Storm Ellen has damaged boats and the facility at the new Cobh Marina that opened earlier this summer in Cork Harbour.
Storm force easterlies are rare in Cork Harbour, and there’s only a very narrow window through which the waterfront at Cobh is exposed to the long fetch from Rostellan, which in turn has little in the way of high ground between it and the open sea northeast of Ballycotton. Thus as Storm Ellen thundered in from the Atlantic through last night, the easterly winds along the Cobh waterfront were hitting the same 75 knots-plus which were being recorded at Roche’s Point, and at spring tides high water the new Cobh SC Marina at Whitepoint was enduring maximum exposure with freakishly high tides.
Cork's 96FM Radio station has published photos via Twitter of the new facility this morning with damage to boats visible.
Thanks to Karen Histon for these images of the new marina at Cove Sailing Club this morning #Cobh #StormEllen pic.twitter.com/WuHMusbZgP
— 96fm Opinion Line (@OpinionLine96) August 20, 2020
Meanwhile, conditions were such that a Naval Service vessel heading for her berth at Haubowline was instructed to anchor off, but for the marina, there was no escape, and damage was sustained. A Hallberg Rassy cruiser fetched up against the concrete shore structure and became so damaged she sank, but although an Oyster 52 broke free and went up the beach, in the high water since she has been refloated and safely taken to the Naval Squadron marina in Haulbowline. With new surges of the storm in the offing, the potential for further damage is still a very live issue.
As Afloat reported previously, Cove Saling Club’s brand new marina pontoons were put to immediate use with yachts and motorboats occupying the new berths since the opening up of sailing activity on 8th June.
A yacht battered by Storm Ellen in Cork Harbour Photo: via Whatsapp
The new facility also staged its first event in July when the Squib keelboat class Southern Championships sailed from the pontoons.
A spokesman for Cove Sailing Club declined to comment.
Update: Statement by Cove Sailing Club –
Issued at 09:30 on 20th August 2020
Due to the impact of Storm Ellen between 21:00 and 00:00 yesterday, a number of boats at the Marina Facility at Whitepoint Cobh suffered damage. The Coastguard conducted an initial assessment at 07:45 and upon their advice, the facility has been closed. Forecast conditions today are not favourable to allow a fuller inspection. The office at Cove Sailing Club will be open today to facilitate further information updates.
As a club of volunteers, we are saddened that individual boat owners have suffered damage and loss to their boats but we are grateful that there has been no injury to anyone as a result of the impact of storm Ellen.
We will issue further updates when we are in a position to carry out a more comprehensive inspection.
Cove Sailing Club. [email protected] 087-0574481
