On Saturday 27th August 2011, the Port of Cork will open its doors to the public from 11am until 4pm as part of Cork Heritage Day. The spectacular rooms of Custom House will be open to the public offering visitors the opportunity to view the impressive boardroom and committee room as well as the fine collection of maritime artwork owned by the Port of Cork Company.

This year the 'Port In Pictures', a photograph exhibition of the port over the years; will also be on display in the main reception area of Custom House.

Organised by Cork City Council, Cork Heritage Open Day celebrates Ireland's architecture and heritage by enabling free access to properties & events of interest to the public that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Details of this year's events and participating buildings appear on the website www.corkheritageopenday.ie

The Cobh Peoples Regatta Took place at the weekend in Cork harbour. Every August the harbour becomes a focal point for a regatta where small local sailing and rowing craft gather for races and not to say the least some craic agus ceol just 15 miles from Cork City. The three day festival was packed with live music in the island's many pubs and clubs and maybe spot the odd fire-eater. There was even some racing action from Classes 1-4 and the 1720's, images of the action below from Afloat's Bob Bateman.

A total of 30 boats competed for the title of RS Feva National and Open Champion in Cork Harbour this weekend. The overall winner, with five first places, was RCYC's David Whitaker with Jil McGinley crewing. SCROLL DOWN FOR BOB BATEMAN'S PHOTOS. The event was sponsored by Funboats.ie.

Nine races were set over three days by Race Officer Richard Leonard, with racing mainly on the Curlane bank. Despite challenging visibility on the first day, racing conditions were good all weekend, with winds strong, but not overpowering. RCYC boats perfomed strongly in their home waters, taking the first three podium positions.

In the Gold Fleet, Whitaker and McGinley led from the outset, holding first position from day 1. Sean O'Brien and Louise Shanahan, RCYC took first place in the Silver Fleet. First Girl was won by Greystones SC duo Lisa Smith and Kate Hayes.

An extra race was held on the second day, Saturday, resurrecting an old tradition of a crew's race back to the Royal Cork Yacht Club. The crews race was won by 11 year old Sarah Cudmore, RCYC.

RESULTS
Gold Fleet:
1st David Whitaker, Jil McGinley (RCYC), 10pts;
2nd Marc Cudmore, Sarah Cudmore (RCYC), 24pts;
3rd Sam McGinley, Richard McGinley (RCYC), 27pts;
4th David Johnston, Louise Flynn Byrne (Howth YC), 31pts;
5th Seafra Guilfoyle, Philip Brownlow (RCYC), 33pts.

Silver Fleet:
1st Sean O'Brien, Louise Shanahan (RCYC)
2nd Ciara Byrne, Megan Hayes (Greystones SC)
3rd Blaithnaid O'Connell, Rosanna Cassidy, (RSTGYC)

First Girl Helm: Lisa Smith and Kate Hayes (Greystones SC)
U13 Winner: Jamie Tingle, Criofan Guilfoyle (RCYC)
U14 Winner: Nicky Delamer, Conor Howard (Howth YC)
U15 Winner: Dermot Lyden, Brian Stokes (RCYC/BSC)

This weekend the large German Navy salvage tug FGS Fehrmann (A1458) is on a visit to Cork City, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Built by Schichau Seebeck Werft, Bremerhaven, the 68m vessel has a limited armament capability and a crew of 45. Her main role is as a safety ship for use in submarine training and is equipped for fire-fighting, icebreaking and wreck location duties.

The veteran vessel had called to Dublin Port last weekend while her stay in the southern city will end with a departure scheduled for Monday morning.

The Cork harbour fleet has started to build again with a number of boats having returned from a successful Calves Week writes our Cork Harbour Correspondent. The second race in the Royal Cork 'O'Leary Insurances League' was a bit warmer than last Thursday and calmer!

The breeze came from a Westerly direction at 6 to 10 knots. The start was about 2 hours after high water. It was a gentle evening sail. The Race Officer Jim Sheeran managed to get everybody over the finish line despite the dying breeze.

Results Summary:
1st in White Sail IRC Ian Hickey's Granada 38 "Cavatina"
1st in White Sail Echo Micheal Lynch's Sun Odyssey 32i "Lady T"
1st in Class 3 IRC & Echo Jimmy Nyhan & Maritta Buwalda's 1/4 Tonner "Outrigger"
1st in Class 2 IRC & Echo Denis Coleman's Corby 25 "Thunderbird"
1st in Class 1 IRC & Echo Donal O'Leary's X35 "D-Tox"

Teenage RS Feva sailors from Ireland and overseas will battle it out in Cork Harbour over three days for the title of Irish National and Open Champion. The event starts on Friday 12 August, with racing over three days finishing on Sunday 14 and is being hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, Co Cork, and sponsored by Funboats and Southern Fruit.

Good winds are expected, particularly on Friday and Sunday so exciting racing conditions are predicted!

Launching is at 12.00hrs on Friday with First Gun at 13.00hrs

First Gun is at 11.00hrs Saturday & Sunday

Today Minister Simon Coveney TD has welcomed the provision of €1.5millon funding for a new Coast Guard Station in Crosshaven.

'Following continuing contact with the OPW, it has been confirmed to me that a new contract for the construction of the new station has been awarded and work is to start very soon. This tender process has been ongoing for more than a year and I am delighted that it has finally been awarded and work to commence shortly.'

Marine Minister Simon Coveney TD with Victor Shine Deputy Area Officer Crosshaven Coast Guard Unit, Vincent Farr Area Officer and James Furlong Unit Member looking over the plans for the new €1.5 Million Coast Guard Station at Crosshaven, Co. Cork. The contract has been awarded to Blarney firm Cumnor Constuction Ltd and work will commence shortly. Photos Billy macGill

'Those who work at Crosshaven Coast Guard are to be commended for their commitment and dedication to the local community in a voluntary capacity. We must now ensure that they are working in a station that reflect this loyalty and high standard of service.'

The contract has been awarded to Cumnor Construction Ltd. of Blarney on August 3rd. Work on the site is expected to commence very shortly.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has today welcomed the decision of the Port of Cork to pay the state a dividend of €634,315 in respect of 2010. This represents 30% of the Port's after tax profits and is the first time that the Port Company has paid a dividend to the state.
Speaking on the matter, Minister Varadkar said "I warmly welcome this contribution by the Port of Cork. I recently wrote to the commercial agencies under my Department's remit advising them that, unless there is a compelling reason otherwise, they should be making a return to the Exchequer. In line with the McCarthy Report, this return should be 30% of after-tax profits. Therefore, I am very pleased that the Port of Cork has responded so positively, so quickly."
Minister Varadkar continued "The Port of Cork becomes only the second of the nine Ports under my Department's remit to pay a dividend.  I will be expecting all profitable semi-states to pay a dividend for their activities in 2011. The only exceptions should be those companies dealing with massive debts or other liabilities."
Mr. Dermot O'Mahoney, Chairperson of the Port of Cork said "The Board of Directors of the Port of Cork Company have made a dividend payment to the Exchequer of €634,315, 30% of the company's 2010 Profit after taxation. The Board recommended this dividend in support of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport's view that "the regular payment of a reasonable dividend to the shareholder is good practice and a performance regulator" for State assets particularly given the current financial position the State finds itself. The Port of Cork Company will endeavour to continue to make a profit after tax and continue to pay a dividend in the amount of 30% of profits available for distribution. The Company will also continue to pursue its capital strategic development plan and reduction in its pension fund deficit.""

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr Simon Coveney T.D was in Ringaskiddy at the National Maritime College of Ireland today to help promote Cork Harbour Open Day 2011. The event which takes place on Saturday 10th September is aimed at embracing and showcasing what Cork Harbour has to offer.

This is the third year of Cork Harbour Open Day and organisers are hopeful that the wide range of events, such as, concerts on Spike Island, photographic Exhibition in Camden Fort, guided tours of an Irish naval ship and an open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland, will attract many people.

L to R: Captain Hugh Tully Irish Navy, Val Cummins Director of MERC³, Simon Coveney TD Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Delaney Vice President Development – CIT, Sara Mackeown Commercial Marketing Port of Cork, Cathal O’Mahony Coastal Marine Research Centre, Ken Cotter Cork Harbour Web Designer and Josephine O’Driscoll, Failte Ireland

The idea for a Harbour Open Day emerged three years ago following discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for Cork Harbour. A group comprising of representatives from UCC, City and County Councils, Irish Navy and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage with users of the Harbour and to organise the Open Day.

Cork Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, next to Sydney Harbour, offering beautiful locations for enjoying the outdoors, dramatic coastlines, and excellent leisure facilities, and is home to some very talented artists, sportsmen and women, and people who are passionate about the history, heritage and cultural value of Cork Harbour.

If you would like to be involved in Cork Harbour Open Day or organise an event on the day, please contact Sara Mackeown at [email protected] or 021-4625375.

The last race in the Royal Cork Timberland League was another excellent night's racing writes our Cork Harbour Correspondent. The weather gods were with us three Thursdays in a row! The breeze was coming from the North 8 to 12 knots. The start was about two hours after high water. The Race Officer Paul O'Shea set an excellent course (No. 65). We had a long beat to No.13 which had us short tacking on a falling tide under Spike Island. We were even debating how we would share the last Mars Bar if the unthinkable happened (low water 22.00). Fortunately no one succumbed to the mud, others would call it good seamanship! After No.13 the rest of the course gave us a chance to brush up on our gybing techniques, we were all much better this week, the lighter breeze may of helped.

To top the evening off, it was nice to see the National 18 crews enjoying themselves outside the Club Bar (after a busy day of racing) while we were motoring up the river!

On the results front:

White Sail IRC Tom McNiece's Sigma 33 "Minx 111" got the number 1 slot last night and also got first in the League.
White Sail Echo Micheal Lynch's Sun Odyssey 32i "Lady T" got the number 1 slot last night and also first in the League.
Class 3 IRC Jimmy Nyhan & Maritta Buwalda's 1/4 tonner "Outrigger" got the four bullets in the League including last night, what a performance! They were also first overall in Echo.
Class 3 Echo Paul Murray's Impala "Prometheus" got the number 1 slot last night.
Class 2 IRC Ted Crosbie's X302 "No Excuse" had an excellent race last night coming first and first overall.
Class 2 Echo Derry Nash's First 31.7 "Catalpa" came first overall.
Class 2 Echo Mark Mendell's Sun fast 32 "Wicked" got the number 1 slot last night
Class 1 IRC Kieran Twomey's Corby "Gloves Off" came first overall.
Class 1 IRC Donal O'Leary's X35 "D-Tox" got the number 1 slot last night.
Class 1 Echo Frank Doyle's A35 "End Game" came first overall.
Class 1 Echo Aidan Heffernan's Dehler 36 "Indulgence" got the number one slot last night.