gathering welcome with a showering of green light, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 22,000 displacement tons former aircraft-carrier which currently serves in the role as a High Readiness Helicopter and Commando Carrier, had called to the capital having completed Exercise Joint Warrior, a multi-national event involving several navies, off the coast of Scotland.

The 35 year old vessel which berthed at Alexandra Basin, was floodlit in green (as it happens, aptly on her starboard side) from lamps laid alongside Ocean Pier.

The special lighting effects were created by the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers with whom 'Lusty' as she is affectionately known by her 700 crew have a close affiliation to.

Niall Gibbons, CEO Tourism Ireland, said: "We were delighted to welcome HMS Illustrious to Ireland and are sure that the sailors on board received a wonderful Irish welcome during their stay."

During her visit, two members of the Ship's Company, Able Seaman Andrew Liston, 25, from Chesterfield and Able Seaman Aaron Canwell, 31, from Wembley, were both awarded certificates of Irish Heritage for having family ties to the country.

Another highlight of their 'Gathering' visit was a performance by Irish group, Ragus, who transformed the ship's hangar into a stage filled with traditional Irish music and dance.

HMS Illustrious was launched in 1978 from Swan Hunter on the Tyne and for most of her career spanning more than three decades the 209m long vessel had on board the famous 'Harrier' VSTOL jump-jets aircraft.

The Portsmouth based vessel is one of four Royal Navy core amphibious vessels, however she is due to pay off in 2014 and in her place are a pair of Queen Elizabeth class 65,000 tons aircraft –carriers currently under construction.

Until these newbuilds are delivered, HMS Ocean (L12) a helicopter carrier of 21,500 tons which has called to Dublin Port on previous occasions, is to replace the Lusty after completion of a £65m refit at Devonport Royal Dockyard early next year.

Yesterday HMS Illustrious departed Dublin Port as did all the other visiting navies which took part in Exercise Joint Warrior, except for the French Navy's oil replenishment tanker Marne which made an exodus this afternoon.

#NavalFlotilla – With the Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious (RO6) already docked in Dublin Port along with German and French naval vessels, the port is expecting a final member of the visiting European naval flotilla this afternoon, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Berthed near to HMS Illustrious are the German Navy's oil replenishment tanker FGS Rheon (A1443) and Sachsen class frigate FGS Hessen (F221). Also in port is the French Navy's Marne (A630) another replenishment oil tanker.

While offshore of Dublin Bay is the remaining vessel due to arrive, the Royal Netherlands Navy HNMLS Luymes (A803) a hydrographic research vessel. The 2,091 tonnes vessel has completed carrying out exercises off Scotland along with her European fleetmates.

Only HNMLS Luymes is to berth closer to the city-centre along Sir John Rogersons Quay, which requires a transit through the East-Link lift toll bridge this afternoon.

The Naval Service L.E. Emer (P21) is also to moor alongside the south quays though not till tomorrow morning.

#Aircraft-Carrier- The Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious (RO6) which is the High Readiness Helicopter and Commando Carrier made a rare visit to Dublin Port when the 22,000 tonnes former aircraft-carrier docked at noon today, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The last of the 'Invincible' class of aircraft-carriers commissioned for the Royal Navy is in the capital as part of an international naval flotilla which are arriving at various stages today, having just completed a major multi national warfare exercise off the coast of Scotland.

Captain Martin Connell, Commanding Officer said: "We are really delighted to be visiting Dublin, especially during the period of The Gathering."

To mark her visit to Ireland during the Gathering, HMS Illustrious will be floodlit in green. Captain Connell added "we have been kindly donated some high powered green lighting. We are all looking forward to seeing the end effect."

HMS Illustrious which otherwise is known affectionately by all aboard as 'Lusty' – which used to carry 'Harrier' VSTOL jump-jet aircraft is due to pay off after 32 years sterling service in 2014 to make way for the next-generation aircraft carriers.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, on the other side of the Irish Sea, she made a call to Liverpool in February on what was likely to be her last call to that city as part of a farewell UK tour of ports.

As regards HMS Illustrious's last call to Dublin Port, this was back in 2005 where she docked along the south quays, whereas on this occasion she is moored in Alexandra Basin, facing opposite the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club marina in Ringsend.

She is to remain in the port over the weekend and depart on Monday.

#DublinPortAGM – At the AGM of the Dublin Port Company today, it was announced that the port will pay a €7m dividend to the State in June 2013 based on its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2012.

The dividend represents a distribution of 30.7% of profit after tax and brings total dividend payments to the State to €53.8m over the last seven years.

While there were headline reductions in Turnover and Profit after tax, the underlying profitability of the business remained strong in 2012 with Operating Profit increasing by 4.6% from €27.8m to €29.1m.

At today's AGM the Annual Report for 2012 was presented to the Company's shareholders in advance of publication later this year after it has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Speaking about the financial performance of Dublin Port Company for 2012, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said: "I commend Dublin Port Company on its financial performance in 2012 and for once again paying a dividend to taxpayers. Dublin Port is an exemplary company which has consistently paid a dividend to the State at or above the level expected by Government.

The Port plays a crucial role for the economy at local and national level, which was acknowledged in the Government's recently published National Ports Policy."

Addressing Dublin Port Company's AGM, Ms Lucy McCaffrey, the Company's Chairperson said: I was pleased to present the company's annual report for 2012 to our shareholders and to confirm to the representatives of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that the company will pay a dividend of €7m to the State in June 2013.

The continued strength of the company's finances will ensure that the company is well positioned to deliver the key infrastructural developments envisaged in the Masterplan 2012-2040 which the company launched last year.

#Cruiseliners -Discovery not only has the distinction of becoming the first cruise caller to Dublin Port in 2013 but also under the brand of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 700 passenger capacity vessel docked today at Ocean Pier having departed her homeport of Avonmouth yesterday for the start of this year's cruise season.

Discovery of 20,000 tonnes and built in 1972 will be followed by fleetmate Marco Polo with a call on Friday to Dublin Port where the port is to welcome another record-breaking season with around 100 calls, with the Gathering being a major visitor draw.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie the giant 2010 built $547m MSC Magnifica of 95,000 tonnes which has more than 1,500 cabins accommodating a maximum 3,223 passengers, is to make her maiden 'Irish' call in late May.

The 294m 'Musica' class vessel is a larger fleetmate of Mediterranean Shipping Company's MSC Lirica, which last year also made a debut docking to Dublin Port and Cobh.

Other large callers to Dublin Port are Caribbean Princess, Celebrity Infinity and Queen Elizabeth which made her inaugural Irish call in 2011.

In addition The World, which also makes a return to the capital following her first ever call to Galway Harbour with an 'anchorage' call in early July.

Last year approximately 90 individual cruise calls were made to the capital which welcomed 100,000 passengers and brought between them €35-50m to the local economy.

With the increase in calls during 2013, the Dublin Port Company is to address future demand through its Masterplan 2012-2040, with a proposed new dedicated cruise terminal completed by 2015.

The facility would be sited along North Wall Quay Extension close to the East Link Bridge.

#FrigateVisit-The Royal Navy Type 23 Duke Class frigate HMS Richmond (F239) is to make a weekend courtesy call to Dublin Port, with an arrival to the capital this afternoon, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 4,900 displacement frigate commissioned in 1995 has a top speed 28 knots and a crew complement of 185. She and her 12 sisters are among the most tried and tested in the fleet, having pounded Saddam Husseins defences on the Al Faw peninsula in the opening hours of the Iraq campaign a decade ago in 2003.

HMS Richmond has undergone an upgrade to sensors and weapons systems, where Seawolf Mid-Life Update (SWMLU) are now fitted that will improve the ship's ability to meet the evolving capability of anti-ship missiles. In addition the frigate has 30 mm Automated Small Calibre Gun (ASCG) system making her a formidable and modern weapons platform.

#IrishSeaSurvey – The Marine Institute's Galway based RV Celtic Explorer made a brief call yesterday to Dublin Port, while in between carrying out separate scientific surveys, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 65m vessel, which is not a regular visitor to the port, had berthed at Ocean Pier. According to the Marine Institute's vessel survey schedule, she was conducting a Methane-derived Authigenic Carbonate (MDAC) survey headed by chief scientist Dr. Yvonne Leahy of the institute.

The survey was to complete a drop camera survey of a MDAC site in the Irish Sea, some 25 nautical miles offshore of Dublin Bay.

Celtic Explorer which is 2,425 tonnes and has a total of 35 personnel, and equally the same number of days in endurance range. Accommodation is for 22-30 scientists, 13-15 crew (dependent to operational requirements). Scientific quarters are for 4 single cabins and 9 double en-suite cabins.

Her inshore fleetmate, the 31m RV Celtic Voyager of 340 tonnes has an endurance capability of 14 days. A total of 15 personel made up of 8 scientists and 7 crew are accommodated in 4-berth quarters.