Displaying items by tag: Isle of Man ferry future

8th December 2016

Manx Parliament To Mull Future of Isle of Man’s Sea Services

Ben-My-Chree is the Isle of Man's only main year-round ferry that operates the Douglas-Heysham route. In regards to Irish services the ropax this month returns to Douglas-Dublin services on selected dates over the festive season.

#FerryFuture - Nationalisation or acquisition of the Isle of Man Steam Packet, franchising of ferry services to a private operator and keeping or extending the user agreement are among options being reviewed as part of a proposed new sea services policy.

But no decision writes IOM Today will be made on whether or not to accept the Steam Packet’s £170m offer [including a pair of newbuilds] to government until the April Tynwald.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK will seek Tynwald support this month for the next step in his department’s bid to secure reliable and affordable lifeline ferry services into the future.

Members will be called on to endorse the Strategic Sea Services Policy which suggests that a level of state intervention is needed in ferry services. For more click here.

Afloat adds that the historic company dating to 1830 operates a network of routes including summer services among them Douglas-Belfast and Douglas-Dublin. In addition sailings between the Manx and Irish capitals during the festive season operating on selected dates.

Published in Ferry

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.