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Displaying items by tag: Restrictions

Freight (Truck) drivers, writes The Irish Times, have complained that they cannot get clear directions about Covid-19 safety rules from the Government on how they can be protected on the road in order to safeguard Irish supply chains.

The Irish Road Hauliers’ Association (IRHA) has sought clarity from the Department of Transport on whether drivers can get single cabins on ferries, or be allowed to sleep in their trucks, which they cannot do now.

The association also wants measures to protect drivers and cargoes if a driver falls ill on the road. Tachograph rules must be relaxed, too, if drivers are forced to drive for longer.

Incoming IRHA president Eugene Drennan said some ferries were now attempting to provide single cabins. However, he said truckers have looked for for clarity from the State for three weeks, without success.

Guarantees about cleanliness onboard ferries and in ports is needed, said Mr Drennan: “It’s very important that we can reassure our drivers that we have backup; if you get ill, Europe can get you out of that cab.”

Unaccompanied trailers (Seatruck Ferries) 

Meanwhile, Seatruck Ferries, which operates routes: Dublin/Liverpool, Dublin/Heysham and Warrenpoint/Heysham is to temporary stop carrying HGV drivers and passengers on board.

The newspaper has more on this development here including a response from Irish Ferries (freight website) and Stena Line (also freight)

Afloat adds for more information on Un-accompanied trailers, HGV drivers and passengers (Afloat also adds only motorist based) click Seatruck's statement on Covid-19 here. In addition to information for car passengers click here.

For an insight into ro-ro freight operations Afloat's 'Ferry Captain Interview' featured the Seatruck Pace when serving on the Heysham route. The P-class currently operates on the Dublin/Liverpool route. 

Published in Ferry

#InlandWaterways - Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels and boats on the Shannon Navigation that Sarsfield’s Lock in Limerick will be operated on restricted service from Thursday 28 February to Saturday 9 March 2013.

During this time the lock will only operate from 10am to 12.30pm daily.

Masters and owners are requested to ring the lockkeeper at 087 797 2998 one day prior to making their passage.

Published in Inland Waterways

The Round Britain & Ireland Race

The 2022 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race will feature a wide variety of yachts racing under the IRC rating rule as well as one design and open classes, such as IMOCA, Class40 and Multihulls. The majority of the fleet will race fully crewed, but with the popularity of the Two-Handed class in recent years, the race is expected to have a record entry.

The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race starts on Sunday 7th August 2022 from Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK.

The 2022 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is organised by The Royal Ocean Racing Club in association with The Royal Yacht Squadron.

It is run every four years. There have been nine editions of the Round Britain and Ireland Race which started in 1976 Sevenstar has sponsored the race four times - 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and has committed to a longterm partnership with the RORC

The 2022 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is a fully crewed non-stop race covering 1,805 nautical miles and is open to IRC, IRC Two Handed, IMOCA 60s, Class40s, Volvo 65s and Multihulls that will race around Britain and Ireland, starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes on the Isle of Wight starting after Cowes Week on Sunday 7 August 2022

The last edition of the race in 2018 attracted 28 teams with crews from 18 nations. Giles Redpath's British Lombard 46 saw over victory and Phil Sharp's Class40 Imerys Clean Energy established a new world record for 40ft and under, completing the course in 8 days 4 hrs 14 mins 49 secs.

The 1,805nm course will take competitors around some of the busiest and most tactically challenging sailing waters in the world. It attracts a diverse range of yachts and crew, most of which are enticed by the challenge it offers as well as the diversity and beauty of the route around Britain and Ireland with spectacular scenery and wildlife.

Most sailors agree that this race is one of the toughest tests as it is nearly as long as an Atlantic crossing, but the changes of direction at headlands will mean constant breaks in the watch system for sail changes and sail trim

Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race Records:

  • Outright - OMA07 Musandam-Oman Sail, MOD 70, Sidney Gavignet, 2014: 3 days 03:32:36
  • Monohull - Azzam Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, VO 65, Ian Walker, 2014: 4 days 13:10:28
  • Monohull All-Female - Team SCA, VO 65, Samantha Davies, 2014: 4 days 21:00:39
  • Monohull 60ft or less - Artemis Team Endeavour, IMOCA 60, Brian Thompson/Artemis Ocean Racing, 2014: 5 days 14:00:54
  • Monohull 40ft or less – Imerys Clean Energy, Class40, Phil Sharp, 2018: 8 days 4:14:49