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Displaying items by tag: Paris MoU

A Cameroon-flagged cargoship at the Port of Sligo that was detained following Afloat's coverage of the ship's arrival more than two weeks ago to the north-west port has been released from impoundment today, writes Jehan Ashmore.

According to the Paris MoU, the Sheksna had been placed under detention at the Irish port on 16th October, which coincided on the same day of Afloat's report and two days after the ships arrival from the Mediterranean port of Sfax in Tunisia.

The Paris MoU is an international maritime organization whose mission is to eliminate the operation of sub-standard ships. This is carried out by a harmonized system of port State control including 27 maritime administrations, among which Ireland is a member State.

Afloat earlier today contacted the Department of Transport which commented that the ship was detained under the provisions of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and that the detention involved the ship's flag state which is Cameroon. The west African nation on the Gulf of Guinea neighbours Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. 

On Tuesday of this week Afloat tracked the 2,769dwt cargoship Sheksna which was noted still berthed at Sligo. This was surprising given the 82m ship has been berthed at the port's Deepwater Quay for almost a fortnight but explained by the ship's impounding carried out by the Irish Marine Survey Office (MSO). 

Afloat contacted the Port of Sligo which confirmed Sheksna had over 2,000 tonnes of olive stone granulate. The cargo was discharged before the MSO impounded the ship.

This afternoon the Port of Sligo informed Afloat that the Sheksna is no longer detained. 

In addition the 26 year old cargoship will sail light (without cargo) tomorrow after noon on the tide. 

Published in Irish Ports

#Detention - A Maltese-flagged cruiseship still remains under detention in Dublin Port having arrived in the capital almost three weeks ago, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Authorities, Paris MoU, the official body responsible for eliminating the operation of sub-standard ships (see list) detained the diminutive luxury megayacht cruiseship Variety Voyager on 1 August.

Five days previously, Variety Voyager at just 1,593 gross tonnes had according to Dublin Port website docked on 27 July.  This is only the second season that operator, Variety Cruises has deployed the 2012 built ship in Irish waters. The 72 guest /36 cabin vessel is among an eclectic fleet of 8 cruiseships including sail-assisted vessels. 

The Paris MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) consists of the 27 participating Maritime Authorities that agree to implement a harmonized system of Port State Control. The detention of Variety Voyages was imposed through a harmonized system of port State control. Ireland is a member of the Paris MoU along with countries throughout Europe, Canada and Russia.

Originally Variety Voyager had arrived at Ocean Pier's Berth 35. The detention however led to the ship shifting berths  upriver to Sir John Rogersons Quay Berth No. 8 which is designated a cruise-berth which is sited closer to the capital's city centre.

As a reference point to Berth 8's location, the restored 'Diving Bell' painted in bright orange is located close to Variety Voyager. 

Coincidentally the last detained cruiseship in Dublin Port, Berlin also Maltese flagged, was berthed yesterday in the capital too.  

Berlin just shy of 10,000 gross tonnes is operated by FTI Cruises. The 400 passenger capacity cruiseship was detained for three days in June. On this occasion, the 1980 built ship, yesterday occupied North Wall Extentsion, the next nearest cruise berth to Sir John Rogersons Quay.

Afloat will be monitoring as to when the cruiseship will finally make a departure. 

 

Published in Cruise Liners

#Detained - A Dutch flagged general cargoship that was due to Dublin Port last night remains under detention in Wicklow Port having discharged packaged timber, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Irish maritime authorities detained the 2010 built Crown Mary on behalf of the Paris MoU in which Ireland is a member of the organisation. The mission of the Paris MoU is to eliminate the operation of sub-standard ships through a harmonized system of Port State Control. A list of ships that are currently under detention in the Paris MoU region can be consulted here.

The 2,622 gross tonnage Crown Mary had sailed from New Holland, located on the Humber Estuary opposite Hull, a major North Sea ferryport. Just over a year ago Afloat previously reported of another detained cargoship Burhou I in Wicklow. Again this albeit smaller cargoship was employed in the timber trade.

The Paris MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Port State Control (PSC) was signed in January 1982 by fourteen European countries at a Ministerial Conference held in Paris, France. It entered into operation on 1 July 1982. The principles of the MoU also cover the following:
Safety of life at sea
Prevention of pollution by ships, and
Living and working conditions on board ships

The Paris MoU on PSC is an administrative agreement between 27 Maritime Authorities. The participating maritime Administrations of the Paris MoU covers the waters of the European coastal States and the North Atlantic basin from North America to Europe.

Since the detention was imposed last Saturday, Afloat had noted the 88m Crown Mary shift berths within Wicklow Port. This involved the vessel vacate the main commercial Packet Quay to the East Pier so to enable other cargoships to dock. So far two ships have called, Thea Marieke also Dutch flagged arrived from Sheerness, Kent. Last night the vessel docked in Dublin and this morning Scot Pioneer called to Wicklow having sailed overnight from Warrenpoint.

Only the day before the detention, Wicklow recieved the first call of the newly renamed car ferry Fraser Aisling Gabrielle. The 44-car capacity ferry made an overnight stop while en route from Waterford to Greenore from where next month a new Carlingford Lough service is to operate to Greencastle. 

Update May 24 2017: Detention of Dutch Flagged Cargoship In Wicklow Port Is Lifted

 

Published in Ports & Shipping

Royal Irish Yacht Club - Frequently Asked Questions

The Royal Irish Yacht Club is situated in a central location in Dun Laoghaire Harbour with excellent access and visiting sailors can be sure of a special welcome. The clubhouse is located in the prime middle ground of the harbour in front of the town marina and it is Dun Laoghaire's oldest yacht club. 

What's a brief history of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The yacht club was founded in 1831, with the Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo being its first Commodore. 

John Skipton Mulvany designed the clubhouse, which still retains a number of original architectural features since being opened in 1851.

It was granted an ensign by the Admiralty of a white ensign with the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Ireland beneath the Union Jack in canton.

Many prominent names feature among the past members of the Club. The first Duke of Wellington was elected in 1833, followed by other illustrious men including the eccentric Admiral Sir Charles Napier, Sir Dominic Corrigan the distinguished physician, Sir Thomas Lipton, novelist, George A. Birmingham, yachtsman and author, Conor O'Brien, and famous naval historian and author, Patrick O Brian. 

In the club's constitution, it was unique among yacht clubs in that it required yacht owners to provide the club's commodore with information about the coast and any deep-sea fisheries they encountered on all of their voyages.

In 1846, the club was granted permission to use the Royal prefix by Queen Victoria. The club built a new clubhouse in 1851. Despite the Republic of Ireland breaking away from the United Kingdom, the Royal Irish Yacht Club elected to retain its Royal title.

In 1848, a yachting trophy called "Her Majesty's Plate" was established by Queen Victoria to be contested at Kingstown where the Royal Irish Yacht Club is based. The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland at the time, George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon suggested it should be contested by the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the Royal St. George Yacht Club in an annual regatta, a suggestion that was approved by both clubs with the Royal St. George hosting the first competitive regatta.

The RIYC celebrated its 185th Anniversary in 2016 with the staging of several special events in addition to being well represented afloat, both nationally and internationally. It was the year the club was also awarded Irish Yacht Club of the Year as Afloat's W M Nixon details here.

The building is now a listed structure and retains to this day all its original architectural features combined with state of the art facilities for sailors both ashore and afloat.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's emblem?

The Club's emblem shows a harp with the figure of Nice, the Greek winged goddess of victory, surmounted by a crown. This emblem has remained unchanged since the foundation of the Club; a symbol of continuity and respect for the history and tradition of the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's ensign?

The RIYC's original white ensign was granted by Royal Warrant in 1831. Though the Royal Irish Yacht Club later changed the ensign to remove the St George's Cross and replace the Union Jack with the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland, the original ensign may still be used by British members of the Royal Irish Yacht Club

Who is the Commodore of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The current Commodore is Jerry Dowling, and the Vice-Commodore is Tim Carpenter.

The RIYC Flag Officers are: 

What reciprocal club arrangements does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have?  

As one of Ireland's leading club's, the Royal Irish Yacht Club has significant reciprocal arrangements with yacht clubs across Ireland and the UK, Europe, USA and Canada and the rest of the World. If you are visiting from another Club, please have with a letter of introduction from your Club or introduce yourself to the Club Secretary or to a member of management staff, who will show you the Club's facilities.

What car parking does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have at its Dun Laoghaire clubhouse?

The RIYC has car parking outside of its clubhouse for the use of its members. Paid public car parking is available next door to the club at the marina car park. There is also paid parking on offer within the harbour area at the Coatl Harbour (a 5-minute walk) and at an underground car park adjacent to the Royal St. George Yacht Club (a 3-minute walk). Look for parking signs. Clamping is in operation in the harbour area.

What facilities does the Royal Irish Yacht Clubhouse offer? 

The Royal Irish Yacht Club offers a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere in one of the best situated and appointed clubhouses in these islands. Its prestige in yachting circles is high and its annual regatta remains one of the most attractive events in the sailing calendar. It offers both casual and formal dining with an extensive wine list and full bar facilities. The Club caters for parties, informal events, educational seminars, themed dinners and all occasions. The RIYC has a number of venues within the Club each of which provides a different ambience to match particular needs.

What are the Royal Irish Yacht Club's Boathouse facilities?

The RIYC boathouse team run the launch service to the club's swinging moorings, provide lifting for dry-sailed boats, lift and scrub boats, as well as maintaining the fabric of the deck, pontoon infrastructure, and swinging moorings. They also maintain the club crane, the only such mobile crane of the Dun Laoghaire Yacht Clubs.

What facilities are offered for junior sailing at the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

One of the missions of the Royal Irish Yacht Club is to promote sailing as a passion for life by encouraging children and young adults to learn how to sail through its summer courses and class-specific training throughout the year. 

RIYC has an active junior section. Its summer sailing courses are very popular and the club regularly has over 50 children attending courses in any week. The aim is for those children to develop lifelong friendships through sailing with other children in the club, and across the other clubs in the bay.
 
Many RIYC children go on to compete for the club at regional and national championships and some have gone on to represent Ireland at international competitions and the Olympic Regatta itself.
 
In supporting its young sailors and the wider sailing community, the RIYC regularly hosts junior sailing events including national and regional championships in classes such as the Optmist, Feva and 29er.
 
Competition is not everything though and as the club website states:  "Many of our junior sailors have gone on the become sailing instructors and enjoy teaching both in Ireland and abroad.  Ultimately, we take most pleasure from the number of junior sailors who become adult sailors and enjoy a lifetime of sailing with the club". 

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