Displaying items by tag: Silting

13th April 2022

Silting at Sligo Harbour but Dredging Port Is Not Viable Says New Report

Silting has filled up Sligo Port but dredging not viable says report. The scene above AFLOAT adds is taken from the bridge of Ceg Cosmos, a general cargo when on the approaches to the north-west harbour which is the only port located between Galway and Derry. The digger on the hold deck hatch cover is used for handling cargoes such as round timber (logs).

There are fears for the future of Sligo harbour (a commercial port) after it was revealed on Monday that it is full of sludge which would cost millions of euro to clear, money that’s not available and dredging is not viable to do according to a report.

Councillor Declan Bree told the monthly council meeting that he was astonished and dismayed when he read the dredging report on Sligo Harbour which was recently presented to members of the Harbour Advisory Committee.

The report states that last year’s underwater surveys show silt volumes at the quays have nearly doubled since the last survey in 2011 – from 5,500cu m to 9,600cu m.

“It states that because of the increased volumes of silt a new ‘Dumping at Sea’ permit will be required. It points out that the Foreshore Licence for dredging which was granted to the Council in 2014 is now expired and it says that an application for a new license will take at least 18 months to prepare and will cost in the region of €100,000 in consultants fees, studies and site investigations.

“It states the full dredging of the harbour and navigation channel would cost close to €10 million, and a reduced dredging scheme for a turning circle and a short length of the channel would cost just under €2 million.

Much more reports The Sligo Champion on the north-west port.

Published in Dredging

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Silting Issues at Heysham Sees Dredging Resolve for the Time Being

Silting at Heysham has led to dredging to resolve the issue at the Lancashire port, England. Above AFLOAT adds on the right is the IOMSPCo's ropax Ben-my-Chree berthed at the linkspan that serves ferry traffic of the operator's main route linking Douglas.

The issues surrounding silting in the Irish Sea ferry port of Heysham appear to have been resolved.

Last week, the Minister for Infrastructure, Tim Crookall MHK , spoke with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company regarding the problems that plagued the port over the last few weeks.

Silt build-up in the harbour affected several sailings between Christmas and New Year.

Journey departure times were moved around as the Packet made changes after reading the depth chart report at Heysham.

IOM Today has more on the north-west English port.

Published in Dredging

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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