A Dublin Bay risk assessment carried out by Dublin Port Company has led to the removal of some of Dublin Bay Sailing Club's (DBSC) yacht racing marks and the upgrading of others.
Some courses in next month's busy DBSC summer calendar have been amended to take into account concerns raised by Dublin Port's Harbour Master over ships coming into contact with the 10-foot conical racing buoys that until now were unlit and without radar reflectors.
23 fibreglass marks provide turning points for up to 300 racing yachts based at Dun Laoghaire and are positioned each season in the south and western areas of the capital's waters. Summer racing runs from April to late September in one of Europe's biggest yacht racing clubs.
Racing yachts round DBSC's Pier Mark. Photo: Afloat.ie
Two marks have been removed entirely while others are to be replaced by more substantial buoys with lights and radar reflectors this month.
DBSC's Honorary Secretary Chris Moore told Afloat.ie "he has been more than happy to work with the harbour authorities to eliminate any concerns and make the Bay a safer place for both watersports and shipping"
Marks can only be laid with the permission of the Dublin Harbour Master whose jurisdiction extends over the entire Bay.
Both DBSC Harbour and Zebra marks located north of Dun Laoghaire Harbour mouth have been permanently removed to make way for an anchorage for small cruise liners with an option for temporary placement in required.
"Some courses have been amended for the coming season so bay sailors will need to update their boat's chart plotters", Moore said.
The location of each mark will remain as before and will be published in the 2019 DBSC Yearbook due out at the end of the month.
