#dlharbourcruise – Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group has launched its 2015 cruise–liner season. 2015 is set to be the most successful cruise season for Dun Laoghaire, with an expected 100,000 passengers and crew expected to arrive into the Harbour over the next five months. A total of 21 calls will be made to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, with many of the ships involved bringing in more than 5,000 passengers and crew.

The first cruise visit of the season will take place next Tuesday, 12th May with the arrival of the Royal Princess.

The third generation cruise ship will be on its maiden voyage, and will carry over 5,000 crew and passengers. Other ships that will take in Dun Laoghaire on their maiden voyages will be:

· Splendida (21st May)

· Celebrity Silhouette (14th June)

· Star Legend (26th June)

· Britannia (14th July)

· Mein Schiff 4 (18th September)

Ahead of the calls, the Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group has put in place a welcome programme which will run for each cruise call. The welcome programme will comprise of:

Entertainment:
A welcome event will take place from 1pm to 3pm on each day of a cruise visit in the Lexicon Gardens. This event will feature traditional Irish dancing and music by local traditional Irish band, Celtic Hearts. This event will also be open to the public.

Ambassadors:
A team of eight local volunteers will greet each cruise arrival. The multi-lingual volunteers will be armed with local knowledge to help the cruise guests with any queries they might have. The ambassadors will also be dotted throughout the town, and will be easily identifiable in bright green jackets. The ambassadors will inform the passengers of local sights activities, and will also highlight the availability of free Wifi in the town.

Transport:
On arrival, cruise passengers will be transported by four 16-seater Mercedes mini-coaches from the harbour to the welcome event in the Lexicon Gardens. Courtesy shuttle buses will provide continuous transport services throughout the day, every day the cruise is in the harbour. The shuttle bus pick-up location will be signposted and easily identifiable for cruise crew and passengers.

Dun Laoghaire Stakeholder Group is comprised Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the local BID Company.

Speaking ahead of the event, Chairperson of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Eithne Scott Lennon said: "We are delighted to be welcoming cruise visits in such numbers to Dun Laoghaire over the coming months.

"The forthcoming cruise season will give us a small insight into the potential which the cruise business has for Dun Laoghaire and the greater hinterland. The Harbour Company has been working collectively with the Council and local businesses to ensure that visitors get a taste of the local area through our welcome programme. Increased cruise visitors should provide a welcome boost to the local economy.

"This cruise season offers a wonderful opportunity to showcase what is available in the area for visitors, and I hope that the wider community will join in the welcome events and entertainment. While it's important to impress the cruise visitors, I also believe that more local families and people interested in ships will also come out to Dun Laoghaire and enjoy the impressive sight of these ships in our harbour. Apart from the multi-story third generation cruise ships, there will also be a selection of smaller and intriguing ships that will come right into the Harbour.

"Everyone can join in the entertainment that is being organised, and I would advise people to log onto our website or follow us on social media to get the latest updates on visits and activities," added Ms Scott Lennon.

#dlharbour – The Dun Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group will launch its 2015 cruise season today. The year is set to be the most successful cruise season for Dun Laoghaire, with an expected 100,000 passengers and crew set to arrive into the Harbour over the next five months.
Ahead of the calls, the Cruise Stakeholder Group has put in place a welcome programme which will run for each cruise call. The welcome programme will comprise entertainment, shuttle bus transport and an ambassador scheme to provide information and guidance to cruise visitors.
The first cruise visit of the season will take place on Tuesday, 12th May with the arrival of the Royal Princess. The ship will be on its maiden voyage, and will carry over 5,000 crew and passengers.
During Wednesday's launch, the Dun Laoghaire Stakeholder Group will unveil full details of its cruise welcome programme, as well as announcing key dates for major cruise calls.
Dun Laoghaire Stakeholder Group is comprised Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the local BID Company. 

Speaking ahead of the event, Chairperson of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Eithne Scott Lennon said: "We are delighted to be welcoming cruise visits in such numbers to Dun Laoghaire over the coming months. We are working collectively with the Council and local businesses to ensure that visitors get a taste of the local area through our welcome programme. Increased cruise visitors should provide a welcome boost to the local economy."

#Rescue - Independent.ie reports on the dramatic rescue of six young sailing trainees after their dinghy overturned in a gust in Dun Laoghaire harbour yesterday afternoon (Sunday 26 April).

One of Dun Laoghaire RNLI's lifeboats spotted the children in trouble while returning to port from an exercise and helped the six out of the water.

#dlharbour –Three French naval training ships will pay a courtesy visit to Dun Laoghaire Harbour in May. The Harbour Master of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Simon Coate, accepted the invitation from the French Ministry of Defence for the ships to visit.

The 'Lion', 'Leopard' and 'Eglantine' will be in Dun Laoghaire from Friday 1st - Monday 4th May as part of a training excursion, the aim of which is to teach French navy students how to sail a ship. Coastal and ocean navigation and manoeuvre teaching will be taught during the training. Each ship is fully equipped with lecture and training rooms as well as specific teaching equipment. During the training excursions, the ships are also employed by the French Ministry of Defence for the watch and guard of French maritime approaches, and all ships have the ability to release counter-oil products, used for counter pollution missions.

Speaking in advance of the arrival of the naval ships, CEO of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Gerry Dunne, said: "We're delighted to welcome the three French naval training ships to Dun Laoghaire. This year will be an extremely busy one for the Harbour, with over 20 cruise calls taking place this summer. The visit of the naval ships offers a nice start to this season and they should act as an interesting sight for local ship enthusiasts. We're also looking forward to welcoming the French naval students to the town."

#dlregatta – As tonight's Dublin Bay Sailing Club summer season gets underway, Ireland's biggest sailing event at the same venue, Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, is preparing to welcome some potent visitors to the Bay in July as its massive fleet is now expected to hit the 400 mark.

UK visitors are swelling the ranks of some 28 classes; IRC Cruisers, One Design Keelboats and Dinghies with 40% of the current entry coming as visiting sailors from overseas.

As well as Nigel Bigg's new C&C 30 design, there's a strong fleet of Beneteau and Corby designs making the trip across the Irish Sea. Kevin Aitken's Animal (Beneteau First 36.7) from the Clyde Cruising Club will be joined by Helensburgh sistership Carmen 2 (Paul Scutt and Alan Jeffrey). Liverpool Yacht Club is sending Jim Cartwright's Beneteau Daydream Believer and Kenneth Roberts Ker 36. Another Clyde visitor is the Sigma 38, Engima skippered by Howard Morrisson. Welsh yacht Impostor, a Corby 33 from South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, will be skippered by Richard Fildes. Swansea is sending the Dubois 37, Dark Angel. 

A record 68 clubs are currently represented with many of the 2013 class champions returning.

In 2009, the Irish Marine Federation (IMF) launched a case study on the socio-economic significance of the regatta. Six years ago, the biennial event attracted an entry of 449 entries. Over four days, the study (carried out by Irish Sea Marine Leisure Knowledge Network) found the event was worth nearly three million to the local economy.

For the latest updates on Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2015 click this handy link

Read also WMN Nixon's recent Afloat.ie blog: Dun Laoghaire Regatta Promises Champion Quality Yacht Racing For All

#dlregatta – In a first for Dun Laoghaire Regatta the first C&C30 design in Europe will compete for the overall title at Ireland's biggest regatta this July.

After dominating their class and being crowned top overall boat at the 2013 Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Checkmate Sailing from the Royal Irish Yacht Club are returning to Dublin Bay to defend the title. Their all conquering Humphreys Half Tonner has been replaced with Checkmate XVI, a new C&C30 from the drawing board of Wicklow based designer Mark Mills.

Skipper Nigel Biggs says "Dun Laoghaire Regatta has always been one of our favourite regattas. We have competed here for many years and having been honoured with the top boat award last time, we were determined to come back and try to retain this prestigious award.

During our last project with Checkmate XV we were fortunate to work with Mark Mills who was instrumental in turning a near 30–year–old IOR racer into a competitive IRC boat. ‎Having sold Checkmate XV to our good friend Dave Cullen we were looking for a successor and Mark suggested the new C&C 30 that he had designed.

The boat ticked every box for us, sailed by a relatively small crew, extremely fast, trailable and with the prospect of competitive one-design racing. Checkmate XVI is the first of the class in Europe and although she has only recently arrived from the US we are already finding her extremely rewarding to sail. We are very much looking forward to bringing her to Dun Laoghaire Regatta and catching up with all our friends again 

Biggs says 'we have always been made to feel incredibly welcome at this event and feel it strikes the perfect balance between competitive racing and fun socialising. I am extremely privileged to have recently been elected as a member of the Royal Irish Yacht Club and am looking forward to racing under their burgee this year'.

The C&C 30 One Design and offshore-capability and fast sailing performance at an affordable price has picked up the 2015 American SAIL MAGAZINE Best Boat award. See vid below.

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Promoter C&C in the USA hopes to develop the boat into a high-performance, offshore-capable one-design class that's both easy to sail and affordable compared to other grand prix boats.

The C&C 30 is loaded with go-fast goodies including a centerline sprit pole, a double-spreader carbon-fiber rig, an open transom, an offset companionway, a flush deck, plumb bow, halyard locks (main and jib) and an expansive cockpit.

The C&C 30 is being built in Bristol, Rhode Island.

#DunLaoghaire - The public consultation on the proposed redevelopment of the old Victorian baths in Dun Laoghaire opened today (Monday 20 April).

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, last month the €2.5 million project was given the green light by the Department of the Environment.

The revised plans will see the baths – last used 20 years ago as the Rainbow Rapids – developed into artists' studios with a gallery and café space.

Among other changes, the old saltwater pool space will be filled in to create a green space between the People's Park and the East Pier.

The public consultation is open for submissions till 5 June 2015. Full details of the plans and all relevant consultation documents are available HERE.

The local 'Save our Seafront' campaign organisation has arranged a public meeting to discusss the new plans for the baths site and the nearby harbour on Thursday, April 30th at 7.30pm in the Kingston hotel.

#dlharbour – Dún Laoghaire BID (Business Improvement District) company is hailing plans for a next-generation cruise berth as a game-changer for the area's economy.

The Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group (composed of the BID company, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Council) says the new cruise berth will provide a €27 million boost to the area and hinterlands and will lead to significant jobs growth but local yacht clubs have voiced concerns over the plan.

The Stakeholder Group has the long-term aim of emulating the Copenhagen model of welcoming 800,000 cruise visitors to Dublin per annum, with at least 50% of these coming to Dún Laoghaire. This will create new employment both at construction phase and develop employment and growth in the tourism industry in Dún Laoghaire and surrounding areas.

The expansion and development of the cruise business would offer significant economic benefits to Dún Laoghaire and the surrounding areas. These would include expenditure by disembarked passenger and crew; payments to excursion operators by cruise companies; harbour fees; and purchases by cruise ships of local supplies while in harbour.

The increased cruise passenger numbers will also contribute to significant additional domestic footfall in the town and harbour areas. It is expected that for every cruise passenger, at least one Irish resident will be attracted to the Harbour to look at the ships. This potential 400,000 increase in footfall will also add vibrancy to the area and represents economic opportunities for local businesses.

The BID company, which represents Dún Laoghaire's 800 plus businesses, says the new 390-metre berth will position Dún Laoghaire as leaders in marine and leisure tourism in Ireland and will transform the fortunes of business with the creation of new jobs in the area.

The proposed new berth at Dún Laoghaire Harbour will be one of just two in Ireland that can accommodate cruise ships up to 340m in length. At present Cobh is the only port in Ireland that can accommodate these vessels.

The Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholder Group developed the plans for the establishment of the new cruise berth facility. The Stakeholder Group welcomed the first cruise call to the Harbour in 2012 with 300 passengers and crew arriving that year. This snowballed and in 2013 30,000 cruise passengers arrived in Dún Laoghaire. This figure will treble this year with the arrival of 100,000 cruise passengers and crew to the Harbour.

Over 50% of new ships currently on order are over 300m in length. Cruise ships want to be able to dock and allow passengers to disembark directly on to a quay, rather than being taken ashore by tender.

Chairman of the Dún Laoghaire BID company, Don McManus says the new cruise berth will be a game changer for the economy in Dún Laoghaire and surrounding areas:

"Dún Laoghaire is designated as a marine tourism port under the Government's National Ports Policy, and the development of the new cruise berth will be fundamental to establishing the entire area as a leading marine and leisure destination."

"The expansion and development of the cruise business will offer significant economic benefits to Dún Laoghaire and the surrounding areas. These include expenditure by disembarked passenger and crew; payments to excursion operators by cruise companies; harbour fees; and purchases by cruise ships of local supplies while in harbour.

The planning application for the new facility is set to be submitted to An Bord Pleanala by the end of April.

– DL Harbour Company Press Release

#dlmarina – Dun Laoghaire Marina currently has a vacancy for the position of Night Duty Supervisor at Ireland's largest marina on Dublin Bay. Candidates will be required to work night duty shift work 22.00 – 08.00, based on Thursday to Sunday rota for the months of May & September and four days on/four days off rota for the months of June, July & August.

Candidates must have excellent communication skills, verbal and written together with good interpersonal/organisational skills

Handle all enquiries on the telephone, intercom and VHF ensuring the customer receives a friendly and efficient response which accurately meets their needs
Assign visiting boats suitable berths and check them in upon arrival.

Handle small quantities of cash transactions relating to berthing fees, sales of electricity cards etc.

Complying fully with all regulations relating to Health & Safety, employee conduct, environmental policy, fire precautions and emergency procedures.

Projecting a smart image at all times by complying fully with grooming and uniform/dress regulations and by maintaining the highest standards of personal hygiene.
Take responsibility for all keys in use during the shift, ensuring correct procedures are adhered to at all times.

The Candidate will possess:
A hands on approach is required, as there is a strong emphasis upon driving and improving standards.​
Excellent Customer Service Skills
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work on their own initiative.​
Excellent level of English (both written and oral) is essential
At least basic computer literacy
VHF licence and familiarity with use of VHF procedures
Above all else, we require a reliable, sensible and professional team member who is willing to commit to our high levels of customer service and help maintain the 5 Gold Anchor standard of Dun Laoghaire Marina.
This position is a strictly fixed term contract and successful candidates will receive on-site training and familiarisation prior to commencement.

This is an established position and if you feel that you can meet the required criteria please contact (by mail or email):

Mr Paal Janson,
General Manager,
Dun Laoghaire Marina,
Harbour Road,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin.
Email: [email protected]

#dlhc – Royal St. George Yacht Club Commodore Justin McKenna has resigned as a board member of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) with immediate effect. 

McKenna told members of his decision at a meeting of the country's biggest sailing club last Friday. The meeting was held to discuss controversial DLHC proposals on the new cruise liner berthing arrangements inside the harbour that has drawn the ire of many Dun Laoghaire sailors.

The Minister of Sport appointed McKenna to the Harbour Company Board  in March 2014, as Afloat.ie reported at the time. 

As the Irish Times reported last Friday there is growing dissatisfaction among 5,000 sailing and boating fans over proposals that, say objectors, will curtail sailing inside the harbour walls.

Royal St. George members have been urged to let their views be known on the 435–metre long quay to be built next to their clubhouse. The club also wants individual sailing classes to make submissions.

It follows an online petition set up by sailors that has attracted 1500 signatures to save 'Dun Laoghaire dinghy sailing' 

Friday's meeting was followed by an open session for Royal St. George members. An 'abbreviated version' of the points raised has appeared on club facebook page as follows:

• The councillors should be advised that the city of Venice is considering banning all big cruise liners because they are causing untold damage to the fabric of the city. The income from these liners is valued at 10c per passenger

• Cruise ships are good for Dun Laoghaire, anchored in the bay and we welcome SMALL ships in the harbour.

• Each sailing class should make a submission and encourage submissions

• The economic benefit to Dun Laoghaire is not good from the passenger perspective. There will be initial public interest. However, this will fall off over time as people become bored with them

• The only beneficiaries will be the coach tour operators

• Some basic calculations would indicate that it will take + 100 yrs. to recover the construction cost

• The Dublin Port proposal is in direct competition yet it is only a few miles away.

• The consultation period closes next Monday and it is important that the club advises members to object to the planning board a.s.a.p.

• Dun Laoghaire is the major centre for youth training on the island of Ireland. This proposal will have a detrimental if not fatal effect on this activity

• The scale of the ships is difficult to comprehend and is out of character with a Victorian harbour.

• International Sailing events will not come to Dun Laoghaire. Tourism Ireland will not be happy.

• The Water wag class commenced sailing in the harbour in 1887 and is one of the oldest racing classes in the world.

• Irish Lights have conducted many studies of the harbour bed and a considerable area is covered in granite. Dredging cost numbers will be almost double the cost estimated and Dublin Port will be gaining from the anchoring dues.

DLHC says the plan is to facilitate some of the world's biggest cruise liners berthing inside the harbour. The aim is to regenerate the harbour and town following the loss of the HSS Stena car ferry between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead in February.

A total of 22 cruise ships are expected to berth this summer, bringing up to 100,000 passengers and crew to the port bringing up to €7m in revenues, 30% of whicdh will be spent locally in Dun Laoghaire, according to DLHC.

A public consultation is underway following DLHC presentations with over 20 separate stakeholders groups.

Observations or comments can be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to Jean Finnegan, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Harbour Lodge, Crofton Rd, Dun Laoghaire, anytime up to 5pm on Monday, 13th April 2015.

A copy of the DLHC presentation is HERE.