Tom MacSweeney
Shipping, Ports, Offshore Energy Could Be Target of Cyber Criminals
8th September 2021 Tom MacSweeney
One of the theories examined when Ever Given's huge container ship lost control of its steerage and blocked the Suez Canal was whether a cyberattack had disrupted its navigational systems. That had not happened, but the disruption to global trade…
Ciarán Oliver's family history goes back over a hundred years to what was then known as the fishing village of the Claddagh in Galway. His great-great-uncle, Máirtín, was the last 'King of the Claddagh'. The 'Loveen' doesn't go back quite…
Kilrush Solo Round the World Sailor Peter Lawless Doesn't Have Time for Anxiety
6th August 2021 Tom MacSweeney
Peter Lawless hasn't time for anxiety as he makes final preparations for his solo sail around the world. He has set Saturday, August 21, for his departure from Kilrush Marina in the Shannon Estuary. Amongst those giving support to Peter…
Nancy Roe of Galway City Sailing Club Describes The Ring of Sailing Around Galway Bay
1st August 2021 Tom MacSweeney
Galway Bay has a ring of sailing clubs dotted around the shoreline, says one of the founders of the Galway City Sailing Club, which is marking its 10th year in existence. It is an impressive grouping of maritime enthusiasts and…
Deep down, four miles beneath the surface of the North Atlantic, the wreck of Titanic is dying as Nature "takes it back to itself." So says Irish diver Rory Golden who is taking part in the current expedition to the…
Ten years ago the family of Charlie Haughey offloaded their yacht, Celtic Mist, to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. It took most of a year to refurbish it and the cost was put at around €80,000. The yacht was…
I won a unique prize at Dungarvan Sailing Club – for the most capsized sailor. It was many years ago when I was still able to sail a 12ft. dinghy. It was a Vagabond, a unique craft of its kind…
Cork County Council Warns of Speeding Dangers From Increased Numbers of Leisure Craft
1st July 2021 Tom MacSweeney
There is a notable increase in leisure craft on the water all around the coast. Several incidents have been reported of users not adhering to harbour safety regulations, and Cork County Council's Senior Harbour Master has issued a warning that…
Europe’s oldest and longest inland sailing race is part of the history of the West Coast of Ireland. The history of Galway itself claims that Ptolemy, the astronomer and mathematician born in 100 AD at Alexandria in Egypt and who…
Cruiser racing has returned with a strong turn-out at the RCYC in Crosshaven for the start of evening racing..Eighteen boats came to the start line for the first Thursday evening cruiser league race. Despite rain, mist and fog, which had…
This week the welcome sound will be coming to Scribbler. The 25-tonne travel hoist boat lift will be manoeuvred into position beneath her at Castlepoint Boatyard and Scribbler will be carried down Point Road, onto the Crosshaven slipway and lowered…
Fishermen from the South West Coast will head for Cork Port on Wednesday to "show and tell the crazy scenario" facing their industry. "We are not being treated fairly by either the EU or the government who are not protecting…
Schull Sailing Club was founded in the West Cork harbour in 1977. Once a thriving fishing community, like other coastal areas that aspect of the village has diminished, but sailing has continued to develop. However, when Cork County Council didn't…
Tonight is a big night for the Royal Cork at Crosshaven, where the Rear Admiral for Keelboats is looking forward to firing the starting gun again this evening. It's not for racing, but for keelboat training, as a prelude to…
I've never given much thought to why lifeboats are orange. It just seemed to me to be the right colour to be seen easily at sea. Now I know that it's also a colour that provides reassurance and relief -…
Reviewing the equipment on my Sigma 33. Scribbler, before launching this year, I've been wondering about flares. I don't have any needing disposal at present, but I've been following the debate in the UK where the Royal Yachting Association has…