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Cork Based Mainport Group Newly Acquired Ship Dry Docks for New Role

6th January 2021
Cork based Mainport Group's newly acquired 2015 built supply vessel (above: aft work deck) which yesterday entered Cork Dockyard to undergo a '5 Year Special DryDock Survey'. Cork based Mainport Group's newly acquired 2015 built supply vessel (above: aft work deck) which yesterday entered Cork Dockyard to undergo a '5 Year Special DryDock Survey'. Credit: Mainport-twitter

Cork based Irish Mainport Holdings acquisition of a five year old utility and offshore supply vessel from Africa that arrived in late 2020 to the southern port, has since relocated downriver to lower Cork Harbour for drydocking, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The Mainport Group which provides marine services to ship-owners, oil and seismic survey companies, as Afloat previously reported, announced it had entered into the Offshore Wind Sector with the investment of the 2015 built Oya. The vessel's dimensions are the following: length (50m), beam (13.5m) and a draught of (4.3).

Afloat has identified Oya's keel was laid down in 2014 and the newbuild was completed the following year at the Turkish shipyard of Aksoy Gelibolu. The vessel has been described as a Utility and Supply vessel (with a bollard pull of 35 mt).The ship has a DP 2 system, quieter and economic diesel-electric engines and with FIFI 1 and SPS notation for 35 (crew and other personnel) all accommodated in 19 cabins.

The Marshall Islands flagged Oya had previously been working in waters off the Ivory Coast in west Africa before making a delivery voyage to Ireland. This involved an en-route call to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands with an arrival to its new owners homeport in mid-December.

Cork Dockyard located in Rusbrooke close to Cobh, is to carry out the 1,240 gross tonnage ship's 5-year special drydock survey. Among the vessel's extensive features is a deck crane fitted on the aft work deck. In addition for the new ship's role, there are plans to convert the ship which Mainport last month said will see a 'top-class survey vessel in the new year'.

During December's berthing in Cork City Quays, Oya was in the company of some of the Mainport fleet, the seismic support ship Irish Cedar and tug Celtic Isle. These vessels remain berthed at North Customs Quay from where Afloat tracked the Oya which yesterday morning made a short passage along the River Lee through Lough Mahon and then to enter Cork Dockyard.

Following the closure of the largest drydock in the Irish State by the Dublin Port Company to facilitate the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project, this leaves only Cork with the 'ship' dockyard facility. This is operated by another of the city's marine companies, the Doyle Shipping Group which has operations throughout the island.

At the same time of last year's Mainport expansion into the offshore wind industry, the group also brought a share in Wicklow based offshore services company, Alpha Marine. Among its activities is the servicing of the nearby Arklow Bank Wind Farm.

Published in Cork Harbour
Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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Cork Harbour Information

It’s one of the largest natural harbours in the world – and those living near Cork Harbour insist that it’s also one of the most interesting.

This was the last port of call for the most famous liner in history, the Titanic, but it has been transformed into a centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

The harbour has been a working port and a strategic defensive hub for centuries, and it has been one of Ireland's major employment hubs since the early 1900s. Traditional heavy industries have waned since the late 20th century, with the likes of the closure of Irish Steel in Haulbowline and shipbuilding at Verolme. It still has major and strategic significance in energy generation, shipping and refining.

Giraffe wander along its shores, from which tens of thousands of men and women left Ireland, most of them never to return. The harbour is home to the oldest yacht club in the world, and to the Irish Navy. 

This deep waterway has also become a vital cog in the Irish economy.

‘Afloat.ie's Cork Harbour page’ is not a history page, nor is it a news focus. It’s simply an exploration of this famous waterway, its colour and its characters.

Cork Harbour Festival

Ocean to City – An Rás Mór and Cork Harbour Open Day formerly existed as two popular one-day events located at different points on Cork’s annual maritime calendar. Both event committees recognised the synergy between the two events and began to work together and share resources. In 2015, Cork Harbour Festival was launched. The festival was shaped on the open day principle, with Ocean to City – An Ras Mór as the flagship event.

Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown from strength to strength. Although the physical 2020 festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, the event normally features nine festival days starting on the first week of June. It is packed full of events; all made possible through collaboration with over 50 different event partners in Cork City, as well as 15 towns and villages along Cork Harbour. The programme grows year by year and highlights Ireland’s rich maritime heritage and culture as well as water and shore-based activities, with Ocean to City – An Rás Mór at the heart of the festival.

Taking place at the centre of Ireland’s maritime paradise, and at the gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way, Cork is perfectly positioned to deliver the largest and most engaging harbour festival in Ireland.

The Cork Harbour Festival Committee includes representatives from Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, UCC MaREI, RCYC, Cobh & Harbour Chamber and Meitheal Mara.

Marinas in Cork Harbour

There are six marinas in Cork Harbour. Three in Crosshaven, one in East Ferry, one in Monkstown Bay and a new facility is opening in 2020 at Cobh. Details below

Port of Cork City Marina

Location – Cork City
Contact – Harbour Masters Dept., Port of Cork Tel: +353 (0)21 4273125 or +353 (0)21 4530466 (out of office hours)

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831023

Crosshaven Boatyard Marina

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4831161

Salve Marina Ltd

Location: Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0) 21 4831145

Cork Harbour Marina

Location: Monkstown, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)87 3669009

East Ferry Marina

Location: East Ferry, Co. Cork
Contact: +353 (0)21 4813390

New Cove Sailing Club Marina

(to be opened in 2020)

Location: Cobh, Co. Cork
Contact: 087 1178363

Cork Harbour pontoons, slipways and ramps

Cork City Boardwalk Existing pontoon

Port of Cork 100m. pontoon

Cork city – End of Cornmarket St. steps and slip;

Cork city - Proby’s Qy. Existing limited access slip

Quays Bar & Restaurant, Private pontoon and ramp for patrons, suitable for yachts, small craft town and amenities

Cobh harbour [camber] Slip and steps inside quay wall pontoon

Fota (zoo, house, gardens) Derelict pontoon and steps

Haulbowline naval basin; restricted space Naval base; restricted access;

Spike Island pier, steps; slip, pontoon and ramp

Monkstown wooden pier and steps;

Crosshaven town pier, with pontoon & steps

East Ferry Marlogue marina, Slip (Great Island side) visitors’ berths

East Ferry Existing pier and slip; restricted space East Ferry Inn (pub)
(Mainland side)

Blackrock pier and slips

Ballinacurra Quay walls (private)

Aghada pier and slip, pontoon & steps public transport links

Whitegate Slip

Passage West Pontoon

Glenbrook Cross-river ferry

Ringaskiddy Parking with slip and pontoon Ferry terminal; village 1km.

Carrigaloe pier and slip; restricted space; Cross-river ferry;

Fountainstown Slip

White’s Bay beach

Ringabella beach

Glanmire Bridge and tide restrictions

Old Glanmire - Quay