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Displaying items by tag: Paul O'Regan

Brexit, Covid-19 and the situation of seafarers who have been unable to take their leave since the pandemic hit – these are just some of the challenges facing harbourmasters in ports around the island.

Cork harbour, which is being transformed with a new all-tide container terminal at Ringaskiddy and a linking motorway, is handling more direct Ireland-France ferry links with three new weekly freight-only sailings by Brittany Ferries.

Covid-19 has hit tourist traffic, but Cork is handling new freight routes including a weekly service to Zeebrugge.

Two new Liebherr post-Panamax size ship-to-shore (STS) container gantry cranes make an impressive sight cutting the Cork Harbour skyline at the Cork Container Terminal (CCT) in the Republic of Ireland. Port of Cork took delivery of the gantry cranes at the terminal in February last year. The cranes improve liners’ schedule reliability and reduce trade costs and inventory holding outlays for shippers.Two new Liebherr post-Panamax size ship-to-shore (STS) container gantry cranes make an impressive sight cutting the Cork Harbour skyline at the Cork Container Terminal (CCT) in the Republic of Ireland. Port of Cork took delivery of the gantry cranes at the terminal in February last year. The cranes improve liners’ schedule reliability and reduce trade costs and inventory holding outlays for shippers

Last year, Independent Container Line (ICL) introduced a new weekly direct service from Cork to North America - providing Ireland with its first direct container service to the US in many years.

The new direct cargo service to the US east coast from Port Of Cork Independent Vision first arrived at the Port last June The new direct cargo service to the US east coast from Port Of Cork Independent Vision first arrived at the Port last June Photo: Port of Cork/Twitter

A recent report - entitled Cork Harbour 2025: Ready to Float - calls for Cork to be earmarked as a renewable energy service hub for the Celtic Sea.

"Plans for the extension of the deepwater berth in Ringaskiddy could add significant capacity to the capabilities on offer in Cork harbour in support of the nascent floating wind boom in the Celtic Sea,” the report by Cork and Cobh chambers of commerce and a number of companies in the renewable energy sector states.

Progress continues on the development of the new Port of Cork terminal with the two new Liebherr post-Panamax size ship-to-shore (STS) container gantry cranes (left) and Pont Aven ferry in berth (right) Photo: Bob BatemanProgress continues on the development of the new Port of Cork terminal with the two new Liebherr post-Panamax size ship-to-shore (STS) container gantry cranes (left) and Pont Aven ferry in berth (right) Photo: Bob Bateman

Port of Cork harbourmaster Capt Paul O’Regan spoke to Wavelengths in the first of an occasional series on ports, and you can hear him below

 
Read more on the Port of Cork in Afloat's dedicated section here and Cork Harbour section here
Published in Wavelength Podcast
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The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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