Storm Ellen has damaged boats and the facility at the new Cobh Marina that opened earlier this summer in Cork Harbour. 

Storm force easterlies are rare in Cork Harbour, and there’s only a very narrow window through which the waterfront at Cobh is exposed to the long fetch from Rostellan, which in turn has little in the way of high ground between it and the open sea northeast of Ballycotton. Thus as Storm Ellen thundered in from the Atlantic through last night, the easterly winds along the Cobh waterfront were hitting the same 75 knots-plus which were being recorded at Roche’s Point, and at spring tides high water the new Cobh SC Marina at Whitepoint was enduring maximum exposure with freakishly high tides.

Cork's 96FM Radio station has published photos via Twitter of the new facility this morning with damage to boats visible.

Thanks to Karen Histon for these images of the new marina at Cove Sailing Club this morning #Cobh #StormEllen pic.twitter.com/WuHMusbZgP

— 96fm Opinion Line (@OpinionLine96) August 20, 2020

Meanwhile, conditions were such that a Naval Service vessel heading for her berth at Haubowline was instructed to anchor off, but for the marina, there was no escape, and damage was sustained. A Hallberg Rassy cruiser fetched up against the concrete shore structure and became so damaged she sank, but although an Oyster 52 broke free and went up the beach, in the high water since she has been refloated and safely taken to the Naval Squadron marina in Haulbowline. With new surges of the storm in the offing, the potential for further damage is still a very live issue.

As Afloat reported previously, Cove Saling Club’s brand new marina pontoons were put to immediate use with yachts and motorboats occupying the new berths since the opening up of sailing activity on 8th June. 

A yacht battered by Storm Ellen in Cork Harbour Photo: via Whatsapp

The new facility also staged its first event in July when the Squib keelboat class Southern Championships sailed from the pontoons.

A spokesman for Cove Sailing Club declined to comment.

Update: Statement by Cove Sailing Club –

Issued at 09:30 on 20th August 2020

Due to the impact of Storm Ellen between 21:00 and 00:00 yesterday, a number of boats at the Marina Facility at Whitepoint Cobh suffered damage. The Coastguard conducted an initial assessment at 07:45 and upon their advice, the facility has been closed. Forecast conditions today are not favourable to allow a fuller inspection. The office at Cove Sailing Club will be open today to facilitate further information updates.

As a club of volunteers, we are saddened that individual boat owners have suffered damage and loss to their boats but we are grateful that there has been no injury to anyone as a result of the impact of storm Ellen.

We will issue further updates when we are in a position to carry out a more comprehensive inspection.

Cove Sailing Club. [email protected] 087-0574481

Cove Sailing Club is progressing well with its new marina project in Cork Harbour. The gangway, first two breakwaters and landing pontoon are now installed at Whitepoint in Cobh. There have been some setbacks with weather and supplier delays but the club is hopeful that the marina will be completed by April in time for a very busy summer sailing season.

The breakwaters are being constructed in Ringaskiddy and the club has received 'great support' from the Port of Cork and Cork County Council.

As well as the marina, the club is also working on an upgrade of its dinghy park facilities including the addition of a meeting room, office and kitchen facility at the existing dinghy park in Whitepoint Cobh.

The club has a large number of events planned for 2020 and the added marina facility will greatly enhance the clubs offering as a new venue for events on the South coast.

Cove Sailing Club will continue the Cork Harbour Combined League in June along with RCYC and MBSC; we will also be running the usual club events such as the Cove at Home, Cobh Peoples Regatta and the Blackrock Race.

The revised Cobh Trad Sail will take place at the end of June and promises to be a great event run under the Cobh Trad Sail group.

In July, we are also glad to be hosting the finish of the Dun Laoghaire to Cobh Race (formerly known as the Kingstown to Queenstown Race) in association with the National Yacht Club.

The end of July will also see the club host the Squib Southern Championship which promises to be a great event.

The rejuvenated evening dinghy racing will continue this year on Wednesdays throughout the summer as well as the continuation of junior dinghy training.