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29th April 2022

Seatruck Reintroduce Shared Cabins Following Removal of Pandemic Restrictions

Seatruck brings back shared cabins for freight-drivers on their FSG class freight-only ferries, among them the Seatruck Power, captured by AFLOAT swinging into the fairway within Dublin Port when departing for Liverpool.

Seatruck, the Irish Sea freight-only operator announced the return of shared cabins following removal of social distancing rules introduced during the Covid pandemic that required drivers instead to use single cabin occupancy, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The relevant authorities have now removed these restrictions and Seatruck have taken the decision along with their ship management and H&S departments to reintroduce shared cabins.

As of next Monday, 2 May, all 12 driver (accompanied trailers) on their 150 freight trailer unit capacity FSG class ro-ro vessels must be prepared to share cabins.

According to Seatruck they will of course accommodate a single cabin occupancy where available.

The FSG class vessels are currently deployed on the following routes, Warrenpoint - Heysham and Dublin - Liverpool (morning and evening vessels).

The company also operate a third route, Dublin-Heysham in which Afloat conducted an on board interview with the Captain of the P-class ro-ro freighter Seatruck Pace.

Last year, Seatruck which is the only dedicated freight operator on the Irish Sea, celebrated their 25th anniversary when its launched its first route to meet the transportation needs of the haulage industry.

Across the Seatruck route network, 350,000 trailers a year ranging from tippers, tanks, flats, refrigerated and hazardous units are handled by the operator.

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Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat

For the first time in sailing's Olympic history, a Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat event will be on the slate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition.

The Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat will join kiteboarding, windsurfing, multihulls, singlehanded and doublehanded dinghies and skiffs, promoting the diversity of the sport. This, in turn, will support World Sailing's desire to promote and grow universality in all disciplines and increase female participation with gender-equal medals and athletes.

Offshore sailing is the ultimate test of endurance, skill, discipline, navigation and critical decision making.

Embracing a major part of sailing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will enable new stars of the sport to come to the forefront.

Qualification

Offshore sailing is a universal discipline that every World Sailing Member National Authority (MNA) can participate in.

Up to 20 nations will be on the start line at Paris 2024 and sailors from every continent will be represented. To qualify for the Olympic Games, continental qualification events will be held and competition for a spot will be hotly contested.

Equipment

For qualification events, World Sailing will approve a list of one-design boats that are already regionally available and can be accessed as a charter boat. Boats will be equalised to ensure fair competition.

For Paris 2024, World Sailing's Council will select a list of different Equipment it considers to meet the key criteria by 31 December 2020 and then make a decision on the Equipment, selecting from the list, no later than 31 December 2023.

MNAs, Class Associations and Manufacturers have all been invited to propose Equipment for the list and a World Sailing Working Party will evaluate each proposal. A recommended list will be presented to Council for approval in November 2020.

This recommended Equipment list will ensure that event organisers, MNAs and the sailors have opportunities to train and compete in Equipment that is readily available and affordable within their continent and country. It will also ensure each MNA has a fair opportunity to prepare for qualification events and eventually, Paris 2024.

Format

Starting and finishing in Marseille, the Mixed Offshore event is expected to last for either three days and two nights or four days and three nights off the French coastline and whoever crosses the finish line first will be declared Olympic champion.

The race course and length will be announced in the lead up to the start so the competition can take advantage of the latest weather forecast. Current options proposed include long and short courses heading towards the West and East of France.

Safety and Security

The French Navy and Mediterranean forces have extensive experience of supporting major oceanic sailing races. They will provide safety and security at Paris 2024.