Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award
MCIB Report Identifies Lack of Planning & Communication Difficulties in Report on Deaths of Two Men in Sea Angling Incident off Donegal
13th November 2020 MCIB
Lack of sufficient planning and lack of adequate emergency communication were factors in an incident where two of three men on a sea angling trip lost their lives off the Donegal coast over two years ago. “Restrictive” procedures with the…
New Study Finds Coral in Ireland's Deepest Submarine Canyon Survives Extreme Conditions
10th November 2020 Marine Science
Irish cold-water corals can survive in extreme conditions within Ireland’s largest submarine canyon on the Porcupine Bank, a new study has found. The coral even grows on precipices of high cliffs, and can withstand sea current speed of over 114…
A new fast ferry for the Aran islands was unloaded in an operation lasting several hours in Galway Bay on Friday. The new 40m (131ft) vessel, costing several million euro, was built in Hong Kong. It will be operated by…
When the funeral of Galway fishermen Martin and Tom Oliver left Claddagh church yesterday, the silence among hundreds of people lining the route was broken only by the roar of the river Corrib and the gentle sound of wind in…
Two researchers from Trinity College, Dublin (TCD) are among leaders of a €10.4 million project to assess the significance of marine resource exploitation over the past 2,000 years. Archaeology, history and environmental science experts will collaborate in the “4-Oceans” project,…
Galway City Council has opened an online book of condolences for Martin and Tom Oliver, the father and son who died after a fishing accident in Galway Bay earlier this week. Tom Oliver (37) was pulled overboard their vessel on…
The Galway fishing and wider marine community is in shock over the death of a young fisherman from a well known Claddagh family on Monday afternoon. The fisherman, whose name has not yet been released, was working on the deck…
Ireland and the Antarctic Treaty and the conservation of Ernest Shackleton’s Quest ship’s cabin in Connemara’s Letterfrack are among topics for this year’s Shackleton autumn school which takes place online on Saturday (Oct 31). “Virtually Shackleton” is hosted online by…
Environmental & Fishing Groups Make Joint Appeal to Reinstate Inshore Trawling Ban
30th October 2020 Fishing
Environmental and commercial fishing groups have joined forces to call for a restoration of a ban on trawling by larger vessels within six nautical miles of the coast. Marine life such as dolphins, small scale fishing vessels and sea birds…
Record Year for Rescues as People Turn to Coast & Waterways During Covid-19
28th October 2020 Rescue
Rescue agencies are reporting a record year for incidents on the water as thousands of people turned to the coastline, lakes and rivers during Covid-19. The Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have all been under pressure to…
New Review Board Appointed into Draft Final Rescue 116 Helicopter Crash Report
27th October 2020 Rescue
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has appointed a new review board into the Air Accident Investigation Unit’s (AAIU) final report on the Rescue 116 helicopter crash. As The Irish Independent reports today, the review experienced a setback last month when…
As if there wasn’t enough Kerry sadness with Fungie’s disappearance, along comes Peig Sayers... As The Sunday Independent reports today, a newly published collection of stories by one of the Great Blasket’s best-known residents shows her “grámhar or more flirtatious…
Government Intends to Publish Expansion of Marine Protected Areas Report Later This Year
23rd October 2020 Coastal Notes
Public consultation on a new report on expanding Ireland’s marine protected areas will begin “later this year”, according to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien. A report exploring the need to expand Ireland’s marine protected areas (MPAs)…
Captive Salmon "Not a Substitute" for Wild Spawners, Research Suggests
23rd October 2020 Marine Science
New research led by scientists at University College Cork (UCC) which uses genetic fingerprinting techniques indicated that captive-born salmon are far less successful at reproducing as wild salmon spawning in the same river. “We looked at the lifetime reproductive success…
COVID-19’s impact on visits to offshore islands may be benefiting the gannet seabird colony on Wexford’s Great Saltee. A new University College Cork (UCC) study has recorded the level of disturbance to the birds caused by tourists in the summer…
A French-registered fishing vessel has been detained by the Naval Service patrol ship LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63) off the south-west coast. The detention approximately 45 nautical miles south-west of Mizen Head was in relation to alleged breaches of fishing…
Wind Energy can Generate European Economic Recovery, Industry Report Says
18th October 2020 Power From the Sea
Each new wind turbine built in Europe generates €10 million worth of economic activity, according to a European industry network. A new report by WindEurope also says investing in wind energy will help Europe’s economic recovery from the impacts of…
Fixed Wing & Drones May be Part of New Air/Sea Search & Rescue Contract But no Apparent Role for Air Corps
18th October 2020 Coastguard
The Irish Coast Guard has asked the Government to include fixed-wing aircraft and use of drones in the new State contract for search and rescue. As The Sunday Times reports today, tender offers for the new air/sea service, which will…
Young West Cork Fisherman Who Died Last Year May Have "Fallen Overboard", MCIB Report States
16th October 2020 West Cork
An investigation into the death of the young west Cork fisherman Kodie Healy in Dunmanus Bay last year says he may have fallen overboard his boat. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report published today says Mr Healy had only…
Inshore Fishermen Warn Overturning of Ban on Larger Trawlers Inside Six Mile Limit is Worse Than a "No-Deal Brexit"
16th October 2020 Fishing
Irish inshore fishermen have said that a High Court ruling which overturns a Government ban on trawling by larger fishing vessels within the Irish six nautical mile limit is “likely to be more severe” on them than a “no-deal Brexit".…
