Displaying items by tag: National Marine Plan Framework

7th April 2020

National Marine Plan Framework Submission Deadline Extended

The Government has extended the public submission deadline for the State’s first national marine plan framework until the end of this month due to the Covid-19 pandemic writes Lorna Siggins

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Damien English said the time extension was agreed “in recognition” of challenges faced by individuals or organisations in making submissions by the original date of April 9th.

The new deadline has been set for midday on April 30th, 2020.

The marine planning framework is one central piece in a jigsaw designed to meet the EU requirement for national marine spatial plans by 2021.

"The new deadline has been set for midday on April 30th"

It aims to outline the approach to managing Ireland’s marine activities and sustainable use of marine resources to 2040, serving as a parallel to terrestrial planning and development in the national planning framework.

The finalised national marine plan framework is still expected to be adopted in late 2020, the Department for Housing, Planning and Local Government has said.

The draft was published and public consultation was initiated last November. It sets out planning objectives and policies relating to 16 different sectors/activities including offshore renewable energy (and other energy sectors); fisheries; ports, harbours and shipping; safety at sea; sport and recreation; tourism; and telecommunications, it says.

Under associated legislation, maritime area consents will be granted by the Minister for Communications, Climate action and the Environment for developments such as offshore energy projects.

The draft national marine plan framework and associated environmental reports can be found at www.marineplan.gov.ie

People can give their views by email to: [email protected] or by post to: Draft NMPF Submissions, Marine Planning Section, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Newtown Road, Wexford, Y35 AP90

Published in Environment

Tagged under

About the Golden Globe Race

The Golden Globe Race is the original round the world yacht race. In 1968, while man was preparing to take his first steps on the moon, a mild mannered and modest young man was setting out on his own record breaking voyage of discovery. Off shore yacht racing changed forever with adventurers and sailors, inspired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, following in his pioneering wake. Nine men started the first solo non-stop sailing race around the World. Only one finished. History was made. Navigating with a sextant, paper charts and an accurate and reliable time piece, Sir Robin navigated around the world. In 2018, to celebrate 50 years since that first record breaking achievement, the Golden Globe Race was resurrected. It instantly caught the attention of the worlds media as well as adventures, captivated by the spirit and opportunity. The original race is back.

The Golden Globe Race: Stepping back to the golden age of solo sailing

Like the original Sunday Times event back in 1968/9, the 2018 Golden Globe Race was very simple. Depart Les Sables d'Olonne, France on July 1st 2018 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Les Sables d'Olonne. Entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Robin Knox-Johnston in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or benefit of satellite-based navigation aids.

Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 and having a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. These yachts will be heavily built, strong and steady, similar in concept to Robin's 32ft vessel Suhaili.

In contrast to the current professional world of elite ocean racing, this edition travels back to a time known as the 'Golden Age' of solo sailing. Suhaili was a slow and steady 32ft double-ended ketch based on a William Atkins ERIC design. She is heavily built of teak and carried no computers, GPS, satellite phone nor water-maker, and Robin completed the challenge without the aid of modern-day shore-based weather routing advice. He had only a wind-up chronometer and a barograph to face the world alone, and caught rainwater to survive, but was at one with the ocean, able to contemplate and absorb all that this epic voyage had to offer.

This anniversary edition of the Golden Globe Race is a celebration of the original event, the winner, his boat and that significant world-first achievement. Competitors in this race will be sailing simple boats using basic equipment to guarantee a satisfying and personal experience. The challenge is pure and very raw, placing the adventure ahead of winning at all costs. It is for 'those who dare', just as it was for Knox-Johnston.

They will be navigating with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They will hand-write their logs and determine the weather for themselves.

Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high frequency and ham radios allow.

It is now possible to race a monohull solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race will spend around 300 days at sea, challenging themselves and each other. The 2018 Golden Globe Race was a fitting tribute to the first edition and it's winner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Background on Don McIntyre (61) Race Founder

Don is an inveterate sailor and recognised as one of Australia s greatest explorers. Passionate about all forms of adventure and inspiring others, his desire is to recreate the Golden Age of solo sailing. Don finished 2nd in class in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge solo around the world yacht race. In 2010, he led the 4-man Talisker Bounty Boat challenge to re-enact the Mutiny on the Bounty voyage from Tonga to West Timor, in a simil