Displaying items by tag: Irish Maritime Forum

9th January 2020

Expert Group Tells Government to Bolster Naval Service to Protect Irish Maritime Security

LE George Bernard Shaw, the newest Naval Service patrol vessel Afloat adds on annual fleet exercise conducted last year

A submission from an expert group to the government says it must bolster the Naval Service to protect the country's maritime security.

The submission, seen by the Irish Examiner, was made by the Irish Maritime Forum, an independent and non-political collegiate of professionals who have a wide range of experience across the maritime domain.

It was sent to the government as part of the public consultation on a new National Security Strategy which will lead how the State protects its national security and vital interests from current and emerging threats over the period 2020-2025.

The maritime forum members said the balance between the elements of the Defence Forces should reflect the fact that we are an island nation, with a sea area of control eight times our landmass.

To this end, the forum says the Naval Service should be upgraded to reflect international norms and its strengths and capabilities be enhanced.

29th September 2015

Annual Forum Reflects on Irish Maritime Industry

#IrishMaritimeForum - The Irish Maritime Forum held last Friday was the place to be as more than 150 attendees where at the annual event at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy.

The forum which was both hosted and organised by the NMCI looked at “Success through Synergy – an innovative and dynamic approach to the future”. The event had welcomed both organisations and maritime professionals operating in the broad Maritime Industry in Ireland.

The event was officially opened by John Mullins (Chairman, Port of Cork) before Simon Coveney, Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Defence took to the stage to discuss the importance of the Maritime Industry to Ireland’s economic recovery and how "solutions to a number of the World's great challenges will come from the sea".

Having recently attended the Ploughing the Minister mentioned “how SeaFest (Maritime Festival) will become to maritime what the Ploughing Championships are to agriculture".

Setting the scene for the speakers Fergal O’Brien (IBEC) spoke about the Irish Economy and how we have gone from boom, to bust to recovery.

Liam Lacey, Director of the IMDO, took to the stage to discuss Ireland’s maritime potential, trends in the international shipping industry, and the Irish Tonnage tax system.

Jonathan Healy, MC for the event, then interviewed five key industry leaders in a Maritime Skills Panel Discussion; Rory McGuire (Flagship Management), Conor Mowlds (Head of College), Kevin Richardson (President of the International Harbour Masters Association), Captain Dave Elliott (Arklow Shipping) and Cormac Gebreurs (Head of Halpin Centre for Research & innovation).

The Maritime Skills panel discussed the shortage of skilled personnel in the industry, what issues face the industry in terms of finding the right personnel, and how new legislation is affecting the industry in terms of recruitment.

Dave Ward, Commercial Service Manager with Commissioner of Irish Lights, who spoke about the Great Lighthouses of Ireland.

Dave spoke about the role CIL are taking in the development of all island Lighthouse Tourism Project which looks at Securing and Protecting Lighthouse Heritage while stimulating local economic development and employment in coastal communities.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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4th October 2014

First Irish Maritime Forum Deemed a Success

#IrishMaritimeForum – The inaugural Irish Maritime Forum recently held in Cork was attended by more than 150 delegates representing the shipping industry, various stakeholders and departments and the Irish government agency, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO).

According to the IMDO, they were delighted to join an exciting line up of speakers for the event's main seminar entitled 'Developing the Dynamic Future of Ireland's Maritime Sector' which was hosted by the Port of Cork in partnership with the Irish Ports Association.

Combined they gathered industry leaders from across the Irish maritime sector to the conference that was opened by Minister Sean Sherlock TD, who spoke of the importance of ports as strategic points for trade growth, both nationally and internationally. The minister also drew attention to the recent uplift in port volumes as indicated by the IMDO's iship index.

A cross section of the Maritime world was in evidence with port operators, department representatives, pilots, stevedores, European officials, educators, mariners and many more all contributing to meaningful debate during the conference and well into the break out times.

Speaking at the event, the IMDO's Business Development Manager Rebecca Wardell, emphasised the necessity for ports to look at potential areas of innovation, efficiency in work practices, competition across services and planning the means to meet future capacity demands over a 20 year plus horizon.

She also stressed the IMDO's commitment to be involved in an on-going collaborative process to assist ports in this regard.

The importance of a forum such as this cannot be underestimated, creating a unique opportunity for those in the industry to come together and develop ideas for the future of the sector. This is particularly relevant at present with significant government support for the development of the sector evidenced by the cross departmental strategy, Harvesting Our Ocean's Wealth.

On a related note, another major conference Our Ocean Wealth was held last June in Dublin, for more details about the work of 'harvesting' our national resources, visit: www.ouroceanwealth.ie

Following the conclusion of the Irish Maritime Forum, a Gala Dinner that evening was hosted by the Irish Institute of Master Mariners, for further details about the IMM: www.mastermariners.com

For further information on the role of the IMDO including the iShip Index and much visit: www.imdo.ie

Published in Ports & Shipping

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8th September 2014

Liebherr Announced as Sponsor of Irish Maritime Forum 2014

#maritimeforum – The Liebherr Maritime Crane Division was today announced as sponsor of the first ever Irish Maritime Forum which will take place in Cork's City Hall on Friday 26th September 2014. The forum themed 'Developing the Dynamic Future for Ireland's Maritime Sector' will focus on exploring the future of the maritime sector within Ireland and will look closely at the challenges and opportunities faced by many within the industry.

Delegates from across the Irish maritime sector are expected to attend the forum which is being hosted by the Port of Cork in conjunction with the Irish Ports Association.

Commenting on the partnership with Liebherr, Mr John Mullins, Chairman of the Port of Cork, said "I am delighted to welcome Liebherr on board as key sponsor for the forum, which is already generating significant interest from key players across the maritime sector. As a leading manufacturer of industrial machinery including maritime cranes, Liebherr plays an important role in the commercial shipping business both in Ireland and further afield."

Brendan Keating, Chief Executive of the Port of Cork Company, added "The Port of Cork is honoured to be hosting this forum in Cork's City Hall and we hope that delegates will benefit from attending the forum and also enjoy Cork City and its many attractions".

Mr Pat O'Leary Managing Director of the Liebherr Maritime Division, with production plants in Killarney, Nenzing, Rostock and Sunderland, commented that " The Port of Cork has been a partner of Liebherr for almost 50 years. Liebherr is delighted that this Forum is being held in Cork and is proud to be associated with this important event for the Maritime sector in Ireland."

Speakers confirmed for the forum include Mr Vincent De Saedeleer, Vice President of Port of Zebrugee; Mr Alan Gray, Managing Director of the Indecon International Consulting Group; Mr Liam Lacey, Director of IMDO; Captain Fredrik Van Wijnen, General Secretary of the Confederation of European Shipmasters' Associations (CESMA), Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation and Christophe Mathieu, Deputy Managing Director of Brittany Ferries.

Published in Port of Cork

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20th August 2014

Irish Institute of Master Mariners to Host Gala Dinner at Inaugural Irish Maritime Forum

#ForumGalaDinner - The Irish Institute of Master Mariners (IIMM) has posted details on their website of their members Annual Marine Ball which will be replaced this year instead by a Gala Dinner to be held at Cork City Hall on Friday 26th September.

The change of the annual event is to facilitate the Gala Dinner in conjunction with the previously reported inaugural Irish Maritime Forum held on the same day in Cork City Hall in which the IIMM is supporting.

Members tickets for the Gala Dinner cost €65 per person and can be purchased by registering online through the IIMM's website HERE and by ticking the box for Gala Dinner. Accommodation can also be booked through the website at registration and for accommodation there is a choice of the Clarion or Gresham Metropole Hotels.

The theme of the forum hosted by the Port of Cork Company is 'Developing the Dynamic Future for Ireland's Maritime Sector' which is to focus on exploring the future of the maritime sector within Ireland. Also to be examined more closely are the challenges and opportunities faced by many within the sector.

In addition to a welcoming address by an Irish Government Minister, there will be lunch and a partner's programme organised. Delegates interested in attending the Irish Maritime Forum 2014 (and exhibition) are asked to register by visiting: www.irishmaritimeforum.ie

Published in Ports & Shipping

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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.