Displaying items by tag: Cork Harbour
Spinnaker Run to Calves Week
The race continued to Schull where Donal O'Learys 'D Tox' took line honours finishing shortly after 7am. With numerous requests for redress, the race committee had a busy time sorting Class One results, which resulted in 'D Tox' taking first in both IRC and Echo, with Exhale and Saxon Senator filling second and third.
The spoils were shared in Class Two With Kieran O Briens 'Magnet' taking the IRC trophy, with the Barrett/Conlon team in 'Y Knot' winning Echo.
In the combined Classes Three and Four dogged determination finally paid off for Eddie Higgins and the crew of La Maraquita who, sailing the smallest boat in the race, crossed the Schull line in an elapsed time of sixteen and a half hours to capture the Echo trophy, with David Kenefick's 'Tiger' winning IRC.
West Cork bound. Photo: Robert Bateman
Compared with their companions from the previous night, the five White Sail boats that started from Kinsale on Saturday morning had an uneventful long slog to Schull where Bryan Heffernans 'Aisling' took first ahead of Doherty and Co in 'Free Spirit' and Julian Dockery's 'Flying Fish',while Kieran Dwyer's 'Brazen Huzzie' was the sole finisher in White Sail Two.
On Sunday the Wind Gods totally deserted Schull, where Race Officer Neill Prendeville was finally forced to fly the abandonment flag after a four hour postponement.
Cork Harbour Open Day 2010 - Call for events
Cork Harbour
Open Day will take place on Saturday 4th September 2010. Aimed at embracing what Cork Harbour has to offer, the Cork Harbour Open Day seeks to raise awareness of the different activities available for people in the harbour both on and off the water.
Cork Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, next to Sydney Harbour, offering beautiful locations for enjoying the outdoors, dramatic coastlines, and excellent leisure facilities. It is home to some very talented artists, sportsmen and women, and people who are passionate about the history, heritage and cultural value of Cork Harbour.
To get involved in Cork Harbour Open Day or to organise an event on the day, please visit www.corkharbour.ie or contact Sara Dymond at [email protected] or 021-4625375.
The idea for a Harbour Open Day emerged from discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for the Harbour. A group comprising representatives from UCC, City and County Councils and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage users of the Harbour and to organise the Open Day.
Info: www.corkharbour.ie
Dublin and Cork Share Cruise-Calls Bonanza
The ports of Dublin and Cork are scheduled to receive a record 139 cruiseships in total this year, bringing 180,000 visitors and crew. Many more of these cruiseships are due to visit over the next two months and stretching into late Autumn. Between €35-55m is expected to be generated into the Dublin region from high-spend cruise visitors
while a further €5m is predicted for the local economy at Cork, writes Jehan Ashmore.
A notable visitor due to grace Dublin Bay is the return of The World, albeit not strictly a cruiseship but the first custom-built time-share ship. The vessel is to dock in the capital for four-nights from 4-8 August and then sails overnight to Cobh, for two-nights from 9-11 August.
In essence, The World presents an exclusively unique lifestyle experience. Instead of passengers, there are 'residents' who live onboard. Residents of the 43,188 gross tonnes (GT) vessel don't merely occupy a cabin but own large-sized luxurously appointed private apartments that are 'home' complete with balconies.
On 9 August, Silver Cloud docks at Dublin from Oban, Scotland. Measuring 16,927 GT, the vessel may not be the largest with only 315 passengers, but is an ultra-luxury cruiseship, regarded as one of the highest standards in the cruise-sector industry.
Returning to Cork Harbour, Cobh awaits the mighty Independence of the Seas. At 154,407 tonnes, she is the biggest ever cruiseship to dock at any Irish port. With a massive 4,375 passenger capacity, attractions include rock-climbing or surfing-boarding using a special pool. The 'Independence' berths mid-afternoon on 29 August for an overnight call, departing 18.00hrs the next day.
Among smaller cruiseships, the private-motoryacht like, Island Sky of 4,000 tonnes and with 200 passengers, calls to Dublin on 11 August, and may berth upriver close to the new Samual Beckett Bridge.
Those keen on traditional ships, can look forward to the visit of Classic International Cruises Princess Danae, built in 1955. The veteran is due 16 August, and her sister, Princess Daphne is expected 2 September. Unusually the 16,000 tonnes pair were converted from general cargo-ships for a career in cruising.
New cruiseship, Costa Luminosa (92,700 GT) costing US $ 548m makes a second call to Cobh on 3 September and is operated by Costa Cruises.
This is the first time the Italian company has ventured into Irish cruising waters.
Without doubt the largest Dublin caller this season will be Emerald Princess. The giant weighs some 113,000 gross tonnes and at 288m long will certainly provide a spectacle, with lights blaring over a dozen or so decks, during a dusk departure on 14 September.
Also entering service this year, P&O Cruises 116,000 tonnes new Azura, is set to visit Dublin on 23 September and Cork the next day. The Italian built newbuild cost US $ 535m and has a capacity for 3,076 passengers.
Ocean Countess departing Dublin. Photo: Jehan Ashmore/ShipSNAPS
A newcomer to Irish ports is Cruise & Maritime Voyages Ocean Countess which is making round Ireland itineraries with calls at Cobh on 13 August and 12 September. Incidently the 'Countess' was converted into a troopship for the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982.
Jewel of the Seas (90,090 GT) makes a Cobh call on 7 September and exactly a month later returns, marking the last cruise-call to Cork in 2010 while Fred Olsen's Boudicca will be Dublin's last caller on 20 November.
For further information on other visiting cruiseships, please click links:
Cork Harbour Dolphins Jumping
Pictures of Dolphins jumping off Roches Point in Cork harbour have been captured for youtube viewers courtesy of a Cork fishing trip this week. The three harbour dolphins jump clean out of the water in the clip below from about 2:20 on the timeline. A Lovely marine animal sight on a summers evening!
Excalibur Delivers RIBS Round the Coast
Excalibur RIBs of Cork have been busy this summer not only with a new 65 knot RIB for Round Ireland record holder Philip Fitzgibbon but also with new boats for Civil Defence teams in two locations around the coast. Joe McCollum of Excalibur will deliver a 7m RIB to Mayo Civil Defence on the West coast this week. A 6.5 metre boat for Cork Civil Defence is also due this month. The Cork harbour yard is also completing a 9m full cabin P5 boat for a West Cork commercial application later in the summer. More news from Excalibur at www.ribs.ie or mobile 087 2198651.
The Chairman of the Port of Cork, Mr Dermot O'Mahoney commented on the company's annual results for 2009 stating that the Port of Cork had delivered a resilient performance given the national economic recession. Total traffic at the Port of Cork amounted to 8.3 million tonnes, a decrease of 17.8% on the 10. 1 million tonnes achieved during 2008. This reduction was caused directly by the economic slowdown in the Irish economy since the second half of 2008. Turnover amounted to €20.8 million, a decrease of 20.8%, however an operating profit of €1.5 million after deducting costs including exceptional costs of docker and Lift on – Lift off (LOLO) stevedoring rationalisation of €6.3 million, resulted in a loss on ordinary activities after taxation, of €4.9 million.
Oil traffic which accounts for 60.93% of cargo handled through the Port of Cork decreased by 16.8% to 4.84 million tonnes. The Port of Cork remains the second busiest Port in Ireland in terms of the number of containers handled, however container traffic reduced by 20% to 148,621 TEU's. In 2009 containers shipped through the Port of Cork were destined to and from the mainland European ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugee. Additionally, there is a weekly service linking Ringaskiddy in Cork with Scandinavia, North West Europe and the Mediterranean. Non-oil traffic accounted for 3.48 million tonnes in 2009, a decrease of 789,434 tonnes or 18.47% when compared with the same period in 2008.
Trade figures for the first half of 2010 suggest that there may be a stabalisation in trade as activity levels are generally in line with those of the same period of 2009. Increases in certain trades such as bulks and trade cars and the fact that other trades are starting to consolidate is encouraging.
Mr. O'Mahoney said: "Sustaining the Port business in the current economic climate has required a continued focus on innovation and change in the business practices. Similar to our customers, the Port of Cork has taken an aggressive position on controlling costs."
Despite challenges of the current economic environment the Port of Cork are continually seeking out new business and trading opportunities and are confident all efforts in this area will be successful in time.
Chief Executive, Mr. Brendan Keating pointed out that The Company's sustained commitment to investment in the Port is a clear demonstration of confidence in the potential for business development and trade growth along with supporting our commitment in providing first class port facilities to customers.
The achievement of higher levels of efficiencies across all Port activities continues to be a priority in maintaining the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Port to customers. A key milestone in this regard was the completion of the Dock Rationalisation Programme in February 2009. This agreement saw the elimination of the casual dock labour system in the Port. In addition to improving the competitive position, it will also help improve levels of flexibility and responsiveness to customers thereby making a significant contribution to supporting the drive for business growth.
Mr. Keating said: "The Docker Rationalisation programme presented the Port of Cork Company with the opportunity to enter into an agreement with the Stevedores, which resulted in the Company taking control of all aspects of Lift on Lift off trade in the Port. This additional milestone agreement, completed in July 2009, has made a dramatic improvement to efficiency and has contributed to long-term competiveness thereby helping secure the future of the Port."
During 2009 the Port of Cork Company undertook a comprehensive review of the planning refusal by An Bord Pleanála for a new container terminal at the Oyster Bank, Ringaskiddy. Arising from this review it was decided to prepare a new Port Strategic Plan a key element of which involved a comprehensive evaluation of suitable sites in Cork Harbour for a new container terminal. Following detailed technical assessments and consideration of all issues raised during the stakeholder engagement, the primary location in the lower harbour for the relocation of port activities from the upper harbour is Ringaskiddy.
Speaking about the outcome of the Strategic Development Plan Review, Mr. Keating said: "Ringaskiddy is already the location of extensive investment in Port facilities where considerablevolumes of port trade are handled. The development of additional Port facilities at this location would mean that demands associated with the world wide trend towards larger vessels could be met in the Port and also the development would be consistent with the objectives of Cork County Development Plan."
However he added it was critical that the upgrade of the N28 should be advanced as a priority action to support the Port and the other vitally important industries located in the Ringaskiddy area.
He continued: "The Port of Cork is confident that new port facilities can be delivered in support of the business and trading needs of the region. It is a strong belief of the Port of Cork Company that the provision of Port infrastructure capacity is essential in enhancing the economic prospects for Cork City, County and the South West Region."
In 2009, the company hosted 54 cruise ships carrying in excess of 103,000 passengers and crew which contributed in excess of €44 million to the economy of the region. The investments made by the Port of Cork Company in the development of cruise facilities in Cobh is now showing positive returns with booking levels continuing to grow. The Port of Cork Company is committed to the further development of this business by the investment of additional capital in the next three to five years.
Towards the end of 2009, the Port of Cork implemented a Leisure and Recreation Strategy for Cork Harbour. The primary focus of the strategy is on water based Leisure and Recreation activities in and around Cork Harbour in which the Port of Cork aims to play a leading role in providing and supporting improvements of amenities in these areas. Consultation with community groups, water related clubs, statutory bodies and other interested parties will be an important feature of continuing this strategy in the future. The new Port of Cork City Marina is the first marina facility in the heart of Cork City and a key advance of the Leisure and Recreation Strategy.
Last Day Video from Cork Week 2010
It's no longer of Boat of the Week but boats of the week at Cork week this evening as Dave Dwyer's Mills 39, Marinerscove.ie and Paul Kirwan's Sigma 38, Errislannan have been jointly awarded Cork's top award. You could feel the tension on the dock, with virtually all the classes still to be decided, as the yachts motored out to the combat zone along the narrow confines of Cork River. The conditions had eased from the previous maelstrom, but this was a day were smart sailing in the combined 197-boat fleet put boats in winning positions.
Blue Jay won the J109 European Championships at Crosshaven. Photo: Bob Bateman
Watery sunshine, 15 knots from the northwest were to provide some tricky conditions for all classes. Cork Harbour and the surrounding area have huge land effects on the wind, especially today, the gradient made for constant changes.
It proved to be a day for keeping heads out of the boat, looking for changes in the weather. However, that is only one part of the overall puzzle. Boat-on-boat tactics and strong tides are also in the mix. Racing today at Cork Week was like a game of three-dimensional chess.
IRC Super Zero
Johnny Vincent's TP52, Pace came out on top after five days of thrills and spills in the big boat class. Austin Fragomen's TP52, Interlodge was second but only on count back from Gray and Laidlaw's Farr 52, Bob.
Tied on points, Fragomen's TP52, shipped over form the USA to compete at Cork Week beat the Isle of Wight based Farr 52, by the virtue of winning one more race in the eight race series.
The Racing in Super Zero has been sensational this week but also pretty hard on the crew. Andy Oliver is the bowman on Johnny Vincent's TP52, Pace. He first came to Cork Week at just 17 years of age and since then he has raced all over the world;
"I have got to say that was the toughest week I have had for a long time, all of the crew on Pace did a great job, not just the bow but working on the pointed end with the boat screaming along at 24 knots is pretty tough! Cork Week is very unusual, in that it has a huge variety of courses that intensifies crew work. We are all a bit tired, but a fair few of the crew on Pace will be looking forward to a couple of pints of the black stuff in the yacht club after the prize giving."
IRC Zero
Dave Dwyer's Mills 39 Marinerscove.ie had a bad start to the regatta but showed great tenacity to come back with a vengeance to win the highly competitive class on the last race, as tactician Andy Beadsworth explains;
"We have made a few changes to the boat this season, including increasing the sail area to give the boat better light wind performance for the forthcoming Rolex Commodores Cup. A windy Cork Week answered a few questions about how we would go in heavier air. Our two results at the beginning meant we were playing catch up and we just kept chipping away. It has been a great regatta, a real punch-up with some well sailed boats."
Bernard Lambilliotte's Swan 45, Nemo of Cowes haS been the boat to beat in Class Zero, all week and will obviously be disappointed to lose out on the last day. Anthony O'Leary's Ker 39, Antix was third but finished the regatta in good shape.
J 109 European Championship
The crew on Greg Burgess's J 109, Bluejay punched the air with delight, after taking the gun in the first race of the day. All of the crew is from Wales and apart from Burgess, are all young lads as an ecstatic Burgess explains;
'We all go snowboarding together and we have never raced the boat as a crew before. I am 55 but although I am getting old, I feel like an 18 year old today! We didn't expect to win this in our wildest dreams. I stopped racing the boat three years ago, to drive my son around, competing for the British Optimist Team. The crew come from Swansea, Cardiff and North Wales, they have all been sleeping on the boat and partying every night. What a week!"
Brian Moreton's Juke Box was second overall and Ian Nagle and Paul O'Malley's Jelly Baby, snatched third place on the last day from Robert O'Leary's Jeroboam.
IRC One
There was an incredibly close finish in the last race, as the top three boats were separated by 26 seconds, on corrected time. Conor & Denise Phelan's Ker 37, Jump Juice snatched the class title by a single point from Robert Davies' Welsh team on Corby 36, Roxy 6. British Corby 37, Impetuous were third.
These three boats had a titanic struggle all week, especially as they were often side by side on the water. None of them scored worse than a fourth in the seven race series. IRC One produced probably the closest racing of any of the classes racing at Cork Week 2010. Jump Juice were also class champions in 2006.
Conor and Denise are based in Cork and feel Cork Week is a special regatta.
"Since Denise decided to buy Jump Juice, we have raced in the Solent, Scotland and Dun Laoghaire but Cork Week beats them all; the race management is first class and the variety of course and conditions always makes it interesting. We had incredibly close racing this week. It has been absolutely fabulous." Commented a delighted Conor Phelan
IRC Two
Paul O'Higgins' Corby 33, Rockabill V started the regatta in fine form but faltered half way, it was only on the last race that they came back, to clinch the class title from Sailing Logic's Reflex 38, Visit Malta Puma with Rob Mc Connell's A 35, Fool's Gold, finishing strongly to take third.
Paul O'Higgins, owner of Rockall V sums up the week; 'I think the crew on Rockabill V got a bit too complacent after a good start and enjoyed the full facilities of Cork Week, the day before we had a very breezy day, so some of the hard work was our own doing! However, all credit to the opposition, Puma and Fool's Gold sailed well and were worthy opponents."
IRC Three
John Moorehead & Chris Ferres J 35, Bengal Magic have had a cracking week and finished in style by taking a fifth win in the last race of the series but only be 15 seconds from Richard Calveley's Elan 37, Va Va Voom. Ross McDonald's X 332, Equinox will have enjoyed the fresh conditions at Cork Week and claimed second, by some distance from Martin Breen's Harley 33, That's Life!
IRC Four
Paul Kirwan's Sigma 38, Errislannan were assured of both the class title and European Championship and did not compete in the last race. Leaving Paul & Deirdre Tingle's First 31.7, Alpaca and Conor Ronan's Corby 26, Ruthless to battle it out for third. Alpaca beat Ruthless in the last race of the series to take the runner-up spot for the class with Ruthless third overall.
IRC Five
Vincent O'Shea's Corby 25, YANKS $ FFRANCS have had a great Cork Week and won the class by an eight point margin. The Corby 25 is often racing in close quarters with sister-ships and with 14 boats on the start line and many other boats in the race area, this was a factor in their ability to stay out of trouble and win the class.
John Allen's X 302, Antix finished in style, winning the last race of the series by just 29 seconds. Ted Crosbie's x 302, No Excuse was third in class. Event Chairman, Peter Deasy was racing on Sunfast 32, Bad Company. He was disqualified from the last race, proving there is fair racing for all at Cork Week!
IRC Six
O'Brian, Kenefick and Kenefick's Quarter Tonner, Tiger is a real head turning boat and was the only yacht to post straight bullets for the regatta but it wasn't as easy as the score line suggest and it never is, as co-owner, James O'Brian explains;
"Flor O'Driscoll is a top sailor and we had to be at the top of our game this week, especially as we needed to be ahead of him on the water, because of our handicap. It has been a hard week and a fair few of us are over 50, so we are a bit tired to be honest. But I ran this event in 1990 and I have never won it, I didn't think that it would take me 22 years."
Flor O'Driscoll's J 24, Hard on Port was second and Jason Losty's Thomas 25, Woody sailed a very consistent regatta to take third place.
Mixed Sportsboat and SB3 Class
Michael Wilson's 1720, YKnot was in impressive form all week, scoring eight podium finishes to claim the class title. Bryan Hassett's 1720, Dark Side was runner up and the two Hassett brothers were enjoying a pint at the Royal Cork Yacht Club after racing with other 1720 crews. Great racing and camaraderie, is what Cork Week is all about. Malcolm Thorpe's 1720, King Louie won the last race of the series to claim third but only on count-back from Denis Murphy's Aquatack.
Ben Duncan and Brian Moran's Sharkbait bit back after being called OSC in Race 5, to hold off Trevor D'Arcy's Bullet. Race 6 was a photo-finish, with just six seconds separating the two. Bullet won the penultimate race, putting pressure on Sharkbait but they held there nerve to take the last race and the class title by 19 seconds. Ronan Downing's SB3, Ronan Downing's Profile Park was third.
Class winner Ben Duncan was disappointed to miss out on racing on Thursday but he was delighted to come to Cork Week.
"We wanted to race, especially after getting called over the line the previous day but we made the most of it by going for lunch on our enforced lay-day at the stunningly beautiful East Ferry, in Cork Harbour. We have had a great time here in Cork."
White Sail One and Two
46 boats competed in the two classes over the regatta and they enjoyed a picturesque finale to Cork Week 2010 with the Harbour Race. The White Sail fleet are composed of teams that don't want to put together a full on race crew and prefer to sail with a smaller group of family and friends. What's more, many of these boat would not be competitive against the more high performance boats in the other classes. The White Sail Class gets them off the moorings and out into some of the best sailing grounds in the world.
In White Sail One, Philip Dilworth's Grand Soleil 40 was the winner and in Class Two, McCarthy, Clarke & McMullin's Half Tonner Harmony was first in class.
A huge crowd witnessed the prize giving, held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, shortly after racing. Officiated by Cork Week Event Chairman, Peter Deasy and RCYC Admiral, Paddy McGlade.
It was decided that the Boat of the Week for Cork Week 2010 should be jointly awarded.
Joint Boat of the Week
Dave Dwyer's Mills 39, Marinerscove.ie
Paul Kirwan's Sigma 38, Errislannan
The Prix d'Elegance Trophy
Philip Scully's Custom Oyster 82, Starry Night of the Caribbean
The Sisk Trophy for best Corinthian yacht
Neil Martin's J 133, Jammy Dodger
Day 4 Cork Week Vid is a Cracker! Watch HERE!
Looking more like a leg from the Volvo Ocean Race, Cork Week yesterday enjoyed an epic day four and this Digby Fox video (below) proves it! A 20 knot ripper!
