Displaying items by tag: Mourne

28th June 2022

First Cruise Caller Since 2017 to Visit Warrenpoint Port Welcomes World Navigator

The first cruise ship since 2017 to visit Warrenpoint Port is the World Navigator as seen arriving today during inclement weather along with tug Mourne Shore in attendance.

The first cruiseship since 2017 to visit Warrenpoint Harbour on Carlingford Lough was welcomed to the port today with the arrival of the World Navigator, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The cruiseship's inaugural call to the Co. Down port formed part of the 9,993 gross tonnage ship's 13-night London to Dublin cruise as Afloat previously reported.

The last caller to Warrenpoint took place in 2017 when Saga Pearl II headed up the Lough and this followed the historic first ever cruise call three years beforehand.

Despite the poor weather, passengers and crew of World Navigator received a warm welcome to the region where the Mountains of Mourne 'sweep down to the sea'.

The World Navigator built in Portugal was launched in August 2021 and offers luxury small expedition ship cruising from Florida-based Atlas Ocean Voyages. They operate the polar class ship with a capacity of 196 passengers and 127 crew.

The call of the World Navigator represents the first of three cruise ships due to dock in Warrenpoint this summer.

Tonight at 8pm the cruiseship departs on an overnight leg to Dublin Port.

As for the next caller to Warrenpoint, this will be The Azamara Pursuit which is scheduled to arrive on 5th August, followed on 18th August by the World Voyager.

Azamara Pursuit will be of particular local interest, as back in 2018 it was the largest ship of its kind to have a refit in Belfast; carried out by local firm MJM Marine.

Published in Cruise Liners

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Atlantic Salmon Trust Launches 2012 Auction Online

#ANGLING - The Atlantic Salmon Trust's 2012 Fishing Country Sports Auction went live this week, with some 300 lots offered - including three prime Irish fishing spots on the Blackwater, Mourne and Drowes.

“The annual auction remains our single most significant fundraising event and its success is essential to helping us continue our work,” said AST chief executive Tony Andrews in The Irish Times.

Aside from top fishing opportunities in England, Scotland and Wales, spots in Russia are also featured, as well as deer stalking excursions and shooting days.

For art lovers, sporting prints and watercolours are included in the lots, as is a limited edition of the acclaimed Atlantic Salmon Magic, and Salmon Rivers, one of the best recent publications on the Atlantic salmon. They could be the perfect gift for someone's Valentine's Day.

Bids will close on 14 February for the online auction at www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/auction/.

Published in Angling

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Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.