Displaying items by tag: Crew Member

9th August 2022

Crew Member of Isle of Man Steam Packet's Ben-my-Chree Is Promoted Master

The Isle of Man Steam Packet has promoted Adam Kelso to the rank of Master of the ropax ferry Ben-my-Chree, which has 1,235 freight lane metres and a passenger capacity of 630 passengers.

Adam, born and raised on the Isle of Man, joined the ferry operator in October 2012, fulfilling a life-long dream. He follows in his father's footsteps, who was a Chief Engineer with the company for many years.

His career began with the Steam Packet Company as a Second Mate, having completed studies in Nautical Science at Fleetwood Nautical College. With the company's support, Adam completed his Chief Mate's Ticket, before commencing studies for his Master Mariner certification, in December 2021.

Working on a week on/week off rotation, Adam completed his eight weeks of training on 8 June 2022, and took up his first command earlier this summer.

As Master, Adam has overall responsibility for the safety of life, protection of the vessel, and safety of the environment. He's also responsible for ensuring the vessel complies with international and local regulations.

Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Brian Thomson, commented: 'Adam's achievement will be a great inspiration to anyone considering a career at sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is proud to support such a dedicated and talented team member in achieving his ambitions. We wish Adam many happy years of sailing with the Company.'

Published in Ferry

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9th September 2021

Sailings On Stena Scotland Service Cancelled after Positive Covid Test

Only one Stena Line ferry is affected but four sailings on the Cairnryan-Belfast route were cancelled. Above AFLOAT adds a Stena 'Superfast' ferry on Loch Ryan, Scotland.

Operator Stena Line cancelled four of its ferry sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland after one crew member tested positive for Covid-19.

Its 19:30 BST departure from Cairnryan and 23:30 BST departure from Belfast were cancelled on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the same incident led to the company calling off its 03:45 BST departure from Cairnryan and its 07:30 BST departure from Belfast Harbour.

"We apologise to our passengers for the inconvenience," Stena said.

The company said it had acted in accordance with its "comprehensive safety protocol procedures".

BBC News has more.

Published in Stena Line

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27th August 2021

Crew Member of Isle of Man Ferry Promoted to Relief Master

The Isle of Man Steam Packet's M.D. Brian Thomson presenting Scott Kaniewski with his epaulettes on the bridge of the ro-pax Ben-my-Chree Bridge following his promotion to Relief Master of the operator's main ferry.

Ferry crew member, Scott Kaniewski has been promoted to the rank of Relief Master of the Isle of Man Steam Packet ro-pax Ben-my-Chree which operates between Douglas and Heysham in north-west England.

Kaniewski joined the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company in 2014 from Global Marine Systems where he worked his way up from Deck Cadet – with responsibility for cable repairs in both shallow and deep water.

In addition Scott's involvement in ship conversions and new builds, all the way up to Third Officer/Junior DPO, Second Officer and then Chief Officer.

Upon his arrival at the Steam Packet Company, Scott worked as a Second Officer and then Chief Officer on board the Ben-My-Chree.

In 2017, the Company supported his application for study leave to gain his Masters Certificate of Competency, and in 2019 he transferred to fast craft Manannan to sail as Chief Officer.

Over the past month Scott has been Master training on the Ben-My-Chree to obtain his Heysham Pilotage Certificate, and on Thursday 12th August he took command as Relief Master of the ro-pax. In the near future he will also be trained as Relief Master on Manannan.

Commenting on the promotion, the company's Managing Director Brian Thomson said: ‘Scott’s progression through the ranks is a perfect illustration of the fantastic career opportunities that are available for those who choose a career at sea.

He added "it is a truly rewarding industry for those who work hard. He is very deserving of this great achievement and we wish him many years of sailing with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.’

Published in Ferry

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8th October 2020

Search for Missing Irish Ferries Crew Member Leads to Body Found

The body of a man was found on the shore near Ynys Y Fydlyn in Anglesey on Wednesday. Above a UK Coastguard helicopter involved in the search off north Wales.

In the search for a missing Irish Ferries crew member a body of a man has been discovered.

North Wales Police have confirmed that the discovery was made on the shore near Ynys Y Fydlyn in Anglesey on Wednesday morning.

Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of the missing ferry crew member have been informed.

A police spokesman said: "Shortly after 11am today North Wales Police were contacted by a member of the public reporting the discovery of a body on the shore, near to Ynys Y Fydlyn, Anglesey.

"Police officers, supported by partner agencies, attended the scene and confirmed that the body was that of a deceased male.

Further coverage avaialble from NorthWalesLive here.

Published in Irish Ferries

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13th July 2020

Associations Call for Compensation of Troops Who Quarantine

The Naval Service has confirmed that it's had to “deep clean” one of its ships after a sailor was confirmed as having the virus. Above Afloat adds is the Haulbowline Naval Base in located in lower Corlk Harbour

Two representative associations of the militiary are seeking financial compensation for troops who are forced to leave their families two weeks prematurely to go into compulsory Covid-19 quarantine prior to deploying on overseas missions.

Meanwhile, the Naval Service has confirmed that it's had to “deep clean” one of its ships after a sailor was confirmed as having the virus.

Both PDForra, which represents enlisted personnel, and RACO, which represents officers, have sought compensation for troops who are having to leave their families two weeks earlier than usual before UN deployment.

PDForra wrote to the Department of Defence saying it believes a special payment is “warranted given the analogous nature of quarantine.”

For more on what the association said click Irish Examiner here.

Published in Navy

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Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

From the Baily lighthouse to Dalkey island, the bay accommodates six separate courses for 21 different classes racing every two years for the Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

In assembling its record-breaking armada, Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta (VDLR) became, at its second staging, not only the country's biggest sailing event, with 3,500 sailors competing, but also one of Ireland's largest participant sporting events.

One of the reasons for this, ironically, is that competitors across Europe have become jaded by well-worn venue claims attempting to replicate Cowes and Cork Week.'Never mind the quality, feel the width' has been a criticism of modern-day regattas where organisers mistakenly focus on being the biggest to be the best. Dun Laoghaire, with its local fleet of 300 boats, never set out to be the biggest. Its priority focussed instead on quality racing even after it got off to a spectacularly wrong start when the event was becalmed for four days at its first attempt.

The idea to rekindle a combined Dublin bay event resurfaced after an absence of almost 40 years, mostly because of the persistence of a passionate race officer Brian Craig who believed that Dun Laoghaire could become the Cowes of the Irish Sea if the town and the local clubs worked together. Although fickle winds conspired against him in 2005, the support of all four Dun Laoghaire waterfront yacht clubs since then (made up of Dun Laoghaire Motor YC, National YC, Royal Irish YC and Royal St GYC), in association with the two racing clubs of Dublin Bay SC and Royal Alfred YC, gave him the momentum to carry on.

There is no doubt that sailors have also responded with their support from all four coasts. Running for four days, the regatta is (after the large mini-marathons) the single most significant participant sports event in the country, requiring the services of 280 volunteers on and off the water, as well as top international race officers and an international jury, to resolve racing disputes representing five countries. A flotilla of 25 boats regularly races from the Royal Dee near Liverpool to Dublin for the Lyver Trophy to coincide with the event. The race also doubles as a RORC qualifying race for the Fastnet.

Sailors from the Ribble, Mersey, the Menai Straits, Anglesey, Cardigan Bay and the Isle of Man have to travel three times the distance to the Solent as they do to Dublin Bay. This, claims Craig, is one of the major selling points of the Irish event and explains the range of entries from marinas as far away as Yorkshire's Whitby YC and the Isle of Wight.

No other regatta in the Irish Sea area can claim to have such a reach. Dublin Bay Weeks such as this petered out in the 1960s, and it has taken almost four decades for the waterfront clubs to come together to produce a spectacle on and off the water to rival Cowes."The fact that we are getting such numbers means it is inevitable that it is compared with Cowes," said Craig. However, there the comparison ends."We're doing our own thing here. Dun Laoghaire is unique, and we are making an extraordinary effort to welcome visitors from abroad," he added. The busiest shipping lane in the country – across the bay to Dublin port – closes temporarily to facilitate the regatta and the placing of six separate courses each day.

A fleet total of this size represents something of an unknown quantity on the bay as it is more than double the size of any other regatta ever held there.

Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta FAQs

What is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is Ireland's biggest sailing event. It is held every second Summer at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay.

When is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is held every two years, typically in the first weekend of July.

Where is Dun Laoghaire Regatta held?

As its name suggests, the event is based at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Racing is held on Dublin Bay over as many as six different courses with a coastal route that extends out into the Irish Sea. Ashore, the festivities are held across the town but mostly in the four organising yacht clubs.

How big is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is the largest sailing regatta in Ireland and on the Irish Sea and the second largest in the British Isles. It has a fleet of 500 competing boats and up to 3,000 sailors. Scotland's biggest regatta on the Clyde is less than half the size of the Dun Laoghaire event. After the Dublin city marathon, the regatta is one of the most significant single participant sporting events in the country in terms of Irish sporting events.

How old is Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

The modern Dublin Bay Regatta began in 2005, but it owes its roots to earlier combined Dublin Bay Regattas of the 1960s.

How many boats compete at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Up to 500 boats regularly compete.

How many yacht clubs are represented at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Up to 70 different yacht clubs are represented.

Where do the yachts come from to compete at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

The Channel Islands, Isle of Man, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland countrywide, and Dublin clubs.

How many boats are visiting boats at Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Nearly half the sailors, over 1,000, travel to participate from outside of Dun Laoghaire and from overseas to race and socialise in Dun Laoghaire.

What type of yachts race in Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

21 different classes are competing at Dun Laoghaire Regatta. As well as four IRC Divisions from 50-footers down to 20-foot day boats and White Sails, there are also extensive one-design keelboat and dinghy fleets to include all the fleets that regularly race on the Bay such as Beneteau 31.7s, Ruffian 23s, Sigma 33s as well as Flying Fifteens, Laser SB20s plus some visiting fleets such as the RS Elites from Belfast Lough to name by one.

What famous sailors race in Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Some sailing household names are regular competitors at the biennial Dun Laoghaire event including Dun Laoghaire Olympic silver medalist, Annalise Murphy. International sailing stars are competing too such as Mike McIntyre, a British Olympic Gold medalist and a raft of World and European class champions.

How much does it cost to enter Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

There are different entry fees for different size boats. A 40-foot yacht will pay up to €550, but a 14-foot dinghy such as Laser will pay €95. Full entry fee details are contained in the Regatta Notice of Race document.

Where can spectators view Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

Spectators can see the boats racing on six courses from any vantage point on the southern shore of Dublin Bay. As well as from the Harbour walls itself, it is also possible to see the boats from Sandycove, Dalkey and Killiney, especially when the boats compete over inshore coastal courses or have in-harbour finishes.

How does Dun Laoghaire regatta compare to international regattas?

Very favourably. It is often compared to Cowes, Britain's biggest regatta on the Isle of Wight that has 1,000 entries. However, sailors based in the north of England have to travel three times the distance to get to Cowes as they do to Dun Laoghaire.

Why is Dun Laoghaire Regatta so unique?

Dun Laoghaire Regatta is unique because of its compact site offering four different yacht clubs within the harbour and the race tracks' proximity, just a five-minute sail from shore. International sailors also speak of its international travel connections and being so close to Dublin city. The regatta also prides itself on balancing excellent competition with good fun ashore.

Who organises Dun Laoghaire Regatta?

The Organising Authority (OA) of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta is Dublin Bay Regattas Ltd, a not-for-profit company, beneficially owned by Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC), National Yacht Club (NYC), Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) and Royal St George Yacht Club (RSGYC).

What does Dun Laoghaire Regatta contribute to the local economy?

The Irish Marine Federation launched a case study on the 2009 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta's socio-economic significance. Over four days, the study (carried out by Irish Sea Marine Leisure Knowledge Network) found the event was worth nearly €3million to the local economy over the four days of the event. Typically the Royal Marine Hotel and Haddington Hotel and other local providers are fully booked for the event.