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A Harbour Seal photographed at Dun Laoghaire Marina on Dublin Bay, Ireland. Also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed species of pinnipeds, they are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Baltic and North seas. Photo: AfloatA photograph of a Harbour Seal taken at Dun Laoghaire Marina on Dublin Bay, Ireland. Also known as the common seal, this species can be found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are the most widely distributed species of pinnipeds and can be found in the coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Baltic and North Seas. Photo: Afloat

Displaying items by tag: DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results

#DetainedCargoship – The detained Belize-flagged 19,000 tonnes cargo-bulker, Clipper Faith, previously reported on Afloat.ie, had to shift berths in Dublin port today so in order to accommodate a cruiseship, writes Jehan Ashmore.

In place of the Clipper Faith is the French flagged cruiseship Le Boreal, which is berthed near the East-Link toll-lift bridge along the North Wall Quay extension, the site of the proposed new dedicated cruise terminal which forms part of the Dublin Port masterplan.

Clipper Faith subsequently shifted berths downriver to the channel fairway and docked at the ESB jetty, where the bulker had originally berthed alongside more than two months ago.

 

Published in Ports & Shipping
DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 28 AUGUST 2010

CRUISERS 3 ˆ ECHO 1. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith), 2. Jammie Dodger (J.H & D.O'Neill), 3. Jabiru (M & S Renwick)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith), 2. Jabiru (M & S Renwick), 3. Jammie Dodger (J.H & D.O'Neill)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson), 2. Rascal (K.Burke/S.Milner), 3. Maranda (Myles Kelly)

DRAGON - 1. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 2. Susele (Michael Halpenny), 3. Chiang (Iain Finnegan)

DRAGON - RACE 3 1. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 2. Chiang (Iain Finnegan), 3. Susele (Michael Halpenny)

DRAGON - RACE 2 1. Susele (Michael Halpenny), 2. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 3. Chiang (Iain Finnegan)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. Rollercoaster (Tom Murphy), 3. The Gruffalo (Keith Poole)

FLYING FIFTEEN ˆ RACE 2 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. Fflogger (Alan Dooley), 3. The Gruffalo (Keith Poole)

GLEN - 1. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 2. Glenshesk (L.Faulkner et al), 3. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey)

IDRA 14 FOOT - RACE 2 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Squalls (Stephen Harrison)

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Squalls (Stephen Harrison), 2. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe), 2. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell), 3. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al)

SHIPMAN - 1. Jo Slim (J.Clarke et al), 2. Euphanzel lll (Louis McSherry et al), 3. Curraglas (John Masterson)

SQUIB - 1. Why Not (Derek & Jean Jago), 2. Perfection (Jill Fleming), 3. Sidewinder (D.Croke/R.Bowen)

SQUIB - RACE 2 1. Why Not (Derek & Jean Jago), 2. Chillax (Mary McLoughlin), 3. Perfection (Jill Fleming)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - ECHO 1. Calypso (Howard Knott), 2. The Great Escape (P & D Rigney), 3. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Calypso (Howard Knott), 2. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 3. The Great Escape (P & D Rigney)

Published in DBSC

Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) was cancelled tonight due to poor visibility on Dublin Bay.

Published in DBSC
DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 7 AUGUST 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Violet Flame (B.Murphy/L.Osbourne), 3. Thirty Something (Gerry Jones et al)

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Violet Flame (B.Murphy/L.Osbourne), 2. Kernach (Eoin O'Driscoll), 3. Extremity (Paul D'Alton)

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Jetstream (Peter Redden), 2. Aztec 3 (Peter Beamish), 3. Something Else (J.Hall et al)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 2. Jetstream (Peter Redden), 3. Aztec 3 (Peter Beamish)

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 2. Cor Baby (Keith Kiernan et al), 3. Red Rhum (J Nicholson)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 3. Red Rhum (J Nicholson)

CRUISERS 3 Echo - 1. Carrabeg (D.Martin/R.Deasy), 2. Saki (Paget McCormack et al), 3. Gung Ho (G & S O'Shea)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Gung Ho (G & S O'Shea), 2. Asterix (J.Counihan/F.Meredith), 3. Supernova (K.Lawless et al)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Rascal (K.Burke/S.Milner), 2. Maranda (Myles Kelly)

DRAGON Race 1- 1. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody), 2. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 3. Susele (Michael Halpenny)

DRAGON Race 2- 1. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody), 2. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al), 3. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring)

DRAGON Race 3- 1. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody), 2. Zinzan (Daniel O'Connor et al), 3. Susele (Michael Halpenny)

FIREBALL Race 1- 1. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey), 2. Licence to Thrill (Louis Smyth)

FIREBALL Race 2- 1. Licence to Thrill (Louis Smyth), 2. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 1- 1. Kooigjug (K Dumpleton), 2. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 3. Gekko (S & P Nolan)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 2- 1. Kooigjug (K Dumpleton), 2. Snow White (Frank Burgess), 3. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman)

GLEN - 1. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 2. Glenshesk (L.Faulkner et al), 3. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey)

IDRA 14 FOOT Race 1- 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan), 3. Squalls (Stephen Harrison)

IDRA 14 FOOT Race 1- 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 2. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe), 3. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al)

SHIPMAN - 1. Jo Slim (J.Clarke et al), 2. Euphanzel lll (Louis McSherry et al), 3. Curraglas (John Masterson)

SIGMA 33 - 1. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 2. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 3. Gwili Two (D.Clarke/P.Maguire)

SQUIB Race 1- 1. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 2. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne), 3. Kookaburra (P & M Dee)

SQUIB Race 2- 1. Femme Fatale (Joe O'Byrne), 2. Nimble (Brian O'Hare), 3. Perfection (Jill Fleming)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Finnegans Wake (T.Rowlands et al), 2. Coumeenole (Bill Kavanagh), 3. Calypso (Howard Knott)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 2. Calypso (Howard Knott), 3. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al)

Published in DBSC

In a day that presented little chance for sailing, last night produced a steady south easterly breeze of 6-8 knots for Thrusday evening's Dublin Bay Sailing Club race. Red Rhum (J.Nicholson) made the most of the summer conditions to win in Class two from Peridot (Jim McCann) with Adrienne Jermyn's Helter Skleter third. In the one design Dragon class Peter Dee sailing Zu tackled the ebbing tide best and was the winner from Richard Goodbody's on form  boat, Diva. Full results are below:

 

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 20 MAY 2010                          

BENETEAU 31.7 - ECHO 1. Levana (Jean Mitton), 2. Flying Machine (Conor O'Gallagher), 3. Legally Blonde (C.Drohan/P.Egan)             

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Levana (Jean Mitton), 2. Legally Blonde (C.Drohan/P.Egan), 3. Flying Machine (Conor O'Gallagher)                  

CRUISERS 0 - ECHO 1. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 2. WOW (George Sisk)                         

CRUISERS 0 - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell)                              

CRUISERS 1 - ECHO 1. Errislannan (Patrick Kirwan), 2. Team Windmill (Andrew Sarratt), 3. Another Adventure (Darragh Cafferkey)                    

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 2. Errislannan (Patrick Kirwan), 3. Xtravagance (Colin Byrne)                        

CRUISERS 2 - ECHO 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson), 2. Peridot (Jim McCann et al), 3. Helter Skelter (Adrienne Jermyn)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson), 2. Peridot (Jim McCann et al), 3. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella)                     

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Hard on Port (Flor O'Driscoll), 2. Rattler 2 (Austin Whelan), 3. Two Step (Ross Doyle)                        

CRUISERS 3 - ECHO 1. Hyflyer (John Barnard), 2. Lady Rowena (David Bolger), 3. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn)                        

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 2. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen)          

DRAGON - 1. Zu (P.Dee et al), 2. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody), 3. Susele (Michael Halpenny)                     

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. Fifty Somethings (David Mulvin), 3. The Big Bow Wow (N.Meagher/N.Matthews)        

GLEN - 1. Glencorel (B.Waldock/K.Malcolm), 2. Glencree (J.Bligh/H.Roche), 3. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor)                     

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell), 2. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe), 3. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al)                           

SB3s - 1. Sin Bin (Barry O'Neill), 2. Bom Chickawahwah (John O'Driscoll), 3. Design Security (Colin Galavan)                      

SHIPMAN - 1. Gusto (C Heath), 2. Jo Slim (J.Clarke et al), 3. Curraglas (John Masterson)                    

SIGMA 33 - 1. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 2. Popje (Ted McCourt), 3. Miss Behavin' (A Bell et al)                                          

SQUIB - 1. Lola (Frank Whelan), 2. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 3. Chillax (Mary McLoughlin)                   

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - ECHO 1. Coumeenole (Bill Kavanagh), 2. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 3. Lucy O (Aonghus O hEocha)                       

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 2. Calypso (Howard Knott), 3. Hypertension (William Rickard)

Neil Colin's appropriately named Elevation went straight to the top of the local Dublin Bay Sailing Club Fireball dinghy fleet in last night's race in Scotsman's Bay. Racing in moderate westerly conditions and an ebb tide, Marie Barry's Reality Check was second and Incubus (S Oram) third. In the IDRA 14 dinghy class Frank Hamilton's Dunmoanin continues his winning run. Full sailing results click read more.

 

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 18 MAY 2010                          

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Lula Belle (Liam Coyne)                        

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn), 2. Chouskikou (R.Sheehan/R.Hickey), 3. Papytoo (M.Walsh/F.Guilfoyle)         

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 2. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen), 3. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson)                                           

FIREBALL - 1. Elevation (N.Colin/M.Casey), 2. Reality Check (Marie Barry), 3. Incubus (S Oram)                         

GLEN - 1. Glencorel (B.Waldock/K.Malcolm)         

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Dart (Pierre Long), 3. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne)        

MERMAID - 1. Tiller Girl (J.O'Rourke), 2. Lively Lady (G O'Neill & M Hanney), 3. Kim (D Cassidy)                      

PY CLASS - 1. Joan Flanagan (Laser), 2. Richard Tate (Laser), 3. David Dwyer (Laser)                       

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 2. Cresendo (L Balfe), 3. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell)                     

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Pippa lV (G.Kinsman/K.Blake/M.O'Brien) 

SQUIB - 1. Little Demon (Marie Dee), 2. Periguin (N.Coakley/J.Redahan)

Published in DBSC

Try as they might neither the SB3s (16 raced), the Dragons (eight) or the Flying Fifteens (12) managed to successfully fly spinnakers on a reach to New Ross mark tonight. It was therefore a disappointing first leg but one positive outcome of this white sail procession was that it kept the boats tightly packed for the next shifty leg in towards the Sandycove shoreline.

Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Thursday night racing for 17 keelboat classes – and an excellent turnout – began in medium south westerly winds. The racing started just as the tide began to flood.

Nine J109s on a slightly broader first leg to Zebra mark all managed to keep kites going even though there were some dramatic moments – and at least one broach – as gusts hit 16 knots at times.

The Dragon class had a number of lead changes with Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody) winning from Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), and third Zu (P.Dee et al). Alert Packaging (Justin Burke) won the SB3s with Sin Bin (Barry O'Neill) second and third was Sacrebleu (R.Hayes/D.Smith). See below for full results.

The departure of a large cruise liner, The Marco Polo, from Dublin Port proved to be a remarkable back drop to the racing action on a night where winds eased to 10 knots as most classes were finishing at the Mac Lir committee Boat in Scotsman's Bay.

 

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 13 MAY 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 – ECHO 1. Levana (Jean Mitton), 2. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 3. Attitude (D.Owens/T.Milner)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Levana (Jean Mitton), 2. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 3. Prospect (Chris Johnston)

CRUISERS 0 - ECHO 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 3. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 3. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 1 - ECHO 1. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 2. Jetstream (Peter Redden), 3. Joker 11 (John Maybury)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 2. Joker 11 (John Maybury)

CRUISERS 2 - ECHO 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Kit (Graeme Hanna), 3. Helter Skelter (Adrienne Jermyn)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Why Not 2 (Stephen Oram et al), 3. Kit (Graeme Hanna)

CRUISERS 3 - ECHO 1. Hard on Port (Flor O'Driscoll), 2. Two Step (Ross Doyle), 3. Supernova (K.Lawless et al)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Hard on Port (Flor O'Driscoll), 2. Two Step (Ross Doyle), 3. Supernova (K.Lawless et al)

DRAGON - 1. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody), 2. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 3. Zu (P.Dee et al)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Deranged (C.Doorly), 2. Fflogger (Alan Dooley), 3. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman)

GLEN - 1. Glencree (J.Bligh/H.Roche), 2. Glenmarissa (F.Elmes/W.Higgins)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al), 2. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell), 3. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell)

SB3s - 1. Alert Packaging (Justin Burke), 2. Sin Bin (Barry O'Neill), 3. Sacrebleu (R.Hayes/D.Smith)

SHIPMAN - 1. Malindi (B.Smith/A.Gray), 2. Curraglas (John Masterson), 3. Gusto (C Heath)

SIGMA 33 - 1. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 2. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 3. Popje (Ted McCourt)

SQUIB - 1. Absolutely Fabulous (N Kennedy/P Reilly), 2. Little Demon (Marie Dee), 3. Chillax (Mary McLoughlin)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - ECHO 1. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 2. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 3. Edenpark (Liam Farmer)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 2. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 3. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer)

Published in DBSC

Dublin bay Sailing Club's tightly bunched Cruisers Zero fleet made a fine sight as they filed out of Dublin Bay in rolling waves towards the Burford bank today. The biggest boats of the DBSC fleet were sailing in north easterly winds gusting to over 20 knots. The spectacle of the hard pressed yachts was made all the better by the bright sunshine that filled the bay area this afternoon. Cruisers Zero short tacked towards Poldy buoy before fetching off for the New Ross mark. Some entries were heavily reefed but others, such as Lively Lady, Derek Martin's Beneteau 44.7 from the Royal Irish YC opted for full main. It was a decision that produced good gains on port tack especially as the mean wind strength was often only 16 to 18 knots. Unfortunately there was little chance for spinnakers on the leg back into the bay to New Ross but by the end of this leg, at least one of the J109s had hoisted a blue gennaker. The action was short-lived though. By 3.30pm the bulk of the fleet were back in harbour after only an hour of sailing in the best breeze of the season. With many class starts cancelled it was left to individual boats to venture out and enjoy the surf as many in the Flying fifteens did. Results below: 

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 8 MAY 2010

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Flying Machine (Conor O'Gallagher), 3. Thirty Something (Gerry Jones et al)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Flying Machine (Conor O'Gallagher), 3. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey)

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Jump The Gun (M.Monaghan/J.Kelly), 2. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 3. Indecision (Declan Hayes et al)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 2. Aztec 3 (Peter Beamish), 3. Joker 11 (John Maybury)

 

Published in DBSC

Westerly winds gusting to over 10 knots provided ample breeze for the first Dublin Bay Sailing Club Thursday race of the season. Colin Galavan's Design Security was the winner in a large turnout of  SB3s and Charles Broadhead's Persistence was the winner of the White Sail Cruisers on ECHO handicap. A full set of sailing results is published here.

 

DUBLIN PORT Dublin Bay Sailing Club Results for 29 APRIL 2010                          

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Attitude (D.Owens/T.Milner), 2. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 3. Prospect (Chris Johnston)                     

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 2. Attitude (D.Owens/T.Milner), 3. Prospect (Chris Johnston)                     

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)                       

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Something Else (J.Hall et al), 3. Another Adventure (Darragh Cafferkey)                    

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 3. Something Else (J.Hall et al)                           

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 2. Peridot (Y Charrier et al), 3. Red Rhum (J Nicholson)                    

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson), 2. Peridot (Y Charrier et al), 3. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke)            

CRUISERS 3 Echo - 1. Gung Ho (G & S O'Shea), 2. Lady Rowena (David Bolger), 3. Jiminy Cricket (Mona Tyndall)                      

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Gung Ho (G & S O'Shea), 2. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 3. Cries of Passion (Bryan Maguire)                      

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Fifty Somethings (David Mulvin), 2. Deranged (C.Doorly), 3. Flyer (Niall Coleman)                      

GLEN - 1. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 2. Glencorel (B.Waldock/K.Malcolm), 3. Glenshane (P Hogan)                                

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell), 2. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe), 3. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell)                     

SB3s - 1. Design Security (Colin Galavan), 2. Blue Bird (Cathy McAleavy), 3. Sin Bin (Barry O'Neill)                      

SHIPMAN - 1. Poppy (Peter Wallis et al), 2. Whiterock (Henry Robinson), 3. Curraglas (John Masterson)                    

SIGMA 33 - 1. Popje (Ted McCourt), 2. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 3. Enchantress (Michael Larkin et al)                           

SQUIB - 1. Aquabats (Brendan Fogarty), 2. Absolutely Fabulous (N Kennedy/P Reilly), 3. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans)                        

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 2. Afternoon Delight (Michael Bennett et al), 3. Lucy O (Aonghus O hEocha)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Persistence (C. Broadhead et al), 2. Windshift (R O'Flynn et al), 3. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer)

Published in DBSC

For all you need on the Marine Environment - covering the latest news and updates on marine science and wildlife, weather and climate, power from the sea and Ireland's coastal regions and communities - the place to be is Afloat.ie.

Coastal Notes

The Coastal Notes category covers a broad range of stories, events and developments that have an impact on Ireland's coastal regions and communities, whose lives and livelihoods are directly linked with the sea and Ireland's coastal waters.

Topics covered in Coastal Notes can be as varied as the rare finding of sea-life creatures, an historic shipwreck with secrets to tell, or even a trawler's net caught hauling much more than just fish.

Other angles focusing the attention of Coastal Notes are Ireland's maritime museums, which are of national importance to maintaining access and knowledge of our nautical heritage, and those who harvest the sea using small boats based in harbours where infrastructure and safety pose an issue, plying their trade along the rugged wild western seaboard.

Coastal Notes tells the stories that are arguably as varied as the environment they come from, and which shape people's interaction with the natural world and our relationship with the sea.

Marine Wildlife

One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with Marine Wildlife. It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. And as boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify, even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat. Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale? No matter how brief the glimpse, it's a privilege to share the seas with Irish marine wildlife.

Thanks to our location in the North Atlantic, there appears to be no shortage of marine life to observe. From whales to dolphins, seals, sharks and other ocean animals, the Marine Wildlife category documents the most interesting accounts around our shores. And we're keen to receive your observations, your photos, links and video clips, too!

Also valuable is the unique perspective of all those who go afloat, from coastal sailing to sea angling to inshore kayaking to offshore yacht racing, as what they encounter can be of great importance to organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). Thanks to their work we now know we share the seas with dozens of species who also call Ireland home. But as impressive as the list is, the experts believe there are still gaps in our knowledge. Next time you are out on the ocean waves, keep a sharp look out!

Weather

As an island in the North Atlantic, Ireland's fate is decided by Weather more so than many other European countries. When storm-force winds race across the Irish Sea, ferry and shipping services are cut off, disrupting our economy. When swollen waves crash on our shores, communities are flooded and fishermen brace for impact - both to their vessels and to their livelihoods.

Keeping abreast of the weather, therefore, is as important to leisure cruisers and fishing crews alike - for whom a small craft warning can mean the difference between life and death - as it is to the communities lining the coast, where timely weather alerts can help protect homes and lives.

Weather affects us all, and Afloat.ie will keep you informed on the hows and the whys.

Marine Science

Perhaps it's the work of the Irish research vessels RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager out in the Atlantic Ocean that best highlights the essential nature of Marine Science for the future growth of Ireland's emerging 'blue economy'.

From marine research to development and sustainable management, Ireland is developing a strong and well-deserved reputation as an emerging centre of excellence. Whether it's Wavebob ocean energy technology to aquaculture to weather buoys and oil exploration, the Marine Science category documents the work of Irish marine scientists and researchers and how they have secured prominent roles in many European and international marine science bodies.

Power From The Sea

The message from the experts is clear: offshore wind and wave energy is the future. And as Ireland looks towards the potential of the renewable energy sector, generating Power From The Sea will become a greater priority in the State's 'blue growth' strategy.

Developments and activities in existing and planned projects in the pipeline from the wind and wave renewables sector, and those of the energy exploration industry, point to the future of energy requirements for the whole world, not just in Ireland. And that's not to mention the supplementary industries that sea power projects can support in coastal communities.

Irish ports are already in a good position to capitalise on investments in offshore renewable energy services. And Power From The Sea can even be good for marine wildlife if done properly.

Aside from the green sector, our coastal waters also hold a wealth of oil and gas resources that numerous prospectors are hoping to exploit, even if people in coastal and island areas are as yet unsure of the potential benefits or pitfalls for their communities.

Changing Ocean Climate

Our ocean and climate are inextricably linked - the ocean plays a crucial role in the global climate system in a number of ways. These include absorbing excess heat from the atmosphere and absorbing 30 per cent of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activity. But our marine ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure due to climate change.

The Marine Institute, with its national and international partners, works to observe and understand how our ocean is changing and analyses, models and projects the impacts of our changing oceans. Advice and forecasting projections of our changing oceans and climate are essential to create effective policies and management decisions to safeguard our ocean.

Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute, said, “Our ocean is fundamental to life on earth and affects so many facets of our everyday activities. One of the greatest challenges we face as a society is that of our changing climate. The strong international collaborations that the Marine Institute has built up over decades facilitates a shared focusing on our changing ocean climate and developing new and enhanced ways of monitoring it and tracking changes over time.

“Our knowledge and services help us to observe these patterns of change and identify the steps to safeguard our marine ecosystems for future generations.”

The Marine Institute’s annual ocean climate research survey, which has been running since 2004, facilitates long term monitoring of the deep water environment to the west of Ireland. This repeat survey, which takes place on board RV Celtic Explorer, enables scientists to establish baseline oceanic conditions in Irish waters that can be used as a benchmark for future changes.

Scientists collect data on temperature, salinity, water currents, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Atlantic Ocean. This high quality oceanographic data contributes to the Atlantic Ocean Observing System. Physical oceanographic data from the survey is submitted to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and, in addition, the survey contributes to national research such as the VOCAB ocean acidification and biogeochemistry project, the ‘Clean Atlantic’ project on marine litter and the A4 marine climate change project.

Dr Caroline Cusack, who co-ordinates scientific activities on board the RV Celtic Explorer for the annual survey, said, “The generation of long-term series to monitor ocean climate is vital to allow us understand the likely impact of future changes in ocean climate on ecosystems and other marine resources.”

Other activities during the survey in 2019 included the deployment of oceanographic gliders, two Argo floats (Ireland’s contribution to EuroArgo) and four surface drifters (Interreg Atlantic Area Clean Atlantic project). The new Argo floats have the capacity to measure dissolved ocean and biogeochemical parameters from the ocean surface down to a depth of 2,000 metres continuously for up to four years, providing important information as to the health of our oceans.

During the 2019 survey, the RV Celtic Explorer retrieved a string of oceanographic sensors from the deep ocean at an adjacent subsurface moored station and deployed a replacement M6 weather buoy, as part of the Irish Marine Data Buoy Observation Network (IMDBON).

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the IMDBON is managed by the Marine Institute in collaboration with Met Éireann and is designed to improve weather forecasts and safety at sea around Ireland. The data buoys have instruments which collect weather and ocean data including wind speed and direction, pressure, air and sea surface temperature and wave statistics. This data provides vital information for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings as well as data for general public information and research.

“It is only in the last 20 years, meteorologists and climatologists have really began to understood the pivotal role the ocean plays in determining our climate and weather,” said Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann. “The real-time information provided by the Irish data buoy network is particularly important for our mariners and rescue services. The M6 data buoy in the Atlantic provides vital information on swell waves generated by Atlantic storms. Even though the weather and winds may be calm around our shores, there could be some very high swells coming in from Atlantic storms.”